Macross Frontier Light Novel Discussion

[wisteria233]

Originally Posted by raile

Another blog post on the light novel. Might find something useful or interesting here, if anyone wants to give it a try.

Spoiler for Japanese text:

サヨツバ小説読みました

本は３月末日に手に入れてその日に読破。何回も読みました。
ええと。
右京さんのマクロスＦ小説は好きで、ＴＶ版、短編集どっちももう一回買いなおそうかと思うくらい読み込みま した。でも、イツワリ＆サヨナラはそこまで読むことはないでしょう。
これももちろんマクロスフロンティアではあります。
そしてもちろんいい所もあります。
でも・・・。
以下、続きます。

ＴＶ版や短編集が面白かった分、期待が大きすぎちゃったのかな。

右京さんの小説にしてはマイ設定がだいぶ控えめで、映画に沿った形です。
それでいて、そこまで書く？って所をくどいほど書き、そこは削っちゃダメでしょ！って所をばっ さり削る。
アルトの恋愛感情表現がはっきり書かれていず、シェリルへの思いが特に削られていて泣きたくなる。しかも、 「愛してｒ・・・」を何で削る？
「劇場版のノベライズなんだからわかるよね」と言われれば、そりゃわかりますよ。いくらそこを削ったからっ てアルランには思えませんし。
でも、そこを書かなくてどうするんですか。アルトが決意する、それは自分自身の生き方についてもそうだし、 トライアングラーへの答えもそう。なら、いかにシェリルに魅かれていくか、それもこの作品のキモでしょ。行 間を読むってのは前後が書かれているからこそできることではないですか。ＴＶ版小説、特に２２話以降らへん やティアドロップみたいな、すごくいいものも書ける人なのにな、右京さん。

くどいほど書く、の一つはランカ。映画でも思ったけどね、ここまで「ランカちゃんは悪くないよ！」設定にし なけりゃ「かわいくていい娘」にはできないの、って。映画はそれでもかわいいとは思ったんだけど、小説では もう賛美がすごくてとてもダメ。別にアルトのシェリルに対する思いがどうの、だからじゃないよ。あれだ、美 樹本さんの描くミンメイに対する気持ちと同じだ。
あまりに賛美がすごくて「ランカここまで天使みたいな娘じゃないよね？」って気持ちになって引いちゃう。う ーん、今までのもランカ美化はあったけど、許容範囲内ではあったので気にはならなかったんだけ ど。

そしてもう一つはアルトの天女。
ＴＶ版のアルトはパイロットを続けると思った。
劇場版のアルトは帰ってきたら（最初は切ないラストと感じたけど、今じゃ帰って来る以外に考えられないよ） 歌舞伎役者に戻ると思った（マックス＆ミリア以上に宇宙で一番有名な夫婦になるよ！）。
でも・・・劇場小説のアルトは・・・羽衣を手にした天女みたいに戻って来ないとしか・・・。
ＴＶのランカのラストとして考えた中に、ギャラクシーの敵を倒したあと、ネットに意識だけつないで何百年も 生きて人とバジュラの橋渡しをする、っていうのがあったけど、それに近いものを感じる。
役者はその身に神を降ろして舞い、演じるけど、舞台から降りればそれはもう人。だから舞台の上は神聖なもの で、素人が上る所ではないけれど、いつまでも役者が神であってもいけないでしょう。
あのシーン、本当に美しかった・・・んだけど、人の美しさではなくて神の美しさだった。
映画のアルトは一人の男として成すべきことを成すと決め、二人の思いをクィーンに届けた。二人の思いとアル トの誠意をクィーンは受け入れ、自分たちと違う人類を理解した。それが通じたからアルトはその直後、自分が どうなるのかを悟りながらあそこまで美しくいられたんだと思う。あれは間違いなく人としての美 しさ。
どっちがいいと言えば、断然後者。

とはいえ、本当に面白い所もあります。ってか、ぶっちゃけ「ランカ賛美と天女アルトの、そこまで書いちゃう コーナー！」がなければかなりいけるんじゃないかと。
フロンティアとギャラクシーの関係性とか、なかなか劇場版で触れられなかったとことか。マクロスキャラゲス ト出演とか。
プラス見たくてしょうがないよ。近所のレンタル屋さん４巻だけないってどういうことよ。
キムの判断は間違ってないとは思うんだ。バジュラによって全滅させられた艦があるのは事実だし、最悪フロン ティアを全滅させてでも全宇宙を守らなけりゃならない立場だから。でも、もうちょっとだけ時間をくれても・ ・・「何分間くれてやる、それまでに結果を出せ。それ以降は一秒も待たない」とかさ・・・。
そしてアルトとキャシーの会話。愛する者を失った（と思ってる）二人が、それでも自分ができることをやろう とする姿、これも人であればこそ。
そして、やけに神性を強調されたアルトだけど、それでも何かに押しつけられたわけでなく、自分の意思で行動 した、ということについては評価してます。

