Romance in Macross

[Swampstorm]

It's a variable paper plane. You didn't think that there wouldn't be advancements in Origami (fold) technology over fifty years, did you?

Spoiler for Serious Business:

But if we really must argue on this, I must point out that our paper plane is bigger than your paper plane!


Victory confirmed?

Sorry for getting sidetracked. I couldn't resist.

It looks like we're in need of a proper humor/parody thread.

[lone_wolf]

Here's 3 more from Ranka's blog...I think this is where I left off.

==========================================
5/28
２０５９年２月１５日
Title: "Something"


Ranka was thinking to herself that she wanted to try something so that's why she began this blog because she wanted to express herself even more.

She also mentions that she would like to sing so a lot of people could hear her song. She also mentions that she would like to try out for Miss Macross but she is not confident that she will make it. So she's not sure what will occur.


5/30
２０５９１２月７日

Ranka is saying that it's fun to exchange email but her brother thinks it's a waste of time. However there are many things she'd like to talk about. Even at work with Nanase.

Ranka then ponders that this is probably just a "girls' thing" to do.



5/30 (her second blog entry on the same day LOL)
２０５８年１２月７日

(NOTE: This one was a bit confusing but...)
Ranka is thinking of a handle (username) to use (777) because she wants to chat with people.
==============================================




The further I read through Ranka's blog I get the feeling that she REALLY wants to be like Sheryl LOL! And she speaks of Sheryl often.
Anyhow...I'll probably post some more later when I have time to go through her other posts.

Although I have to admit...Sheryl's blog is MUCH more interesting to read. I sometmes find myself bored with Ranka's thoughts.


--Lone Wolf
一匹狼

[Wesley84]

Ranka doesn't use the word "punish" enough or write in excerpts from amateur adult fiction.

[lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Wesley84

Ranka doesn't use the word "punish" enough or write in excerpts from amateur adult fiction.

Nah....reading through her blog...like I mentioned before...she's a bit petty and a bit shallow.


Even with Sheryl's blog, if you read further, she's pretty human and vulnerable. At least a good majority of her blog indicates that. She's also very thoughtful as the blog post points out. I especially like how she contemplated on that kiss with Alto...it really had an impact on her.

Ranka's latest entries are just about her trying to reach her goal of being an idol. I could tell she wants it badly though LOL. I got to hand it to her though...she's really persistant.　And she keeps talking about Sheryl....it's almost as if she's enamored by her LOL.

Oh well....if Alto doesn't end up with either than I'm pushing for SherylxRanka Hahahaha!

Either way though...I could care less who gets together but I still lend my support to Sheryl...she's just misunderstood. And I at least want her happy with someone at the end.


=============
And just for the record, Wesley. ALL women are bitches...some more than others but WE women are more of a bitch if we can't admit it LOL. I've learned to embrace that side of me at least buwahahahahaha. Ranka will have her day...


--Lone Wolf
一匹狼

[Wesley84]

Originally Posted by lone_wolf

Even with Sheryl's blog, if you read further, she's pretty human and vulnerable. At least a good majority of her blog indicates that. She's also very thoughtful as the blog post points out. I especially like how she contemplated on that kiss with Alto...it really had an impact on her.

She's creative and has a way with lyrics/words. That doesn't mean she's human or "vunerable". Point and case; her thoughts on kissing. That was practically pornographic, but had no meaning beyond it meaning something.

Ranka's latest entries are just about her trying to reach her goal of being an idol. I could tell she wants it badly though LOL. I got to hand it to her though...she's really persistant.　And she keeps talking about Sheryl....it's almost as if she's enamored by her LOL.

Maybe she'll have something worth saying when Ozma's dead.

Oh well....if Alto doesn't end up with either than I'm pushing for SherylxRanka Hahahaha!

I'm more interested in AltoxBresra at this point.

Either way though...I could care less who gets together but I still lend my support to Sheryl...she's just misunderstood. And I at least want her happy with someone at the end.

