Long time Robotech\Macross fan. Love seeing new people discover the franchise. Also want to mention that a lot of the Robotech hate stems from Harmony Gold trademarking Macross in the 90s and blocking Macross imports until the recent agreement made with BigWest. Every other American adaption like Power Rangers, Voltron, Battle of the Planets, etc had the decency to recognize its place as a mere distribution of derivative material and free market compete with the original. Robotech is the hated exception cause Harmony Gold had the hubris to act like they wholly owned Macross with a swindled trademark.
@@RedwoodTheElf Yes!!! There was also the Sentinels and The Shadow Chronicles. But the Sentinels was part of the Harmony Gold collection (which was included in the box set of the Harmony Gold Robotech series. The 1st DVD set I've ever bought), which only had 2 episodes and left uncompleted in anime form. And I have no idea who put out The Shadow Chronicles but it may be in-line with Harmony Gold's version of Robotech.
Macross 'Do You Remember Love' is one of my all time favorite animes. I saw it back in 87 when I moved to Asia and a Japanese classmate lent me the movie. I only knew of Robotech prior having lived in the US, so was blown away when I saw it. I still watch it once every few years.
I think you misunderstand people’s relationship or perceived hatred of Robotech. It’s almost never hatred of Robotech. It’s hatred of Harmony Gold who has held the franchise hostage in the west since the 80’s, making it so the only way to watch it was to sail the high seas.
I was introduced to the series through Robotech when my older sister would watch it after school. Years later as a teen I somehow got my hands on Macross II and then Plus. And maybe about fifteen years ago I watched the entire first season of Robotech with my wife. I've always wanted to watch the entire series so this is a cool guide that untangles the spaghetti and gives me an idea of what to expect. Thanks.
I don't think Flashback 2012 is not skippable as it shows what happens to the main characters post Macross. This comes into play in Seven, Frontier and Delta. Even Macross Zero has a tie into subsequent releases. So as a far as canon goes I would watch it all and not skip anything even if it may seem inconsequential. Also a lot of kids from the 80's that discovered Robotech and disown it when we discovered what was done to create it has a lot to do the book Robotech Art 1. It was there that 12 year old me discovered that Robotech was an amalgam of series and we were able to funny enough watch subbed version through a vhs release from Harmony Gold in the mid 90's.
I grew up with Robotech and even though Anime (Star Blazers, Simba the white Lion, Battle of the Planets) wasn't new to the US when it came out, but it was the largest generator of interest in Anime in the 80s, anyone who hates Robotech are hating the show that paved the way for Anime in the US due to its success. Top Gun, Afterburner and Robotech/Macross's Valkyrie (clearly based off the F-14) cemented my love of the F-14 Tomcat!
Same here. The F-14 Tomcat remains my favorite fighter aircraft after nearly 40 years because of Robotech/Macross and Top Gun, followed closely by the F-16 from Iron Eagle.
Here’s the thing I personally loved about Macros Zero, and made it worthwhile for me: the stuff about Roy Fokker. We learn so much about Roy - who is one of the best characters. (Spoilers) Roy was a pacifist college student. He was in love with another student named Aires (who was evidently more experienced than him, which is relevant to his emotional state). The war started, she broke his heart, and he never quite got over that. Then he realized that his conscience wasn’t helping the world any, so he joined the UN forces and constant combat kind of broke his soul. In zero, ten years later, they end up interacting again, which is how we find out all this, and it explains *why* he’s a womanizing drunk, and his whole outlook on life. Roy’s death in Macross is amazingly tragic and moving, especially coming after he finally settled down with Claudia, and it’s even moreso once we know about Airies because we realize Claudia was kind of his redemption. It expands his character, and to me thqt’s valuable. The rest of the show? take it or leave it. My opinion varies wildly, but I love the Roy stuff
I had the honor of meeting Carl Macek at an anime expo decades ago, this was long after I had finally really gotten into anime and knew the full story of Macross and how Robotech was an amalgamation of three totally unrelated show, and I had to congratulate him on what he accomplished, especially the incredible editing job that was done for the opening of the Robotech series. Like you it was probably Robotech and that second season ( Southern Cross ) that got me back into anime, or at least beyond Starblazers - which is a whole other story.
Original Macross/Robotech made so many anime fans back in the '80s like myself, I am now fifty years old and still love Macross and Anime in general. Plus wasn't bad, Seven I could just not get into, too colorful I think, Zero was an odd story, but the animation was amazing, Frontiers was great, fantastic soundtrack great animation and good story, the ending was a let down because the love triangle wasn't settled, but to let you know the two theatrical releases are not rehash of the story but almost like additional episodes that completed the story and gave a better ending. Delta was like Seven, just couldn't get into, a little to much of a departure from the Macross theme of military pilots who trained to be the best, a bunch of little girls who are basically a J-pop group that are also bad ass pilots at like twelve years old.....no, not happenin.
Agree most of it, & with the whole, yes Macross 7 , "I play the guitar main theme" was kind of lame and takes away most of the essence of Macross.. producers wanted a gimmick for the cool kids at the time, I guess... Original series and Plus are a must... Frontier is also cool, its expands the Lore.. is a cool work. Zero, personally was kind of a disappointment, other than the Cameo of Roy Focker and how we get to see the prototype for the planes, the Script itself was bollocks and they did not know what to do with it.. I guess they tried to get into the tropical island stuff and mystics and legends too much the plot got lost... feels like like was a completely different Anime at first, and someone reads and thought , hey let's paste this into Macross lore and make it a prequel..
This list is pretty accurate. Macross Plus, Macross 7, Macross 7 Dynamite, Macross Frontier, and Macross Delta and all of their movies and OVAs are all from the Macross: Do You Remember Love timeline, and Macross Zero is the prequel to that timeline. The o.g. Macross TV series is standalone.
How to watch by Macross chronicle series the year is when it takes place time wise. Macross Zero 2008 Super Dimensional Macross 2009-2010/11 SDF Macross movie Ai Obetimasuka (do yo remember love AKA DYRL) 2009-10 Macross Flashback 2012 Macross plus/movie edition 2040 Macross 7 and encore 2045 Macross 7 movie the galaxy is calling me 2045 takes place between tv show Macross 7 dynamite 2047 Macross Frontier 2059 Macross Frontier the movies False songstress and the wings of goodbye 2059 Macross Delta 2067 Macross Delta movies 2067 Macross II 2080
My hate on the robotech franchise is aimed toward harmony gold. I actually loved the series. I did stop at the end of the Macross saga. I just never had any interest in the rest of it. When I was old enough to understand how harmony gold blocked us off from getting more of that Macross goodness, I stopped throwing money at them.
If you're a fan of the robotech frankenstein, you should also watch the other anime it's body parts was butchered from, not just Macross. There's Southern Cross, and uh, Genesis Climber. You can find them here in youtube, funnily enough.
you miss Macross 2 that came out between Macross do you remember Love and Macross plus, A lot of Americans don't like it but again living in Japan in the 90s I got Macross all over the place. You need to check it out its short and I enjoyed it. I grew up with Robotech and did not know about Macross till I got the art book and then went to Japan where Anime was nuts.
if you were playing RPGs and had the Robotech RPG by Palladium, then you would have known about the existence of the original because its rulebook had a whole chapter about the difference between those two versions.
Macross and Robotech are like fever dreams from my 80's childhood. Years later, as I collect GIJoe and Transformers, I see more and more from this time period opening up to me. My vague and blurry memories are coming back with re-exposure. I look forward to using the list you provided and try to find some episodes online.
