From the get go, it is implied that Sheryl doesn't need to be pushed in order to do something. Ranka on the other hand needs a bit of pushing on the side, because she's still unsure of herself, something which she does try to get around in the last few episodes.
Everytime Ranka tries to take a few brave steps forward, Sheryl's there to completely knock her off her feet again. Rinse and repeat. Sheryl always had the upper hand, her character was already set up in a way that it makes sense that she does those things because she is a strong, independent young woman. Also, crushes do not work that way. If it was a mere crush you know, she would just give up chasing Alto for all its worth, she already has all the men she could ever ask for.
Ranka going after Alto is probably a huge thank you on her part, cause we have no idea why the heck Ranka is chasing Alto for (
in the first few eps). She wishes to ascertain her feelings for Alto, and she is slowly realizing bit by bit, day by day that she actually likes Alto, underneath her whole thank you bit (the whole thank you bit is still a major part why she wants to send Alto cookies and give him tickets to her concert). So if a mere girl sends a guy she likes enough as a friend and she has enough reasons to thank him for saving her life at that too, it must mean that she is instantly having a crush on him (one time only eh, for one time only). For all we know, she sends the cookies and tickets as a great thank you gift and birthday gift all in one, if it happens to be the guy's birthday. People who give us birthday presents, based on this logic, must mean that they have crushes on us. Random guys or girls who give us presents might probably admire us or are thanking us for something that we did for them, we do not automatically assume that they all have crushes on us too eh. And we all know that given Ranka's recent pursuit of Alto and knowing full well that she is unable to provide things that Alto needs at the moment, where Sheryl can and be willing to give to him, it is not simply a mere teenage crush. She is still trying to ascertain if her feelings were just a simple teenage crush, and it sucks because probably Ranka hasn't actually met a guy who inspired her to do a lot of things like what Alto did. Ozma we know didn't like Ranka in showbiz, Nanase was probably the only one who knew about Ranka's talent (or probably not, she might only know that Ranka idolizes Sheryl Nome), and knowing their commander's stand, Mikhail and Luca wouldn't probably do anything to encourage her to do her best, except just tell her to be just who she wants to be, no live demonstration of actually doing that for her to be inspired to do so. Alto in some way indirectly did inspire her, and she was very grateful for it, and he also saved her life a couple of times.
Also, immature Ranka? Was Ranka immature for not crying in the last episode when she gave Alto those cookies and he wasn't there to receive them?
Also, her cookies were plane shaped, but then again she could've probably made them that way cause Alto works for the SMS, and she knows that they fly planes for a living.
but even if she did now about that, giving him store bought cookies or cookies shaped in obvious normal "girl cookies she bakes for the person she likes that have no particular shape attuned to what the guy obviously likes" would not express as much thought into making the cookies turn out to be shaped like what the guy obviously stood for or what he aspires to be. Of course, this is not saying that people who give random shaped cookies or store bought cookies deserve a lot less attention for trying to give them happiness the only way that they know how. The thought that they bothered enough to do that is already touching in a lot of aspects. Ranka was anxious to please Alto or make him happy on his birthday, and she's not at fault for not being as well-off as Sheryl who could give him the entire universe if she so deems to, so that he can have a real sky to fly in. If Ranka were to be able to give Alto a real sky to fly in and Sheryl wouldn't, I bet you would probably say that Ranka is evil and Sheryl should be sympathized with because she can't offer anything else.
They're not at fault for not bringing something good to Alto, or good for bringing something to Alto, in a way that it conveniently deletes or completely debunks what the other character has been trying to do in the past episodes that she or he has been presented in so far.
Alto chose the sky that Sheryl gave to him not because he wants to be with Sheryl, if he chose Ranka, he probably wanted to keep his feet on the ground or something cause he may have his own reasons and not necessarily because he just wanted to see Ranka, or if he chooses what his father wants, then he'll be forced to deal with the past he's been running away from for so long. It's not supposed to be simply seen as "because Sheryl and Alto spends a lot of time together, it must mean that they have this serious thing going on already, Alto chooses the sky because of Sheryl how romantic, Ranka is indecisive and weak and useless and Sheryl's not so Sheryl's a better pairing for Alto, etc." It's also not meant to be "Alto sent Michel for Ranka cause he's worried, Ranka made those cookies and it's worth more effort than what Sheryl did, Alto inspires Ranka so it MUST mean that that he likes her, etc." It's meant to be taken as a whole, not being blind to what the other side has proof for, or has some credible evidence for, so LOL OPINIONS.
ani_d and I probably credited Sheryl for being there for Ranka and pushing her to reach for dreams, and we do not mind a Sheryl end. But saying that Ranka isn't behind everything that Alto and Sheryl relationship is doing her character development an injustice as well. Everything that they do always leads to Ranka's thoughts or take on what is happening to the both of them.
It would be best if their relationship were to be given the SOLE spotlight for once, I mean, what the heck would Sheryl and Alto's relationship do for Ranka, or why would she be involved in something that only involves 2 people? So yes, in some perverted, twisted way, the show is indeed more on about Ranka and her relationship with Alto. Somebody already stated that Alto's not for Sheryl or Ranka which is true, but this is Macross, we all know this is going to get ugly.
Also, the shipping war for Macross Frontier has become very ridiculous wherein the relationship of the pair or intended pair is given more importance than what the anime was really all about AFTER the love triangle.
Graphic Designer
