View source for Super Dimension Fortress Macross

{{Short description|Science fiction anime series}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| name            = Super Dimension Fortress Macross
| image           = Region1 Macross box .jpg
| caption         = Main characters [[Lynn Minmay]], [[Misa Hayase]] and [[Hikaru Ichijyo]]
| genre           = [[Mecha]], [[military science fiction]], [[Romance film|romance]]
| creator         = [[Studio Nue]]
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = tv series
| director        = [[Noboru Ishiguro]]
| producer        = Akira Inoue<br>Hiroshi Iwata
| writer          = Kenichi Matsuzaki
| music           = [[Kentarō Haneda]]
| studio          = [[Artland (company)|Artland]]<br>[[Tatsunoko Production]]
| network         = [[Japan News Network|JNN]] ([[MBS TV|MBS]])
| first           = 3 October 1982
| last            = 26 June 1983
| licensee        = {{English anime licensee
  | NA            = {{Plain list|
* [[Harmony Gold USA]]
* [[AnimEigo]] {{small|(former)}}
* [[ADV Films]] {{small|(former)}}
}}
}}
|films = {{Plainlist|
* {{nowrap|''[[Macross: Do You Remember Love?|Do You Remember Love?]]''}}
}}
| episodes        = 36
| episode_list    = List of The Super Dimension Fortress Macross episodes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type            = manga
| title           = Macross: The First
| author          = [[Haruhiko Mikimoto]]
| publisher       = [[Kadokawa Shoten]]
| demographic     = ''[[Shōnen manga|Shōnen]]''
| magazine        = {{Plain list|
* ''Macross Ace'' (2009–2011)
* ''[[Newtype Ace]]'' (2011–2013)
* ''ComicWalker'' (2013–2018)
* ''Psychomi'' (2018–2019)
}}
| first           = January 26, 2009 
| last            = 2019 (on hiatus)
| volumes         = 6
| volume_list     = 
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer|portal=yes}}
[[File:U.N. Spacy Roundel.svg|thumb|right|200px|U.N. Spacy Roundel]]

{{Nihongo|'''''Super Dimension Fortress Macross'''''|超時空要塞マクロス|Chōjikū Yōsai Makurosu|lit.|lead=yes}} is an [[anime]] television series from 1982. According to story creator [[Shoji Kawamori]],<ref name="macross.co.jp">{{Cite web |url=http://www.macross.co.jp/ |title=Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Series Staff. ''Macross Official Website''. Series Section. 04-09-09 |access-date=23 January 2005}}</ref> it depicts "a love triangle against the backdrop of great battles" during the first Human-alien war. It is the first part of: The [[Super Dimension (disambiguation)|''Super Dimension'' trilogy]] and [[Macross|''the Macross'' franchise]].

''[[Macross]]'' features mechanical designs by [[Kazutaka Miyatake]] and Shoji Kawamori (both of [[Studio Nue]]) and character designs by [[Haruhiko Mikimoto]] of [[Artland (company)|Artland]].<ref name="macross perfect memory pg 248-253">Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Staff. Pages 248–253. ''Macross Perfect Memory''. Reference Book. 260 A4 pages. Minori Library, Japan. ¥2800. 1983, 10 October.</ref><ref name="Miyatake">{{cite book |last1= Miyatake |first1= Kazutaka |author-link= Kazutaka Miyatake |title= Macross and Orguss Design Works |date= 1 June 2005 |publisher= Mobic |location= Japan |language= ja |isbn= 4-89601-629-7 |pages= 3–14}}</ref> ''Macross'' also created one of the first anime [[Japanese idol|idols]] [[Lynn Minmay]], turning her voice actress [[Mari Iijima]]<ref name="macross.co.jp"/><ref name="Cast">Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Cast. Page 254. ''Macross Perfect Memory''. Reference Book. 260 A4 pages. Minori Library, Japan. ¥2800. 1983, 10 October.</ref> into an instant celebrity, and launching her musical career. Most of its animation (with edited content, story changes and revised dialogue) was adapted in the US for the first saga of ''[[Robotech]]''.<ref name="ADV">[http://www25.advfilms.com/titles/macross/ ADV Films Official ''Macross'' English Dub Page. Main Section. 04-09-09] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711130623/http://www25.advfilms.com/titles/macross/ |date=11 July 2009 }}</ref>

