Episode 6: Daedalus Attack
Super Dimensional Fortress Macross
On air date: 1982.11.14
Story
(translation pending)
Staff
(translation pending)
Commentary
This episode depicts Hikaru—who has passed through his training period as a soldier—up to his first battle experience. It carefully depicts Hikaru being unable to satisfactorily savour his day off with Minmei, sleeplessly passing the night before his first sortie, and although he can shoot down an enemy fighter craft, he cannot pull the trigger on a flesh and blood giant that looks just like a human.
Also, this episode is also memoriable as the one where they invented a new tactic for the Macross: "the Daedalus Attack". The basis of this tactic is the Pinpoint Barrier, which was created earlier in the series. The scene where this barrier is operated by three women who eagerly defend the Macross from the enemy's shots is an impressive one, as there are some comical aspects in it while the scene overflows with tension.
In addition, at the beginning of this episode, Hikaru meets Hayase Misa for the first time—Misa being the other heroine of the series. The two meet in the worst location possible: the lingerie department of a store. However, their mutual impressions of each other change in the tactical operations that they both mobilize in thereafter.
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 / Yo-chan / Chief Engineer / Zeriru / Panappu, Mei, Pocky
Mechanic
Macross /
(N) 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 /
VF-1J (general)
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)]
Episode 6 "Daedalus Attack"
[Captions and quotes from the episode (translation pending)]
Topics—The Pinpoint Barrier Girls
The three operators who manage the Pinpoint Barrier System in this episode (AKA the Pinpoint Barrier Girls), are characters that have inwardly flowing strength and the names Panappu, Mei and Pocky (each person's name originated in the brand names of candy that were sold at the time). Also, they later reappear as the bridge crew's alternates in episodes 13, 16, 24, and 25 (only Pocky appears in episode 24, and only Pocky and Panappu appear in episode 25).
In addition, the idea for the Pinpoint Barrier—as told by the production staff of "Macross"—originates as an in-joke for "Missile Command"; a game where the player aims by operating a track ball to protect the player's base from missile attacks.
[More captions and quotes from the episode (translation pending)]
[Captions and quotes from the episode (translation pending)]
Topics—The Daedalus Attack Explosion that Became a Talking Point
The Daedalus Attack makes its first appearance in this episode. The realistic presentation in the shot where a countless number of bubble-like explosion marks are made on the surface of the enemy ship that incurred the attack, which then erupts in a big explosion, created a stir among mecha fans at the time. Incidentally, the "Asteroid Cracker" tactic—in which anchors (anchor rockets) from both arms of the Macross's Storming Attack form were shot into asteroids, which were then swung about to destroy an enemy ship—was also considered to be the special move of the Macross in the initial planning stage of "Super Dimensional Fortress Macross".
[More captions and quotes from the episode (translation pending)]
Preview of the Next Episode
Mars. On it is a space base that was abandoned during the Unification War. In pursuit of supplies, the Macross's course turns toward Mars. It is also a place tinged with Misa's fleeting love.
Next time, "Super Dimensional Fortress Macross", "Bye-bye Mars".