Captain of the SDF-1 Macross

On my story, I was already an anime fan by the time I saw Macross. I already saw Star Blazers (season 1 only) and Voltron (both the Lion and Vehicle episodes) at 1984 and I loved them. I saw them when I was growing up in the Philippines, both of them on TV station IBC-13. I couldn't find a toy of the Argo (the English dub name of the Yamato) but I begged my father to buy me a Lion Voltron toy (the international "Lionbot" version) and I loved it. Although there were the imported American-designed toys sold at the time (the action figures of the characters and the playset), I wasn't that interested. Already knowing what anime is, I finished watching the 1980s version of Astroboy (the uncut internation English dub) on Sunday afternoon. I then see the next show, Super Dimension Fortress Macross, which was broadcasted on Filipino TV station RPM-9 at 5 PM (or 5:30 PM). I watched the opening theme, which was an edited hodpodge of footage of the Valkyrie (captioning the three transformable modes: Valkyrie, Gerwalk and Battroid) and the characters (captioning their names). What was funny was a mix of the original Japanese names, the Robotech names and original ones for the characters (Misa is "Misa Hayase", Hikaru is "Ricky Hunter" and Minmay is "Maria Lynn-Minmay"). Dubbed in English by Filipino voice acters, I continued to watch the episode. Since the show wasn't advertised yet, I saw the fourth episode "Lynn Minmay". Although there were no battles at all in the episode (apart from the opening), I watched it to the end, getting to see the characters' dire straits, the exploration of the ship and Minmay getting sad that no one will find them until a dud missile broke through to free them. I did like the episode, unaware why "Ricky" and "Maria" got trapped inside the Macross. Overall, I watched the show to the end and got to see the rerun cycle to see the first three episodes for the first time. The English dub was good, above the Toho dub I get to see later on. I never know why the Supervision Army never shown up and I find the Filipino English dub names got into my head long enough. Such names as "Teddy Typhoon" for Kaifun, "Harry" for Hayou Kakazaki and "Samantha" for Millia. The only toys I bought at the time were the knock-off 1/100 Valkyries and the Macross (which was Takatoko's budget toys being duplicated). At the time, I got a knock-off 1/100 of the Orguss and I wonder if that was an unknown Macross toy (as the box intructions mention Gerwalk). I also came across an 1/100 Imai Legioss model kit in Armo-Diver mode, thinking that it was "Gobot" attempt to create a rival toyline. I wasn't aware of Mospeada until I knew its existance on the web and later saw the series on DVD for the first time. I couldn't get my father to buy me the 1/55 Valkyries but I did got to buy a Bandai Joke Machine toy (the VF-1A Max version). After watching Macross in reruns, watching American English anime dubs (edited) and Filipino English anime dubs (unedited), my family and I moved to Canada in 1987. There, I saw Robotech in its edited glory. I only got to start watching the New Generation episodes and didn't get to watch the Macross Saga episodes in 1988. I wonder why the openings show TV shows that are unrelated to Macross. When I saw the Macross Saga episodes, I was upset of the edits (not showing Roy Focker's wounds, the Zentradi soldier gunned down in the back by Roy and so on). I also didn't like the dub's quality in every way: the performers, the replacement music and Reba West's singing. I also didn't get to see the anime I saw in the Philippines found here in Canada (such as the various Super Robot series like Voltes V and Meckander Robo) but I also didn't like that the ones I found here were edited. When I saw the Canadian English dub of Astroboy, the dubbers edited out the deaths of guest characters and scenes that were important to the episodes' story. I never got to find any Macross merchandise in Canada and finding Robotech instead. When I bought the large Matchbox Veritech, I was angry it can't transform and was duped into thinking it's a 1/55 Valkyrie toy. Worse, all of the Robotech action figures that can fit (and match) inside were gone long before and I bought the only Robotech action figure on the hook: the Robotech Master. I broke them all once the play value is gone. Between 1989 and 1995, I ended up find Robotech for my Macross fix and moved away from it when I saw other anime. Such examples when I dailed to Canadian cable station YTV were Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs, Samurai Pizza Cats and the occasional anime adaptation of children's stories. I also buy a lot of video game magazines, due to some games being anime adaptations and having anime art. I didn't get into Macross until the VHS release of Macross II and Orguss (thinking that Orguss was a Macross spin-off). I then used the internet in 1995, coinsiding with the edited dubs of Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball. I also rented the Clash of the Bionoids edited dub of DYRL and find the movie excellent despite the flaws. By the time I got around to see Macross Plus in 1997 (along with Macross 7 in fansubs), HG rears its legal menace and embargo the Macross Plus toys about to come up in North America. I boycotted by not buying the Robotech toys and hearing the QC issues of the RT toys also made me to look for Yamato and Bandai instead. Since then, I get to like Macross more than Robotech did. All of the Macross anime never disappointed me (even when I got around to rewatch Macross 7 despite the music) and anything Robotech has given are frustations.