結果。
熟読するほどではないけれど、きっと本棚の隅にいつまでも置いておくくらいには好きだし、面白い作品でした 。思い出したころにまた読むと思います。

Yeah this also says nothing about Alto ending up with Ranka, though she does talk about the beautification of not just Alto but also Ranka. Though it does make a mention of Alto being dead, and a confession to Sheryl.

The only complaints I see here is about there being too much purple prose.

[Thess]

It seems the novel is pretty unkind to Sheryl portrayal in general? But it Mary Sues Ranka and, specially, Alto (I won't use Gary Stu'ed him, since Mary Sue is more fitting. Alto is more feminine than ever and he's accused of sharing BL-moments with Michel).

Overall, they are disappointed since the novelist has delivered a decent work in the past books.

I think we can all blame this on the deadline pressure and crisis combination.

[karice67]

Japanese bloggers and reviewers seem to be very good at keeping away from spoilers, but based on what the amazon reviewers have written, what darkplataform posted two pages ago back here seems to be generally accurate (the review that talks about it most explicitly was, unfortunately, posted on April 1st...).

Re: Alto, one of the problems some ppl have with the novels (series and movie) in general is how prominent the kabuki aspect is (not only in its depiction, but also as an influence on Alto's 'current' life). I think AlaAlba mentioned something to that effect once before too, wrt the second volume. The scene I've read (don't know if there are others yet) had me cracking up , I must admit...

Spoiler for slight movie spoiler:

There is a 'Alto returns to indecisiveness' criticism probably has a fair bit to do with the writer not having Alto say "aishiteru" <= several of the reviewers allude to this, if not actually writing it outright. So this spoiler at least was accurate.

As for the blog posts raile posted...no real spoilers posted. One of them hasn't finished it yet (170pages in, I think).

[Dash_Hunter]

Originally Posted by Thess

I think we can all blame this on the deadline pressure and crisis combination.

They should have given the author more time, one or two months more at least.

Originally Posted by magnuskn

Oh, and again with the question to Dash_Hunter: Is the "no more Macross Frontier material after this point" thing confirmed? Because this scenario seems to have spontaneously spawned into existance, with no prior information.

Sorry for that and no, it's nothing official ie there haven't been an official announcement or something like that, I'm just assuming because after April there aren't more MF related products that are going to be released aside from toys and of course the DVD/BD of SNT.

Macross F VISUAL COLLECTION Sheryl Nome FINAL
Release: 2011/04/23

OFFICIAL COMPLETE BOOK "Macross F The Movie: - Sayonara no Tsubasa -"
Release: 2011/04/16

Macross A (Ace) Vol.8
Kadokawashoten
Release: 2011/03/26

Sheryl - Kiss in the Galaxy 3 FINAL
Release: 2011/04/13

Novel "Macross F - Sayonara no Tsubasa" FINAL
Release: 2011/03/31

Notice the use of the word Final

That and some other things like that apparently the author of the light novels won't do anything more about Macross F after the SNT novel like Yot-chan posted a couple of pages ago, or an interview with Kawamori named "Macross F series finally complete! The latest interview with director Kawamori".
I haven't read the interview from Macross Ace but I think he just said that there was a possibility of a sequel but it seems that he's not seriously thinking about doing one.

I think that maybe there will be more Macross F merchandise, just not products with new story, like novels, series or ovas.
I'm just hoping for maybe a second "Nyan Cli" with the new songs from SNT and a new game for PSP/PS3 with a campaing of the second movie and the YF-29.

[Thess]

Those say final because it'll be the last in that way, I think? But it doesn't mean there won't be more Frontier manga or short novel stories or drama cds. Maybe!

Originally Posted by karice67

Spoiler for slight movie spoiler:

There is a 'Alto returns to indecisiveness' criticism probably has a fair bit to do with the writer not having Alto say "aishiteru" <= several of the reviewers allude to this, if not actually writing it outright. So this spoiler at least was accurate.

Spoiler for yup spoilers:

Basically is what one of the blogger says, they cut down the explicit confession.

