Macross 7: Encore

Name(s): Macross 7: Encore / マクロス7アンコール
Format: Original video animation [OVA] (3 24-minute episodes)
Studio(s): Ashi Productions
Release Date(s): December 18, 1995 – February 25, 1996
Related: Macross 7 (1994)

Macross 7: Encore Review

Macross 7: Encore is three unaired episodes of the series that are unrelated to the main plot. You know, in case 49 episodes of nothing happening wasn’t enough for you. I’m sorry; it’s been a long series.

First Episode

Episode one, “Fleet of the Strongest Women,” has the Macross 7 fleet encounter a rogue Meltrandi fleet familiar with Milia. Sound Force are shot down before they can start singing, so it’s up to waiting for repairs and then singing again to save the day. This plot line recycles from the original SDF Macross, even. But since it reminds us of a vastly superior series, it’s one of the better Macross 7 episodes.

Second Episode

“On Stage,” our next episode, focuses on a news story detailing Fire Bomber’s history with an “acted” dramatization. While this is more backstory than we get in the entire series, it’s dubious as to how much of it is real and how much is “fictionalized.” The episode concludes with “it doesn’t matter where Fire Bomber came from—they’re just here.” This leads me to believe Macross 7 has become self-aware and is mocking me.

Third Episode

Last and certainly least is the grand finale of “Which One Do You Love?,” where Milia gets a cold and thinks she’s dying for some reason. In desperation, she attempts to wed Mylene and Basara ASAP. Nothing happens, she sings, and the episode both doesn’t resolve the love triangle in the slightest and turns one of my favorite Macross characters into a moron.

Macross 7: Encore Verdict

All things considered, I’m beginning to think I hate this series. Watch if you love Macross 7, in which case we won’t understand each other anyway.