The great thing about robotech I think is that, besides the cartoon, Karl macek had his entire idea for the series from beginning to end in written out in a book series. It was really tied together nicely from start to finish. They even added his own continuation from the end of the cartoon called the shadow wars. Then they finished it all by tying it to the very beginning of the series. Really good read if you can find them.
I too got into Macross through Robotech and still have an affinity for it even though I view them as two separate franchises. Macross Zero is important to the story line for Frontier. Frontier is really amazing.
The best part of Do you remember love? is at one point when hikaru fires a group of missiles from his veritech and when they pass by the screen if you look close enough you’ll see one of them is a Budweiser beer can.
I hate Harmony Gold cause they are the reason why we didn't any new Macross in North America since Macross Plus and Macross 2 the movie. Thus is why I tell people do not watch Robotech.
I only watch the west version of Robotech so I had no idea Gloval and the crew survived in the OG version which has to be considered as source material cannon, thx bud 👍 u just made my day 👊✌️
Sweet just found this. I also grew up and was around 13 or so back then. Robotech, Battleship Yamato ( I think that was the American name of that series) and a couple others are what I grew up on since those were all I knew that existed back then. The rest I found a few years later when the rest of that decade of Anime made its way to the US and the Mange/Anime craze really took off in the 90s and early 2000s.
Great overview! Same here, Robotech got me into these three series and definitely a huge Macross fan. I totally agree with your summary. Loved the origial and DYRL. Macross Frontier is definitely worth a watch and Kanno Yoko's music is insanely awesome. Loved the original Minmay idol concept, but Delta was tough to get into, IMHO. Macross Zero had some cool valkyrie designs.
My stepdad showed me Robotech when I was in elementary school along with the OG 80s Transformers. It was what he grew up with and as a kid I absolutely loved it! Now I'm almost 30 and just discovering the Macross saga!! Ill always appreciate Robotech and personally don't give a shit if it was a bastardization because like you said it's what ultimately got me into an entire genre I might not have ever been aware of. I'm stoked to watch the Macross series and am kind of glad that its only now that I'm the age I am because I can have a beer and just soak it all up lol
Love your honesty and your vid. So how you do it? I would also want to know the secret of having free time with family and kids. Me, a dad with two children and wife.
I knew well about it I watched the original original in like 82 while I was stationed din Japan. Either way, the Americanise version did a great job of making it all fit. The only negative here is the time wasted by not serialising the show as a live action.
All Macross anime is Old but Gold And don't forget. Macross II i think the basic idea of Macross Delta is came from Macross II. When both sides have a singer
@@bryfunkensteinNot really, macross II is a worse version of DYRL, but with some new ideas (that mostly went nowhere). Delta did do a far better take on one of those ideas, thought.
If you are new to Macross you should really start with Macross zero, its a good anime just shows and explains the war that is talked about in the start of the Macross saga. Also seperate Robotech and Macross, Robotech is a more war centered leaning to the more "realistic" side, While macross is more learning to fantasy power of Music and etc. I prefer Robotech story overall but Macross looks much better and have alot more to it. Also Robotech even it looks better many story details makes more sence, in my opinion.
Last Macross I watched was Macross Zero. I agree with your comments about it. But I also remember waiting so long for a new Macross that I didn't really mind that it wasn't that good and that I had to wait like 6 months for every episode. BTW, you left out Macross II, my favorite Macross. Best music of all of them IMO (remember I only watched up to Zero) and the animation was good enough (better than the 70's style of the original) and it was short enough (I think I watched an OVA, not sure) that I didn't feel like I had to slough through it like I did with the original.
Its autumn 2024, and Macross is being drip fed released in the west on Disney Plus of all places 😮 Edit: macross 7 and macross plus have just been added, but the maross plus english dub (the manga one with bryan cranston) isn't an option. But that's not all that surprising.
I didn't watch robotech as a kid. I was a voltron guy, actually. My introduction to the franchise was the movie version of plus i got for Christmas. It was life changing. It and Bubblegum Crisis were the first tapes in my anime collection. I was gearing up for a stateside macross 7 release, i learned about harmony gold and their belief that they owned everything macross, and I've hated them ever since.
I kinda felt like I hated Macross 7 when I started but somewhere along the way started loving it. Not sure what the turning point was but I felt like I was experiencing Gamllin's character arc IRL while watching the show. The OVA's and movie are all pretty solid even if they are filler. Dynamite at the very least is a must watch when it comes to the Macross 7 extras.
I started liking m7 when I accepted basara as a main character. At first I thought he was annoying and the worst part of the show because he doesn't want to fight, but about halfway or so, I realized that I really admired how far he went to stick to his ideals. So much so that Fire Bomber breaking up because he'd rather sing with space whales is the most in character moment of the entire franchise.
There were quite a few Robotech / Macross soundtracks that I had found and loved, before finding out about the Japanese versions of the same series that Harmony Gold prevented from getting to the North American market. I still HATE Harmony Gold, to this day, because of that.
IIRC In universe Do you remember love is actually a movie I think releasedduring macross 7 and it is mentioned. Frontier also has a similar setup for macross zero.
How can there be hate towards those that watched it as Robotech? It's all we had! We didnt know a lot about anime, and we certainly didnt know about the shennigans going on with Harmony Gold.
I grew up watching Robotech. I was about 8 the first time I saw it. In the 80's. When I was a teenager and started buying magazines I learned about what they did and was so pissed that I hadn't got the chance to get the toy, videogames, or sequels released in South America because the shitheads at Harmony Gold kept the whole American market locked out of Japanese Macross products. I hate them for that. I wouldn't hate Robotech since it worked, but even thou I watched and loved it as a child I think it's a shit product from a shit company and none of the original series benefitted from what Harmony Gold did. I remember watching "Do you Remember Love" on a bootleg VHS and realizing Minmei was singing about peace while at war and it made for a way better contrast for the story and the characters. In Robotech they wrote a song about shooting the bad guys and kicking ass. That said the Robotech score is really great. That is the only point I will give to that product. They created a whole OST for the series and to this day I can recall all the songs and what each song represented. So I hate the company and what they did. The many decades of hassle I had to go trough to get the sequels and toys. Since getting the individual series I've never watched it again and probably never will.
Your perspective on Robotech and Super Dimension Fortress Macross resonates with me and lines up with how I feel about the entire matter. In the mid-1980's, I grew up watching Speed Racer, Starblazers, G-Force, Space Pirate Captain Harlock, Voltron: Defender of the Universe, and Robotech. Without those animated series, I wouldn't know what anime was. Is Robotech a stitched up patchwork of a series? Yes. Do I care? Not really. However, my only issue with Super Dimension Fortress is the soundtrack (theme song and background music). I would rather have the Robotech theme and background music overlayed over SDFM. But that's me. I wasn't a fan of Minmei's two only songs on Robotech. That got tiresome quick.
I actually don't hate Robotech, not a fan of Harmony Gold but Robotech as a gateway show is fine, given how different each of the three shows was (Macross, Southern Cross, Mosepeda) Carl Macek did a decent enough job tying them together into "Generations" and it works for what it is.
Love Macross! ❤ SDFM, OG! Macross Plus, Amazing! Macross Frontier, Holy Crap (❤Sheryl Nome)! Macross Delta, Dancing Mecha Wtf (Almost Dropped, but did survived)! Did watch some of the other series mentioned here but non stand out. 👍
Also thought of the difference with Robotech and SDF Macross was the Zentradi destroyed earth in Marcoss but in Robotech there wasnt an apocalypse, things were settled before damage happened. Please correct me if I am wrong.