Actually, the Philippine broadcast is Super Dimension Fortress Macross uncut and dubbed in English by Filipino voice actors on 1985. The TV station that broadcasted was RPN-9. Robotech did got broadcasted there, but only shown the Masters Saga and New Generations episodes only.

.... On December 25, 2011, at about 0720, Quamzin Kravshera launches a strike on Onogi City to capture a reaction engine power condenser. (Macross episode 35 "Romanesque"). The main plot was that the Zentradi gun destroyer need a vital part to reactive the vessel, for Quamzin's terror spree. Despite the efforts of Skull Squadron and other UN Spacy forces (Hikaru Ichijo arrived late in the battle), Quamzim made off with the part and left behind a firestorm burning Onogi City. The Skull Squadron breaks off pursuit to carry out a rescue and firefighting operation on the city. The Christmas holidays resume after the battle, concluding with the carol "Silent Night." The romance subplot is just as important in this episode as well. Lynn Minmay enters back into Hikaru's life, wanting to give up singing for him and wanting him to resign from the military for his safety. Misa got upset that she told her staff that he is sick before the battle started. This episode is a "must see" for the series, as the show is drawn to a close. The performances of HIkaru, Misa and Minmay work excellent here. The sight of the Macross lit up for Christmas Day is a visual treat, the dinner that Hikaru and Minmay have, Misa deciding to go drunk and sing "Sunset Beach" and the lonely scene where Minmay sat alone at the playground. Right now, I am watching Macross episode 35. Do get to rewatch the episode again. What we missed out during 2011 are: March -- Maximillan and Milia Fallyna Jenius give birth to the first stellar interracial child. She is named Komilia Maria Fallyna Jenius. October -- Macross episodes 28-30 take place. November -- Macross episodes 31 and 32 take place (the two-parter Lynn Minmay hostage crisis). December 1-24 (???) -- Macross episodes 34 and 35 take place (Misa Hayase hooks up with Hikaru Ichijo but Lynn Minmay inteferes).

With the topic found in the old forums are gone, it's time to discuss about Macross voice performers in non-Macross voice acting. Thanks to snippets found in YouTube and the like, I found some performers that some viewers like us didn't know. Some performers such as Aya Hirano as Haruhi Suzumiya is too obvious to discuss here. OK, it's time I get the ball rolling. Akira Kamiya (Roy Focker) as The late Hirotaka Suzuoki (Lynn Kaifun) as . Sho Hayami (Maximillian Jenius) as (with Hirotaka Suzuoki again as Starscream).Takehito Koyasu (Gamlin Kanzaki) as along with familiar anime seiyuu in a non-anime show.EDIT: I forgot. Here's Megumi Nakajima (Ranka Lee) as brunette Kaede Sakura in "Kampfer". On this scene with Kaede is lead character Natsuru Senou, who has a magical ability to gender bender.

With all the talk of RT at AX, I can't help but think that Yune is now facing the problems just like Rick Berman was doing Star Trek during the airing of "Enterprise". With the amount of bad fanservice found in TSC, it's about as bad as T'Pol in a catsuit. You know what, HG should hire Rick Berman since the guy's unemployed and likes writing stories revovling about technobabble and saying that all humans are awesome. With the Robotechies wanting more Robotech and no Macross, I find that the two fences on nostalgia are strong here. In regards to the Macross sequels, the Robotechies are in the "We don't like it because it's not the same as it used to", "RUINED FOREVER" and so on. We Macrossers are in the crowd of "we like the sequels because of (insert blank) even though it sucks" and so on. There was a time I saw a YouTube video review about nostalgia in general but was taken down by the copyright owners, which I felt like sharing about in what is nostalgia.

Oh, yes. Macek is a sore loser who thought that he can out-do the anime dubs released in the 1980s because only his work didn't edit out the deaths. Unfortunately, it's against the no-no death scenes that all 1980s animation were at the time (the anime dubs of the 1980s have the deaths cut out). Macek's contribution of the anime industry is as much as scoring four touchdowns in one game. The 1990s edited anime dubs were better in showcasing the shows within the confines of censorship (as well as the other 1990s cartoons were doing as well). Macek was also upset that Peter Keefe's Voltron was beating Robotech in the TV ratings (found in Robotech Art 3 in the fitting section "What Went Wrong?")