This last review is pretty revealing too:

Spoiler for japanese:

この小説だと恋愛に関してアルトはとの気持ちを理解するスタンスが描かれていてるだけなので、読んでいて残 念でした。劇場版でシェリルを選ぶまでにいたった心理描写を読みたかったな～と思いました(^-^; 場面を抜粋して書いてるみたいなので劇場版を見てた人とこの小説だけを読んだ人とはラストの印象が変わって くると思いました☆

[karice67]

^

Well...even the radio show has ended. I thought they'd keep going at least until the movie was out on DVD/BD...but it finished last week. I think they'll definitely have at least one more concert, and there may be a story or two in the last couple of books due out...but generally speaking, it's like everyone has agreed to move on.

[Thess]

@karice67: Yes, true, I mean side-material. Like you know, first Macross has been over for a looong time yet we get Macross the First now and tons of short novel stories.

Did you read the review I posted. It's subtly spoiling.

[karice67]

^

Crap.

I just did....and it sounds...ominous.

Argh. I wish amazon would restock the first novel and allow preorders for OreImo 8 already!

[Thess]

If you purchase it, let me know if it's worth it!

[magnuskn]

Originally Posted by Dash_Hunter

They should have given the author more time, one or two months more at least.



Sorry for that and no, it's nothing official ie there haven't been an official announcement or something like that, I'm just assuming because after April there aren't more MF related products that are going to be released aside from toys and of course the DVD/BD of SNT.

Notice the use of the word Final

That and some other things like that apparently the author of the light novels won't do anything more about Macross F after the SNT novel like Yot-chan posted a couple of pages ago, or an interview with Kawamori named "Macross F series finally complete! The latest interview with director Kawamori".
I haven't read the interview from Macross Ace but I think he just said that there was a possibility of a sequel but it seems that he's not seriously thinking about doing one.

I think that maybe there will be more Macross F merchandise, just not products with new story, like novels, series or ovas.
I'm just hoping for maybe a second "Nyan Cli" with the new songs from SNT and a new game for PSP/PS3 with a campaing of the second movie and the YF-29.

Well, that's okay then. I had feared that there really would be some word from Kawamori in the direction of "I'm done, bring on the next project, I can't see those characters anymore!". It may be a slim hope, but it gives at least some chance of an OVA or something, before the next project comes into gear.

[darkplataform]

Nothing like foreign language gossip to shake up a sleepy thread ^^

Still waiting for a local summary (or maybe I just should buy the damn thing and upload it)

[Thess]

ファンなら、ランカ派もシェリル派も読んでおいて損は無いと思います。

So this book trolls both?

I guess only the slashers give it many stars. <- Previous post.

Originally Posted by darkplataform

- Sheryl destiny is unclear, but she might be dead
- Ranka writing Houkago Overflow thinking: I'll reach Alto no matter what
- Author pointting out Alto will forget Sheryl (google says: forgetting the dead) someday and going back to Ranka

I'm going to speculate that these spoilers could be real, but out of context. It's not in the ending. Let me clarify...

Spoiler for movie spoilers:

There is a POINT in the movie, Sheryl's fate is unknown and she's presumed dead (after the Alcatraz break out). In that moment, it's the whole scene with Ranka and Alto exchange and Houkago Overflow stuff.

So yes, if Sheryl had died. Maybe Alto would have moved on... someday (like after he went back his mission, someday maybe his feelings for Ranka will change). Which is pretty weak news for the relationship. When Ranka went away in the TV series (and she wasn't presumed dead or anything), Alto actually acted as Sheryl's lover. That was not future possibility, but a present one...

Of course Sheryl didn't die.

Spoiler for movie spoilers:

Alto found her and before that he recalled their first meeting which crushed any sliver of hope Alto/Ranka shippers had... considering the ramblings I've seen when I fished up for spoilers, this scene (with "Sheryl out the way") was what had them hoping for canonization. Whoops. One minute later, Sheryl returns heroically alive and turns up she was the First Girl after all (which was foreshadowed in their first movie date ).

I think knowing this reasoning also makes Ranka's choice to save Sheryl with the blood transfusion kind of a "to choose something, means you have to lose something." She lost any chance she had with Alto for real. But of course won a selfless characterization. She chose Sheryl's life over Alto's love. Since both Alto and Sheryl made a choice to win and lose something themselves, I was wondering what was Ranka's big choice.

[moncikoma]

Originally Posted by Dash_Hunter

I'm just hoping for maybe a second "Nyan Cli" with the new songs from SNT and a new game for PSP/PS3 with a campaing of the second movie and the YF-29.

yes i am very much hoping it would...

we need nyanclip vol2 anda PS3 game...

as for the sequel... ..some day..maybe .. if kawamori say it is possible, so yeah..
i think it will happen someday..

but after his NEW http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNC_P...eature=related
finished

[SS13]

Japanese bloggers and reviewers seem to be very good at keeping away from spoilers, but based on what the amazon reviewers have written, what darkplataform posted two pages ago back here seems to be generally accurate (the review that talks about it most explicitly was, unfortunately, posted on April 1st...).

