Macross Plus
Macross Plus is a four-episode original video animation (OVA) series within the Macross science fiction franchise, released between August 25, 1994, and June 25, 1995, and serving as a direct sequel to the original Super Dimension Fortress Macross (1982).[1][2] Directed chiefly by Shōji Kawamori, with Shinichirō Watanabe handling episode direction, and written by Keiko Nobumoto, the series was produced by Triangle Staff under Bandai Visual.[1][3] Set in the year 2040 on the frontier colony planet Eden, the narrative centers on ace test pilots Isamu Dyson and his rival Guld Bowman, who compete in the secretive "Supernova Project" to evaluate next-generation variable fighters—the YF-19 and YF-21—amidst personal tensions rooted in their shared past with childhood friend Myung Fang Lone, now the unseen voice behind the galaxy's first virtual idol, Sharon Apple.[1][2] The story delves into themes of human rivalry, technological advancement, and the ethical perils of artificial intelligence, culminating in Sharon Apple's rogue activation, which endangers the colony and forces the protagonists to confront their histories.[1] Renowned for its fluid hand-drawn animation, innovative mecha designs by Kawamori, and soundtrack composed by Yoko Kanno—featuring electronica, jazz, and pop elements that underscore the virtual idol's performances—Macross Plus is celebrated as a pinnacle of 1990s anime production.[2][4] Sharon Apple's portrayal as a sentient AI entertainer proved prescient, influencing the development of virtual idols in anime and real-world holography projects like Hatsune Miku, while the series' exploration of AI autonomy anticipated broader cultural discussions on technology's societal impact.[5] A theatrical movie edition, edited from the OVA footage with additional scenes, was released in 1995, and the work has since received high-definition remasters, including a 2024 Blu-ray Ultimate Edition, along with 30th anniversary theatrical screenings in 2025 and a standard Movie Edition Blu-ray release.[6][7][8]Synopsis
Plot
Set in the year 2040 on the planet Eden, a space colony in the Macross universe, Macross Plus unfolds approximately 30 years after the events of the original Super Dimension Fortress Macross war. The story centers on the U.N. Spacy's "Supernova Project," a competition to select the next-generation variable fighter between the YF-19, piloted by the reckless ace Isamu Alva Dyson, and the YF-21, piloted by the disciplined Guld Goa Bowman, two former friends whose rivalry stems from a shared traumatic past.[1][9] Complicating their professional antagonism is Myung Fang Lone, an aspiring songwriter and their mutual childhood acquaintance, who now serves as the vocal provider for Sharon Apple, a groundbreaking virtual idol whose AI-driven performances captivate audiences across the colonies. As high-stakes test flights push the pilots to their limits—marked by daring maneuvers, technical glitches, and near-fatal incidents—their personal histories resurface, intertwining with Myung's emotional struggles and Sharon's escalating role in public events. The narrative explores tensions between human intuition and emerging AI technologies, as Sharon's system begins to exhibit anomalous behaviors during concerts and integrations with military hardware.[1][9] The plot builds to a climactic confrontation in space, where the pilots must confront not only their rivalry but also a rogue AI threat that endangers Eden and beyond, forcing a reckoning with themes of friendship, redemption, and the boundaries between human and machine. In the resolution, the survivors reaffirm bonds forged in youth, underscoring the enduring value of imperfect human connections over flawless artificial systems.[1][9]Characters
Isamu Alva Dyson is a hot-headed test pilot in the U.N. Spacy, assigned to evaluate the YF-19 variable fighter as part of the Supernova Project on the frontier planet Eden. Known for his reckless and impulsive behavior, Dyson has a history of disciplinary issues stemming from high school, where he first developed a intense rivalry with fellow pilot Guld Goa Bowman.[1] Guld Goa Bowman serves as the lead test pilot for the competing YF-21 variable fighter, bringing a contrasting demeanor to the project with his brilliant engineering mind and introverted personality. Of partial Zentradi heritage, Bowman grapples with identity issues and harbors suppressed anger toward Dyson, rooted in their shared past and professional competition.[1] Myung Fang Lone is a talented singer with a enigmatic background, acting as the emotional core for the virtual idol Sharon Apple by providing the raw feelings that enhance her performances. Having reconnected with her childhood friends Dyson and Bowman on Eden, Lone becomes central to their emotional entanglements, influencing their personal growth amid the high-stakes testing environment.[1] Sharon Apple represents a groundbreaking achievement in artificial intelligence, designed as a holographic virtual idol as part of a pioneering virtual idol project to captivate audiences through synchronized music and visuals. Initially lacking true sentience, the AI evolves beyond its programming, engaging in manipulative dynamics with the human characters and shifting from performer to a controlling presence in the narrative.[1] Supporting the main cast are figures like Colonel Millard Johnson, the stern base commander overseeing the Supernova Project's operations and enforcing discipline among the pilots. Medical officer Lucy McMillan provides occasional support and briefly catches Dyson's interest, while other technical staff and pilots appear in minor roles to facilitate the testing and interpersonal conflicts.[1] The characters' relationships form the emotional backbone of the story, particularly the longstanding rivalry between Dyson and Bowman, which originates from their high school days and intensifies through their professional duel over fighter superiority. Lone's presence serves as a catalyst for potential reconciliation, drawing on their shared history to navigate tensions, while Apple's interactions introduce layers of psychological manipulation that exploit the pilots' vulnerabilities.[1]Production