Steve Kramer already worked with an anime dub company named Saban during the 1990s. Much of that anime line-up were obscure TV shows he worked with. The exceptions were Digimon (directed by Jeff Nimoy) and Transformers: Robots in Disguise (which Kramer was the dub director). Besides, 4Kids already have apprentices like him (such as Michael Haigney) and the company always turn down offers to hire Los Angeles performers anyway. 4Kids always use the New York City dub teams instead (because they're non-union).

I do care about Peter Keefe, actually. His works are more remembered by non-anime fans since it fits with the family-friendly 1980s TV. Hell, a lot of the Voltron DVD box sets (sold at the same time as Shadow Chronicles) were sold out on the shelves while SC sat as shelf-warmers.

Actually, Liquid Snake is voiced by another Robotech voice actor named Cam Clarke (listed as alias Jimmy Flinders in the RT end credits). He played as Max Sterling and Lancer on the show. He and RT voice performer Iona Morris (Claudia Grant in the RT dub) are the only voice actors who appeared in voice roles other than anime and video game dubs. TV viewers may remember Cam Clarke's performances as Leonardo in the 1980s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and as He-Man in the 2002 version of Masters of the Universe show. The same could be said in dubbing Stick Bernard's voice to sound like a 40-year old in a 18-year old body.

1. and 3.) The big question is what would make him throw the towel and walk into the exit door: himself or someone else? 2.) In order for the reboot to work, they would have to ditch the current fanbase so that their opinions do not interfere with the creative process. Another is to ditch the two McGuffins that affected Robotech: A.) The Macross Saga characters and the Mary-Sueim that forces new main characters down from the spotlight. B.) Robotechnology using a propriety bio-fuel that only makes the technology work (artificial nuclear power, "magic ingredient" for genetic cloning/gene splicing and so on). For 36 years (Robotech Universe 1999-2045), any effort to use a different fuel or grow more flowers had failed.

To me, it's Voltron, not Robotech, was the one that opened anime in 1980s. Voltron came out in 1984 and many anime shows appeared on 1985 (including Robotech). The late Peter Keefe did a better job with his edited anime shows than Macek, because Voltron and Saber Rider were edited for being family-friendly. Thus, it's more popular for re-runs while Robotech retaining the deaths of main characters (a no-no in 1980s cartoons) were shunned by it. I remember Robotech's re-run cycle ended mid-way and replaced by Saber Rider instead. Also, Voltron rose up to the realm of pop culture and lingo to non-fans of anime even if some didn't watch the show (such as "the five robot lions that looked the the Megazord", "the alien princess with the mice" and so on). Say "Rick Hunter" to a TV viewer who's not an anime fan would conjure this. And somewhere in the afterlife, Peter Keefe is laughing at Carl Macek, saying that Voltron never let Peter down. The people of HG are now doing what Rick Berman did (on one franchise) years ago.

To paraphrase a science-fiction who worked on a great TV series, only to create a rival show after the former show lost creative direction: "That Robotech never had a brush with negative criticism, never came face to face with his own popularity, never realized how fragile storytelling is, or how important each moment must be. So the franchise never came into focus. It drifted through much of its career, with no plan or agenda... going from one convention panel to the next, never seizing the opportunities that presented themselves. The franchise didn't abandon the dated artwork for modern styles, or take creative writing for the average viewer without the fan in-nods. And no TV station ever offered a timeslot. Harmony Gold and Robotech learned to play it safe... and never, EVER got noticed by ANYONE." With no other sponsor, maybe Harmony Gold ask Alfred K. Kahn (of 4Kids Entertainment) for help? Or how about Rick Berman? The guy's currently unemployed, so why not?

Sorry for being late... If the local stations and the FCC didn't raise red flags on Sentinels, chances of broadcasting may be slim or never. The show would create negative publicity much like Robotech: The Movie did, forcing the show be pulled and/or canceled or forced to edit the show be more family-friendly. I understand that Macek wanted to be different from other edited 1980s anime TV shows, but there's a difference between a outstanding risk-taker and a foolhardy risk-taker.

