Macross Frontier Character Discussion - Alto Saotome

[.Mero]

Don't think to much of my posts when it comes to shipping and pairing.

[MaiHikari]

Originally Posted by Deryns

I made a comment about the possibility of this in the episode thread. My thought was that depending on how Alto reacts to Klan next episode they could have some sort of bonding experience over the loss of Michel thus setting up a relationship of sorts between the two of them. As for the second part of your post I am not sure if you mean handle in the romantic sense. If you do we would have to see how being Songstress of Despair works out for Sheryl. If see really dies then I can see it happening, this would be the second person that Alto lost that was central to his world. Three if you count Michel. She can understand that and help him come to terms. Someone in the romance thread( sorry for not crediting but I didn't want search 80 pages of posts trying to find your name) mentioned Alto's voice actor saying in an interview who he ends up with will be a suprise. This would be more of a suprise than Alto and Ranka getting together for the sake of Frontier. Not to mention more original.

Meh~ KlanxAlto unlikely since Klan is gonna go bezerk on the vajra and no long haired pretty boy is gonna calm her down. She's not gonna get over it for a while. And the whole using Mikhail's death as a bonding experience is like spitting on his grave. So obviously wrong.

[Deryns]

Originally Posted by MaiHikari

Meh~ KlanxAlto unlikely since Klan is gonna go bezerk on the vajra and no long haired pretty boy is gonna calm her down. She's not gonna get over it for a while. And the whole using Mikhail's death as a bonding experience is like spitting on his grave. So obviously wrong.

After rewatching the episode with better subs I agree the romance is unlikely given what was said. I was responding to the second line of the post I was quoting with the only way I see that being possible. My original post in the episode thread mentioned the possibility of a mutual comfort sort of thing. Not unreasonable given that Michel was an important part of both their lives. I understand his death was necessary for the story, just wish the death of one of the more interesting characters hadn't been.

[kilroy0097]

The only closness Alto and Klan will ever share will be their common sadness over the end of Michael. That common bound will bring them closer together but not in a romantic way. If Klan survives till the end of the series, which is up in the air at this point with the major death flag, then I think she will be something akin to a best friend and nothing more. I'm afraid however that for the series, whatever happens to her, she will be alone and with any love for a while.

[grss1982]

Originally Posted by kilroy0097

The only closness Alto and Klan will ever share will be their common sadness over the end of Michael. That common bound will bring them closer together but not in a romantic way. If Klan survives till the end of the series, which is up in the air at this point with the major death flag, then I think she will be something akin to a best friend and nothing more. I'm afraid however that for the series, whatever happens to her, she will be alone and with any love for a while.

Klan could be the Single & Un-attached version of Canaria, whose a close frined of Ozma. I mean:

Klan = Canaria & Alto = Ozma

[squaresphere]

Alto's grown on me quite a bit. I mentioned before that he's really grown into his solider/protector persona. At this point I'm wondering how Ranka's defection is going to affect him.

For a long time Ranka kind of personified what he was fighting to protect, an innocent that couldn't protect them self. When she decided to sing to help fight, he was very leery about it (along with Ozma), pretty much he knew that it took more than "good intentions" to go to war.

He probably felt that the burden of everyone's safety and the necessity to do/see horrible things was beyond what Ranka as he knew her could handle. Ultimately, the loss of a good friend, the old way of life, and the her abandonment of her duties could really make Alto feel like he's been fighting for nothing.

He could get emo or awhile but when the chips are down I know Alto will fight with his last breath when needed.

[Wesley84]

I think Alto is completely thoughtless and borderline heartless. His brother is right. Alto is an actor, and lives to act and play out whatever role is appropiate. He was raised that way though, so it can't be helped.

[Deryns]

Great to finally see some Alto development. The dogfight and conversation with Ozma was awesome.

[Wesley84]

Originally Posted by Deryns

Great to finally see some Alto development. The dogfight and conversation with Ozma was awesome.

The exploded asteriods looked like shit.

[wingdarkness]

Originally Posted by Wesley84

I think Alto is completely thoughtless and borderline heartless. His brother is right. Alto is an actor, and lives to act and play out whatever role is appropiate. He was raised that way though, so it can't be helped.

Never thought I'd be agreeing with this guy, but that's a good assessment..

I've been fighting myself with comparing him to Takabaka from KGNE but he gives me those vibes...I guess the brightside for him is that Sheryl doesn't have much time left thanks to those bedbugs eating her brain meat like a smushed-up 3musketeers bar...

[Utau]

Originally Posted by Wesley84

I think Alto is completely thoughtless and borderline heartless. His brother is right. Alto is an actor, and lives to act and play out whatever role is appropiate. He was raised that way though, so it can't be helped.

Oh?

...........

what's this?

........................

*click*


I wonder when i'll get to say; "Finally Alto! a cheers to you!"