==Plot==
{{See also|List of Macross characters}}

In 1999, a city-sized alien spacecraft crashes in South Ataria Island on Earth. Over the course of 10 years the military organization [[U.N. Spacy]] reverse-engineers its technology and rebuilds the spacecraft, naming it the SDF-1 ''Macross''. In 2009 at the launch ceremony of the ''Macross'', a young civilian pilot, [[Hikaru Ichijyo]], comes to visit the ''Macross'' upon U.N. Spacy pilot [[Roy Focker]]'s request. During the launch ceremony, a space war fleet from an alien race of [[humanoid]] giants arrives into the solar system and identifies the ''Macross'' as a former battleship used by their enemies, the Supervision Army. As the aliens, known as the [[Zentradi#In Macross|Zentradi]], approach the ''Macross'', the original systems override the crew's commands and fire its main cannon, wiping out the advance alien scouts and starting a war. While Hikaru takes the new [[VF-1 Valkyrie]] on a test flight the aliens retaliate. He then encounters [[Lynn Minmay]] and rescues her from the aliens. The ''Macross'' crew attempts to use the experimental "[[Hyperspace (science fiction)|Fold System]]" ([[faster-than-light]] drives) to escape to the Moon's orbit, but instead it accidentally takes the ''Macross'' and South Ataria Island to the edge of the solar system. The people from the ''Macross'' salvage everything they can, including the city surrounding the ship and its civilians (who have survived in special safety shelters, which were transported along intact), and attach two aircraft carriers to the ship. Since the fold systems have vanished after the jump, the ''Macross'' is forced to make its way back to Earth by conventional power.

The Zentradi suspect the humans might be their creators, the Protoculture. Under the command of [[Britai Kridanik]] and [[Exsedol Folmo]], they plot ways to understand them. Fearful of their old combat directives of not interfering with Protoculture, the Zentradi perform attacks to test their theories about the people on board the ''Macross'', and even have their Zentradi soldiers "micloned" (miniaturized) to learn more about their culture. The Zentradi capture several ''Macross'' personnel, including Officer [[Misa Hayase]] and Hikaru, to study. [[Boddole Zer]], Supreme Commander of the Zentradi, is puzzled over things such as relationships amongst males and females. He confirms that the Miclones "are" Protoculture during a demonstrated kiss between Hayase and Hikaru. After escaping, Hikaru and the others report their findings to their superiors, who have trouble accepting the reasons behind the Zentradi attacks as well as the huge forces the aliens possess.

After much difficulty returning to Earth, the UN Spacy refuses to allow the ''Macross'' and the civilian passengers to return to land. Minmay's cousin, Lynn Kaifun, decides to join the ''Macross'' to see his parents and also look after Minmay. Because of Kaifun's relationship and constant contact with Minmay, the pair eventually enter a romantic relationship. After deliberation, the UN Spacy orders the ''Macross'' to leave Earth as a means to get the Zentradi away from them. During all these events, a female Zentradi ace fighter pilot, [[Milia Fallyna]], is micloned and attempts to assassinate [[Maximilian Jenius]], an ace UN Spacy pilot. Attempting to kill him during a knife duel, Milia is defeated and falls in love with Max, and the two are subsequently married. Their wedding aboard the ''Macross'' is broadcast to the Zentradi as a message that aliens and humans can co-exist. Since the Zentradi's exposure to culture and to Lynn Minmay's songs, some of them become eager to join the humans. Believing the "miclone contamination" is becoming a threat to all Zentradi forces, Boddole Zer orders his entire army to exterminate the human race and all those Zentradi previously exposed to human culture. Because [[Britai Kridanik]] was "contaminated" as well, he works with the humans to defeat the main Zentradi forces.

