By
most standards, Macross is considered to be a mecha franchise
second only to Gundam. Much like the original Gundam
series, Super Dimension Fortress Macross was a war drama. But instead of powerful prototype robots, Macross set off a craze for transforming planes following its 1982 debut. The series also introduced two elements that have been enduring elements in each incarnation: love triangles and the power of music. The show's successful TV run was followed a year later by a theatrical retelling, Do You Remember Love? In 1985, Macross was brought over to the U.S. as the first third of Robotech, an edited compilation of three unrelated series, including Southern Cross and Mospeada. The franchise went into hibernation for several years following the 1986 music video OVA Flashback 2012.
The franchise returned in 1992 with the alternate universe OVA Macross II. Since then, new entries have been created under the supervision of Shoji Kawamori, one of the original creators with Studio Nue. The franchise jumped decades into the future with the OVA series Macross Plus and TV series Macross 7, both released in 1994. Kawamori directed the prequel Macross Zero OVA for the franchise's 20th anniversary in 2002. The franchise's most recent entry is Macross Frontier, a TV series that celebrated the 25th anniversary. Because of its success, Frontier was followed by two movie adaptations. While the original Macross, Macross II and Macross Plus are available on DVD in the U.S., other entries remain unlicensed.
|
Series
Release Information
|
| Series
Name |
Year |
Format |
Available
in US? |
| Super
Dimension Fortress Macross |
1982 |
TV,
36 |
Yes |
| Macross:
Do You Remember Love? |
1984 |
Movie |
No |
| Macross:
Flashback 2012 |
1986 |
Music Video |
No |
| Macross II: Lovers Again |
1992 |
OVA,
6 |
Yes |
| Macross
Plus |
1994 |
OVA,
4 |
Yes |
| Macross
7 |
1994 |
TV,
49 |
No |
| Macross 7: The Galaxy's Calling Me! |
1995 |
Short Movie |
No |
| Macross
7 Encore |
1995 |
TV,
3 |
No |
| Macross
Plus: Movie Edition |
1995 |
Movie |
Yes |
| Macross
Dynamite 7 |
1997 |
OVA,
4 |
No |
| Macross
Zero |
2002 |
OVA,
5 |
No |
| Macross Frontier |
2008 |
TV, 25 |
No |
| Macross Frontier: The False Songstress |
2009 |
Movie |
No |
| Macross Frontier: Wings of Goodbye |
2010 |
Movie |
No |
Macross,
characters, images and related items are copyrights Studio Nue,
Big West and Satelight ©1982-2010.
©1984-2010 Harmony Gold U.S.A. ©2005-2009 ADV Films.
Macross II and Macross Plus ©1995-2010 Manga Entertainment.
