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Macross/The Super Dimension Fortress Macross

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Wikipedia This page uses content from Wikipedia. The original article was at The Super Dimension Fortress Macross on Revision 170028928. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with the Animepedia, the text of Wikipedia is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.
The Super Dimension Fortress Macross

Super Dimension Fortress Macross超時空要塞マクロスChō Jikū Yōsai MakurosuTrans-Time Space Fortress Macross

Genre Adventure, Drama, Mecha, romance, Science-Fiction, Space Opera
Anime series: SDF Macross
Directed by

Noboru Ishiguro

Studio

Studio Nue
Tatsunoko Productions
Artland

Network
Original run

3 Oct 1982 — 26 Jun 1983

No. of episodes

36

The Super Dimension Fortress Macross (超時空要塞マクロス, Chō Jikū Yōsai Makurosu; lit. "Trans Time Space Fortress Macross") is an anime television series. According to story creator Shoji Kawamori, it depicts "a small love triangle against the backdrop of great battles" during the first Human-alien war. [2]

Macross is a science fiction series that combines giant transforming robots, apocalyptic battles, wartime romance, and victory through the use of various unconventional means, including bubblegum pop music. It features mechanical designs by Kazutaka Miyatake and Kawamori (both of Studio Nue) and character designs by Haruhiko Mikimoto. In addition, Macross created one of the first anime idols Lin Minmay, turning her voice actress Mari Iijima into an instant celebrity, and launching her musical career. Most of its animation (with edited content and revised dialogue) was adapted outside of Japan for the first saga of Robotech.

Contents

[edit] Story

In 1999, a city-sized alien spacecraft crashes on Earth, and over the course of 10 years the humans rebuild the spacecraft just before a fleet of Zentreadi warships arrive on the hunt for the ship belonging to their enemy, the Supervision Army (See Protodeviln). Meanwhile, a young civilian pilot, Hikaru Ichijyo comes of age and struggles with a love triangle between a rising pop singer Lin Minmay and a dedicated bridge officer, Misa Hayase. During the war that ensues, the human crew operating this untested alien ship find themselves alone in fending off the invaders. Due to inexperience operating the ship, they end up stranded on the edge of the solar system, with refugees from the city that grew around the restored space craft living within the ship. The malfunctioning "fold system", which usually allows rapid space travel, vanishes, causing the crew to take about a year to return to Earth using conventional engines.

While journeying back to Earth, the Macross encounters the Zentreadi, who would do anything to capture the ex-Supervision Army craft.

[edit] Title

The series title uses the name of the main human spacecraft (which is usually shortened to SDF-1 Macross as it is Earth's first Super Dimension Fortress). The original name for the Macross project was Battle City Megaload (or Battle City Megaroad, as the Japanese transliteration to either "L" or "R" gives the title a double meaning in reference to the story line: Megaload, referring to the spacecraft containing an entire city of people; and Megaroad, referring to the long journey through space back to Earth). However, Big West Advertising, one of the sponsors of the project, was a fan of Shakespeare and wanted the series and the spacecraft to be named Macbeth (マクベス Makubesu). A compromise was made with the title Macross (マクロス Makurosu) due to its similar pronunciation to Macbeth in Japanese and because it still contained connotations to the original title. The word Macross comes from a wordplay combination of the prefix "macro" in reference to its massive size (though when compared with the alien ships in the series, it is only a relatively small gun destroyer).

[edit] Production staff

Japanese Staff

English Staff (ADV Dub)

