Robotech Genesis Macross Southern Mospeada Ahhh help me!

[Drgnfuel]

Lol I want to start watching the whole robotech/macross thing but I am just ridiculously confused. Can anyone list these in order of how I watch? or explain what the differences are. It would be ridiculously appreciated.:bigsmile: I tried a search and came up with nothing.

Or is this
http://www.rightstuf.com/cgi-bin/catalogmgr/=pWbWBzc17X2MpKYP0/browse/item/67748/4/0/0

All I really need?

[Fencedude]

Lol I want to start watching the whole robotech/macross thing but I am just ridiculously confused. Can anyone list these in order of how I watch? or explain what the differences are. It would be ridiculously appreciated.:bigsmile: I tried a search and came up with nothing.

Or is this
http://www.rightstuf.com/cgi-bin/catalogmgr/=pWbWBzc17X2MpKYP0/browse/item/67748/4/0/0

All I really need?

First off, do you want to watch Robotech or do you want to watch Macross? They are not the same thing.

Macross is an anime from 1983, and has had several sequels since then. The Macross Franchise is somewhat analogous to Gundam, only not nearly as big.

The major Macross series, in rough order of creation (not necessarily directly related to when they take place in continuity

Super Dimension Fortress Macross - The "original" Macross show, a 36 episode TV series from 1983. Has been released by both AnimEigo and later ADV.

Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love? - A movie retelling of the SDF Macross TV series created in 1984, it is technically non-canon, though the designs used in it were retroactively adopted as "official" and is considered to be a movie made "inside" the Macross Universe (imagine it like a WWII War movie, for a good parallel). Currently unlicensed

Macross II - a non-canon alternate universe OVA. Has no relation to any other Macross series other than sorta being a sequel to DYRL. Licensed by Manga Entertainment

Macross Plus - a Four episode OVA made in the mid 90s, served as an "entry anime" for many sci-fi fans. Also comes as a movie with a few altered scenes. Licensed by Manga Entertainment

Macross 7 (and associated OVAs and whatnot) - a 49 episode TV series created roughly contemporary with Macross Plus. Very polarizing show, you either love it or hate it. Has a tendency to be rather whacky. Currently unlicensed.

Macross Zero - Five episode OVA released from 2002 to 2005, serves as a "prequel" to the original Macross, though it really has very little to do with it, its events are far more relevant to a later series. Currently Unlicensed.

Macross Frontier - 25 episode TV series currently airing on Japanese TV. Takes place 50 years or so after the original, and is the one most directly connected to Macross Zero. But regardless would still serve as a good entry point.

Now, as for Robotech...

Robotech is an amalgam of three totally separate TV series created by Harmony Gold and Carl Macek in the mid 80s. Back then you had to have a certain number of episodes to get syndicated, so they bought licenses to three separate TV series, and mushed them together into a single "storyline" of sorts. Robotech consists of three "sagas"

The first saga is The Macross Saga, and is, as you might imagine, SDF Macross. The localization of this show was actually remarkably faithful, all things considered. It is the least changed of the three shows. There are still notable changes and censorship however. And the cheese level was shot through the roof (and SDF Macross was pretty cheesy already at points, so thats damn impressive), also features a narrator with the most amazing ability to restate the obvious.

The second saga is The Robotech Masters, and was made using the show The Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross, which despite its name has no actual connection to SDF Macross, other than being produced by the same studio (there was a third series with "Super Dimension" in the title, but it is not involved in Robotech, and none of the shows had any plot connections or anything). I have not actually seen either The Masters or Southern Cross, but it was significantly mroe changed to bring it in line with the events of the Macross Saga.

The third saga is The New Generation, and was made using the show Genesis Climber Mospeada. Again, I have not seen either of these, but also, like Southern Cross, Mospeada was much more radically changed to bring it in line with events of the preceding two sagas.

...phew.

In short, my opinion on the subject is that unless you have an existing nostalgia for Robotech (ie you watched it growing up) there is no real reason to watch it at all. It is generally considered inferior to all three origin series (well, there's some debate about Southern Cross on this matter, since its considered to be pretty shitty in its own right), but SDF Macross is very much superior to The Macross Saga part of Robotech.

I'd say you should buy the Super Dimension Fortress Macross (http://www.robotech.com/store/viewproduct.php?id=93) collection being sold by Harmony Gold, and just ignore the rest of the Robotech series. If you like it, you can then move on to the rest of the Macross universe.

[HitokiriShadow]

If you want to see Robotech, that's all you need and you should be able to figure out the order to watch it just by looking at the box. If you want to see Macross, Mospeada, or Southern Cross in their original forms, you'll need something else.

