Super Dimensional Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love?

Shoji Kawamori's Super Dimensional Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love? (1984) is one of the most stunning animated achievements of the 80's. It's not only an ambitious rewrite of the original show (Super Dimensional Fortress Macross, which started the entire franchise), but its animation quality is miraculous. The franchise is known for combining mecha action, Japanese pop music and love triangles and Do You Remember Love? is not an exception to the trademark. A gripping love triangle is created between Ichijou (a young mecha pilot), Lynn Minmay (a ridiculously popular idol/singer) and Misa (a high-ranking female officer).

The idea of combining an epic battle scene with a pop song is not necessarily inviting, but Do You Remember Love? succeeds at making it work in an awesome way (the same can be said about the entire franchise). The jaw-dropping, mouth-watering climax is the reason why everyone should see it: that scene alone is a masterpiece in editing, animation and songwriting. The narrative rushes forward, but that never lessens the film's impact even though it doesn't give enough space for a few side characters. However, the film works very well on its own and that's a great achievement for a young director like Kawamori (only 20 or 21 years old back then). The idea of a love triangle is usually off-putting for me, but this film made it work incredibly well - and I have to give it credit for that.

Kawamori's insane editing can already be found in this movie (and he will develop it even further in the following Macross shows he went on to direct). For example, there are moments I would call crosscutting at its very best. Character and art design are also wonderful so the animation is not all about ridiculous amount of detail.

Do You Remember Love? is a landmark not only for the mecha genre, but for anime in general. Even though I have to admit that I feel like holding back from a 10 (because Kawamori is not in his most refined state yet), it's a film that should be considered a masterpiece.

Score: 9 out of 10