[edit] Cast

[edit] Human side

[edit] Zentreadi side


[edit] Episodes list

  1. Booby Trap (ブービー・トラップ, Būbī Torappu)
  2. Countdown (カウント・ダウン, Kaunto Daun; "Count Down")
  3. Space Fold (スペース・フォールド, Supēsu Fōrudo)
  4. Lin Minmay (リン・ミンメイ, Rin Minmei)
  5. Transformation (トランス・フォーメーション, Toransu Fōmēshon; "Trans Formation")
  6. Daedalus Attack (ダイダロス・アタック, Daidarosu Atakku)
  7. Bye Bye Mars (バイバイ・マルス, Baibai Marusu; "Byebye Mars")
  8. Longest Birthday (ロンゲスト・バースデー, Rongesuto Bāsudē)
  9. Miss Macross (ミス・マクロス, Misu Makurosu)
  10. Blind Game (ブラインド・ゲーム, Buraindo Gēmu)
  11. First Contact (ファースト・コンタクト, Fāsuto Kontakuto)
  12. Big Escape (ビッグ・エスケープ, Biggu Esukēpu)
  13. Blue Wind (ブルー・ウインド, Burū Uindo)
  14. Global Report (グローバル・レポート, Gurōbaru Repōto)
  15. Chinatown (チャイナ・タウン, Chaina Taun; "China Town")
  16. Kung Fu Dandy (カンフー・ダンディ, Kanfū Dandi; "Kungfu Dandy")
  17. Phantasm (ファンタズム, Fantazumu)
  18. Pineapple Salad (パイン・サラダ, Pain Sarada; "Pine Salad")
  19. Burst Point (バースト・ポイント, Bāsuto Pointo)
  20. Paradise Lost (パラダイス・ロスト, Paradaisu Rosuto)
  21. Micro Cosmos (ミクロ・コスモス, Mikuro Kosumosu)
  22. Love Concert (ラブ・コンサート, Rabu Konsāto)
  23. Drop Out (ドロップ・アウト, Doroppu Auto)
  24. Good-bye Girl (グッバイ・ガール, Gubbai Gāru; "Goodbye Girl")
  25. Virgin Road (バージン・ロード, Bājin Rōdo)
  26. Messenger (メッセンジャー, Messenjā)
  27. Love Drifts Away (愛は流れる, Ai wa Nagareru)
  28. My Album (マイ・アルバム, Mai Arubamu)
  29. Lonely Song (ロンリー・ソング, Ronrī Songu)
  30. Viva Maria (ビバ・マリア, Biba Maria)
  31. Satan's Dolls (サタン・ドール, Satan Dōru; "Satan Doll")
  32. Broken Heart (ブロークン・ハート, Burōkun Hāto)
  33. Rainy Night (レイニー・ナイト, Reinī Naito)
  34. Private Time (プライベート・タイム, Puraibēto Taimu)
  35. Romanesque (ロマネスク, Romanesuku)
  36. Farewell to Tenderness (やさしさサヨナラ, Yasashisa Sayonara)

[edit] Sequels

Several sequel series and one prequel have followed, with most using a chronology created by the Studio Nue creators, the rest followed their own storylines regarded as "parallel storyline" by the studio. The main Macross production consists of (in chronological release order):

Release Year Work Title (original) Chronology
10.1982 ~
06.1983		TV seriesThe Super Dimension Fortress Macross
(超時空要塞マクロス)
Original work adapted by Harmony Gold to become Robotech: The Macross Saga in 1985.		(1999~2012)
07.1984MovieThe Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love?
(超時空要塞マクロス~愛・おぼえていますか~)
Alternate telling of the events in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross.		(2009)
06.1987OVAThe Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012
(超時空要塞マクロス フラッシュバック2012)
Epilogue of the movie, segments were added in the movie's definitive "Perfect Edition".		(2012)
05.1992 ~
11.1992		OVA seriesThe Super Dimension Fortress Macross II: Lovers, Again
"Macross 10th Anniversary"
TV series' sequel created without Studio Nue.		(2089)
"parallel"
08.1994 ~
06.1995		OVA seriesMacross Plus
(マクロスプラス)
TV series' sequel created by Studio Nue.		(2040)
1994 ~
1995		OVA seriesMacross Plus: International Version
(マクロスプラス~英語吹替版~[日本語字幕付])
Alternative version with English cast and songs.		(2040)
10.1994 ~
09.1995		TV seriesMacross 7
(マクロス7)
Sequel to Macross Plus.		(2045~46)
10.1994 ~
05.2001		Manga seriesMacross 7: Trash
(マクロス7 トラッシュ)
Comic adaptation first serialized in Shounen Ace magazine then released as volumes.		(2046)
09.1995MovieMacross Plus: Movie Edition
(マクロスプラス~劇場版~)
Alternative version with a different editing and additional scenes.		(2040)
09.1995MovieMacross 7 the Movie: The Galaxy Is Calling Me!
(劇場版マクロス7~銀河がオレを呼んでいる!~)		(2046)
12.1995OVAMacross 7: Encore
(マクロス7 アンコール)
Two '94 TV series additional episodes.		(2046)
02.1996TV seriesMacross 7 (special episode)
'94 TV series' epilogue.		(2046)
08.1996Drama seriesThe Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Inside Story ~Macross Classic~
(超時空要塞マクロス インサイドストーリー~マクロス・クラシック~)
Backstories over the '82 TV series' episodes #27 and #28.		(2009-2012)
12.1997 ~
08.1998		OVA seriesMacross Dynamite 7
(マクロスダイナマイト7)
"Macross 15th Anniversary"
'94 TV series' sequel.		(2047)
07.1998MangaMacross Dynamite 7: Mylene Beat
(マクロスダイナマイト7 ~ミレーヌビート~)		(2047)
12.2002 ~
10.2004		OVA seriesMacross Zero
(マクロス ゼロ)
"Macross 20th Anniversary"
Original '82 TV series' prequel.		(2008)
XX.200XTV seriesMacross Frontier (tentative title)
(マクロスF [仮])
"Macross 25th Anniversary"
'94 TV series' sequel, scheduled project currently in production.		(About 2070)