[HitokiriShadow]

I'd say you should buy the Super Dimension Fortress Macross (http://www.robotech.com/store/viewproduct.php?id=93) collection being sold by Harmony Gold, and just ignore the rest of the Robotech series. If you like it, you can then move on to the rest of the Macross universe.

Interesting. I only knew of the Animeigo sets and the ADV release. Unless ADV releases a Macross thinpack, that Harmony Gold remastered set seems like the cheapest way to go by a good margin. How does it compare to the other releases in terms of extras and subtitles? Is that the only one with remastered video or does the ADV release have it as well?

[Drgnfuel]

I'd say you should buy the Super Dimension Fortress Macross (http://www.robotech.com/store/viewproduct.php?id=93) collection being sold by Harmony Gold, and just ignore the rest of the Robotech series. If you like it, you can then move on to the rest of the Macross universe.


Excellent. Thanks you so much for the informative and much appreciated post!:) Cleared up everything for me. Thank you for being helpful!:)

[Fencedude]

I'd say you should buy the Super Dimension Fortress Macross (http://www.robotech.com/store/viewproduct.php?id=93) collection being sold by Harmony Gold, and just ignore the rest of the Robotech series. If you like it, you can then move on to the rest of the Macross universe.

Interesting. I only knew of the Animeigo sets and the ADV release. Unless ADV releases a Macross thinpack, that Harmony Gold remastered set seems like the cheapest way to go by a good margin. How does it compare to the other releases in terms of extras and subtitles? Is that the only one with remastered video or does the ADV release have it as well?

The Harmony Gold release is the AnimEigo discs in new packaging. Same content (ie Japanese only, no dub). The ADV release has a dub and some different extras, but some issues supposedly (dunno myself, don't actually own either release). Also I could have sworn ADV released a Macross set, but I guess they didn't. So the Harmony Gold set seems to be the only way of getting it all in one fell swoop.

[Fencedude]

I'd say you should buy the Super Dimension Fortress Macross (http://www.robotech.com/store/viewproduct.php?id=93) collection being sold by Harmony Gold, and just ignore the rest of the Robotech series. If you like it, you can then move on to the rest of the Macross universe.


Excellent. Thanks you so much for the informative and much appreciated post!:) Cleared up everything for me. Thank you for being helpful!:)

Glad to be of service.

Also, in a very odd coincidence, I had quite literally JUST finished watching DYRL for the first time (finally). Strange how these things work out.

That just leaves Macross II and a couple of assorted DYRL associated OVAs to watch.

[HitokiriShadow]

I see. Thanks. I'll probably just get that one then. Shipping aside, its about $30 cheaper than the AnimEigo sets and closer to $40 cheaper than the ADV singles in a TRSI sale. Unless someone knows of a very compelling reason to splurge on the ADV release, I'll just get this version.

[Fencedude]

I see. Thanks. I'll probably just get that one then. Shipping aside, its about $30 cheaper than the AnimEigo sets and closer to $40 cheaper than the ADV singles in a TRSI sale. Unless someone knows of a very compelling reason to splurge on the ADV release, I'll just get this version.

Unless you really really really want to experience the uniqueness of having the same actress play Minmei on both language tracks...no, not really.

Also supposedly the AnimEigo discs have better sound quality, or something.

[chronoclast]

I'd say you should buy the Super Dimension Fortress Macross (http://www.robotech.com/store/viewproduct.php?id=93) collection being sold by Harmony Gold, and just ignore the rest of the Robotech series. If you like it, you can then move on to the rest of the Macross universe.

Interesting. I only knew of the Animeigo sets and the ADV release. Unless ADV releases a Macross thinpack, that Harmony Gold remastered set seems like the cheapest way to go by a good margin. How does it compare to the other releases in terms of extras and subtitles? Is that the only one with remastered video or does the ADV release have it as well?

The Harmony Gold release is the AnimEigo discs in new packaging. Same content (ie Japanese only, no dub). The ADV release has a dub and some different extras, but some issues supposedly (dunno myself, don't actually own either release). Also I could have sworn ADV released a Macross set, but I guess they didn't. So the Harmony Gold set seems to be the only way of getting it all in one fell swoop.

I believe the ADV release has inferior sound for the Japanese audio compared to the Animeigo release. I think the general consensus is if you're a dub fan buy the ADV discs, if you're a sub fan buy Animeigo's. Personally speaking I'm waiting for ADV to do a thinpak. It's been about a year and half now since the last volume so it is about time for one.

[Yotsuyasan]

I think the general consensus is if you're a dub fan buy the ADV discs, if you're a sub fan buy Animeigo's. Personally speaking I'm waiting for ADV to do a thinpak. It's been about a year and half now since the last volume so it is about time for one.

