@Martin: Haha, that IS sort of annoying that there’s nothing about him that we know about, but it sure would be awesome if Ranka does manage to convince him to betray Grace. Damn right he’s hot! XD

BTW, is her engagement still on?

Kabitzins last blog post..Macross Frontier 18

@ani_d: I have a feeling Alto will more likely end up with Ranka as well, but we all suspected the death of Ozma in episode 17, yet it never happened. Who knows, the director might do the same thing here as well.

@Martin: Brera does seem to appear randomly sometimes, but he’s still cool and hot.

@EvilDevil: I wouldn’t be surprised if Grace did

@jacobian: I must certainly agree, but Ranka is still my favourite nevertheless. If Sheryl does distance herself, then I can only imagine things becoming more painful for Alto, especially since then he’d have to choose between Ranka or Sheryl, which one needs him more, etc.

@Kabitzin: If only I could shop like good ol’ Cathy

I like his character he isn’t that bad What did he do to Sheryl ?

@ EvilDevil what inhumane things ?

@ jacobian “With regards to Alto, she’ll most likely start to distance herself and try to bear her burden alone. ”
I think the opposite.
Ok she knows she is dying so doesn’t want to tell the thruth to Alto by fear he just stay with her out of pity. But when you know you’re dying the most logical thing is to pass more time with the person you know you will never see again and not distance yourself it doesn’t make sense.
But think about what you just wrote.: “start to distance herself and try to bear her burden alone”.
The last episode is clearly a hint of what she is going to do in the next episode. She was in the rain hoping Alto will come and console her. If his brother didn’t show up, we must likely would have seen her leading towards SMS like the other time.
We are going to see more Sheryl and Alto together in the next episode 19-23 ,while Ranka will make one’s way through the mud.

@jen “There are signs with alto and sheryl’s parts, too”

Of course there are ! But not that explicit. when you see ranka’s and alto hands trying to reach the other you can deduce a reciprocal exchange of feelings ( it could be friendship for you or love for another … ) but sheryl’s naked with a blue/pink triangle around her… what does it mean ?( maybe it will be their first , i’m joking , but we don’t see Alto here except his triangle, seems more like Sheryl’s wakefulness consciousness because of her love for alto than something else )… I said it because of some people who claim everywhere that the ED is full of win for Sheryl <<< BUT :

” But we can all agree that the OP doesn’t mean anything. If it’s taken as proof, then how do you explain the ending? It’s the story that counts.”

You’re right here this is really blurry. The ending means more a Sheryl bound to her destiny/fate with the ribbons around her than her death .
I just realize that you aren’t talking about the end of the opening but the ED with northern Cross. the ED unlike many seem to think isn’t a pop song which shows alto’s and Sheryl’s love to each other( I’m speaking about the drawings with their kiss).
It’s a sad song but Yeah!, Kanno reign masterfully in the art to give some pulse in a song full of sorrow… Many take the bait thought but I suggest you to read the lyrics you will understand what I mean… But like you said the story counts a lot !
” ” With regards to Alto, she’ll most likely start to distance herself and try to bear her burden alone. “Well said..”"
Like I said above it’s unlikely to happen.

@ Kabitzin she seemed to be embarrassed thought

Kabitzins last blog post..Macross Frontier 18

There are signs with alto and sheryl’s parts, too. When she’s naked, there are two colors around her body. Alto and Sheryl’s colour triangles.

But we can all agree that the OP doesn’t mean anything. If it’s taken as proof, then how do you explain the ending? It’s the story that counts.

With regards to Alto, she’ll most likely start to distance herself and try to bear her burden alone.

Well said.

Even though this episode casts Sheryl down further than ever before, it also serves to highlight her strengths. In earlier episodes, the phrase “I am Sheryl Nome” could easily be taken to be overconfidence on her part, but yet here we see her use it to stay strong for Michael and Klan’s sake. I was very moved by watching her try to console them, even though she was the one who needed the support most of all.

With regards to Alto, she’ll most likely start to distance herself and try to bear her burden alone. As tough as it may be to bear, at least she’ll be able to spare Alto the heartache of becoming too attached to her.

Sheryl’s definitely going to be topping my list of favourite anime heroines for a long time.