Macross Frontier - Speculation Thread [Spoilers]

[Westlo]

Some spoilers for 11-13 by Kresphy again

Spoiler for 11-13:

11 Missing Birthday 2008.06.12
Ranka is preparing birthday gift for Alto's approaching birthday, but he received an invitation from Sheryl.

12 Fastest Delivery 2008.06.19
It is because Sheryl is holding a consolation concert that she is at Planet Galia 4.
But due to she being ill, the concert had to be cancelled. This caused a huge riot.

13 Twilight Planet 2008.06.26
Alto and Ranka made an emergency landing in Galia 4 by a glitch of VF.
Through extended chat, they grew a liking of each other.

Spoiler for My thoughts:

11 and 12 seem to be Sheryl dominated again but 13 seems to be the real start for Alto and Ranka. Personally I'm happy that they are going to finally start liking each other at that point since I think it increases the chances for Sheryl at the end. I was slightly worried it was going to be Sheryl dominated until near the end with Ranka coming over the top at the finish line. All I need is Sheryl to accidentally come across those two being somewhat intimate together (holding hands or kissing) around the 14-17 mark and her walking away depressed. That scene's so cliche for the winner in anime/manga.

[cheesie]

Originally Posted by Westlo

Some spoilers for 11-13.

Spoiler for 11-13:

11 Missing Birthday 2008.06.12
Ranka is preparing birthday gift for Alto's approaching birthday, but he received an invitation from Sheryl.

12 Fastest Delivery 2008.06.19
It is because Sheryl is holding a consolation concert that she is at Planet Galia 4.
But due to she being ill, the concert had to be cancelled. This caused a huge riot.

13 Twilight Planet 2008.06.26
Alto and Ranka made an emergency landing in Galia 4 by a glitch of VF.
Through extended chat, they grew a liking of each other.

Spoiler for My thoughts:

11 and 12 seem to be Sheryl dominated again but 13 seems to be the real start for Alto and Ranka. Personally I'm happy that they are going to finally start liking each other at that point since I think it increases the chances for Sheryl at the end. I was slightly worried it was going to be Sheryl dominated until near the end with Ranka coming over the top at the finish line. All I need is Sheryl to accidentally come across those two being somewhat intimate together (holding hands or kissing) around the 14-17 mark and her walking away depressed. That scene's so cliche for the winner in anime/manga.

Spoiler:

I'll wait until they translate the extended chats. The way the user translated this was too one-sided. I'm not sure what they mean by 'extended chat' or 'grew a liking' (since Ranka already likes Alto). I remember the first few spoilers of the previews translated way differently than the confirmed ones later on.

With the way things SEEM to be going, I would've pegged Sheryl down as the loser in the love triangle, but that's only if Alto --> Sheryl or Sheryl staking her so-called prize on Alto. But right now, Alto and Sheryl are clearly in denial about each other, stomping on every suggestion about romance with each other when they don't realize they're showing the opposite with each other. Michel's right, Alto is too much of a kid, he can't handle Ranka's sensitivity, and she won't beat it into him the way Sheryl always does.

Sheryl's chances of winning will increase to 150% if they make a second season. Right now, I see her at about 70%.

[squaresphere]

Spoiler for My thoughts:

Well Ranka always has a chance with Alto since she's more likely to feed his ego more than Sheryl any day of the week Still all it takes is for her to whine and want him to be her crutch and he'll be running back to super Sheryl.

[SymphonicRain]

Spoiler for my 2 cents:

Noooooo. Sheryl!

Guess worse comes to worst, Sheryl lovers will have to build their own sanctuary in form of fanfics to escape from Macross reality. >.>

[Tak]

That'd be interesting to see. As of right now, there appears to be absolutely NO chemistry between Alto and our song-miko, Ranka.

And I mean... none what so ever.

But if Kawamori pulled a Tomino on me... if he did...

I swear to goddess Brunhilde, Verdandi, Skuld and Urd...

...

......

- Tak

[SymphonicRain]

A suggestion for parley maybe?

Spoiler:

Manga version ends with Alto X Ranka.
The art style that focuses on cuteness seems to be appropriate for the duo.

Anime version ends with Alto X Sheryl.
Again the art style seems to be appropriate without resulting in Alto being perceived as a lolicon.

This should be doable if the Evangelion manga, Sadamoto's version, managed to achieve it without Asuka-tard's uprising.