I was vaguely curious to get ADV's Macross to hear the dub... but in the end I decided that I had spent a hella lot of money on AnimEigo's set, and if I wanted to listen to a dubbbed version, that's what I also had Robotech for.

I like both Macross and Robotech. There's enough differences that I think it worth having both. I've also got both Southern Cross and Mospeada, although I've yet to watch both all the way through. Southern Cross especially should be interesting, as I've only seen the "Robotech" version, and it was the most changed of the three shows. Last time I checked, both Southern Cross and Mospeada were only $25 an TRSI (that's how I got them) so if you're even only a little curious, should be a no brainer.

And just to geek out for a moment... I just got my hands on a Yamato 1:48 VF-1J Super Valkyrie, Milia Type... This toy kicks total arse!

[Suwako Moriya]

Personally speaking I'm waiting for ADV to do a thinpak. It's been about a year and half now since the last volume so it is about time for one.

Taking everything into consideration that would be the option I'm waiting for as well. Even better if the thing is priced right and I can get during a sale. My main Macross experience has been with Zero, Seven and Frontier. *Still watching the latter two*

[Vicserr]

I enjoyed Robotech and the original series (Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Super Dimension Calvary Southen Cross -not so much-, Genesis Climber Mospeada) we must remember the Robotech, just like StarBlazers (Space Battle Ship Yamato) and Battle Of The Planets (Science Ninja Team Gatchaman) were gateway shows for a lot of older anime fans. and even if some ppl have some very intense hate of Robotech (I know Harmony Gold aren't exactly saints on how they have handled the original properties and the virtual blocade of Macross Stuff in the westwern world) Robotech has a very engrossing, action packed multi-generational storyline, even with the plotholes (Robotech: Shadow Chronicles could have been a lot better) and it's basically the premiere western animated mecha property (unless Universal decides to do something with Exo-Squad, this show should have been on DVD ages ago :angry: ).

But yes, you should watch the originals if you get the change. You can find the AE version of Macross for $60 at Robotech.com, and TRSI has limited numbers of both Southern Cross and Mospeada for $25 each and maybe find the Robotech megaset at a decent price online (even if I hate with a passion the Remastered SFX track, If you grew up with Robotech, you should hunt down the original singles or the Legacy sets).

[brycec1701]

I respect your thoughts on going for the old soundtrack to get that old school feel. But, the remastered set looks so much better. Sound effects aren't the big selling point for Robotech (Macross). It's the story!!

[Vicserr]

I respect your thoughts on going for the old soundtrack to get that old school feel. But, the remastered set looks so much better. Sound effects aren't the big selling point for Robotech (Macross). It's the story!!


I do own both, the original so I can have my nostalgia and the remaster for the remastered/added footage... But me and a lot of Older Robotech fans despise the new SFX track with a passion, it's so Dinky!!! :rolleyes:, and they didn't include the Original OP/ED (The New OPs for Macross saga and Masters were OK, the New Generation one was a wreck at the end )....:depressed:

[Yotsuyasan]

I do own both, the original so I can have my nostalgia and the remaster for the remastered/added footage... But me and a lot of Older Robotech fans despise the new SFX track with a passion, it's so Dinky!!! :rolleyes:, and they didn't include the Original OP/ED (The New OPs for Macross saga and Masters were OK, the New Generation one was a wreck at the end )....:depressed:

After reading this, on a whim I swung by Youtube to see if they had the three new opening sequences...

My God!

I know it may be overly nit-picky of me, but is it safe to assume that the sound effects used on those are the same sort that they used within the show itself? If so, then I am very glad that I resisted the urdge to spend even $45 on the remastered version when Amazon had an insane sale on the Protoculture Collection a while back.

It is one of those things that is hard to really pin down... But it just didn't sound like Robotech. And yeah, some people probably could care less. But just to take another example... Would the original Star Trek seem quite the same if they changed the little sounds, like when Kirk hits one of the buttons on the side of his chair, or the whoosh when the doors open? Deep Space Nine's "Trials and Tribbleations" was a great episode, but they did muck with the sounds a tiny bit when they were on the original Enterprise, and it was noticable. Yet that would seem to pale in comparison to this.

Also... When I first learned about the Robotech Remastered project back in the day, I thought it was a neat idea to give the three seperate segments their own opening sequences. Now having seen them? I think it was one of those things that was better left alone. The opening was like one of the glues that helped to hold these three seperate and unrelated shows together into a whole, and helped to emphasize the similarities. Seperate openings just seem to highlight the differences. Plus we loose the cool bit where Dana fires a hand-held gun and somehow seems to shoot a Zentradi ship out in space. This one is purely personal nostalgia, but that was always a cool shot to me.