It's more than that. The mega-success of Transformers and Voltron (both aired on 1984) resulted in other TV producers wanting to jump into the market to be successful too. Unfortunately, the years 1985 to 1987 was the big cartoon boom for the 1980s. Apart from Robotech, a lot of edited anime and a lot of 1980s cartoons fought for timeslots and advertising market share on who can get the mega-success. The end result is that much of the stuff at time are more of the same and some are forgotten. The only 1980s anime shows that are best remembered by non-fans of anime were Voltron (described as "the five lions that are similar to the Power Rangers Megazord", "the alien princess", "time to form a brainstorm Voltron") and Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs (described as "the cowboy with the robot horse", "the one with the flying spaceship that transforms as a robot cowboy").

From reading Robotech Art III and watching the Sentinels pilot, the pilot is the show's first three episode edited in a movie format. The remainder mentioned in RT Art III about the Earth forces' expedition getting caught in the Invid's invasion plan of taking the RT Masters' territory. Because the Earthers don't want the inhabitants be oppressed by the Invid (and having their flagship crippled), they decided to stay. This plot point serves an explanation why the fleet didn't come back to Earth to stop the invasions. Also, it explains why planet Earth gets its reinforcements (Southern Cross got reinforcements from planet Libertie; Mospeada got theirs via the Mars colony). I'm not a fan of the novels, but much of the Sentinels' novel plot is just McKinley making it up as he goes. He did got access to the series guidebook but can't get the scripts, resulting in some plots such as planet Praxis exploding (none are mentioned in RT Art III), the Haydonites are a well-populated species (in RT Art III, only two exist and their species are extinct) and General Edwards wants revenge (in RT Art III, he's just a greedy warmonger).

Not only that, much of the 1980s cartoons are action-first, plot second. The time when the troops exploding are robots, the human-looking ones are using are stun beam guns and the main characters just got hurt but got better. One episode of GI Joe poked fun on the 1980s cartoon concept, when a guy wants revenge for Cobra Commander. I can't forget the time when the episode wraps up, the guy yells at Duke for letting Cobra Commander go despite the fact he's a dangerous villain who should got a .45 headshot. For people who want both great action and great storytelling in the 1980s, they had to wait for the 1990s to roll out with much better TV series.

Apart from competing for the timeslots the series need, Robotech also has this problem with it's story content that allows featuring deaths of main characters. This is unfortunately it's strength and a weakness. It "tries" feature that death happens for the characters (which is the only thing I can acknowledge in contributing anime in the 1980s) but suffers against the norm of 1980s animated TV series (much of the 1980s programs and edited anime that has violence had a no-no death scenes issue). The late Peter Keefe, who created Voltron and Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs, did a better job with his edited anime and was more family-friendly. Like a lot of the 1980s cartoons of the time, he just edited out a lot of the deaths (the troops are actually robots, the human-like troops carry stun beam guns and the main characters just got better). To me, Keefe did a better job than Macek in editing anime to be family-friendly and more popular for the local stations to rerun. I remember the time that Robotech had its reruns cut short here in Toronto in the 1980s (via a Buffalo TV station) and decided to rerun Voltron instead.

Here's another source. From what it says is: In practice, very few animated shows in the children's market ever reach the 65 episode mark on the first year. Most of them air at 13, 26 or 50 episodes per year (the maximum is 52). Another is competition for the airtime slots for the target audience can watch it. The producers and its sponsors would have to to bid for the timeslots they want (ie. Transformers to be aired Monday-Friday at 4 PM). By the time the good spots are taken (Monday-Friday 7-8 AM; 3:30-6 PM), the remainder has to settle with bad ones (ie. Monday-Friday at 6 AM). Cable/satellite TV stations pretty much render the 65-episode syndication rule outdated, since specialty stations like the CN, Nickenloedeon and Disney (or in Canada, YTV, Teletoon and Family) can air their programs for their audience's convenience (if the viewers miss the 8 AM broadcast in the morning, they can catch the program again on 7 PM at night). Also, some of the programs air weekly to make the schedule line-up more variable.

Peter Keefe, a producer who worked in dubbing anime during the 1980s, has passed away. News courtesy of the Anime News Network He is best known for splicing two unrelated anime shows (Hyakujuu Ou Golion and Kikou Kantai Dairugger XV) and combine them through editing as "Voltron: Defender of the Universe". Another title he worked on was adapting Seijuushi Bismarck as "Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs". My condolences for him making two popular anime titles best known to both anime fans and non-fans who didn't watch it (AKA pop culture lingo). Thank you.