[zalem]

The more they keep pushing the whole Sheryl x Alto thing so much lately makes me think she is going to lose. More and more they keep showing Ranka being pushed aside by Sheryl....both in her career, personal life and love life. You can just tell they are going to make this all turn around and she will be the one who "wins" at the end. Which is depressing because I don't like Ranka x Alto at all. Seems too much like lolicon to me (yes, yes I know they are close in age, but she still looks 11 years old. She is acts very young and naive too, which adds to this feeling.)

[Tak]

WE WILL NOT NEGOTIATE! WE WILL NOT FALTER! WE SHALL NEVER COMPROMISE!

WE DID NOT SURRENDER IN LEIPZIG! WE PRESSED ON IN WATERLOO! WE MARCHED GLORIOUSLY UPON THE STREETS OF PARIS, AND WE WILL NOT STOP UNTIL THE LAST DROP OF OUR BLOOD IS UTTERLY SPENT!

TO SUGGEST ANYTHING OTHER THAN ALTO x SHERYL IS HERESY AND AN AFFRONT TO THE ECCLESIARCHY!

*waves plastic spoon*

BURN THE HERETIC, KILL THE MUTANT, PURGE THE UNCLEAN!!!

psst, Tak... you need a drink, and a mint...

ARGHHHH!!

Its fiction Tak, fiiiccctttiiiiooonnn... its ok... it really is...

*Ahem*

On a more serious note, I will repeat my previous point. Kawamori is not Tomino. For him to pull a sudden brake like that would not be his style. If he did, he did it just to spite us, if nothing else. Otherwise, Sheryl is a lot more in line with Kawamori's character love interest. And I am certain Kawamori is very aware of our disinterest in a Ranka x Alto pairing.

But we shall see, won't we.

- Tak

[SymphonicRain]

Originally Posted by Tak

On a more serious note, I will repeat my previous point. Kawamori is not Tomino. For him to pull a sudden brake like that would not be his style. If he did, he did it just to spite us, if nothing else. Otherwise, Sheryl is a lot more in line with Kawamori's character love interest. And I am certain Kawamori is very aware of our disinterest in a Ranka x Alto pairing.

But we shall see, won't we.

- Tak

If Kawamori cares for the audiences outside of Japan. :\

Anyone knows the stand amongs tthe Japanese audiences?

[ani_d]

Originally Posted by Westlo

Some spoilers for 11-13 by Kresphy again

Spoiler for 11-13:

11 Missing Birthday 2008.06.12
Ranka is preparing birthday gift for Alto's approaching birthday, but he received an invitation from Sheryl.

12 Fastest Delivery 2008.06.19
It is because Sheryl is holding a consolation concert that she is at Planet Galia 4.
But due to she being ill, the concert had to be cancelled. This caused a huge riot.

13 Twilight Planet 2008.06.26
Alto and Ranka made an emergency landing in Galia 4 by a glitch of VF.
Through extended chat, they grew a liking of each other.

That makes me a one happy girl. ^___^

Originally Posted by Westlo

Spoiler for My thoughts:

All I need is Sheryl to accidentally come across those two being somewhat intimate together (holding hands or kissing) around the 14-17 mark and her walking away depressed. That scene's so cliche for the winner in anime/manga.

Sheryl will have to do something else since Ranka already did something sorta similar. I have more to say about this but last time I talked big I jinxed myself so I'd rather not

Spoiler for light at the end of the tunnel!:

First of all, I could've sworn episode 11 is about Ranka's 16th birthday. When is she going to turn 16? :| Anyway, I would be angry at this show if they continued torturing my Ranka till episode 17-20--almost to the end. Character development on those two halfway in the series looks good to me. Thank goodness. -_-

I wouldn't expect much on episode 13. I don't really think Ranka and Alto would really hook up right away after that incident. If anything, I see it more like a graduation from the dreadful 'purely' platonic state into a 'more than friends less than lover' kind of bond. I like it better like that, honestly.

Originally Posted by Tak

As of right now, there appears to be absolutely NO chemistry between Alto and our song-miko, Ranka.

And I mean... none what so ever.

Omg, how can you not love those two whenever you see Alto poke Ranka's forehead with his paper airplanes? They're so...pure together haha

Really now guys, just look at episode 11 and the events from 5-8, can you actually say Ranka deserves more torturing? lol

Originally Posted by SymphonicRain

If Kawamori cares for the audiences outside of Japan. :\

Anyone knows the stand amongs tthe Japanese audiences?