1:04 "If it wasn't for Robotech i wouldn't know Macross" Ironically it can also be said that if it wasn't for Robotech newer generationes would know Macross and their sequels, but Harmony Gold wouldn't allowed
I personaly like Robotech over Macross. I got all 85 episodes and am thinking of digitlizing them and enhancing the auido. The Macross Saga, The Masters and The New Generation. This makes up the full 85 episodes. Also the movies: Codename Robotech, Robotech the Movie and The sentinals. I also managed to get another movie where all the crew are female but cant remember the name.
There also another one that was missed but I agree to all you said this the anime that started my doward spiral into anime off course I saw robotech all 3 Southern Cross and mosquito clash of the Sentinels and two other Macross Robotech short ovas and a slight detailed series can't think of them right now but they're out there
Valkyries is Macross speak, Veritechs are Robotech speak. I binged watched everything within the last 4 weeks. For the most part I enjoyed most of it. Macross Plus from a story point confused me. Since there was no direct tie in with Macross SDF. Sharon Apple becoming so powerful gave me Skynet vibes. Intro of ofht YF-19 which carred into Macross7. I like the use of music throughout the Macross series. I did like the take of Macross7 being from the more not violent perspective of Basara and Sound Force, that there was an alternative way to handle things rather than militarily. Macross Frontier and Delta did go back to the Idol angle. I started with Robotech when I was a kid and learned the hard way about Macross being the OG..I was spoken not nice words by others when I mentioned Robotech in geek circles.From the music, I get more energetic when I heard the music from Macross7, Frontier and Delta. The OG Macross music and songs..felt slower for me..not something that I would listen to while driving on a trip for example. I did like the use of Max Jenius and Miria in Macross7 along with Max again showing up in the 2nd Delta Movie. Tho, I wouldn't have mind if there was some animated flashvback or cameo as to what happened with Hikaru and Misa along wih if they had kids or not.
@@Javifaa I was speaking in more broader sense, not as to the specific fighter models. Since when I was younger in a geeky kinda club I was kinda told to get in correct in terminology in relation to Macross vs Robotech. Veritechs is not a word used in relation to Macross and Valkyrie term isn't used in Robotech, at least not that I can recall. I binged Macross in total about 2 months ago
@@marcc5768 without having watched Robotech (and I'd rather stay away from it) I'd say Variable Fighter isn't used there either, so there shouldn't be much confusion. Besides, calling every VF Valkyrie is like calling every spy plane Blackbird.
DYRL is in continuity movie. Meaning characters in macross grew up watching DYRL. Some shows are 'spiritual' successors of others. Frontier is actually more like sequel to the original even though a lot of stuff happens between the og and frontier. Delta is DEFINITELY a successor to 7...and macross itself suffers from the star trek curse where one seroes is awesome but the next series is meh. 7 for example...was REALLY popular in Japan. Most westerners don't like it. But I've sat people down to watch frontier (and it wasn't even dubbed) and people liked it . And next to dyrl...some of the best movies to come out.
Honestly, my head canon is that ALL the movies are in-verse movies; how they tend to be lighter, with the heroes "winning" moreso, things being cleaner, etc, it makes sense. (Plus, explains the continuity errors between the series and the movies based on them)
There was a "Robotech- the movie" in 1986. Did you mention that one? (Transforming motorcycle) This is another one that was somewhere outside of everything else but, hey, Robotech. ::::shurg::::
Thanks for putting this out. Like others mentioned you missed Macross II. II had an really good love triangle story, amazing soundtrack, and the Godly awesome designed mecha. Also, missing Macross Frontier was a sin. As claiming to be a fan, after watching Frontier you will realize that you messed up. You will tell yourself you would have been a happier human being if you watch it 15 years ago.
LOL I was about to reply to you and push up my nerd glasses and say "well actually..." about the the age of Macross Frontier because there's no ... way... that could.... be... OMG 15 YEARS OLD!?!?!?
Old school fan here. I grew up on Robotech, soon after discovered DYRL. One you missed was Macross 2, for the love of God watch the sub, the dub was horrible.
Although Frontier is nice and probably one of my favorites, I'm not too fond of triangles. I was introduced to Macross form Delta and recently missed the option to see Plus on the big screen at a local theatre. I also had a hilarious oops moment when I realised Macross and robotech weren't really the same when I trying to watch the full series
There's plenty of old fans like me that watched Robotech first and learned about Macross later, still what HG has done to the brand is unexcusable, that's where the hate comes from, of course some people take this to the extreme, I'm too old for that so in a sense you're right.
The appropriate watch order is: 1. Original SDF Macross 2. DYRL 2b Flashback 2012 ( optional ) 2c secretly watch Macross II, but don't tell anyone ( optional, but then again... no one will know ) 3. Macross Plus 4. Macross Zero ( optional ) 5. Macross Frontier 6. Buy the soundtrack to Frontier and fangirl rock out in your car when no one is looking, and be thoroughly embarrassed that one of your favorite parts have English lyrics that make no sense whatsoever. (optional...but... you know you'll probably do it ) then stick your fingers in your ears and don't listen to anyone who says to watch anything else. Trust me. Watch Gits or Cowboy Bebop or something instead. Your brain will thank you.
Hey guy! Enjoyed watching this synopsis. I loved Robotech, but Have to admit, I hate Harmony Gold. Because they basically sit on the Robotech license, and leech it for merchandise $$$ and don't do much else. Reissue the same stuff, and sue any attempt to bring over newer Macross shows/merchandise. Because for them, newer Macross sequels and merchandise are a threat to the value of their Robotech license. Who's gonna buy the 5th reissue of Robotech when there's six new Macross sequels and all the new merchandise. Better built to boot. (note: there are some great Robotech merchandise in the sky high price range)
I'm probably more into Macross. I've seen all that you listed. You missed Macross II: Lovers Again. Which is skippable. About the equivalent of Macross 7. Both I would give maybe a C+/B-. Both of which had alot of Haruhiko Mikimoto who was the main character designer of Macross over the decades. Shoji Kawamori was the main mecha designer who later went into directing/producing the sequel Macross series (except Macross-II). While I did like Robotech, there was alot of dialog and more serious tone/music I prefer in the original Macross TV show and Mospeada. I would say 15% of Robotech was better, and 35% of Macross/Mospeada was better. I would heavily recommend seeing the beginning and ending scenes of Macross Flashback. Ignore the re-edited music clips. Just watch the new animation. Alot was meant to be tacked on to the end of the Macross Do You Remember Love movie.. There were storyboards for a scene after she goes "1,2,3,4, 1,2,3,4...." And Flashback gave the animators a chance to finally do that scene. It's easy to find on youtube. Again, wasn't a fan of Macross 7. Macross Plus and Macross Zero were alright. I enjoyed both. But the real gem I think was Macross Frontier. Animation was a huge jump in quality. So was the songs. And I loved the setting and the story. I might like it more than any other version. And then Macross Delta was hard for me to enjoy. :) Now that's just my opinions. Not worth anything.
You also forgot to include Macross II. Though it's not part of the Macross canon timeline since it was produce without Shoji Kawamori. And please don't call the transformable jets Veritechs. That's a Robotech terminology. They're called Variable Fighters or simply Valkyries. The reason why there's a lot of hate on Robotech is because of its owners Harmony Gold. They kept Macross hostage outside of Japan for decades due to the distribution rights they acquired of the original TV series from Tatsunoko and their dubious trademarks. They knew that Macross was a threat to Robotech after the positive reception of Macross II and Macross Plus in the West. One major difference between Macross and Robotech is how Protoculture is defined. In Macross they're the mysterious precursor civilization that spanned the galaxy 500,000 years ago that seeded all humanoid races. In Robotech it's an energy resource used to power their mecha. Also the Zentraedi were created by the Protoculture while in Robotech it's the Robotech Masters.