There's no misunderstanding. It's just the things I hate about Sheryl are the things people adore about her. Funny how that works out...

And just for the record, Wesley. ALL women are bitches...some more than others but WE women are more of a bitch if we can't admit it LOL. I've learned to embrace that side of me at least buwahahahahaha. Ranka will have her day...

That's the same as someone telling you life isn't fair and then stomping your head into a curb.

[lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Wesley84

She's creative and has a way with lyrics/words. That doesn't mean she's human or "vunerable". Point and case; her thoughts on kissing. That was practically pornographic, but had no meaning beyond it meaning something.

Hmmm...i guess I'll just have to translate the rest of her blog LOL....but anyhow. you have your perceptions. And I know 20-somethings of this generation were always told that their "opinions always count" so I'll just leave it at that.

Then the rest of us can enjoy Sheryl's persona.

I'm more interested in AltoxBresra at this point.

Nothing wrong with that....More the merrier. Trust me...I'm sure there are doujinshi artist finishing up their AltoxBrera doujinshi right now and preparing it for the next Comiket....along with SherylxRanka

There's no misunderstanding. It's just the things I hate about Sheryl are the things people adore about her. Funny how that works out....

What? That she's a diligent at what she does and won't take crap from anyone? That's not admirable? In fact she reminds me of my generation LOL....Generation X. We just don't take crap from anyone;.

I guess one of the main reasons is even if she gets a lot of negative feedback from people, she'll keep on pursuing her goals. Yes, she'll be bothered by the negative feedback as I had read in one of her earlier entries but she refuses to let that bring her down. She even respected that individuals opinion because he is who he is.

I've had a moment of "Ranka-ness" myself when I was a kid (but then again that's just a typical trait of most Asians LOL)...however I just grew weary of that and decided that only negative perceptions would only fuel my thirst to accomplish much more....this is exactly what I see in Sheryl.

I guess you can say that some of us are living vicariously through her....might be silly but, heck...why not? It's inspiring to say the least.

And I'm not harping on Ranka though. I admire her persistance right now as she was once a reflection of what I went through but doesn't mean we all have to be stuck in that mode for long, right? And there's no doubt she'll experience some growth in the series


But yes...To each his own.

Perhaps I'm wrong but were you jilted by some woman similar to Sheryl? *shrug* Again I'm just over-analyzing so ignore me. Not a big deal anyhow....

That's the same as someone telling you life isn't fair and then stomping your head into a curb.

LOL, you are a humorous one, kiddo...and yes, life is just that way but you just gotta deal with it. Anyhow I'm just enjoying life too much in my thirties.


Ah! Moderator I'm sorry for an off-topic discussion. Back to regular programming. And great talking with you, Wesley!

ごめんね！


--Lone Wolf
一匹狼

[nines]

Originally Posted by lone_wolf

Nothing wrong with that....More the merrier. Trust me...I'm sure there are doujinshi artist finishing up their AltoxBrera doujinshi right now and preparing it for the next Comiket....along with SherylxRanka

--Lone Wolf
一匹狼

And where would one be able to find these SherylxRankas XDD never really knew where doujins came from if their fan made or if their store branded liscenesd etc

[lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by nines

And where would one be able to find these SherylxRankas XDD never really knew where doujins came from if their fan made or if their store branded liscenesd etc

The best places to shop for doujinshi is in Akihabara and Ikebukuro.
Both locations have the following stores: Toranoana

Ikebukuro has this one store near the Sunshine 60 and close to Animate. It's called K-books and they've got tons of Doujinshi. I remember spending a good 3 hours searching though so you have to know the name of the Doujin circle because most of the time that's how it is listed.

The newer ones usually come in after Comiket...and Comiket runs twice a year. Those will usually be displayed in the front of the doujinshi section (newest arrivals or something)



--Lone Wolf
一匹狼

[Tak]

To echo Lone Wolf's earlier post about blogs, the more I read Sheryl's blog the more I think she is aiming her blog specifically at Alto as if he was the only reader.

