Episode 5: Transformation
Super Dimensional Fortress Macross
On air date: 1982.11.14
Story
(translation pending)
Staff
(translation pending)
Commentary
This is the time that the giant space warship Macross transformed to its other form, the humanoid "Storming Attack form". The strange idea that a super giant 1,200 m long battleship will be transformed is established with the sci-fi mind-filled logic: "because the mechanism that transmits energy to the main gun is missing, each block of the ship will be moved to compensate for it." In this episode, it's interesting that the Earthlings, who are referred to as "Miclones" by the Zentrādi side, produce a "giant" that's larger than the Zentrādi and build a counterattack against them. Despite being in the background of such a large-scale space war, this episode focuses on the internally shaken hero, Hikaru, who continues onward. It carefully depicts the wavering in Hikaru's mind from the loss of his dream of flying and the irritation that he experiences from the distance between himself and Minmei—who holds only good will toward him—and Hikaru on the verge of despair. Coupled with the slight stiffness that remains in Hase Arihiro's acting in the role of Hikaru (he was 17 at the time), it conveys the mind of a boy who wavers between dream and reality. The episode also has an excellent organization where the big and small stories are engaged with each other as the chaos in the urban areas due to the Macross's transformation makes Hikaru decide to join the military.
Cast
(translation pending)
Song
N/A
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
Minmei's uncle / Minmei's aunt / Town Council Chairman / Chief Engineer
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
[Jināru] Fighter Pod
N: Normal, S: Super Valkyrie, A: Armoured Valkyrie
Episode 5 "Transformation"
[Captions and quotes from the episode (translation pending)]
[More captions and quotes from the episode (translation pending)]
[Captions and quotes from the episode (translation pending)]
Topics—The Background of the "Chief Engineer" that Rendered Distinguished Service.
The chief engineer who appeared in this episode is a capable character who envisioned the "transformation" of the Macross, and also develops the "Pinpoint Barrier" in the following 6th episode. However, disproportionately to his activity, the character's name isn't set ("chief engineer" is even written in the script and on the setting images). Owing to being referred to as "the nameless chief engineer despite his conspicuous service" by the fans at the time, it was made into an in-joke when coupled with the nurse who appears in episode 18 (although she only appears for several seconds, she has a name).
[More captions and quotes from the episode (translation pending)]
Preview of the Next Episode
The Macross, which came to be equipped with the Pinpoint Barrier—a temporary defensive system—moves to a counterattack posture for the first time. Captain Global decides on Saturn as the place of that counterattack. Hikaru's first battle is led by Fokker and flies within the rings of Saturn. Next time, "Super Dimensional Fortress Macross", "Daedalus Attack".