Macross / Robotech

The Super Dimension Fortress Macross (超時空要塞マクロス Chō Jikū Yōsai Makurosu) is an anime television series. Most of its animation (with edited content and revised dialogue) was adapted outside Japan for the first saga of Robotech. (Wikipedia)

In this category you will find all things related to both Macross and Robotech.

Robotech was one of the first anime released in the United States that largely managed to preserve the complexity and drama of its original Japanese source material. Produced by Harmony Gold USA, Inc. in association with Tatsunoko Prod. Co., Ltd., Robotech is a story adapted with edited content and revised dialogue from the animation of three different mecha anime series: The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross, and Genesis Climber Mospeada. Harmony Gold's cited reasoning for combining these unrelated series was its decision to market Macross for American weekday syndication television, which required a minimum of 65 episodes at the time (thirteen weeks at five episodes per week). Macross and the two other series each had fewer episodes than required since they originally aired in Japan as weekly series.

This combination resulted in a storyline that spans three generations as mankind must fight three destructive Robotech Wars in succession over a powerful energy source called "Protoculture" (Wikipedia).

There have been many different manufacturers of Macross and Robotech merchandise over the years.

The first licensor was Takatoku, who produced the original 1/55 Valkyrie toys, which revolutionized the industry with their “Perfect Transformation” system. Later, Bandai would get the molds and begin to produce new toys of the series. Gakken produced merchandise for the Mospeada series, later to become Robotech the Next Generation.

Meanwhile, Harmony Gold was preparing to license the toys in the USA. The main company producing Robotech toys in the USA during the shows original run was the Matchbox company. They imported some of the smaller mecha, as well as the large SDF-1 battle fortress. Matchbox also created a series of original toys and 3 3/4“ figures, as well as larger dress-up dolls for girls.

After Robotech had all but faded into obscurity, Playmates decided to re-introduce some of the Robotech toys into their Exo-Squad line.

In Japan, Yamato got the license to make an assortment of Macross toys, starting with toys from the anime Macross 7. American distributor Toycom intended on distributing these in the states but could not because of an injunction by Harmony Gold, who claimed they had the sole rights to Robotech in the USA.

After that fiasco, Toycom split and became two companies – Toycom and Yamato USA. Toycom secured the rights to Robotech toys in the USA and has come out with several different toy lines based on the property. Bandai and Yamato remain the primary manufacturers of Macross toys in Japan.

Macross Series (with Toys)

Robotech Series

See also:

Manufacturers


Review: VF-1D Valkyrie Trainer / Orbot

When I turned 15 years old all those years ago, some friends of the family had bought me for my birthday Revell’s Robotech model kit of Orbot, the USA re-boxed version Imai’s variable VF-1D Valkyrie. Due to many circumstances I was finally able to complete the model kit a week ago, which just happened to be my 34th birthday! This is the saga of one VF-1D, changing modeling skills and one of the greatest Macross model kits series ever.


Review: Macross 1/60 VF-1A with SUPER and STRIKE parts (Hikaru Ichijo)

Yep it's just more of the same goodness from the 1/60 (2.0) Macross line from Yamato. This time around it is Hikaru Ichijo's VF-1A from the film Macross: Do You Remember Love?


Review: Macross 1/60 VF-1S Super/Strike Valkyrie (Do You Remember Love?)

This has been out for about a month now, and while I did get it right away I wanted to make sure to spend some quality time with it before giving you (our readers) the full review. In short, believe the hype. This may very well be the finest “toy” Yamato has made to date. Yes I said toy.


Review: Macross Zero SV-51 Nora Type

Well we heard you where tired of the girl figure reviews so how about a review of a transforming mecha piloted by a Woman? Would that suit ya more than say Pocco? I got my hands on the SV-51 (Nora Type) from Macross Zero by Yamato. At a price of almost $200 is it worth it or should you run for the hills?


Review: Revoltech YF-21 Valkyrie

Guld Goa Bowman's YF-21 Valkyrie from Macross Plus is realized in Revoltech form. With Video comparison with the GNU series YF-21


Review: Revoltech YF-19 Valkyrie

On the planet Eden, two test pilots battle it out for for the contract and the girl. In this corner, Isamu Dyson and the YF-19 Valkyrie...


Review: GNU-DOU VF-11B Valkyrie

In a way the VF-11B is the little valk that could.. it's the underdog, and I always have a soft spot for the underdog. Includes video overview of all the Macross Plus GNU-DOU


Review: GNU-DOU YF-21 Valkyrie

The YF-21 looks nothing like any valkyrie that has come before it. It has a definite Zentradi influence to it, looking more like a Q-Rau than a Valkyrie. I'm sure this is no coincidence - it's pilot is half Zentradi.


Review: GNU-DOU YF-19 Valkyrie

The big question is - are they worth it? The GNU-DOU average about 1,000 yen (about $10) more than a Revoltech. Honestly - I think they are. They are made out of a better material, are sturdier, and are a little larger. For a non-transforming toy, the engineering is pretty complex, and the toy for the most part feels very sturdy.

For the most part.


Review: Brave Gokin Legioss & Tread

I'm not saying this isn’t a good toy – in some respects it’s a great toy. The engineering on each individual piece is marvelous. It is only in the connection of the two that the toy fails horribly. Oh yeah, and the fact that its about 300 bucks.


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