Bumbayker, THANK YOU for this post that really cleared up the conflicting definitions of Protoculture in Robotech. I'm watching Robotech for the first time and was confused if it's a power/fuel source or something biological, like when Miriya held up her baby in "Viva Miriya" and implied it was natural reproduction. I seriously think Macek and his staff of writers were making things up as they went. So many contradictions, but understandably a result of stitching together three standalone series. Thank you again!
@@g.p.ryecroft No problem. Carl Macek originally wanted to release Macross in its original form (with probably a few censored scenes that had blood and nudity). But American TV syndication at the time required 65 episodes, which Macross was lacking 29. So Harmony Gold acquired the rights to 2 other unrelated anime with transforming mecha (Super Dimension Century Southern Cross and Genesis Climber MOSPEADA) from Tatsunoko and decided to combine all 3 series into one story. Though the story in the first part of Robotech was relatively the same as Macross there was still changes in certain events and edits in the footage. The succeeding 2 parts had even more story changes and footage edits especially Southern Cross which diverted a lot from the original show. The Protoculture in the original Macross TV series weren't that well fleshed out. But its movie retelling "Do You Remember, Love" had more focus on their lore. I highly recommend that you watch it if you haven't yet. It's arguably the best Macross movie ever and even holds to this day even after 40 years from its release.
Before starting I am one of the people who saw Macross first then Robotech so there may be a bias in the language. It may be BS for some concerning the debate on why Robotech is hated is misplaced sentiment. Personally I hate Harmony Gold not robotech since its the company Harmony Gold who hijacked the licensing of the franchise outside Japan making it difficult for Macross Plus, Frontier and Delta to be shown and sold outside of Japan. But now that the issue is resolved and both parties have the authority to sell and make deals for the franchise this issue will slowly die out. Delta has something special at the last part of the series that ties it all together from the stories of Zero, Macross, Plus, 7, Frontier and Delta. This is also true with the Delta: Zettai Live Movie it shows something relevant from the past. The truth is I like Delta for the characters but the EXVF-1s are really surprising but understandable from the mercenary contractor group. The interesting one is Labyrinth of Time from Macross Frontier that hints of what could be coming in the future.
Nice. Lately, I've been searching for the soundtracks and I came across what looks like a totally revamped version of the series. Looks like a modern 2023 anime, super clean. I don't think it's a "remaster", as I looked up remaster and it didn't look as crisp. Anyone know how I can get this updated version? It looks like a modern version of SDF-1.
I'm a big Robotech fan👍 then I got into the JapaneseM versions. I liked Super Dimensional Fortress Macross , Macross plus, Macross 2 . I've seen Zero and Macross frontier. As a kid I grew up on Robotech , Transformers and Voltron. 👍 Honorable mention goes too Mobile Suit Gundam, Star blazers, Mazinger Z and Raydeen.
For a proper timeline-coherent progression, but also removing unneeded fluff: - Zero - OG - Flashback 2012 - Plus (OVA, then the movie for a couple extra scenes) - 7 + Encore + The Galaxy is Calling Me + 7 Dynamite - Frontier - FB7 movie (CAVEAT: it's basically a crossover musical, but still makes sense in-universe) - Delta Macross II doesn't technically count as canon as Kawamori didn't work on that and the other movies are mostly retellings that don't really add anything IMO (yes, including DYRL)...
Macross 7 isn’t something to binge watch. It’s best to watch that one at a relaxed pace. Just IMO to get the most out of it, because it’s different. And some advice. Don’t say Veritechs. I’m not a Robotech hater. But if you’re going to be a proper Macross fan…. They’re called Valkyries.
Macross Frontier was a big success and has the best sound track. Delta was a big flop. Just like Macross 7, imo. Delta and 7 have something in common, they focused too much on the music side of the story and I think that was why it was not as successful.
I agree, these are the 2 I never finished watching. Was too sailor moon idol group band bull shit and not about mecha and transforming fighter battles.
Macross Delta's last movie did try to rebalance things again, though not without flaws. But I say this as one of many that hates Delta TV. Zettai Live is the only thing worth watching out of the whole Delta part of the franchise.
I think you're wrong there. Macross 7 and Delta aren't flops if you go to Japan they're recommended highly and both rank very high. What's surprising for Western Macross fans is that Plus did pretty badly. You can tell Delta did well cos the model kits, and albums are still selling well in Japan. When I lived in Tokyo it was all the rage. Don't conflate western view of popular with Japanese
How does watching something when you're young mean that it's good? I grew up watching the Special Edition Star Wars but now I dislike many of the changes and vastly prefer the Despecialized version. People prefer Macross because it's just plain better than Robotech.
macross zero is relevant with frontier and delta, it sets the tone for the rest of macross after 7. Wheres macross 2? Frontier was much better than delta.
Yo , my dude... Completely missed Macross II. For me, anything after PLUS...just sucks. Ive tried watching them, and I vant get into a single one. Dont like any of the character designs, CG animations. ( CG animation to me is just cheap, and cheasey..usually) but yeah. Anything past Plus, and i avoid it. :/
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Long time Robotech\Macross fan. Love seeing new people discover the franchise.
Also want to mention that a lot of the Robotech hate stems from Harmony Gold trademarking Macross in the 90s and blocking Macross imports until the recent agreement made with BigWest. Every other American adaption like Power Rangers, Voltron, Battle of the Planets, etc had the decency to recognize its place as a mere distribution of derivative material and free market compete with the original. Robotech is the hated exception cause Harmony Gold had the hubris to act like they wholly owned Macross with a swindled trademark.
Well said.
HG also have disputes with Battletech novel series and Mech Warrior over some of its mech designs.
Robotech also gives you a look at Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross and Genesis Climber Moespeda.
@@RedwoodTheElf Yes!!! There was also the Sentinels and The Shadow Chronicles. But the Sentinels was part of the Harmony Gold collection (which was included in the box set of the Harmony Gold Robotech series. The 1st DVD set I've ever bought), which only had 2 episodes and left uncompleted in anime form. And I have no idea who put out The Shadow Chronicles but it may be in-line with Harmony Gold's version of Robotech.
You left off Macross II: Lovers Again. Some folks hate it and some love it. It's worth a watch for the art style alone.
Yes, he did. I liked Macross II as well, but it's not considered part of the overall series.
I loved it.
I remember enjoying Marcross II quite a bit.
I don't think it's considered part of the "canon" timeline of Macross.
I love it I like Ishtar😅
Macross 'Do You Remember Love' is one of my all time favorite animes. I saw it back in 87 when I moved to Asia and a Japanese classmate lent me the movie. I only knew of Robotech prior having lived in the US, so was blown away when I saw it. I still watch it once every few years.
I think you misunderstand people’s relationship or perceived hatred of Robotech. It’s almost never hatred of Robotech. It’s hatred of Harmony Gold who has held the franchise hostage in the west since the 80’s, making it so the only way to watch it was to sail the high seas.
I was introduced to the series through Robotech when my older sister would watch it after school. Years later as a teen I somehow got my hands on Macross II and then Plus. And maybe about fifteen years ago I watched the entire first season of Robotech with my wife. I've always wanted to watch the entire series so this is a cool guide that untangles the spaghetti and gives me an idea of what to expect. Thanks.
