ignore Thohell, he just doesn't appreciate the religious devotion i have to this series.
While 4Trans & Superknuckle more or less explained it to you, the one major factor you will appreciate in Macross is that while it's an mecha anime and therefore feature a lot of technology. The emphasis is not on the "amazing" and "powerful" weapons one side has over the other, but the celebration of standard issued or simply a better weapon model that can only be enhanced by the skill of the pilots.
In Gundam, there is something similiar in that while the technology mix in experimental with mass-production the focus is on those special "units" who are more or less equally matched, so it drops down to the skill of the pilots.
in macross it is more less the reverse, the units the pilots used are all related and more or less have the equal, no one unit stands above the rest, nor have any real advantages.
It more less drops down to the skill and courage of the pilots.
Another difference is that in Macross universe,
MENTALLY UNSTABLE TEENAGERS DO NOT HAVE A RIGHT TO PILOT MULTI-BILLION WORTH OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT.
Level headed and sometimes hot headed, but always qualified.
The fact is that Macross is pretty much anti-war in it's ethics, that cultural theme is the best way to settle disputes and worlds.
But they don't lack the courage to fight for their survival in this hostile universe.
Gundam always looks within the conflict and flaws of the human race always presenting a pessimistic view on our species
Macross sees the BEST in humans, it is the optimist of the space drama.
Humans are strong when we are united, when we are against the rest of the universe.
That's not to say the internal conflict did not happen, you have only to look to Macross Zero, and the beginning of the first series to know that the humans of the Macross universe have suffered at another global and unifying war, and even GENOCIDE!
Culture specifically Proto-culture saved the human race, and it is a means to a civilized existences the battles we see are merely the icing on the cake as they reach out to progress to a greater goal!!
*gasp*
MACROSS HALLOW BY THY NAME!!!
*sprinkle holy lubricant oil everywhere*
