Episode 10: Blind Game
Super Dimensional Fortress Macross
On air date: 1982.12.05
Story
(translation pending)
Staff
(translation pending)
Commentary
This is the episode that becomes the excuse that triggered a substantial change in the relationship between the Macross and the Zentrādi Forces. This episode depicts the hardships of both commanders: Macross's Captain Gloval, who suffers from the predicament of the destroyed radar while being abandoned by the Earth; and the Zentrādi Commander Buritai, who plans an elaborate operation to get samples without destroying the Macross.
Also, according to a discourse by Kawamori Shōji at the time immediately after the end of this show, it seems that this episode was intended to increase the tension by talking about the difference between Hikaru, who stands on the front line; and Misa, who directs from the Macross's bridge. The scene where the bridge's Misa is surprised by the remains of friendly troops that float in empty space, quietly but powerfully brings the severity of fighting in the vacuum of space to the viewer's attention. This scene also gives a comparison to Buritai, who comes back into the ship by himself despite being thrown out into outer space in the second half, and impresses the toughness of the giant Zentrādi onto the audience.
Cast
(translation pending)
* Hayami Shō's Max role is credited to his real name, "Ōhama Yasushi", until episode 12.
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
Oiguru / Kent Flier
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
Cat's Eye /
Kerukaria
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 Robots in the Streets
Various robots strut about in the urban areas of the Macross, such as the self-propelled public video phone that appears in this episode, and the self-propelled photo-developing robot (episode 6). These mechanisms—which approach when called, accosted people in their surroundings, and had considerable charm—exist to create the feeling of "future daily life" in this series.
Episode 10 "Blind Game"
[Captions and quotes from the episode (translation pending)]
[More captions and quotes from the episode (translation pending)]
Topics—The Kerukaria, a Secretly Popular Mobile Weapon?
The reconnaissance Kerukaria Mobile Weapon continued to appear in this and the preceding episode. It walked on four long landing legs, surveyed the surrounds with the gigantic "eyeball" in its nose, and was the Mobile Weapon that had a secret popularity among the mecha fans at the time who were moved by its charm. At the time that this episode was telecast, a plastic model was also released by Imai. Even though it was priced at ¥300, it was a comparatively elaborate kit that reproduced the movement of the landing legs and the expanded sensor in the lower part of the fuselage.
[Captions and quotes from the episode (translation pending)]
[More captions and quotes from the episode (translation pending)]
Preview of the Next Episode
Hikaru, Misa, Max, and Kakizaki—having become captives of the enemy—are taken away to distant space, far removed from the Solar System. The true nature of the Zentrādi Forces that they see there is a surprising one. Next time, "Super Dimensional Fortress Macross", "First Contact".