I might misinterpret her intentions, but thats the impression I get.

Although I'd imagine Alto being too shy to do so.

On a side note: Akihabara is like another world altogether.

- Tak

[lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Tak

On a side note: Akihabara is like another world altogether.

- Tak

Quite right about that! Makes me wonder if perhaps the Cure Maid cafe will host a Macross F day or something...oer perhaps they already did??? Seems like I may have missed out on a lot of things when I left Japan a couple months ago


But yes, I agree regarding Sheryl's target audience at this point. While it's a bit ambiguous, it does sort of imply that she's got Alto in the brain as she's typing these entries of hers.


--Lone Wolf
一匹狼

[herbert]

Sorry, I didn't see your post yesterday.

Originally Posted by Slick_rick

You can't have it both ways. You can't say a mislead is the same as lying for Ranka but not for Alto. And she only mislead him because she was too shy to ask him if he was going out with her. She was building up to the question until she asked him straight out if he was alone and he lied.

Michael and Luca already knew and even the girls in the back heard about it. People even recognized Sheryl when she was with him running to the train. It wasn't a national secret. Sheryl certainly didn't tell him to lie about it. So I don't see the reason as him protecting her.

It's only misleading if you must have it in this way, but misleading is as bad as lying sometimes. Shyness doesn't justify. Misleading or lying, she is not honest right? She is not honest to Alto then she has no right to Alto be honest to her.

Mikhail knows and Luca may know as well, how comes Alto knows about those girls eavesdropping when Mikhail gets all his attention. Moreover, let me assume that it perhaps is already an open secret and Alto knows it's, it's still moral to not speak it out yourself. It's no wrong for Alto to show some caring towards Sheryl, especially it's not Ranka's business. Please don't overlook the first and most important reason I cited, it's not Ranka's business. Alto does a little misbehaving to protect much larger goodness. I see no wrong in it.

Originally Posted by Slick_rick

Even if we were to throw out all her other reasons and make jealousy only/primary reason she took the part, which of course it wasn't, I don't see it being a negative character development. Can jealously lead to bad things? Hell yes it can. Can it lead to good things? You bet. If jealously gave her a measure of courage to pursue her goals then their nothing wrong with it. Can love cause you to do bad things? Yep it can. No emotion is good or bad. Its what you do with those emotions thats define you. You hate criminals so you become a cop. Bad thing? Would it have better if she didn't overcome her fear and shyness? Maybe a positive character development would have been if another paper airplane inspired her.

Yes, jealousy, anger, hatred, and many other negative emotions don't necessarily lead to negative outcomes. But we are not talking about outcomes, are we? We are talking about character development. It's true those emtions not necessarily lead to bad results but they do lead to bad results and much more often than not.

Jealousy is a dark emotion. Overwhelming Jealousy is a extreme dark emotion.

[ani_d]

Originally Posted by Westlo

On a side note watch Code Geass, I'm completely stumped in that one due to the shoddy writing. The character who's getting pushed the entire second season had her development completely dropped in the second half of the first. I need your masterful deductions that were only wrong for True Tears!

Spoiler for Out of topic:

I'm a Code Geass fan. Based on my awesome masterful deduction that was only wrong for True Tears No matter what happens to Lelouch, we all know the signature pairing of the show will always be him and C.C. (unless they change the OP and cancelled the DevilxWitch deal) lol I love Kallen though. They gave her lots of development in the beginning of season 1 then sorta ignored her for the rest of the series. They pulled it off because they know there's going to be a second season. Even so I'd love to see her spark something from Lulu. I've had enough of Shirley.

Code Geass isn't romance centered, but I do support the rebellion. ^_^

Originally Posted by Swampstorm

It's a variable paper plane. You didn't think that there wouldn't be advancements in Origami (fold) technology over fifty years, did you?