I don't think Flashback 2012 is not skippable as it shows what happens to the main characters post Macross. This comes into play in Seven, Frontier and Delta. Even Macross Zero has a tie into subsequent releases. So as a far as canon goes I would watch it all and not skip anything even if it may seem inconsequential. Also a lot of kids from the 80's that discovered Robotech and disown it when we discovered what was done to create it has a lot to do the book Robotech Art 1. It was there that 12 year old me discovered that Robotech was an amalgam of series and we were able to funny enough watch subbed version through a vhs release from Harmony Gold in the mid 90's.
I grew up with Robotech and even though Anime (Star Blazers, Simba the white Lion, Battle of the Planets) wasn't new to the US when it came out, but it was the largest generator of interest in Anime in the 80s, anyone who hates Robotech are hating the show that paved the way for Anime in the US due to its success.
Top Gun, Afterburner and Robotech/Macross's Valkyrie (clearly based off the F-14) cemented my love of the F-14 Tomcat!
Same here. The F-14 Tomcat remains my favorite fighter aircraft after nearly 40 years because of Robotech/Macross and Top Gun, followed closely by the F-16 from Iron Eagle.
Here’s the thing I personally loved about Macros Zero, and made it worthwhile for me: the stuff about Roy Fokker. We learn so much about Roy - who is one of the best characters. (Spoilers) Roy was a pacifist college student. He was in love with another student named Aires (who was evidently more experienced than him, which is relevant to his emotional state). The war started, she broke his heart, and he never quite got over that. Then he realized that his conscience wasn’t helping the world any, so he joined the UN forces and constant combat kind of broke his soul. In zero, ten years later, they end up interacting again, which is how we find out all this, and it explains *why* he’s a womanizing drunk, and his whole outlook on life.
Roy’s death in Macross is amazingly tragic and moving, especially coming after he finally settled down with Claudia, and it’s even moreso once we know about Airies because we realize Claudia was kind of his redemption. It expands his character, and to me thqt’s valuable.
The rest of the show? take it or leave it. My opinion varies wildly, but I love the Roy stuff
I had the honor of meeting Carl Macek at an anime expo decades ago, this was long after I had finally really gotten into anime and knew the full story of Macross and how Robotech was an amalgamation of three totally unrelated show, and I had to congratulate him on what he accomplished, especially the incredible editing job that was done for the opening of the Robotech series. Like you it was probably Robotech and that second season ( Southern Cross ) that got me back into anime, or at least beyond Starblazers - which is a whole other story.
Original Macross/Robotech made so many anime fans back in the '80s like myself, I am now fifty years old and still love Macross and Anime in general.
Plus wasn't bad, Seven I could just not get into, too colorful I think, Zero was an odd story, but the animation was amazing, Frontiers was great, fantastic soundtrack great animation and good story, the ending was a let down because the love triangle wasn't settled, but to let you know the two theatrical releases are not rehash of the story but almost like additional episodes that completed the story and gave a better ending. Delta was like Seven, just couldn't get into, a little to much of a departure from the Macross theme of military pilots who trained to be the best, a bunch of little girls who are basically a J-pop group that are also bad ass pilots at like twelve years old.....no, not happenin.
Plus wasn’t bad… true because Plus is the best Macross. Best story, best looking and with the best veritech in it, the YF-19
Agree most of it, & with the whole, yes Macross 7 , "I play the guitar main theme" was kind of lame and takes away most of the essence of Macross.. producers wanted a gimmick for the cool kids at the time, I guess... Original series and Plus are a must... Frontier is also cool, its expands the Lore.. is a cool work.
Zero, personally was kind of a disappointment, other than the Cameo of Roy Focker and how we get to see the prototype for the planes, the Script itself was bollocks and they did not know what to do with it.. I guess they tried to get into the tropical island stuff and mystics and legends too much the plot got lost... feels like like was a completely different Anime at first, and someone reads and thought , hey let's paste this into Macross lore and make it a prequel..
Me too 50
This list is pretty accurate. Macross Plus, Macross 7, Macross 7 Dynamite, Macross Frontier, and Macross Delta and all of their movies and OVAs are all from the Macross: Do You Remember Love timeline, and Macross Zero is the prequel to that timeline. The o.g. Macross TV series is standalone.
How to watch by Macross chronicle series the year is when it takes place time wise.
Macross Zero 2008
Super Dimensional Macross 2009-2010/11
SDF Macross movie Ai Obetimasuka (do yo remember love AKA DYRL) 2009-10
Macross Flashback 2012
Macross plus/movie edition 2040
Macross 7 and encore 2045
Macross 7 movie the galaxy is calling me 2045 takes place between tv show
Macross 7 dynamite 2047
Macross Frontier 2059
Macross Frontier the movies
False songstress and the wings of goodbye 2059
Macross Delta 2067
Macross Delta movies 2067
Macross II 2080
Macross ends in 2012
My hate on the robotech franchise is aimed toward harmony gold. I actually loved the series. I did stop at the end of the Macross saga. I just never had any interest in the rest of it. When I was old enough to understand how harmony gold blocked us off from getting more of that Macross goodness, I stopped throwing money at them.
I raise a middle finger to Harmony Gold every time I pass their offices on Sunset Blvd...
Southern Cross wasn't good anyways. Invid Invasion was good tho
If you're a fan of the robotech frankenstein, you should also watch the other anime it's body parts was butchered from, not just Macross. There's Southern Cross, and uh, Genesis Climber. You can find them here in youtube, funnily enough.
I loved Robotech as a kid, and I love Macross today.
you miss Macross 2 that came out between Macross do you remember Love and Macross plus, A lot of Americans don't like it but again living in Japan in the 90s I got Macross all over the place. You need to check it out its short and I enjoyed it. I grew up with Robotech and did not know about Macross till I got the art book and then went to Japan where Anime was nuts.
if you were playing RPGs and had the Robotech RPG by Palladium, then you would have known about the existence of the original because its rulebook had a whole chapter about the difference between those two versions.
Macross and Robotech are like fever dreams from my 80's childhood. Years later, as I collect GIJoe and Transformers, I see more and more from this time period opening up to me. My vague and blurry memories are coming back with re-exposure. I look forward to using the list you provided and try to find some episodes online.
The great thing about robotech I think is that, besides the cartoon, Karl macek had his entire idea for the series from beginning to end in written out in a book series. It was really tied together nicely from start to finish. They even added his own continuation from the end of the cartoon called the shadow wars. Then they finished it all by tying it to the very beginning of the series. Really good read if you can find them.
I too got into Macross through Robotech and still have an affinity for it even though I view them as two separate franchises. Macross Zero is important to the story line for Frontier. Frontier is really amazing.
The best part of Do you remember love? is at one point when hikaru fires a group of missiles from his veritech and when they pass by the screen if you look close enough you’ll see one of them is a Budweiser beer can.
I hate Harmony Gold cause they are the reason why we didn't any new Macross in North America since Macross Plus and Macross 2 the movie. Thus is why I tell people do not watch Robotech.
Absolutely NO WAY I can hate Robotech. I love it. I love its source material as well.
i liked macross delta but I'd say the first third was slow af and very idol focused
im bopping with the songs after though
love the lisa and rick hunter story. were they in anyother robotech series?
Robotech II: The Sentinels is the only continuation of that story (outside the Jack McKinney novels).
I like zero because the valkyries are mechanically shown very well.
