After watching nearly all of Tomino's Gundam, and other mecha, nothing could have prepared me for the hilariously absurd approach Macross 7 took on the genre. When Basara took his Valkyrie into the battle, shot speakers at everyone, took control of his guitar shaped controls, and started singing to everyone's confusion, I knew at that point in episode 1, that this was going to be something special. Early on, his passion for singing moved me immensely, and I felt a great sense of inspiration whenever he sang out in the battles, partly because of what he stands for. I was singing along each time, and impatiently waiting for the next performance. Near the end of Dynamite, I was tearing up, because the end meant no more Basara performances.

After finishing Macross 7, I abandoned my seasonal work, and went immediately into a re-watch to start making a video on this. Regardless of that reason, I would have anyways, because I wanted to see him sing again. It wasn't enough by the end. I connected with Basara on a spiritual level, screaming along the lyrics with him as he went. But most importantly, it's what he taught me. Macross 7 has so much passion in what it tries to say, that Basara touched and set my soul on fire.

I saw many similarities between him and Yabuki Joe from Ashita no Joe. Basara is a difficult person for others to understand because he has a very unique point of view, and doesn't just spoon-feed you. Such as with Mylene, he wanted her to figure it out on her own, and he looked with praise and approval when she started to get it. Characters such as Ray and Veffidas get him more, and sometimes, even have to say something, so other people can understand. A determined pacifist, he tries to sing to reach the hearts of his enemies. It's similar to Minmay, but the power of his singing is so great, that it's anything but passive. Very rarely have I found a character as passionate, well written, and determined as him. His presence alone gives off a type of uplifting energy.

The use of music in Macross 7 is incredibly unique. There is no "background music." The series uses the setting and characters instead. From Veffidas drumming in the background, to radios, concerts in the distance, televisions in the room, there is never a dull silence. The soundtrack... We all have our preferences, but each song, and the talent of Basara's singing, moves me with such intensity. I can't help but move to it, and clench my fist with passion. Every episode, I was waiting with anticipation to see which songs Basara would use for the set list or moment. I love the music to Revolutionary Girl Utena and Initial D, but Macross 7's music ignites my emotions in a different, yet also wonderful way. I never grew tired of hearing his music, and still listen to it a lot now.

I don't know what the consensus on this anime is anywhere, but right away, I want to talk about Veffidas. A character that is very silent in the series and rarely talks. Still, she does so much while saying so little. Her character is handled so cleverly, I'd be foolish to dismiss her just because she rarely talks. A lot of the humor comes from the things she does in the background, and how she "talks" with her drumming. You can feel it. But when she talks, you know it's going to be something meaningful and critical towards the situation.

Besides all this, there is a lot of reused animation here. Sometimes, the characters are drawn so terribly, I laugh and save the image. Still, this did not ruin the experience for me at all. I was surprised, because in the original Macross, I did get burnt out of Minmay singing "My boyfriend is a Pilot" so many times.

As a romance, the viewers should know what to expect, as this is Macross. The love triangles, and those of many other shapes, tug the viewers back and forth. You think you know who is best for someone, and then the series tries to win you over with what another character has to offer.

This year, I made it a mission to find a new favorite anime. Out of the sea of seasonal trash and older works, Macross 7 soon gave me that feeling that my favorites invoke in me. The feeling that I look for in a series, regardless of genre. That's when I not just think, but can feel, that yes, this is what I have been looking for. It happens in specific moments. It's a realization that happens, that feels like a blissful chill, when the culmination of everything the anime has done at that moment hits you during a critical moment. I placed it early into my favorites, and Basara as a favorite character. I took a chance, as sometimes this can fail when a series ends up disappointing me. However, I found something that finally gave my favorites a run for their money, and I placed it up high, only second to Joe. I could say I finally found what was I was looking for. Still, this kind of journey never ends. This can't be the end. There is more out there I must search for.