The resulting battle culminates in the large scale devastation of Earth, but the people of the SDF-1 survive. After Boddole Zer is killed and his armada defeated, the surviving humans and their Zentradi allies begin rebuilding Earth.

Two years after the end of the first Space War the transition into the Human ways becomes difficult to some Zentradi who cannot stand the idea of a pacified life. [[Quamzin Kravshera]] constantly incites conflicts towards the civilians. He repairs a damaged Zentradi warship to return to his old ways and attacks the new Macross City built around the SDF-1. Moments before the final Zentradi attack, Misa Hayase tells Hikaru Ichijyo of her feelings for him and her decision to leave to space in a colonization mission to preserve human culture across the galaxy. Lynn Minmay, who was left by Kaifun and now loves Hikaru, does not want him to leave to join the fight. However, Hikaru still goes to defend the city anyway. Eventually Quamzin is killed. After a long emotional conflict Hikaru finally decides to be with Misa and join the colonization mission, but the two remain good friends with Minmay in the end.

==Episode list==
{{main|List of Super Dimension Fortress Macross episodes}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Original Japanese<br />Air Date
! ''Super Dimension Fortress Macross''<br />Episodes
|-
| 3 October 1982
| 1. {{Nihongo|"Booby Trap"|ブービー・トラップ|Būbī Torappu}}
|-
| 10 October 1982
| 2. {{Nihongo|"Countdown"|カウント・ダウン|Kaunto Daun}}
|-
| 17 October 1982
| 3. {{Nihongo|"Space Fold"|スペース・フォールド|Supēsu Fōrudo}}
|-
| 24 October 1982
| 4. {{Nihongo|"Lynn Minmay"|リン・ミンメイ|Rin Minmei}}
|-
| 31 October 1982
| 5. {{Nihongo|"Transformation"|トランス・フォーメーション|Toransu Fōmēshon}}
|-
| 14 November 1982
| 6. {{Nihongo|"Daedalus Attack"|ダイダロス・アタック|Daidarosu Atakku}}
|-
| 21 November 1982
| 7. {{Nihongo|"Bye Bye Mars"|バイバイ・マルス|Baibai Marusu}}
|-
| 28 November 1982
| 8. {{Nihongo|"Longest Birthday"|ロンゲスト・バースデー|Rongesuto Bāsudē}}
|-
| 5 December 1982
| 9. {{Nihongo|"Miss Macross"|ミス・マクロス|Misu Makurosu}}
|-
| 12 December 1982
| 10. {{Nihongo|"Blind Game"|ブラインド・ゲーム|Buraindo Gēmu}}
|-
| 19 December 1982
| 11. {{Nihongo|"First Contact"|ファースト・コンタクト|Fāsuto Kontakuto}}
|-
| 26 December 1982
| 12. {{Nihongo|"Big Escape"|ビッグ・エスケープ|Biggu Esukēpu}}
|-
| 9 January 1983
| 13. {{Nihongo|"Blue Wind"|ブルー・ウインド|Burū Uindo}}
|-
| 16 January 1983
| 14. {{Nihongo|"Global Report"|グローバル・レポート|Gurōbaru Repōto}}
|-
| 23 January 1983
| 15. {{Nihongo|"Chinatown"|チャイナ・タウン|Chaina Taun}}
|-
| 30 January 1983
| 16. {{Nihongo|"Kung Fu Dandy"|カンフー・ダンディ|Kanfū Dandi}}
|-
| 13 February 1983
| 17. {{Nihongo|"Phantasm"|ファンタズム|Fantazumu}}
|-
| 20 February 1983
| 18. {{Nihongo|"Pineapple Salad"|パイン・サラダ|Pain Sarada}}
|-
| 27 February 1983
| 19. {{Nihongo|"Burst Point"|バースト・ポイント|Bāsuto Pointo}}
|-
| 6 March 1983
| 20. {{Nihongo|"Paradise Lost"|パラダイス・ロスト|Paradaisu Rosuto}}
|-
| 13 March 1983
| 21. {{Nihongo|"Micro Cosmos"|ミクロ・コスモス|Mikuro Kosumosu}}
|-
| 20 March 1983
| 22. {{Nihongo|"Love Concert"|ラブ・コンサート|Rabu Konsāto}}
|-
| 27 March 1983
| 23. {{Nihongo|"Drop Out"|ドロップ・アウト|Doroppu Auto}}
|-
| 3 April 1983
| 24. {{Nihongo|"Good-bye Girl"|グッバイ・ガール|Gubbai Gāru}}
|-
| 10 April 1983
| 25. {{Nihongo|"Virgin Road"|バージン・ロード|Bājin Rōdo}}
|-
| 17 April 1983
| 26. {{Nihongo|"Messenger"|メッセンジャー|Messenjā}}
|-
| 24 April 1983
| 27. {{Nihongo|"Love Flows By"|愛は流れる|Ai wa Nagareru}}
|-
| 1 May 1983
| 28. {{Nihongo|"My Album"|マイ・アルバム|Mai Arubamu}}
|-
| 8 May 1983
| 29. {{Nihongo|"Lonely Song"|ロンリー・ソング|Ronrī Songu}}
|-
| 15 May 1983
| 30. {{Nihongo|"Viva Maria"|ビバ・マリア|Biba Maria}}
|-
| 22 May 1983
| 31. {{Nihongo|"Satan Dolls"|サタン・ドール|Satan Dōru}}
|-
| 29 May 1983
| 32. {{Nihongo|"Broken Heart"|ブロークン・ハート|Burōkun Hāto}}
|-
| 5 June 1983
| 33. {{Nihongo|"Rainy Night"|レイニー・ナイト|Reinī Naito}}
|-
| 12 June 1983
| 34. {{Nihongo|"Private Time"|プライベート・タイム|Puraibēto Taimu}}
|-
| 19 June 1983
| 35. {{Nihongo|"Romanesque"|ロマネスク|Romanesuku}}
|-
| 26 June 1983
| 36. {{Nihongo|"Farewell to Tenderness"|やさしさサヨナラ|Yasashisa Sayonara}}
|}
* Note: When ''Macross'' was first put in production, the anime was going to end with a total of 24 episodes, but due to popularity, it was expanded to a total of 36 episodes. {{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}

