Basic Story
The year is 2040 and on the colony planet of Eden three child-hood friends are unexpectedly reunited on the planet where they grew up together. Isamu Dyson a reckless pilot forced to take the job as test pilot for the YF-19. Guld Goa Bowmann, the test pilot for the YF-21, flying against Isamu in a trial to decide which model will go into production. And Myung Fan Lone, the producer of the galaxy's top idol singer, the computer generated Sharon Apple, who has just arrived on planet Eden for her latest concert.
As the 30th anniversary of the end of the Zentradi war and the formation of the United Space Force approaches, strange events are drawing these three characters back together. And their reunion is bringing to surface the unspoken secrets of why they went their seperate ways and why Isamu and Guld, once the closest of friends, are now the bitterest of rivals. However things are not as they seem, and an unexpected onlooker is turning their rivaly into a fight for their lives.
Featuring high speed flying action, stunning vocal music and an epic emotional story, Macross Plus contains amazing animation along with all the elements that make Macross one of the greatest anime series ever...
Personal Opinion
!!! WARNING SPOLIERS AHEAD !!! Macross Plus is without a doubt the strangest of the Macross series, as it seems to disregard many of the conventions established in the other series. For example, it has no set opening or ending animation sequences, it's not about any kind of war or conflict since Sharon doesn't seem to have any kind of plans of conquest, Sharon's vocal music is a lot less chart friendly than music from the other series however I find it a lot more powerful, and it features a LOT less comedy than any other Macross series (there's not much comedy at all after Volume 1) but all this doesn't detract from the series, for me I think it makes it shine out even more.
Despite it's strangeness and darkness Macross Plus is a very original and entertaining story, the love triangle at the heart of the story is very realisitc and emotional, while Sharon's attempts to take over Myung's life bring about such a huge epic story despite Macross Plus being the shortest of the Macross series. The Mecha combat sequences are very fast-paced and exciting and the flight scenes get more and more intense as it goes on, climaxing with Isamu's fantastic run at the Macross at the end, played to my favourite Macross Plus music track "Information High."
This is just my personal opinion, but out of all the Macross series Plus does seem to be one that most of the fans can agree on as a success. Many fans don't agree on which Macross series they like and don't, some especially dislike Macross II and Macross 7, (personally I like 'em all) but few don't like Macross Plus. This is probably an indication that Macross Plus really does have something in there for everybody.
Overall I would like to say, "If you could watch only one Macross series, make it Macross Plus." However I wont say that because the fact of the matter is, if you could watch only one Macross series then life just isn't worth living. ^_^
"The first word in my dreams, I could cleary see..." - Voices (English)