Spoiler for Serious Business:

But if we really must argue on this, I must point out that our paper plane is bigger than your paper plane!


Victory confirmed?

Sorry for getting sidetracked. I couldn't resist.

It looks like we're in need of a proper humor/parody thread.

When Alto made a Sheryl paper airplane, he got jinxed and ended up miserable lol

We need a funny MF pictures thread.

@ickem and lone wolf, you guys are awesome for translating the blogs! For a busy super star, Sheryl sure has time to write on her blog. She seems to be the type who likes to give people impressions that she's haughty and then takes it back a second later. As for Ranka, she was pretty much a Sheryl fanatic in the beginning of the show so there's no surprise she's all over her.

Do we have a way to tell what day it is in each Macross F episodes? I can guess 5/28 2059 is definitely before episode 4.

[Slick_rick]

Originally Posted by herbert

Sorry, I didn't see your post yesterday.

It's only misleading if you must have it in this way, but misleading is as bad as lying sometimes. Shyness doesn't justify. Misleading or lying, she is not honest right? She is not honest to Alto then she has no right to Alto be honest to her.

Mikhail knows and Luca may know as well, how comes Alto knows about those girls eavesdropping when Mikhail gets all his attention. Moreover, let me assume that it perhaps is already an open secret and Alto knows it's, it's still moral to not speak it out yourself. It's no wrong for Alto to show some caring towards Sheryl, especially it's not Ranka's business. Please don't overlook the first and most important reason I cited, it's not Ranka's business. Alto does a little misbehaving to protect much larger goodness. I see no wrong in it.

So shyness doesn't justify misleading but protecting some imaginary "greater good" does excuse lying? Lets be honest he didn't hide it for Sheryl's sake. When others found out about it the world did not implode, helicopters were not deployed, and Sheryl's life wasn't ruined. She didn't later enroll in his school because she feared to be seen with him. I never said shyness justified her misleading but it's certainly a 100 times better than this "greater good" that Alto was supposedly protecting.

It's none of their business is an even sillier reason. The reason people lie is because they don't want the other person to find out about something. If it was truly none of her business lying would be pointless. I can go around lying to people about my career, and life just because its no ones business but my own. When they find out I can just say it was no of your god damn business. Yep I can see myself become truly great person like doing this! Oh wait I forgot it was actually him protecting the "greater good" wasn't he. For now on whenever I lie its for the "greater good"!

Yes, jealousy, anger, hatred, and many other negative emotions don't necessarily lead to negative outcomes. But we are not talking about outcomes, are we? We are talking about character development. It's true those emtions not necessarily lead to bad results but they do lead to bad results and much more often than not.

Jealousy is a dark emotion. Overwhelming Jealousy is a extreme dark emotion.

This we'll probably never agree on. I don't believe that you can assign a negative or positive to emotions. Any emotion taken to the extreme is bad. Too much love is called obsession. What defines us as humans are all these emotions. Everyone will feel jealously, hate, love, anger in their lives. How we handle these emotions is what truly defines them as either positive or negative. Character development is influenced by the way you handle the emotions not that your human enough to feel the emotion.

[Cadorna]

macross frontier love = Sheryl >>>>>>>>>> ranka

[cheesie]

Alto : "No, I was with Sheryl Nome at the time."
Everyone : ZOMGWTFBBQ!!!?!?! *pesters Alto*
Alto : ... -_-

Alto : "I was alone."
Everyone : *minds their own business*

Alto "lied" because he didn't want to be associated with Sheryl fame. It's not about protecting Sheryl, it's that he doesn't want to cause a scene. If he didn't want Ranka to know about it, he probably would've paused a little or looked away or even some guilty tell-tale sign that says the scene was meant to be taken negatively. Instead, Alto didn't even skip a beat when he answered it nonchalantly. It's all good that the famous Sheryl crashed into his school and cause a big uproar, no problem... just as long as HE'S not part of it.