Macross II deserves your attention. It is very beautiful and touchingly sad.
I only watch the west version of Robotech so I had no idea Gloval and the crew survived in the OG version which has to be considered as source material cannon, thx bud 👍 u just made my day 👊✌️
Sweet just found this. I also grew up and was around 13 or so back then. Robotech, Battleship Yamato ( I think that was the American name of that series) and a couple others are what I grew up on since those were all I knew that existed back then. The rest I found a few years later when the rest of that decade of Anime made its way to the US and the Mange/Anime craze really took off in the 90s and early 2000s.
Grew up watching Macross / Robotech and its my favorite anime. I bought all the dvd / ova that was available to buy 😊
Watch them in order. It's the only way to watch macross.
Great overview! Same here, Robotech got me into these three series and definitely a huge Macross fan. I totally agree with your summary. Loved the origial and DYRL. Macross Frontier is definitely worth a watch and Kanno Yoko's music is insanely awesome. Loved the original Minmay idol concept, but Delta was tough to get into, IMHO. Macross Zero had some cool valkyrie designs.
My stepdad showed me Robotech when I was in elementary school along with the OG 80s Transformers. It was what he grew up with and as a kid I absolutely loved it! Now I'm almost 30 and just discovering the Macross saga!! Ill always appreciate Robotech and personally don't give a shit if it was a bastardization because like you said it's what ultimately got me into an entire genre I might not have ever been aware of. I'm stoked to watch the Macross series and am kind of glad that its only now that I'm the age I am because I can have a beer and just soak it all up lol
Love your honesty and your vid. So how you do it? I would also want to know the secret of having free time with family and kids. Me, a dad with two children and wife.
I knew well about it I watched the original original in like 82 while I was stationed din Japan. Either way, the Americanise version did a great job of making it all fit. The only negative here is the time wasted by not serialising the show as a live action.
I grew up robotech, it also help bring over other anime along with gundam....
You can’t say skip one series while not watching another… Macross Zero has ties to Macross Frontier!
All Macross anime is Old but Gold
And don't forget. Macross II
i think the basic idea of Macross Delta is came from Macross II. When both sides have a singer
Delta is a.....better? ....version of Macross 2. They have very different tones.
@@bryfunkensteinNot really, macross II is a worse version of DYRL, but with some new ideas (that mostly went nowhere). Delta did do a far better take on one of those ideas, thought.
You're going to love Macross Frontier. It's the closest to the original Macross.
Grew up in the 90s watching
Robotech
Macross dyrl
Macross plus
And I'd also recommend macross 2
I have Skull Leader tee-shirt. 'nuffsaid.
If you are new to Macross you should really start with Macross zero, its a good anime just shows and explains the war that is talked about in the start of the Macross saga.
Also seperate Robotech and Macross,
Robotech is a more war centered leaning to the more "realistic" side, While macross is more learning to fantasy power of Music and etc.
I prefer Robotech story overall but Macross looks much better and have alot more to it. Also Robotech even it looks better many story details makes more sence, in my opinion.
I love macross and robotech
Last Macross I watched was Macross Zero. I agree with your comments about it. But I also remember waiting so long for a new Macross that I didn't really mind that it wasn't that good and that I had to wait like 6 months for every episode.
BTW, you left out Macross II, my favorite Macross. Best music of all of them IMO (remember I only watched up to Zero) and the animation was good enough (better than the 70's style of the original) and it was short enough (I think I watched an OVA, not sure) that I didn't feel like I had to slough through it like I did with the original.
Its autumn 2024, and Macross is being drip fed released in the west on Disney Plus of all places 😮
Edit: macross 7 and macross plus have just been added, but the maross plus english dub (the manga one with bryan cranston) isn't an option. But that's not all that surprising.
I didn't watch robotech as a kid. I was a voltron guy, actually. My introduction to the franchise was the movie version of plus i got for Christmas. It was life changing. It and Bubblegum Crisis were the first tapes in my anime collection. I was gearing up for a stateside macross 7 release, i learned about harmony gold and their belief that they owned everything macross, and I've hated them ever since.
You (or the guy that made this watchlist) seemed to have skipped over the "MACROSS II: Lovers Again" 6 episode OVA.
I kinda felt like I hated Macross 7 when I started but somewhere along the way started loving it. Not sure what the turning point was but I felt like I was experiencing Gamllin's character arc IRL while watching the show. The OVA's and movie are all pretty solid even if they are filler. Dynamite at the very least is a must watch when it comes to the Macross 7 extras.
I started liking m7 when I accepted basara as a main character. At first I thought he was annoying and the worst part of the show because he doesn't want to fight, but about halfway or so, I realized that I really admired how far he went to stick to his ideals. So much so that Fire Bomber breaking up because he'd rather sing with space whales is the most in character moment of the entire franchise.
There were quite a few Robotech / Macross soundtracks that I had found and loved, before finding out about the Japanese versions of the same series that Harmony Gold prevented from getting to the North American market.
I still HATE Harmony Gold, to this day, because of that.
IIRC In universe Do you remember love is actually a movie I think releasedduring macross 7 and it is mentioned. Frontier also has a similar setup for macross zero.
How can there be hate towards those that watched it as Robotech? It's all we had! We didnt know a lot about anime, and we certainly didnt know about the shennigans going on with Harmony Gold.
I grew up watching Robotech. I was about 8 the first time I saw it. In the 80's. When I was a teenager and started buying magazines I learned about what they did and was so pissed that I hadn't got the chance to get the toy, videogames, or sequels released in South America because the shitheads at Harmony Gold kept the whole American market locked out of Japanese Macross products. I hate them for that. I wouldn't hate Robotech since it worked, but even thou I watched and loved it as a child I think it's a shit product from a shit company and none of the original series benefitted from what Harmony Gold did. I remember watching "Do you Remember Love" on a bootleg VHS and realizing Minmei was singing about peace while at war and it made for a way better contrast for the story and the characters. In Robotech they wrote a song about shooting the bad guys and kicking ass.
That said the Robotech score is really great. That is the only point I will give to that product. They created a whole OST for the series and to this day I can recall all the songs and what each song represented.
So I hate the company and what they did. The many decades of hassle I had to go trough to get the sequels and toys. Since getting the individual series I've never watched it again and probably never will.
Your perspective on Robotech and Super Dimension Fortress Macross resonates with me and lines up with how I feel about the entire matter.
In the mid-1980's, I grew up watching Speed Racer, Starblazers, G-Force, Space Pirate Captain Harlock, Voltron: Defender of the Universe, and Robotech.
Without those animated series, I wouldn't know what anime was.
Is Robotech a stitched up patchwork of a series? Yes.
Do I care? Not really.
However, my only issue with Super Dimension Fortress is the soundtrack (theme song and background music). I would rather have the Robotech theme and background music overlayed over SDFM. But that's me. I wasn't a fan of Minmei's two only songs on Robotech. That got tiresome quick.
Wow, I was actually about to make a video about that.. I really like most of the Robotech OST honestly, it just hits so hard.
I actually don't hate Robotech, not a fan of Harmony Gold but Robotech as a gateway show is fine, given how different each of the three shows was (Macross, Southern Cross, Mosepeda) Carl Macek did a decent enough job tying them together into "Generations" and it works for what it is.
Love Macross! ❤
SDFM, OG! Macross Plus, Amazing! Macross Frontier, Holy Crap (❤Sheryl Nome)! Macross Delta, Dancing Mecha Wtf (Almost Dropped, but did survived)!
