Well, I've been into Animes for a good few years now, and I have to say that Macross Plus is one of the finest I've seen. Even compared to the likes of the Rurouni Kenshin OVAs and Princess Mononoke, I'd have to say MP is an incredibly good anime.
Now, chances are you may have heard good or bad things about this anime. I think that perhaps fans of the original Macross were expecting something different, but having absolutely no existing knowledge of the Macross universe, I have to say this anime blew me away.
It is, in its entirety, very well animated and the pacing seems spot-on (for the most part). As with almost every soundtrack Yoko Kanno has worked on, you can expect a whole range of great music in Macross Plus. For many, it may in fact be the highlight (and thats saying something considering the overall quality).
The story, taken on its own merits, is great. It would be wrong to watch this anime and compare it to anything else, as I've never seen anything quite like it.
OK, so it does contain some pretty far-fetched mecha which some people may be tired of seeing in anime, but they're pretty well animated and this is where the majority of the action takes place. Also the musical accompaniment in the action sequences is likely to keep you hooked just on its own.
And finally, the story. By the end of the first OVA, you begin to see where the tension between Isamu and Guld comes from, and are given a small insight into their past. I think the pacing in the first 3 OVAs leaves you unsure of the outcome, and how the characters will end up, and despite claims from some that the ending is predictable, I was actually expecting something entirely different (and not so good), so it was a pleasant surprise from my point of view. In my honest opinion, the story is great. It's not hugely deep or smothered in philosophical thought like a lot of animes, but that only works to its credit. It's the kinda story you can understand and enjoy without having to think about too much (unlike Akira and Ghost In The Shell, for example).
If you're wondering whether or not to watch the OVAs or Movie version, both have their pros and cons. The movie contains some new scenes and is slightly shorter. Each OVA episode finishes on a fairly tense note, which leaves you wanting more. I personally would recommend watching the OVAs first, but it's entirely up to you.
And please, I ask that you strongly consider watching the subtitled, and not dubbed version. The dub isn't that bad, but the voices aren't that well acted. They don't have as much emotion as the original Japanese voices and so could possibly detract from your overall enjoyment of what is, quite simply an awesome anime.
2 thumbs up for this - It's top quality. Exciting, Involving and Pure entertainment - It's not philosophical like Ghost In The Shell (if that's what you're after) but for pure action and enjoyable story, it comes highly recommended. Don't rent it, buy it.