I found a YouTube video clip of Transformers G1 dubbed in Japanese, which features Jetfire. Note that Macross voice actors Shō Hayami (Maximillian Jenius) and the late Hirotaka Suzuoki (Lynn Kaifun) also star in the series. Hayami plays as Spike and Suzuoki plays as Starscream.

Out of all the non-Nintendo handhelds I seen over here, the Game Gear was the best one I liked and I was willing to get one but the price tag kept my parents from buying me one. What got me interested in wanting one was the TV Tuner add-on and it was cheaper ($CND 200 vs. TurboExpress' $CND 500). I got upset when the tuner was pulled out of the market after the first year and that the tuner is only compatable with first-generation Game Gears. I did tried out a GG at a demo display, playing Sonic 2 (where I also found a demo display of the Genesis' Activator with Eternal Champions to play). I enjoyed it even though it got blurry at times and dust accumulating within the clear frame cover for the screen. Had Sega put in more games and did some hardware upgrades (improved screen, lower battery power, etc.), it would have lasted beyond 1997 (the year GG stopped) and be contender against the GBC. There was one time someone was selling a white Game Gear (Japan-only) with a TV tuner, lots of accessories (AC adaptor, link cable, etc.) and its special briefcase to carry them with padded foam interior. It was selling for $CND 150 back then but it was already sold by the time I got around to buy it.

It should be noted that Bandai has told the fansubbers to stop subbing SEED due to Bandai's announcement of releasing the anime in 2005. Fans were upset about it because the subbers end at around episode 42, which is a cliffhanger. So the fansubs continued (discretely) to provide the last episodes to finish the story. Anyways, now back to fansubbing... [sI & Aoshi & AG] a.k.a. SEED Fansubs are the best Gundam SEED fansubs not only for being the most accurate than anyone but also for the picture quality. Sure, the non-Japanese names are very Englinized but leaned strongly to get the names right. They did episodes 1-26 and then episode 45 until Bandai told them to stop. Anime-Kingdom and HaroHaro are tied for second place in subbing SEED. Anime-Kingdom was created in response of SEED Fansubs slow schedule, so they did where they left off to sub episodes 27-42. HaroHaro was created to continue where AK left off and did 43-50. AnimeJunkies [AJ] is to be avoided unless it's a last resort. While the files are small, their SEED translations are riffed with translation errors. Download from them unless you can't find the others.

Agreed. We want Michelle back.

Ever since I saw the Filipino English dub of Macross back in 1985, I really wanted to buy the Valkyrie toys because the way the Valks fight on the show. It also lead me to buy Transformers toys too. My first Macross toy was a KO 5" Valk, which the feet can't close and the tailfins fold out from the lower legs. It was a VF-1A colored to look like Max's Valk in the TV series. I also bought a KO 6" SDF-1 Macross colored dark blue, the main gun booms in red and the carrier arms in yellow. To transform the Macross to Storm Attacker Mode requires to remove the bow and split it open to form the gun booms. I had some great fun playing with them, including dressing up my Valk as a Zentreadi soldier by using paper and tape to form the uniform. The first official Macross toy was the Joke Machine Max's VF-1A. My parents couldn't afford/allow me to buy the 1/55s (or even Optimus Prime for that manner), so the Joke Machine was the cheapest they can allow to have. I had lots of fun with it, which is more than my KOs. I was forced to abandon them when I moved to Canada because they couldn't fit in my luggage. It wasn't until I got back into buying Macross toys when I bought a KO VF-19 Custom in 1997. I would later sell it when I heard the announcement of Yamato's Macross Plus toys. I didn't get the YF-19, but got the YF-21 and VF-11 instead. I would later sell them both when I decided to buy the FAST Pack versions that just came out. As for the first Yamato VF-1, it's Hikaru's Super VF-1J and it was the last one on the shelf. I was lucky to get one and I liked playing it once I took it out of the box. I may not have a Bandai 1/55 right now, but I do have Jetfire (the one without the UN Spacy emblem).

Ditto. I remember grewing up like that when I spent more time in the arcades than a friend's place because the Atari home consoles were junk machines. Definately. Competitors like Nintendo and Sega revolutionized gaming consoles and gave game programmers to get out of the slump by making games that are great to play. Atari never got to recover from being kicked in the nuts back in 1985. I can remember Atari wasting their time on lawsuits against Nintendo, claiming that the Big N was monopolizing the market but judges threw out the case because the gaming market was open, not monopolitistic. That, and Atari's bad mistakes that led them into self-oblivion.