Did watch some of the other series mentioned here but non stand out.
👍
Also thought of the difference with Robotech and SDF Macross was the Zentradi destroyed earth in Marcoss but in Robotech there wasnt an apocalypse, things were settled before damage happened. Please correct me if I am wrong.
1:04
"If it wasn't for Robotech i wouldn't know Macross" Ironically it can also be said that if it wasn't for Robotech newer generationes would know Macross and their sequels, but Harmony Gold wouldn't allowed
I personaly like Robotech over Macross. I got all 85 episodes and am thinking of digitlizing them and enhancing the auido. The Macross Saga, The Masters and The New Generation. This makes up the full 85 episodes. Also the movies: Codename Robotech, Robotech the Movie and The sentinals. I also managed to get another movie where all the crew are female but cant remember the name.
There also another one that was missed but I agree to all you said this the anime that started my doward spiral into anime off course I saw robotech all 3 Southern Cross and mosquito clash of the Sentinels and two other Macross Robotech short ovas and a slight detailed series can't think of them right now but they're out there
Valkyries is Macross speak, Veritechs are Robotech speak. I binged watched everything within the last 4 weeks. For the most part I enjoyed most of it. Macross Plus from a story point confused me. Since there was no direct tie in with Macross SDF. Sharon Apple becoming so powerful gave me Skynet vibes. Intro of ofht YF-19 which carred into Macross7. I like the use of music throughout the Macross series. I did like the take of Macross7 being from the more not violent perspective of Basara and Sound Force, that there was an alternative way to handle things rather than militarily. Macross Frontier and Delta did go back to the Idol angle. I started with Robotech when I was a kid and learned the hard way about Macross being the OG..I was spoken not nice words by others when I mentioned Robotech in geek circles.From the music, I get more energetic when I heard the music from Macross7, Frontier and Delta. The OG Macross music and songs..felt slower for me..not something that I would listen to while driving on a trip for example. I did like the use of Max Jenius and Miria in Macross7 along with Max again showing up in the 2nd Delta Movie. Tho, I wouldn't have mind if there was some animated flashvback or cameo as to what happened with Hikaru and Misa along wih if they had kids or not.
Valkyries, strictly speaking, are only one iteration of the Variable Fighters, specifically the VF-1 (and it's several small variations).
@@Javifaa I was speaking in more broader sense, not as to the specific fighter models. Since when I was younger in a geeky kinda club I was kinda told to get in correct in terminology in relation to Macross vs Robotech. Veritechs is not a word used in relation to Macross and Valkyrie term isn't used in Robotech, at least not that I can recall. I binged Macross in total about 2 months ago
@@marcc5768 without having watched Robotech (and I'd rather stay away from it) I'd say Variable Fighter isn't used there either, so there shouldn't be much confusion. Besides, calling every VF Valkyrie is like calling every spy plane Blackbird.
@@Javifaa in various comment sections I've seen the terms used interchangeably..I find it a tad irking is all
DYRL is in continuity movie. Meaning characters in macross grew up watching DYRL.
Some shows are 'spiritual' successors of others. Frontier is actually more like sequel to the original even though a lot of stuff happens between the og and frontier. Delta is DEFINITELY a successor to 7...and macross itself suffers from the star trek curse where one seroes is awesome but the next series is meh. 7 for example...was REALLY popular in Japan. Most westerners don't like it. But I've sat people down to watch frontier (and it wasn't even dubbed) and people liked it
. And next to dyrl...some of the best movies to come out.
Honestly, my head canon is that ALL the movies are in-verse movies; how they tend to be lighter, with the heroes "winning" moreso, things being cleaner, etc, it makes sense. (Plus, explains the continuity errors between the series and the movies based on them)
Forget all the cutesy stuff, just build the Hasegawa models. Valkyries galore.
There was a "Robotech- the movie" in 1986. Did you mention that one? (Transforming motorcycle) This is another one that was somewhere outside of everything else but, hey, Robotech. ::::shurg::::
Good video, just my nitpick, veritech is a robotech term for the variable fighters, the macross term is Valkyrie.
Thanks for putting this out. Like others mentioned you missed Macross II. II had an really good love triangle story, amazing soundtrack, and the Godly awesome designed mecha.
Also, missing Macross Frontier was a sin. As claiming to be a fan, after watching Frontier you will realize that you messed up. You will tell yourself you would have been a happier human being if you watch it 15 years ago.
LOL I was about to reply to you and push up my nerd glasses and say "well actually..." about the the age of Macross Frontier because there's no ... way... that could.... be... OMG 15 YEARS OLD!?!?!?
Old school fan here. I grew up on Robotech, soon after discovered DYRL. One you missed was Macross 2, for the love of God watch the sub, the dub was horrible.
Macross Zero is good, likewise Macross Frontier too
Although Frontier is nice and probably one of my favorites, I'm not too fond of triangles.
I was introduced to Macross form Delta and recently missed the option to see Plus on the big screen at a local theatre.
I also had a hilarious oops moment when I realised Macross and robotech weren't really the same when I trying to watch the full series
i luv YF-19 and YF-21
Tks mahan i really wanted this
you forgot macross 2 lovers again.
There's plenty of old fans like me that watched Robotech first and learned about Macross later, still what HG has done to the brand is unexcusable, that's where the hate comes from, of course some people take this to the extreme, I'm too old for that so in a sense you're right.
The appropriate watch order is:
1. Original SDF Macross
2. DYRL
2b Flashback 2012 ( optional )
2c secretly watch Macross II, but don't tell anyone ( optional, but then again... no one will know )
3. Macross Plus
4. Macross Zero ( optional )
5. Macross Frontier
6. Buy the soundtrack to Frontier and fangirl rock out in your car when no one is looking, and be thoroughly embarrassed that one of your favorite parts have English lyrics that make no sense whatsoever. (optional...but... you know you'll probably do it )
then stick your fingers in your ears and don't listen to anyone who says to watch anything else. Trust me. Watch Gits or Cowboy Bebop or something instead. Your brain will thank you.
You didn't mention macross plus.
Spoiler Alert: Macross Zero is not a trully precuel, Ex: Roy Fokker Dies in this one.
That is blatantly untrue. It most definitely is a prequel, and Roy doesn't die.
Hey guy! Enjoyed watching this synopsis.
I loved Robotech, but Have to admit, I hate Harmony Gold. Because they basically sit on the Robotech license, and leech it for merchandise $$$ and don't do much else. Reissue the same stuff, and sue any attempt to bring over newer Macross shows/merchandise. Because for them, newer Macross sequels and merchandise are a threat to the value of their Robotech license. Who's gonna buy the 5th reissue of Robotech when there's six new Macross sequels and all the new merchandise. Better built to boot.
(note: there are some great Robotech merchandise in the sky high price range)
I'm probably more into Macross. I've seen all that you listed. You missed Macross II: Lovers Again. Which is skippable. About the equivalent of Macross 7. Both I would give maybe a C+/B-. Both of which had alot of Haruhiko Mikimoto who was the main character designer of Macross over the decades. Shoji Kawamori was the main mecha designer who later went into directing/producing the sequel Macross series (except Macross-II).
While I did like Robotech, there was alot of dialog and more serious tone/music I prefer in the original Macross TV show and Mospeada. I would say 15% of Robotech was better, and 35% of Macross/Mospeada was better.
I would heavily recommend seeing the beginning and ending scenes of Macross Flashback. Ignore the re-edited music clips. Just watch the new animation. Alot was meant to be tacked on to the end of the Macross Do You Remember Love movie.. There were storyboards for a scene after she goes "1,2,3,4, 1,2,3,4...." And Flashback gave the animators a chance to finally do that scene. It's easy to find on youtube.
