Macross World
Anime News Network has reported that Kaoru Shimamura, the voice actress of Macross 7’s motorcycle gang leader Rex, has passed away after battling breast cancer. She was only 43.
Farewell Rex. Surely Basara is singing ‘My Soul For You’ as you ride off into the sunset.
(Thanks to forum user Einherjar for picking up on the news)
The Macross Chronicle is back!
Remember way back in 2008, when the definitive encyclopedia of all things Macross-related was announced? Well, it came and went, leaving us with a roster of 50 bi-weekly issues of cool art and full-to-the-brim stats for all you hardcore nerdy types. And now “THE TIME TO SCRAMBLE VALKYRIE AGAIN” because the Chronicle has returned, meatier than ever, courtesy of DeAgostini. After a trial run in the Hiroshima area last year, 80 WEEKLY issues have been promised, and the first one comes with a free binder rocking some super dimensional Tenjin artwork of the majestic SDF-1.
A few photos and comparisons with the old release follow.
Monday the 24th of December, 2012, marked the end of the “Super Dimension Seminar” series of introductory “lectures” into the Macross universe with its 26th and final episode.
This one featured a look back at 2012 and how it shaped up to be one of the most active years in the brand’s history with special Macross events touring the nation in many forms, often simultaneously.
MW member Vanpang has kindly provided us with an informative interview with Shinichiro Watanabe, director of ice-cool stylish shows such as Macross Plus, Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo and Kids on the Slope.
Interview with Shinichiro Watanabe on 10 November 2012 during Anime Festival Asia(“AFA”) 2012
Shinichiro Watanabe was a guest speaker during AFA 2012 and James Wong and I were given the opportunity to conduct an interview with the legendry director. Shinichiro was the co-director with Shoji Kawamori of Macross Plus and the director for Samurai Champloo and Cowboy Bebop.
The interview was held at Singapore Expo Hall on 10 November 2012 with other people representing other media from Hexishe, Anime Shrine, SG Café and Campus.com. Thus, questions below are a compilation of questions asked by the group collectively.
All his answers were conveyed to the Media in English through a translator and as such some content maybe lost in translation.
Thanks to treatment for the heads up… ANN reports that Macross Plus will be released in bluray format in mid 2013. The box set will not only include both OVA series and the movie version, but it will also include the English dub along with many other extras such as a 100 page commentary book, staff interviews, commercials, promotional videos, previews, the Macross Festival trailer, and Macross Plus PlayStation game promotional video/opening movie/in-game footage.
I don’t think anyone can put it any better than the man Isamu Dyson himself… YAAAHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Price: 17,850￥
Release Date: June 21, 2013
So… A week and a half has passed since the latest theatrical Macross release. Why is there no front page write-up? Well, there are probably a multitude of reasons. Number one being, unfortunately, that this movie is barely a movie at all.
However, that doesn’t mean that we should deny it any presence here, nor that we ignored its release.
Read on for the full lowdown on this… thing, in spoilerific detail! You have been warned!
(Yeah… Spoilers for those who have never watched Macross 7 — otherwise…)
30 years ago today, “Super Dimension Fortress Macross” started its broadcast on the MBS network in Japan.
It’s hard to believe how far we have come, but at the same time, looking back, it’s also quite refreshing to see how far advanced the show was for its time, in terms of design work, cinematography, musically-blended choreography, etc.
Sure there were ups and downs along the way, but the Macross TV series remains fondly remembered for its pioneer spirit, championed by a staff too young to know and/or care how many bites was more than they could chew, which at the end of the day, is what has formed the show’s lasting legacy. Their love for their craft propelled them to take another stab at the story in the theatrical “Do You Remember Love” movie, fixing the show’s original shortcomings, and elevating the “Macross” name into the realm of legend.
Tonight I may celebrate by watching the “Macross Special” original broadcast edition of the first two episodes edited together. What about you? Share your thoughts/memories in the forums!
A new series of articles on the late Noboru Ishiguro has just begun to be serialized on Japan Cinema.
By the way, I took the above photograph myself and it is probably my favourite photo of Ishiguro-san ever!
You can read part 1, focusing on the life of Ishiguro, here:
http://japancinema.net/2012/09/21/noboru-ishiguro-retrospective-part-i/
The links at the end lead right here to Macross World; my intention is to spread the knowledge of Japanese animation across various platforms. I hope you enjoy the article. More to come!
Friday September 7th, 2012 saw a special gathering of high-profile Japanese animation industry guests to pay their respects for the late Noboru Ishiguro, director of “Super Dimension Fortress Macross”, just one among many, many of his works of anime spanning the entire near-50-year history of the industry.
Hooray for almost month-old news.
On July 25th, the Playstation Community blog uploaded a special 20-minute video featuring the then forthcoming “Macross Do You Remember Love” Blu-ray release. The video goes into detail about how the included “My Boyfriend is a Pilot 2012” PS3 game plays, how the movie looks better than ever, and it showcases many of the bonus materials contained within the limited edition “30th Anniversary Box”.
It’s a nice introduction to the set for those who have not yet had the opportunity to check out all the great contents included.
Discuss in the DYRL-BD thread HERE
A couple more pics after the jump.