[Wesley84]

Originally Posted by Utau

Oh?

...........

what's this?

........................

*click*


I wonder when i'll get to say; "Finally Alto! a cheers to you!"

Whenever he supposedly picks the girl(s) of your choice. If he ever does. It's not like he's invested in saving Frontier, defeating a formidable and evil enemy, or even making amends with his dad.

[ippus]

Originally Posted by Wesley84

Whenever he supposedly picks the girl(s) of your choice. If he ever does. It's not like he's invested in saving Frontier, defeating a formidable and evil enemy, or even making amends with his dad.

Frankly, neither has Ranka, but that doesn't seem to stop you from thinking she's perfect =)
The show was meant to be romance centric, much like how M7 was music centric. Is it really so weird that the space wars take second place?

I also doubt any of the Sheryl fans would care too much if he decided to choose Ranka in a way that was more than just "Oh you're small and in need of protection so I'll me with you forever even if you don't know anything about me and I rarely listen to you fully and now you're queen of buglies that killed my [kind of] best friend so main character loli kirakira ftw" >_>

[Wesley84]

Originally Posted by ippus

Frankly, neither has Ranka, but that doesn't seem to stop you from thinking she's perfect =)

Don't "=)" me. I've never said she was perfect. Just a better developed character than anyone else. I also find her behavior more acceptable in general, and appreciate the fact she isn't some spoiled starlet. Unlike someone else I might name.

[Deryns]

Wow 2 straight episodes with Alto development I guess the series really is getting near the end. Although I am a little scared, the last character I liked who got this much development died.

[Paul Hausser]

Surely we can all agree Herr Saotome is a product of his upbringing. In personal terms, he is aloof and indecisive, although male leads in Macross series tend to share the latter trait. In military terms, he is undoubtedly skilled and brave. Unfortunately, his recklessness is a severe disadvantage, one anyone devoid of plot armor would pay most dearly for.

To be frank, Herr Saotome is somewhat of a disappointment to me. Of course, in terms of Macross protagonists he is not that bad. Unfortunately, measured against his more heroic or qualified counterparts, he is a bit lacking... although with time, he might grow into a more formidable individual. In fact, he already has, if only a bit, even though I have a hunch Kawamori still has a couple of aces in his sleeve.

[Deryns]

Originally Posted by Paul Hausser

Surely we can all agree Herr Saotome is a product of his upbringing. In personal terms, he is aloof and indecisive, although male leads in Macross series tend to share the latter trait. In military terms, he is undoubtedly skilled and brave. Unfortunately, his recklessness is a severe disadvantage, one anyone devoid of plot armor would pay most dearly for.

In what terms are you calling him indecisive? He seems to me to be capable of making pretty firm choices, choosing piloting over kabuki, fulfilling lifelong dream over reconciling with his father or seeing another concert, staying to protect his home when seven-tenths of his coworkers didn't. I agree about the recklessness however that is pretty standard among mecha pilot heroes.

To be frank, Herr Saotome is somewhat of a disappointment to me. Of course, in terms of Macross protagonists he is not that bad. Unfortunately, measured against his more heroic or qualified counterparts, he is a bit lacking... although with time, he might grow into a more formidable individual. In fact, he already has, if only a bit, even though I have a hunch Kawamori still has a couple of aces in his sleeve.

Again by what standard does he seem disappointing? I agree his development has been very slow, but I chalk that up to development being focused on the other two main characters so far. I have found his character interesting mainly because of Kawamori avoiding the cliched "boy falls into a mecha cockpit and is a instant ace" mold some series are fond of. As of the last 2 episodes he has come a long way.

[Westlo]

Originally Posted by Wesley84

I also find her behavior more acceptable in general, and appreciate the fact she isn't some spoiled starlet. Unlike someone else I might name.

Yeah her jumping out of Brera's vf was so acceptable!

[forgottendiary]

Originally Posted by Westlo

Yeah her jumping out of Brera's vf was so acceptable!

Yeap, along with the classic, "I want to die" line

[Paul Hausser]

Ah, I should have been more specific, then. Herr Saotome is, or at least appears to be, fairly indecisive in terms of interpersonal relations, especially those of the romantic sorts. But like I said, this is Macross cliche, and has to be expected, even though it is annoying. On the matter of his reckless behavior, yes, it is a standard, and one that should be beaten out of mecha jocks with heavy blunt instruments. In the field, recklessness gets either the individual in question, or his companions killed. A lesson in humility would do the boy good, as far as his future career and continued existence (bar the plot armor, of course) is concerned.

And as for my measuring standards, in terms of qualifications, especially those of the military kind, in Japanese animation, there are very few true ones. And while I am undoubtedly unfair, for military men and such ilk, I primarly use the one who says "This is no Zaku, boy! No Zaku!"

StillI admit, Herr Saotome has undoubtedly grown during the series, and hopefully, he is not at the end of his road.