Weekly Anime Comic: Macross - page 29

If you know pretty much anything about the production history of Macross, you know that episode 29 is where they finally pass the originally intended conclusion of the show and basically have to start making a whole new postscript sequel series.  And don't get me wrong, I really respect that they resisted the urge to just have the Zentradi whip out a previously unmentioned new superweapon at the end of the previous episode and just stretch out the space dogfights for one more arc.  In fact, there's a case to be made that Macross devoting so much time and energy to exploring the realistic fallout of their silly transforming robot adventure was an even bigger influence on subsequent anime than all the idol stuff.  (Granted, it was probably also a lot easier to draw too.  Did anybody notice that the "preview" for this episode was full of clips from previous episodes? Almost like they were really scrambling to get it done in time?)

But MAN it's a sudden tonal shock, even for a show that was already suffering from extreme mood swings.  And here's the thing: this is exactly the sort of thing Young Me would imagine in my worst bouts of fanfic indulgence, because imposing moody dramatic storylines onto bright and happy franchises is how you prove how MATURE AND DEEP you are, obviously.  (Ya'll just weren't ready for Grade School Me's dark and gritty wartime sequel to Tale Spin). So to actually see a show really go and DO something like that really would have thrown me for a loop.  Ya know, if I'd actually been watching Robotech on the first go 'round.  Speaking of which, I wonder how much of Harmony Gold's crazy idea of grafting two extra shows onto Macross to make Robotech was helped along by the fact that Macross basically already has a whole second show tacked onto the end?

And speaking of tacked on, two things: First, $5 and up patrons have a special poll open to them right now to help with deciding just what the next BIG Weekly Anime Comic vote will be about.  I can really use any input I can get, guys!  Second, I'm double dipping on an episode AGAIN!  Next week will be a second comic about episode 28!  The numbers are getting more and more out of whack!  CHAOS REIGNS!