Bandai’s Macross Frontier Card for Alto and Sheryl Fans

Alto Saotome and Sheryl Nome Bandai Collector Card, Macross Frontier (2013, MF310)

A Bandai Collector Card from the Macross Frontier Era

This is a Bandai-produced collector card featuring two central characters from the anime series Macross Frontier: the pilot Alto Saotome and the idol singer Sheryl Nome. The identifier MF310 — where “MF” almost certainly stands for Macross Frontier — places this card within a numbered series, though the full scope of that series has not been confirmed. The card face carries the text “Episode 2,” which links it to the second episode of the TV broadcast, and the artwork shows the two characters in an embrace set against a brick wall and gear motif background. Released in 2013, approximately two years after the second Macross Frontier theatrical film, this card belongs to the ongoing merchandise period that followed the franchise’s theatrical run. It has been stored in a clear protective sleeve, a standard practice among Japanese collectors for preserving card condition.

The Macross Franchise and Its Musical Legacy

Macross Frontier aired in 2008, produced by Studio Satellite for the MBS and TBS networks, running 25 episodes. It is part of the Macross franchise, which began in 1982, and carries forward that series’ three defining pillars: songs, romance, and aerial combat with transforming variable fighters known as Valkyries. Macross Frontier placed particular weight on its musical component — composer Yoko Kanno wrote the score, and tracks including “Diamond Crevasse” and “Lion” developed followings well beyond Japan. Two theatrical films followed the TV run, one released in 2009 and another in 2011, each presenting a distinct version of the story’s events and conclusion. Bandai produced merchandise throughout this entire period, with collector cards among the various formats issued alongside broadcasts and film screenings.

The Characters and the Episode Behind the Card

Alto Saotome is the male lead, born into the respected Saotome kabuki family but who walked away from the stage to become a Valkyrie pilot for the private military company SMS. His refined features earned him the nickname “Hime,” meaning princess. On this card he appears in a purple and white pilot helmet, consistent with his standard combat outfit. Sheryl Nome carries the title of Galaxy Fairy, a superstar idol characterized by pink hair and a commanding stage presence. Her vocal performances in the series were handled by the singer May’n, and the songs she delivers within the story took on lives of their own as genuine music releases.

TV Episode 2, subtitled “Hard Chase,” is the episode in which Alto becomes entangled in a crisis at Sheryl’s concert venue — their first significant encounter in the series. The “Episode 2” text on this card most likely references that event, though it is not possible to rule out a connection to a section of one of the theatrical films rather than the TV broadcast. Internationally, Macross Frontier maintains a broad fanbase across North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia, with Sheryl Nome remaining a fixture in cosplay and fan art communities worldwide. Original Bandai releases produced for the Japanese domestic market are not typically distributed through international retail channels, which limits their availability outside Japan.