Anime

Disney's Surprising Role in Reviving a Beloved Anime Classic

Exploring Disney's unexpected involvement in bringing back this cherished anime gem.
Disney's Surprising Role in Reviving a Beloved Anime Classic

Highlights

  • Discover the intricate world of Macross, a renowned Japanese science fiction franchise.
  • Unravel the complex history of Macross in the United States and its transformation into Robotech.
  • Learn about the recent legal settlement that paved the way for Disney to secure streaming rights to Macross.

Unavailability of beloved shows and movies isn't always due to lack of interest but can be tied to convoluted legal issues, often referred to as 'red tape.' One such case is the long-standing rights disputes surrounding Macross, a popular anime franchise, which have now taken a positive turn thanks to Disney.

Exploring the World of Macross

Macross, originating from the 1982 anime series 'Super Dimension Fortress Macross,' is a renowned Japanese sci-fi franchise known for its mecha battles, intricate plots, and unique use of music, especially pop songs. The series weaves a narrative of humanity's battle against alien forces, blending space opera, romance, and military themes.

Overview of the Macross Series

For fans interested in delving into Macross, there's a wide array of TV series, movies, and OVAs to explore:

Here's a snapshot of the main Macross anime series, OVAs, and movies:

  • Super Dimension Fortress Macross (1982) - TV series
  • Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love? (1984) - Movie
  • Macross Flash Back 2012 (1987) - OVA
  • Macross Plus (1994) - OVA series
  • Macross 7 (1994-1995) - TV series
  • Macross 7: Encore (1995) - OVA series
  • Macross 7 the Movie: The Galaxy's Calling Me! (1995) - Movie
  • Macross Dynamite 7 (1997) - OVA series
  • Macross Zero (2002-2004) - OVA series
  • Macross Frontier (2008) - TV series
  • Macross Frontier the Movie: The False Songstress (2009) - Movie
  • Macross Frontier the Movie: The Wings of Goodbye (2011) - Movie
  • Macross Delta (2016) - TV series
  • Macross Delta the Movie: Passionate Walküre (2018) - Movie
  • Macross Delta the Movie: Absolute Live!!!!!! (2021) - Movie

Note that while this list covers the main entries in the Macross franchise, there are numerous other adaptations and spin-offs enriching the Macross universe, many of which were previously inaccessible to fans due to legal constraints.

The Evolution of Macross in the U.S.

The American journey of Macross is intertwined with its adaptation into 'Robotech' for the U.S. audience. In the 1980s, Harmony Gold USA obtained rights to several Japanese anime series, including 'Super Dimension Fortress Macross.' Harmonizing these distinct series led to the creation of 'Robotech,' a consolidated narrative spanning generations of mecha warfare. Despite diverging from the original, 'Robotech' significantly contributed to anime's popularity in the West.

Legal Hurdles with Harmony Gold

Legal conflicts between Harmony Gold and Macross creators stem from complex rights issues regarding the distribution and adaptation of Macross outside Japan. Harmony Gold's exclusive rights to 'Robotech' clashed with the original Macross rights holders, leading to limitations on Macross content availability globally and hindering new adaptations.

Disney's Involvement Post Legal Settlement

Following a recent legal agreement between Harmony Gold and Big West, Disney surprisingly acquired streaming rights to most of the Macross franchise. This unexpected move signifies a shift in Macross's global accessibility, with Disney aiming to captivate both Japanese and international audiences with this classic series. While certain titles remain restricted to Japan, Disney's involvement promises broader availability of Macross content, delighting fans worldwide.

Sources: Forbes, Cartoon Brew

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