Episode 3: Space Fold
Super Dimensional Fortress Macross
On air date: 1982.10.17
Story
(translation pending)
Staff
(translation pending)
Commentary
Centred on a climax with "the annihilation of the Unified Forces' space fleet" and "the forced use of unknown Over-Technology = alien space-transition technology", this third episode depicts the desperate escape of the Macross. The setting of the story is put into order in a development where South Ataria Island and its citizens are transfered along with the Macross via the untested Fold system, and left behind at the end of the Solar System. On top of which, the Fold System itself disappears. The visuals of the huge volume of sea water that was also transfered instantly freezing in the low-temperature vacuum of empty space is also gut-wrenching. The groundwork of the love triangle that is the core of this series is also made in the spare moments of the flow of such a large story, with Hikaru and Misa having their first meeting over TV monitors. An at-the-time fashionable romantic comedy tone develops in the scene that grows hot surrounding Misa being enraged by Hikaru, who called her an "old lady". On the other hand, the diligence of Hikaru—who is concerned that Minmei doesn't become frightened—when he looks after her by handing his helmet to her is also impressive. What was unusual for a robot anime at that time was the bright freshness of Hikaru, who was depicted as a life-sized boy that was neither hot blooded nor gloomy.
Cast
(translation pending)
Song
None
Characters and Mechanic that appear
Character
Ichijō Hikaru / Lynn Minmei / Hayase Misa / Roy Fokker / Claudia LaSalle / Bruno J. Global
Kim Kabirov / Shammy Milliome / Vanessa Leyard / Maximillian Jīnasu / Kakizaki Hayao / Miria Farīna Jīnasu / Lynn Kaifun
Buritai Kuridaniku / Exsedor Formo / Warera/Rory/Konda / Kamujin Kraveshera / Rapu Ramizu / Bodoruzā
Town Council Chairman / Yotchan / Minmei's uncle / Minmei's aunt
Mechanic
Macross / VF-1J (Hikaru) / VF-1J (Max) / VF-1J (Miria) /
(N) VF-1S /
(N) VF-1A (general)
VF-1A (Max) / VF-1A (Kakizaki) / Tomahawk / Defender / Phalanx / Spartan / Monster
Rigādo / Gurāji / Nūjaderu-Gā / Quadoran-Rō /
Buritai's Ship
VF-1D /
ARMD
N: Normal, S: Super Valkyrie, A: Armoured Valkyrie
[Captions and quotes from the episode (translation pending)]
[More captions and quotes from the episode (translation pending)]
Topics—The Removeable VF-1 Cockpit
In this episode, it's revealed that a Valkyrie's nose can be removed by manipulating it from the outside, and that the removed cockpit can be installed on the arm of a wingman's Valkyrie. In addition, although it is seemingly impossible to transformation from Battroid to Fighter with another Valkyrie's nose attached to an arm, in the process of transforming to GERWALK in the show, the nose of Hikaru's Valkyrie was momentarily removed, and can be seen reattached to the underside of Roy's Valkyrie (refer to the lower-right image).
Episode 3 "Space Fold"
[Captions and quotes from the episode (translation pending)]
Topics—The Small Bridge of the Giant Macross
The TV version Macross's brige was intentionally designed so that the "performance" of the crew is easily felt, although even if there is a close-up on a specific crew member, other crew members appear in the background and next to that person because of the short distance between them. Speaking of this episode, an elaborate drama was created by placing the character who performs a differing facial expression within the frame, such as in the scenes where "Misa sees real anxiety in the Captain while he issues heavy-handed orders" and "the captain resists the temptation to laugh next to Misa who was just called an old lady".
[More captions and quotes from the episode (translation pending)]
[Captions and quotes from the episode (translation pending)]
[More captions and quotes from the episode (translation pending)]
Preview of the Next Episode
In addition to the momentary joy of surviving, there is also irony in the closed compartment of the huge Macross that Hikaru and Minmei have flown into. Not one person knows of their whereabouts. Time passes heartlessly for them without any expectations on how to come out from that enclosed space. Next time on "Super Dimensional Fortress Macross": 'Lynn Minmei'.