It was really Ranka who (indirectly) made a big deal out of the scene with her expression.

[justinstrife]

Originally Posted by ani_d

I can't believe people are just taking this paragraph for granted. This is a major focal point of Alto's development--the moment he joined SMS. Though at that point of time, Alto's reason for wanting to join SMS was unclear, it still didn't change the fact that the girl who pushed Alto into taking a step forward was Ranka and not Sheryl. Ranka got the resolve to enter Ms. Macross, Alto got the resolve to enter SMS. This isn't just something that the audience would imagine for "thinking too much", it was blatantly insinuated in the story. I also believe that this isn't something to be ignored when talking about Ranka and Alto's relationship.

This paragraph reached out and grabbed me as I was reading through this thread.

Hikaru partially joined the Defense Force because of Minmei. How did that fair?

I just cannot see Alto picturing Ranka as more than just a sister to protect, and to help. I've watched the first 10 episodes now 4x since last weekend soaking everything in(apparently my hunger for more Macross over the years has spilled over thanks to this series ), and when I look at Alto and Sheryl together, I see two adults slowly lowering their defenses, and opening their hearts, bit by bit. When I see Alto and Ranka together, I see a big brother offering advice and support to his kid sister, and her enthusiasm and innocents pushes him along when he's down.

[Slick_rick]

Originally Posted by crisis

Alto : "No, I was with Sheryl Nome at the time."
Everyone : ZOMGWTFBBQ!!!?!?! *pesters Alto*
Alto : ... -_-

Alto : "I was alone."
Everyone : *minds their own business*

Alto "lied" because he didn't want to be associated with Sheryl fame. It's not about protecting Sheryl, it's that he doesn't want to cause a scene. If he didn't want Ranka to know about it, he probably would've paused a little or looked away or even some guilty tell-tale sign that says the scene was meant to be taken negatively. Instead, Alto didn't even skip a beat when he answered it nonchalantly. It's all good that the famous Sheryl crashed into his school and cause a big uproar, no problem... just as long as HE'S not part of it.

It was really Ranka who (indirectly) made a big deal out of the scene with her expression.

Well at least you understand there wasn't any "greater good" involved. The only two people at the table who didn't already know were Ranka and Nanase. It's certainly a possibility that he thought those two would spread the rumor. Though that would also ignore the fact the rumor was probably already spread with Michael talking about it loudly in class. If you look at the scene again you'll notice that their is an awkward silence and both are looking away from each other after the lie. This is why Michael calls him an idiot afterwards.

That he doesn't want to be part of her escapades is fine but when he does take part lying about it afterwards isn't helping to look like anything but an idiot. The fact remains that he didn't want Ranka to find out about it either because he thought she would spread a rumor or because he didn't her to know for more personal reasons.

[Tak]

Originally Posted by justinstrife

This paragraph reached out and grabbed me as I was reading through this thread. [...]

I agree, basically.

Alto did not join SMS because of Ranka. He wanted to fly way before Ranka appeared on the scene. From very early on, we also had hints of him taking an interest in military aircraft, including the VF-25. When Macross 25 came under attack, he voluntarily flew to the battlefield without realizing Ranka too, was there. With or without Ranka, he would have hopped into that VF-25, there is no question.

Furthermore, he joined the SMS not because of Ranka, as both characters just barely knew each other's existence. Alto, as I have mentioned before, basically had no other choice. He had to join the SMS or the military, because the latter was threatening consequences if he did not join at least one organization. He simply made the best of all choices and wedged his way out of becoming a pilot for the brass.

He obviously did not need Ranka to tell him what to do.

As for Sheryl and Alto, their interactions are by far the most entertaining in Macross. Alto with Ranka is just... sadly boring. There is no life in that, not enough interaction. But with Sheryl, very energetic, upbeat and dare I say, fun.

