Super Dimension Fortress Macross the First (2013)

[超時空要塞マクロス THE FIRST]

Volume 5

Author/Artist: Haruhiko Mikimoto
Publisher: Kadokawa Comics Ace

Synopsis:
For his actions during his last sortie, Hikaru finds himself confined to quarters, where he misses out on celebrating Minmei's birthday.

Story/Characters:
Actually, only one chapter in this volume covers the main story. We have Hikaru having his grow-up moment and Roy squaring himself with his necessary tough love approach. We then check in with the Zentradi, where Golg Bodolza assigns Lap Lamiz to help out Breetai.

The rest of the volume is basically a short story set before the events of the main series, where the crew is first assigned to the Macross and some Anti-Unification holdouts launch an attack on South Atalia. The Bridge Bunnies, particularly Shammy, get to shine here. While the story is nice, it does feel like a distraction from the main event, especially given how much of the volume it takes.

Art:
You know I've got nothing but good things to say about the art. In what little space we have devoted to the main story, Mikimoto goes hard on the Minmei fanservice as if to make up for her being mostly absent the previous volume.

Other:
The Secret File this volume includes a profile of the VF-0 and SV-51, a blurb about overtechnology and the Unification Wars, and a special 30th Anniversary interview with Mikimoto and director Shoji Kawamori.

Conclusion:
While I find the prequel story interesting, I do find myself a little disappointed that we aren't moving forward with the main narrative and saving something like this for a spinoff or something similar. I'm still going say this one is worth having, but I do hope to get back to the main event soon.

Rating:
Own It