Again, wasn't a fan of Macross 7. Macross Plus and Macross Zero were alright. I enjoyed both. But the real gem I think was Macross Frontier. Animation was a huge jump in quality. So was the songs. And I loved the setting and the story. I might like it more than any other version.
And then Macross Delta was hard for me to enjoy. :)
Now that's just my opinions. Not worth anything.
You also forgot to include Macross II. Though it's not part of the Macross canon timeline since it was produce without Shoji Kawamori. And please don't call the transformable jets Veritechs. That's a Robotech terminology. They're called Variable Fighters or simply Valkyries.
The reason why there's a lot of hate on Robotech is because of its owners Harmony Gold. They kept Macross hostage outside of Japan for decades due to the distribution rights they acquired of the original TV series from Tatsunoko and their dubious trademarks. They knew that Macross was a threat to Robotech after the positive reception of Macross II and Macross Plus in the West.
One major difference between Macross and Robotech is how Protoculture is defined. In Macross they're the mysterious precursor civilization that spanned the galaxy 500,000 years ago that seeded all humanoid races. In Robotech it's an energy resource used to power their mecha. Also the Zentraedi were created by the Protoculture while in Robotech it's the Robotech Masters.
Bumbayker, THANK YOU for this post that really cleared up the conflicting definitions of Protoculture in Robotech. I'm watching Robotech for the first time and was confused if it's a power/fuel source or something biological, like when Miriya held up her baby in "Viva Miriya" and implied it was natural reproduction. I seriously think Macek and his staff of writers were making things up as they went. So many contradictions, but understandably a result of stitching together three standalone series. Thank you again!
@@g.p.ryecroft No problem. Carl Macek originally wanted to release Macross in its original form (with probably a few censored scenes that had blood and nudity). But American TV syndication at the time required 65 episodes, which Macross was lacking 29. So Harmony Gold acquired the rights to 2 other unrelated anime with transforming mecha (Super Dimension Century Southern Cross and Genesis Climber MOSPEADA) from Tatsunoko and decided to combine all 3 series into one story.
Though the story in the first part of Robotech was relatively the same as Macross there was still changes in certain events and edits in the footage. The succeeding 2 parts had even more story changes and footage edits especially Southern Cross which diverted a lot from the original show.
The Protoculture in the original Macross TV series weren't that well fleshed out. But its movie retelling "Do You Remember, Love" had more focus on their lore. I highly recommend that you watch it if you haven't yet. It's arguably the best Macross movie ever and even holds to this day even after 40 years from its release.
Course I liked it was an awesome show I used to record it. When I was young. I also like Star Blazer. the wave motion gun or is it canyon
In my opinion, the perfect watch order is:
1) _Super Dimension Fortress Macross_
2) _Macross: Do You Remember Love_
Then skip the rest.
Before starting I am one of the people who saw Macross first then Robotech so there may be a bias in the language. It may be BS for some concerning the debate on why Robotech is hated is misplaced sentiment. Personally I hate Harmony Gold not robotech since its the company Harmony Gold who hijacked the licensing of the franchise outside Japan making it difficult for Macross Plus, Frontier and Delta to be shown and sold outside of Japan. But now that the issue is resolved and both parties have the authority to sell and make deals for the franchise this issue will slowly die out. Delta has something special at the last part of the series that ties it all together from the stories of Zero, Macross, Plus, 7, Frontier and Delta. This is also true with the Delta: Zettai Live Movie it shows something relevant from the past. The truth is I like Delta for the characters but the EXVF-1s are really surprising but understandable from the mercenary contractor group. The interesting one is Labyrinth of Time from Macross Frontier that hints of what could be coming in the future.
Nice. Lately, I've been searching for the soundtracks and I came across what looks like a totally revamped version of the series. Looks like a modern 2023 anime, super clean. I don't think it's a "remaster", as I looked up remaster and it didn't look as crisp. Anyone know how I can get this updated version? It looks like a modern version of SDF-1.
It's anime that was used in a Japanese pinball machine I think...
Any chance you can share a link to this revamped version you found...?
Robotech > Macross
Why did you spoil the ending to the first series if we're watching this video to figure out the watch order ??
I'm a big Robotech fan👍 then I got into the JapaneseM versions. I liked Super Dimensional Fortress Macross , Macross plus, Macross 2 . I've seen Zero and Macross frontier. As a kid I grew up on Robotech , Transformers and Voltron. 👍 Honorable mention goes too Mobile Suit Gundam, Star blazers, Mazinger Z and Raydeen.
I loved Macross Zero. It was fun!
For a proper timeline-coherent progression, but also removing unneeded fluff:
- Zero
- OG
- Flashback 2012
- Plus (OVA, then the movie for a couple extra scenes)
- 7 + Encore + The Galaxy is Calling Me + 7 Dynamite
- Frontier
- FB7 movie (CAVEAT: it's basically a crossover musical, but still makes sense in-universe)
- Delta
Macross II doesn't technically count as canon as Kawamori didn't work on that and the other movies are mostly retellings that don't really add anything IMO (yes, including DYRL)...
Why is there still no Robotech Hollywood live-action film??
You missed Macross II.
✅️
For "Top Gun" fans, watch episode 1 of Macross zero.
Macross 7 isn’t something to binge watch. It’s best to watch that one at a relaxed pace. Just IMO to get the most out of it, because it’s different.
And some advice. Don’t say Veritechs. I’m not a Robotech hater. But if you’re going to be a proper Macross fan…. They’re called Valkyries.
Macross Frontier was a big success and has the best sound track. Delta was a big flop. Just like Macross 7, imo. Delta and 7 have something in common, they focused too much on the music side of the story and I think that was why it was not as successful.
💯
I agree, these are the 2 I never finished watching. Was too sailor moon idol group band bull shit and not about mecha and transforming fighter battles.
Macross Delta's last movie did try to rebalance things again, though not without flaws. But I say this as one of many that hates Delta TV.
Zettai Live is the only thing worth watching out of the whole Delta part of the franchise.
After Delta, I really learned to love 7.
I think you're wrong there. Macross 7 and Delta aren't flops if you go to Japan they're recommended highly and both rank very high. What's surprising for Western Macross fans is that Plus did pretty badly. You can tell Delta did well cos the model kits, and albums are still selling well in Japan. When I lived in Tokyo it was all the rage. Don't conflate western view of popular with Japanese
How does watching something when you're young mean that it's good? I grew up watching the Special Edition Star Wars but now I dislike many of the changes and vastly prefer the Despecialized version. People prefer Macross because it's just plain better than Robotech.
Explain the difference between "Season one" of Robotech and Macross.
Macross Zero, Macross: Do you remember love?, Macross II: Lovers Again (spin off), Macross Plus, ignore everything else after Plus.
the OVA was awesome. what's wrong with you
Only one way to watch macross.... watch the movie "do you remember love" and thats it
macross zero is relevant with frontier and delta, it sets the tone for the rest of macross after 7. Wheres macross 2? Frontier was much better than delta.
What's the BEST Macross episode or movie?
Yo , my dude... Completely missed Macross II.
For me, anything after PLUS...just sucks. Ive tried watching them, and I vant get into a single one. Dont like any of the character designs, CG animations. ( CG animation to me is just cheap, and cheasey..usually) but yeah. Anything past Plus, and i avoid it. :/
Where is Macross II?