Kawamori cares. Or else, he wouldn't be rich right now.

[Ja-Y-Ce]

Frankly speaking, we should all have seen it coming since there have been quite a bit of Alto x Sheryl development...

Nooooo...Sheryl....Noooooo... and yes, should anything fails, I shall go into the fanfic world for my pairing. =| Not that I do not like Ranka...but up to now, I still feel that Alto X Sheryl will make a great pair.

Guess that we can only wait n see....

[Swampstorm]

Originally Posted by ani_d

Omg, how can you not love those two whenever you see Alto poke Ranka's forehead with his paper airplanes? They're so...pure together haha

Really now guys, just look at episode 11 and the events from 5-8, can you actually say Ranka deserves more torturing? lol

That would be nice, but I can't help but grimace at the prospect of future Sheryl torturing, necessary though it may be for character growth and all that. It's easy to forget that Sheryl has already served her time of doing carrot gigs, and with neither fanclub nor family to boot. But to the audience, she just woke up in the first episode a star; which is what makes even the hint of a rivalry with Ranka pretty brutal for how an audience percieves Sheryl.

I've always liked Ranka a lot, regardless of what's happened with her. My main worry comes from the fact that Alto catalyzed the change of serious Sheryl to playful fun-loving Sheryl and I'd hate to see those dynamics go to waste.

[Julao]

im my opinion on how the series is progressing, it's like this:

Alto = Hikaru/Rick Hunter

Sheryl = Hayase/Lisa Hayes

Ranka = Lynn Minmay

It's kinda similar to the 1st macross/robotech series, on how the story is developing.........

[Tak]

Because Sheryl is in line with Kawamori's traditional heroines, that is why Alto will get Sheryl. But of course, if Kawamori intends to surprise us, I am open to how he will do just that.

Not that I will rule out the possibility of driving a semi full of Molotov cocktails into his studio, but you know...

- Tak

[zalem]

Originally Posted by ani_d

Omg, how can you not love those two whenever you see Alto poke Ranka's forehead with his paper airplanes? They're so...pure together haha

Really now guys, just look at episode 11 and the events from 5-8, can you actually say Ranka deserves more torturing? lol

They have a cute brother/sister relationship. No real romantic chemistry at all. That doesn't mean I want Ranka tortured. I hope her career does take off at least. Though that'll be hard with Leon pulling strings to make sure she gets nothing.

Hope the rest of you guys are right when you say Sheryl is the Hayase of this series.

[SymphonicRain]

Originally Posted by Tak

Not that I will rule out the possibility of driving a semi full of Molotov cocktails into his studio, but you know...

Give me your address and I'll sponsor you some cocktails and some matches >.> <.<

[Cadorna]

^ We are three, count me in ^.^

[ani_d]

Why do I feel like I'm the only one here that wants a Ranka ending. x___x Ah well.

Originally Posted by Julao

im my opinion on how the series is progressing, it's like this:

Alto = Hikaru/Rick Hunter

Sheryl = Hayase/Lisa Hayes

Ranka = Lynn Minmay

It's kinda similar to the 1st macross/robotech series, on how the story is developing.........

I give up with all these Minmay/Misa comparisons lol If Ranka is Minmay, then she's a Minmay that's not self-centered, not fickle, cares a whole lot about her brother, friends, esp. the male lead, and means the same as the word 'whatever' to the male lead. I'm basing this on Alto's attitude this episode. When Alto is cold, he really is cold. -_- If he is Hikaru, then this Minmay has no impact on him when she should because we're still in the first half of the story. She can't even charm him.

I definitely find Alto's warm and cold attitude towards Ranka adorable and consider that a part of their chemistry. It's easy to forget their funny encounter in the first episode, but Alto and Ranka's chemistry is definitely not non-existent. They wouldn't have fans if their chemistry is like Nanase and Alto's which is nada. Somehow, I don't see them as having a bro/sis relationship. The two treat each other as how you'd treat a good friend.

Kawamori may be playing homages, but it doesn't mean he'll write the same story as last time. If Sheryl IS the Misa of this story, then maybe you're right. I always have this gut feeling she'll steal Alto's first kiss too.