Okay, so if that was on mark , then we have one question - did Sheryl wake up or not? could anybody speaking japanese please clarify this?

[karice67]

Hm...going back a few years again, but I just finished vol. 2 (series, not movies - haven't been able to order those yet...) and finally realised one thing: Alto didn't actually lose the earring in the battle in the first volume. He had it on a necklace, so he's still got it at the end of this one (~episode 14 events)... The author also changed the battle slightly, such that everyone realises that Ranka's song was what saved them... Bet that changes Ranka's character development in the next volume...

But one thing that had me grinning a little (beside that kabuki scene anyway...) was the comment that 'the only people who hadn't realised Monica's secret crush were the captain himself and Alto...'. That boy is as dense as ever... In fact, the more I read of Alto's (and even Sheryl's) characterisation, the more certain I get that a few people here will really dislike the novels...

Ah well, moving on...

[wisteria233]

Originally Posted by karice67

Hm...going back a few years again, but I just finished vol. 2 (series, not movies - haven't been able to order those yet...) and finally realised one thing: Alto didn't actually lose the earring in the battle in the first volume. He had it on a necklace, so he's still got it at the end of this one (~episode 14 events)... The author also changed the battle slightly, such that everyone realises that Ranka's song was what saved them... Bet that changes Ranka's character development in the next volume...

But one thing that had be grinning a little (beside that kabuki scene anyway...) was the comment that 'the only people who hadn't realised Monica's secret crush were the captain himself and Alto...'. That boy is as dense as ever... In fact, the more I read of Alto's (and even Sheryl's) characterisation, the more certain I get that a few people here will really dislike the novels...

Ah well, moving on...

Was it the movie novels or the tv series novels?

[karice67]

Originally Posted by wisteria233

Was it the movie novels or the tv series novels?

Series. As mentioned above, I haven't gotten my hands on the movie novelisation yet.

I think I'll stay out of the Romance thread this time (seriously, someone there needs to move on!), but the novel makes you realise that Alto's 'interest' in Sheryl wasn't necessarily as straightforward as some people would like to believe.

[wisteria233]

Originally Posted by karice67

Series. As mentioned above, I haven't gotten my hands on the movie novelisation yet.

I think I'll stay out of the Romance thread this time (seriously, someone there needs to move on!), but the novel makes you realise that Alto's 'interest' in Sheryl wasn't necessarily as straightforward as some people would like to believe.

Oh didn't see, when you said it was from the tv series.

The relationship between the two of them never really struck as straight forward, due to both of their personalities.

But I am interested in what you read.

[Darthtabby]

I'm also curious to know what you found out.

[karice67]

It's characterisation that's spread over the first two volumes (and probably over the last two, but I haven't gotten to them yet) so I don't know if I can even summarise it properly, but let's see how it goes.

Spoiler for just in case (mini 1st movie spoiler too):

Basically, it goes back to something Kawamori said about Alto in the episode 10 commentary...

Originally Posted by karice67

Nakajima: It often slips my mind that Alto was in the acting world.
Kawamori: You know, he might be acting all the time...
Endou: No, don't say that!
(Kawamori laughs)
Endou: come on tell us! when is he acting?!
Kawamori: Well, even Alto himself sometimes doesn't know when he's acting and when he's not, that's why he's afraid of being in the acting world.
------though that's also true of actors in our world.
Endou: Characters similar to oneself are the most difficult to do (in some ways)
Kawamori: It's like, 'where does the role end and you start?'
Endou: Are you creating something or not? It's hard to know.

I think it's something that the creators wanted us to consider when watching the series (Kawamori indicates as much in a couple of interviews I've skimmed), but only a couple of people brought it up back then and no one really discussed it. Which is possibly one of the reasons they made it explicit in the 1st movie (i.e. "Am I a man? Am I a woman?").



Except that the novels go a bit further into the implications of what it meant: i.e.

Originally Posted by kari-no-sugata

For Alto as an onnagata, that would mean becoming a woman (mentally).

especially considering he started acting at such a young age, probably before he was even able to form an identity for himself.


Personally, I'm still trying to get my head around what this means for Alto's relationships with the two girls. For example, one of the effects could be that he doesn't even try to understand what Sheryl and Ranka are thinking wrt him because that involves thinking like a woman again...