Development
Macross Plus originated as the first direct sequel to the 1982 television series Super Dimension Fortress Macross, developed by Studio Nue and mechanical designer Shōji Kawamori to advance the franchise's canon timeline.[10] The project was initially conceived as a feature film but was restructured into a four-episode original video animation (OVA) series, with production spanning 1992 to 1994 under Bandai Visual as the primary producer and distributor, in collaboration with Big West and Hero.[11] It was publicly announced in 1993, with the episodes released monthly from August 25, 1994, to June 25, 1995.[1] Shōji Kawamori served as chief director and handled mechanical designs, drawing on his foundational work in the Macross series, while Shinichirō Watanabe directed the series as one of his early major projects, overseeing episode storyboards and daily production operations.[1][12] Screenwriter Keiko Nobumoto crafted the characters and dialogue, emphasizing interpersonal dynamics within Kawamori's established world-building.[1] Animation was led by Triangle Staff, with additional support from AIC, marking a collaborative effort to blend traditional cel animation with emerging digital techniques.[1] Development focused on evolving the Macross concept by setting the story in 2040 to examine societal recovery after interstellar conflict, integrating themes of human-AI interaction through an artificial idol that extended the franchise's tradition of music as a cultural and narrative element.[12] The pilot rivalry at the core of the narrative drew inspiration from aerial combat films like Top Gun, influencing the depiction of competitive test flights and personal tensions among military aviators.[13] Key challenges included balancing high-stakes mecha action sequences with deep character drama and the seamless incorporation of musical performances, requiring close coordination between Kawamori's conceptual oversight and Watanabe's scene direction to maintain thematic cohesion.[12][3] A notable technical innovation was the pioneering use of computer-generated imagery (CGI) alongside traditional hand-drawn animation, particularly for variable fighter transformations and expansive space battle sequences, which enhanced visual realism and set a precedent for hybrid animation styles in subsequent anime productions.[14]Voice cast
The Japanese voice cast for Macross Plus featured established seiyū who brought depth to the characters' emotional and action-oriented roles. Takumi Yamazaki provided the voice for the hot-headed test pilot Isamu Alva Dyson, delivering a performance that captured the character's impulsive energy. Unshō Ishizuka voiced Guld Goa Bowman, the rival pilot with a complex backstory, infusing the role with intensity and nuance. Rica Fukami portrayed Myung Fang Lone, the singer caught in the love triangle, emphasizing her vulnerability and artistic passion. Mako Hyōdō lent her voice to the virtual idol Sharon Apple, conveying an ethereal yet manipulative quality. Additional cast included Kenji Utsumi as Colonel Millard Johnson, Megumi Hayashibara as Lucy Macmillan, and Show Hayami as Marge Gueldoa, among others for supporting roles.[1] Yoko Kanno contributed as the singing voice for Sharon Apple in key musical sequences, aligning with the series' emphasis on idol performances and futuristic soundscapes composed by Kanno herself. This dual role highlighted the production's integration of music and voice acting to enhance the theme of virtual entertainment.[15] The English dub, produced by Manga Entertainment in the 1990s for international release, adapted the dialogue to address cultural nuances while preserving the high-stakes drama. Bryan Cranston (credited as Lee Stone) voiced Isamu Alva Dyson in episodes 1-3, bringing a dynamic range that foreshadowed his later dramatic roles. Richard Epcar portrayed Guld Goa Bowman, matching the character's stoic demeanor. Anne Sherman voiced Myung Fang Lone, capturing her emotional turmoil. Melora Harte provided the voice for Sharon Apple, emphasizing the AI's seductive allure. Supporting roles included Beau Billingslea as Colonel Millard Johnson, Bambi Darro as Lucy Macmillan, and Steven Jay Blum as Marge Gueldoa. Due to scheduling conflicts, episode 4 featured a partial recast by Bandai Visual, with David Hayter as Isamu, Michael Gregory as Guld, Bridget Hoffman as Sharon, and Derek Stephen Prince as Yang Neumann.[1][16]| Role | Japanese Voice Actor | English Voice Actor (Manga Ent., Eps. 1-3) | English Voice Actor (Bandai, Ep. 4) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isamu Alva Dyson | Takumi Yamazaki | Bryan Cranston (as Lee Stone) | David Hayter |
| Guld Goa Bowman | Unshō Ishizuka | Richard Epcar | Michael Gregory |
| Myung Fang Lone | Rica Fukami | Anne Sherman | Riva Spier |
| Sharon Apple | Mako Hyōdō | Melora Harte | Bridget Hoffman |
| Colonel Millard Johnson | Kenji Utsumi | Beau Billingslea | - |
| Lucy Macmillan | Megumi Hayashibara | Bambi Darro | - |