A feature film, subtitled Do You Remember Love? (愛・おぼえていますか Ai Oboete Imasu ka), was released in 1984, with a condensed version of the storyline and cutting-edge animation. This movie was later described as a "historical drama" movie within the Macross universe (similar to, for example, Pearl Harbor in the real world). In Macross Plus and Macross 7, it is revealed that there was a movie produced after Space War I (the original Earth-Zentreadi conflict). (A shortened, English-dubbed version of the feature was also released to video as Clash of the Bionoids, though this is largely lambasted.) Macross II, the only animated project without Studio Nue's direct involvement, was declared a parallel-world story by Studio Nue.

In March of 2007, Studio Victor placed a casting call for a voice actress to play the heroine, Ranka Lee [1] , in an as-yet-untitled new Macross series.[2] 18 year old Megumi Nakajima was selected in the nationwide singing and acting audition for the role of Ranka Lee in Japan. The project was given the tentative title of Macross 25. Later, as part of the 25th anniversary concert, a trailer was shown that revealed the new tentative title of Macross F (Frontier). During the concert, Shoji Kawamori mentioned that that the timeframe of Macross Frontier is about 2070 AD. Kawamori also announced that Yoko Kanno will be the co-composer of the new Macross series. According to Newtype Magazine, this new series will take place in a school.

[edit] Video games

Macross video games are based on its universe, sometimes expanding it with original characters and sidestories, latest games often include newly created anime footage. All of them were released in Japan only probably because of the Macross / Robotech license issue. These include:

  • The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: A sidescrolling game released in 1985 for the Nintendo Famicom by Namco and Bandai. The main objectives of the lone Valkyrie are to destroy the Zentradi forces, penetrate the Zentradi mothership, and destroy it. A simplified rendition of the song Shao Pai Long plays in the background throughout gameplay.
  • The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love? - A 2D shooter created for the Sega Saturn, it was co-programmed by Sega and was later ported on the Sony PlayStation. It is closely based on the movie, with a mix of 2D and 3D action and special effects. It was released with 2 CDs as it contained footage and soundtrack from both the Macross movie and Flash Back 2012. The footage contained some new scenes including Hikaru and his fellow pilots still on Earth flying on their way to the Macross which made a space fold jump just before the massive Zentreadi attack reached them.
  • Macross: Digital Mission VF-X - The first ever 3D graphics and polygonal game of the franchise made by Bandai Visual for the PlayStation. It was a best seller and was re-released as a budget priced game.
  • Macross M3 - A 3D shooter released on the Dreamcast.
  • The Super Dimension Fortress Macross ("超時空要塞マクロス") - A full 3D shooter released by Sega-AM2 only for the PlayStation 2. The game features both famous and new characters, as well as a large number of VF (Variable Fighters) from the TV series to Macross Flashback 2012. This game made by one of the most experienced and famous development team (Shenmue series, Virtua Fighter series, Daytona USA series, Virtua Cop series) has been acclaimed by both the media and the gamers as the best Macross game ever released.
  • There were three arcade games released by Banpresto, all of which were scrolling shooters: Macross, Macross II, and Macross Plus.

