“Life without pain isn’t real life!” — Isamu Dyson

Macross Plus is a landmark anime OVA series from 1994 that continues to resonate with both newcomers and longtime fans of the genre. It stands out within the larger Macross franchise—one of the most influential in anime history—that includes various series beginning with the original Super Dimension Fortress Macross in the early 1980s. While Macross Plus is just one of several entries under this umbrella, it serves as a crucial bridge between the earlier incarnation of the series produced during the 1980s and the more modern take that the franchise would eventually develop in the late 1990s and into the 2000s. This OVA represents a stylistic and thematic evolution that helped transition the series from its original space opera roots into a more mature, complex narrative form that appeals to contemporary audiences.

Set decades after the destructive war between humanity and the alien Zentradi featured in the original series, Macross Plus takes place in the year 2040 where the UN Spacy conducts flight trials on a remote planet to select the next generation of Variable Fighters. The story revolves around Isamu Dyson, a cocky and passionate pilot; Guld Goa Bowman, his calm and talented rival who is revealed to be a Zentradi/human hybrid; and Myung Fang Lone, a woman emotionally entangled with both men and managing the artificially intelligent holographic idol Sharon Apple. The narrative explores themes of rivalry, friendship, human connection, and emotional tension with nuance and depth, distinguishing it within the franchise and offering a compelling experience for both newcomers and longtime fans.

Viewers can experience Macross Plus either as a four-episode OVA or through the re-edited movie version titled Macross Plus: Movie Edition. The movie version condenses the original four episodes into a much shorter runtime, around 115 minutes, with certain scenes expanded, some new scenes added, and others shortened or removed entirely. While the movie includes roughly 20 minutes of new or alternate footage, it retains much of the OVA’s original material. The film format emphasizes a more cinematic presentation and features a widescreen format, contrasting the original OVA’s 1.37 aspect ratio. However, while the movie streamlines some narrative aspects and adds a few striking sequences, some fans feel the OVA’s longer runtime allows for richer character development and storytelling depth. Both versions have their merits, with many recommending watching the OVA first to appreciate the fuller experience before exploring the movie edition.

One of Macross Plus’s standout features is its animation quality, especially remarkable for a mid-1990s production. The series blends traditional hand-drawn artistry with pioneering computer graphics, particularly in its spectacular aerial dogfight sequences featuring transforming fighter jets. These dynamic battle scenes convey a vivid sense of speed and intensity, demonstrating a level of technical sophistication that remains impressive today. Though some fans note minor differences in character design from Haruhiko Mikimoto’s original work, the visual impact overall is striking and immersive, providing a thrilling experience for newcomers and a nostalgic appreciation for veteran viewers.

Integral to the anime’s atmosphere is its unforgettable soundtrack, composed by the legendary Yoko Kanno. Her wide-ranging score—from haunting melodies to energetic action themes—perfectly complements the show’s tonal shifts. While “Voices,” performed by Akino Arai, is the song most fans distinctly remember and cherish for encapsulating the emotional core of the series, the rest of the soundtrack stands out as excellent in its own right. Notably, the tracks tied to the Sharon Apple AI subplot add an additional layer of mood and narrative depth. The song “Information High,” performed by Sharon Apple, is particularly praised for its ethereal, electronic style that perfectly captures the AI’s hypnotic and otherworldly presence in the story. This track complements the themes of technology, identity, and artificial emotion explored through Sharon Apple’s character, enhancing the viewer’s immersion in the high-tech world of Macross Plus.

Another rarity in the anime world that Macross Plus represents is its highly regarded English-language dub. Unlike many anime dubs that face criticism, the Macross Plus English dub is considered excellent by fans and critics alike. One notable factor is the casting of a younger Bryan Cranston (before his Breaking Bad fame) as the voice of Isamu Dyson. His performance brings genuine energy and nuance to the role, contributing to the dub’s reputation as a quality adaptation worthy of both newcomers who prefer English audio and longtime fans who appreciate a well-executed dub.

A core thematic insight in Macross Plus lies in its exploration of technology, especially artificial intelligence, highlighting how even advanced AI must learn from humans as templates, inevitably influencing its behavior. Sharon Apple, the AI pop star and central figure of the subplot, cannot authentically generate emotion on her own. Instead, she relies on the emotional input provided by Myung Fang Lone, her producer and the emotional source behind Sharon’s performances. This dependency underlines a profound implication: true sentience and emotional authenticity in AI require imitation and absorption of human feelings, experience, and behavior. Consequently, Sharon’s increasingly autonomous actions become shaped by the complex and sometimes conflicted emotional landscape of the humans around her, illustrating how AI, while synthetic, is ultimately tied to the human condition and its imperfections. The series presents this relationship critically, showing both the potential and danger of AI learning and evolving from human templates, culminating in Sharon’s struggle to assert an identity that is both alien and deeply rooted in human emotions.

Importantly, Macross Plus is recognized as the first official sequel to the original Macross series by its creator Shoji Kawamori. The earlier Macross II was later retconned by Kawamori as an alternate reality or parallel world separate from the main timeline. This status cements Macross Plus as the canonical continuation of the original saga, reinforcing its significance within the franchise and its role in guiding Macross’s future directions.

The narrative structure—whether experienced as the OVA’s four episodes or the condensed movie version—strikes a balance between introspective character moments and exhilarating mech combat, keeping viewers engaged while allowing emotional depth to unfold. Though some supporting characters receive limited development and the antagonist can seem somewhat one-dimensional, these elements do not detract significantly from the memorable storytelling, animation, and thematic richness.

For newcomers, Macross Plus serves as a powerful introduction to anime that blends sophisticated storytelling, technical artistry, and philosophical inquiry. For veterans, it offers a compelling revisit to a milestone work that elegantly bridges the franchise’s classic roots and modern evolution.

Macross Plus holds a revered place within the Macross franchise and the wider anime landscape for several reasons. It was pioneering in its integration of traditional cel animation with early computer-generated imagery (CGI), setting a precedent for the increasing use of digital effects in anime. This blend allowed for its visually stunning aerial combat sequences which remain influential in mecha animation.

The series also marked the start of a significant collaboration between director Shinichirō Watanabe and composer Yoko Kanno, whose work on Macross Plus would lead to iconic projects such as Cowboy Bebop. The soundtrack’s genre-spanning style influenced how music could serve as a narrative force in anime, intertwining with story and character development rather than merely accompanying visuals.

Narratively, Macross Plus helped reaffirm the franchise’s thematic core—the interplay of love, war, and music—while pushing it toward more mature and psychological storytelling, expanding the appeal beyond traditional mecha fans. Its exploration of AI and human emotion was ahead of its time, posing philosophical questions still relevant in today’s discussions about technology and identity.

The excellent English dub, featuring talents like Bryan Cranston, contributed to its international acclaim, helping it become a gateway series for many Western viewers into the Macross universe and anime more broadly.

Its legacy continues not only through ongoing Macross installments but also in manga adaptations and video game tie-ins, as well as in inspiring countless mecha and sci-fi creators. To this day, Macross Plus is frequently cited as a high watermark of 1990s anime, a timeless fusion of innovative animation, memorable music, and complex, emotionally resonant storytelling that helped shape the trajectory of anime as a global medium.