Originally Posted by Swampstorm

I've always liked Ranka a lot, regardless of what's happened with her. My main worry comes from the fact that Alto catalyzed the change of serious Sheryl to playful fun-loving Sheryl and I'd hate to see those dynamics go to waste

Same way can be said with Ranka too, imo. Although I'm still having trouble seeing Sheryl's character becoming an emo heap just because of Alto. My image of Sheryl will be something like, if Alto 'rejects' her, she'll make him regret it or something. She's Sheryl Nome, afterall


As for episode 12

Spoiler for 12 thoughts:

Fast delivery kind of strikes me as an episode about how they need to fetch Sheryl's medicine, or take Sheryl to the hospital kind of ordeal. Leon was talking about a type V-infection in this episode. I wonder if it may have something to do with that. That, or may be she just have a strep throat.

[Swampstorm]

Originally Posted by ani_d

Why do I feel like I'm the only one here that wants a Ranka ending. x___x Ah well.

You're definitely not the only one. Although you seem to be one of the least scary.

There's going to be a "Ranka ending" regardless of whether Sheryl and Alto get together or not. Given that she's got top billing, then she's bound be the major success story by the end. Just leave something for Sheryl, too (i.e. the romance subplot).

Originally Posted by ani_d

I give up with all these Minmay/Misa comparisons lol If Ranka is Minmay, then she's a Minmay that's not self-centered, not fickle, cares a whole lot about her brother, friends, esp. the male lead, and means the same as the word 'whatever' to the male lead. I'm basing this on Alto's attitude this episode. When Alto is cold, he really is cold. -_- If he is Hikaru, then this Minmay has no impact on him when she should because we're still in the first half of the story. She can't even charm him.

I don't think that it's worth worrying about the comparisons either. If anything, tossing mixed signals here and there is just the sort of thing that writers can do to start a frenzy of speculation. I think that the allusions from the episode 10 and 13 seem to point in different directions based on what little we know about them, for example. Of course, it's hard to say until they're actually released.

Originally Posted by ani_d

I definitely find Alto's warm and cold attitude towards Ranka adorable and consider that a part of their chemistry. It's easy to forget their funny encounter in the first episode, but Alto and Ranka's chemistry is definitely not non-existent. They wouldn't have fans if their chemistry is like Nanase and Alto's which is nada. Somehow, I don't see them as having a bro/sis relationship. The two treat each other as how you'd treat a good friend.

Well, Ranka is designed with imouto moe in mind; that's we see her with cute/silly accessories and outfits whenever possible. And it doesn't help that Alto takes the attitude of a big brother forced to keep an eye out for his kid sister when dealing with her. Or that Ranka called Alto oniisan when he first saved her. Or the paired blood samples in episode two. But now we're getting into speculation.

I do think that Alto cares about Ranka, seeing as he looks out for her. But I'd usually associate chemistry with a more romantic feeling. That's not quite the same thing as treating someone as a good friend. But then again, this is anime after all, and there's always room for things to change if the writers decree it to be so.

Originally Posted by ani_d

Same way can be said with Ranka too, imo. Although I'm still having trouble seeing Sheryl's character becoming an emo heap just because of Alto. My image of Sheryl will be something like, if Alto 'rejects' her, she'll make him regret it or something. She's Sheryl Nome, afterall

You've already seen the signs, if you look closely. The talk at the end of the date in episode 5 shows some of the isolation that she feels when she remembers that she has to go back to Galaxy and leave Alto behind. Also, just before Sheryl kisses Alto, you can clearly see the disappointment in her eyes when she realizes that he's just coming to return the earring. Then there's that scene in episode 6 when it's revealed that she has no family and no close friends to come back to.

Ranka may be much quicker to let others know that she's hurt, but she's got a lot of really good things going for her that Sheryl doesn't; the only thing is that Ranka doesn't realize it. Ranka may complain of her troubles with her brother accepting her career; but at least she has someone whom she can call her brother. She may be downcast at having to do smaller roles than she had initially hoped for, but at least she has friends who provide her with support and encouragement. Just because Sheryl doesn't complain as loudly doesn't mean that she doesn't have her own burdens to bear.

I think part of the problem is that Sheryl comes across as such a strong character that it's very easy to miss out on the flashes of vulnerability that seep through from time to time. As of right now she may be the prime source of inspiration for our trio of protagonists, but at some point she'll need learn to rely on others to support her.

[.Mero]

Stil a bit early to determine the winner in the main triangle i think, There will be lots of bouncing hence and forth between Ranka and Sheryl by the princess be sure of that.

I myself would like to see more side character developement though, Mikhail x Klein Klan to be more precise ^^ and if thats to much, they can just leave Mikhail out for that matter as well :P