So yeah, a bit off topic... But to bring it all back home, my personal (and admitedly nostalgia-filled) recomendation concerning Robotech, stick to the original, preferably the Legacy sets. (The bonus discs have decent material on most of 'em.)

And if you're one of those people concerned about picture quality more then sound... Well, that's what the original Japanese shows are for. (As a matter of fact, I think I'll try to find where I left off in Southern Cross. Should be interesting, as it was probably at least nine months ago...)

[Garasharp K7]

Plus we loose the cool bit where Dana fires a hand-held gun and somehow seems to shoot a Zentradi ship out in space. This one is purely personal nostalgia, but that was always a cool shot to me.

Oh I love that shot too. First thing I think of when I hear that title music, and that's why I held on to the two legacy boxes I picked up ages ago. (well that, and the original sounds and such) The remixed audio doesn't bother me anyway, so I'm chuffed with the Protoculture set.
Now, if they'd scrapped the music, (hard to imagine why they would, but still....) I would've stuck with ther Legacy versions.

[Yotsuyasan]

Now, if they'd scrapped the music, (hard to imagine why they would, but still....) I would've stuck with ther Legacy versions.

Depends what music. All the background music they could keep. But the vocals? Reba West is no Mari Ijima!

(I kid... As painful as Robotech Minmay's singing is, I couldn't immagine the show without it!)

And just to randomly geek out again... I am still loving this Valkyrie (Veretech for the Robotech fans) I picked up... I think I'll be enjoying having it for a while. Best Valkyrie toy EVER! :cool:

[Grico]

Well, one plus of the ADV release is that the series box looks really nice. A link to the amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Macross-Super-Dimension-Fortress-Vol/dp/B000C1VAWY/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1214150589&sr=8-1

Shows it although that isn't really that great of a picture of it. The ADV box also has several featurettes on Macross's influence on ADV, anime in the USA, voice actors and the like which were pretty interesting. I'm not aware of a cheap/easy place to pick up the whole set at the moment however.

[Steve_the_Talking_Pie]

That Harmony Gold box is so cheap and sexy! Way better than the Animeigo Minis I bought (for a price of $120 something no less).

I really want that box.

[chronoclast]

That Harmony Gold box is so cheap and sexy! Way better than the Animeigo Minis I bought (for a price of $120 something no less).

I really want that box.

They also sell the box separately: http://www.robotech.com/store/viewproduct.php?id=237

[Yotsuyasan]

They also sell the box separately: http://www.robotech.com/store/viewproduct.php?id=237

I may have to look into that. After all, I am a prowd pre-orderer of the AnimEigo Macross discs, and have been very happy with the set. But the box is a wee bit bland.

And to switch gears a moment...

I downloaded a certian movie the other day. I've long been curious to see it. Now having done so, I can say I'm glad to have finally seen it...

Yet I now completely understand why Robotech: The Movie has been pretty much 100% disavowed and usually isn't touched with a thirty-nine and a half foot pole! Dear God, that was bad! Did they even try to fit it into the continuity of the show? If they were attempting to do so, then I must say Leonard and Emerson do a pretty good job of acting surprised when the Robotech Masters show up in the show itself! Cripes, my brain just hurts thinking about how bad it was!

And yet... I'll probably watch it at least once more before I stick it up on the shelf with all of my other Robotech DVD's, probably to rot in jellousy as I grab the others to watch from time to time.

Good god, that was bad. Really bad.

Now all I need is the rest of Sentinals. Oh, wait. They never made that. (Damn them!) Ah, well. Always the fourthcoming sequel to The Shadow Chronicals to look forward to.

Edit: Would Megazone 23 even be worth a look at, or is part of why Robotech: The Movie wasn't very good because they didn't have a good source to start with? Although I did get the impression it was butchered to a degree that makes Southern Cross go, "Damn, glad that wasn't me!"

[ZenAmako]

I haven't seen Robotech: The Movie, but I'm a longtime MZ23 fan. You get:

-Character designs by Toshihiro Hirano (Iczer-1) and Haruhiko Mikimoto (Macross)
-Key animation by Hirano, Mikimoto, and Narumi Kakinouchi (Vampire Princess Miyu)
-Music by Shiro Sagisu (Kimagure Orange Road, Evangelion) and songs by Kumi Miyasato
-Direction by Noboru Ishiguro (Macross: DYRL?)

It's kind of like a shorter, more adult version of Macross. It was one of the earliest OVAs (the first to really be successful), so they made sure to throw in more sex and violence than you'd see on TV. It is very '80s, though (which is appropriate, since the characters are supposed to believe it's mid-1980s Tokyo).