[edit] Harmony Gold, Robotech, and Macross

In 1984, Harmony Gold licensed the first Macross series from Tatsunoko and planned to dub the series on home video. In 1985, Harmony Gold edited and rewrote the series with The Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross and Genesis Climber Mospeada into Robotech, to syndicate on weekday television and to promote a Revell model line. Robotech's credits listed only the English adaptation's production crew and two Tatsunoko producers.

In 1999, Harmony Gold asserted it had exclusive rights to the "distribution of the Macross television series and the right to create and authorize the sale of merchandise based on such series" outside Japan, and began sending cease-and-desist letters to import toy dealers, temporarily barring Macross-related merchandise from North America.[3] The merchandise has since been imported again by the same toy dealers in direct sales, and Harmony Gold has sublicensed additional material for North American retail distribution.

Harmony Gold has at least partially reversed its earlier position. According to company representative Tommy Yune, Harmony Gold would have allowed the possible release of Macross Zero and the Macross 7 manga by A.D. Vision and Tokyopop respectively. He has also denied that Harmony Gold had blocked the release of either production, and informally admitted that the company had handled previous license enforcement attempts badly. The credits of recent English releases of Macross have included most of the Japanese production staff except for Big West, in a better effort to recognize the original creative talent.[4]

[edit] Legal issues

In 2000, Big West and Studio Nue took Tatsunoko Productions to the Tokyo District Court over who had the rights to the first Macross series, due to Harmony Gold's attempt to bar Japanese Macross merchandise in North America the previous year. During production, Big West hired Tatsunoko to assist in the production of the series. Before the series premiere, Tatsunoko was given the license to distribute the show worldwide (i.e., outside of Japan), as well as earning some royalties to the merchandise. Tatsunoko then sub-licensed Macross to Harmony Gold USA for the production of Robotech.

In 2002, the Tokyo District Court ruled that Big West/Studio Nue is the sole owner of the original character and mecha designs for the first series,[5] while that same court ruled in 2003 that Tatsunoko owned the production rights to the first series.[6][7]

[edit] English releases

In fall of 1984, Harmony Gold released the first English-language version of Macross: an English-dubbed VHS video release containing unedited video footage of the first three episodes with a new English theme song, adapted dialogue scripts, and several name changes (which were later used in Robotech, aside from Rick Yamada (Hikaru Ichijyo), who became Rick Hunter). This release was cancelled after one volume when production of the Robotech adaptation began. The first episode of this 1984 English dubbing was later released as an extra in the Robotech Legacy Collection 5 and Robotech Protoculture Collection DVD releases, and is also included in the first volume of ADV Films' 2006 release of Macross.

Streamline Pictures then released Robotech Perfect Collection: Macross on VHS in the summer of 1994, combining two English subtitled episodes of Macross and the corresponding dubbed episodes of the Robotech adaptation in each volume. This was the first English subtitling for Macross, but it contained unedited video footage with incomplete and mistranslated English subtitles and was cancelled after seven volumes and 14 episodes.

In December 2001, AnimEigo released a The Super Dimension Fortress Macross DVD box set. It was the first complete, unedited English release for Macross, containing unedited English-subtitled video footage with no English dubbing. The nine DVDs in this set were re-released in three smaller 3-disc boxes and later in one final new artbox. In 2003 Madman Entertainment released a 6-disc PAL format version of this edition entitled Macross Ultimate Collection.

In the summer of 2005, ADV Films announced that they would be releasing an English dub of Macross on January 10, 2006. This is the first complete, unedited English dub for Macross. Mari Iijima, the Japanese voice of Minmay, will play the same role in the English dub. [3]

[edit] Sources

  1. ↑ Yoko Kanno, Heroine's Voice Announced for New Macross
  2. ↑ Follow Up: Victor Voice Actress Auditions for Macross
  3. ↑ "Harmony Gold bars Macross Imports", Anime News Network, 16 April, 2002.
  4. ↑ [1].
  5. ↑ Macross Lawsuit
  6. ↑ Tatsunoko Wins "Author's Right" to Macross
  7. ↑ Tatsunoko Wins Macross Lawsuit

[edit] External links

Official Sites:

Other Sites:

Facts about Macross/The Super Dimension Fortress MacrossRDF feed
GenreAdventure  +, Drama  +, Mecha  +, romance  +, Science-Fiction  +, and Space Opera  +
Series nameThe Super Dimension Fortress Macross  +
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