- Tak

[Slick_rick]

Originally Posted by Tak

I agree, basically.

Alto did not join SMS because of Ranka. He wanted to fly way before Ranka appeared on the scene. From very early on, we also had hints of him taking an interest in military aircraft, including the VF-25. When Macross 25 came under attack, he voluntarily flew to the battlefield without realizing Ranka too, was there. With or without Ranka, he would have hopped into that VF-25, there is no question.

Furthermore, he joined the SMS not because of Ranka, as both characters just barely knew each other's existence. Alto, as I have mentioned before, basically had no other choice. He had to join the SMS or the military, because the latter was threatening consequences if he did not join at least one organization. He simply made the best of all choices and wedged his way out of becoming a pilot for the brass.

He obviously did not need Ranka to tell him what to do.

As for Sheryl and Alto, their interactions are by far the most entertaining in Macross. Alto with Ranka is just... sadly boring. There is no life in that, not enough interaction. But with Sheryl, very energetic, upbeat and dare I say, fun.

- Tak

Alto reasoning for joining the SMS was more complicated that it for it just for Ranka. He went by their most likely looking to help out anyone in trouble. That it was Ranka made only a slight difference because he met her earlier. He say the previous pilot killed and saw Ranka about to meet the same fate. If Ranka wasn't there would he have hoped in the plane? No idea. Risking you life to save someone imminent danger is one thing risking it when just your life is in danger and its safer to run away is another thing. Nothing motives like see someone die then another person about to die.

He was not forced to join the SMS. Ozma wanted him to tell the story of how the other piloted died and then punched him in the face when he first suggested joining. When he heard about Ranka's past it also gave him more motivation to join the SMS. Saving her and hearing what happened in the past influenced his decision though it wasn't the only or even primary reason it still was a reason.

Sheryl's and a cell phones interaction is more entertaining than 90 percent of the things that go on this show. That doesn't mean Ranka is boring just when you compare her to what the show presents Sheryl as. That should have no bearing on who he choices as Alto shown he's generally not amused by her antics.

[Tak]

Originally Posted by Slick_rick

Alto reasoning for joining the SMS was more complicated that it for it just for Ranka. He went by their most likely looking to help out anyone in trouble. That it was Ranka made only a slight difference because he met her earlier. He say the previous pilot killed and saw Ranka about to meet the same fate. If Ranka wasn't there would he have hoped in the plane? No idea. Risking you life to save someone imminent danger is one thing risking it when just your life is in danger and its safer to run away is another thing. Nothing motives like see someone die then another person about to die.

Actually, Alto had no choice. It would seem piloting the VF-25 would be his best chance of survival. After all, his wings were clipped, and if the VF-25 did not show up just in time, Alto might have died. Again, Ranka or no Ranka, Alto would have hopped into that plane, even if he was to buy himself time.

Originally Posted by Slick_rick

He was not forced to join the SMS. Ozma wanted him to tell the story of how the other piloted died and then punched him in the face when he first suggested joining. When he heard about Ranka's past it also gave him more motivation to join the SMS. Saving her and hearing what happened in the past influenced his decision though it wasn't the only or even primary reason it still was a reason.

I hope you did not miss what I said. I stated quite correctly that he was about to become a military pilot or suffer the consequences. He negotiated his way out by choosing Ozma and the SMS as his third and best option.

When he finally reached the Macross quarter, he volunteered to pilot the VF-25 not because of Ranka, as he has yet to hear anything about Ranka's past. He simply wanted to fly, and he knew he could do it. That is all.

Originally Posted by Slick_rick

That should have no bearing on who he choices as Alto shown he's generally not amused by her antics.

Actually, he has been quite 'amused' by most of her antics. And I did not say in my post that he will eventually choose Sheryl, although that is what I am leaning towards. I simply stated that his interaction with Sheryl was a lot more entertaining than anything he has done with Ranka.

- Tak