==Sequels and prequel==
{{Further|Macross#Series chronology}}

A number of sequels and one prequel to the series have been produced.

==Production==
The series title uses the name of the main spacecraft (which is usually shortened to ''Macross'' as it is Earth's first ''Super Dimension Fortress''). The original name for the ''Macross'' project was ''Battle City Megaload'' (or ''Battle City Megaroad'', as the Japanese transliteration to either {{angbr|l}} or {{angbr|r}} gives the title a double meaning in reference to the story line: ''Megaload'', referring to the spacecraft containing an entire city of people; and ''Megaroad'', referring to the long journey through space back to Earth).<ref name="Production">{{cite web | title=Translation & Cultural Notes | url=http://www.animeigo.com/Liner/MACROSS.t#1 | work=Super Dimension Fortress Macross Liner Notes | publisher=[[AnimEigo]] | date=21 December 2001 | access-date=26 April 2009 | quote=Comments attributed to Kawamori Shoji in the Macross liner notes are drawn from Nanda, Mamoru (1983) Best Hit Series: Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Macross Graffiti, Akita Shoten, Tokyo. | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813121403/http://www.animeigo.com/Liner/MACROSS.t#1 | archive-date=13 August 2009 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> However, the director of [[Big West Advertising|Big West]], one of the later sponsors of the project, was a fan of Shakespeare and wanted the series and the spacecraft to be named ''[[Macbeth]]'' ({{nihongo||マクベス|Makubesu}}). A compromise was made with the title ''Macross'' ({{nihongo||マクロス|Makurosu}}) due to its similar pronunciation to ''Macbeth'' in Japanese and because it still contained connotations to the original title.<ref name="Production"/> The word ''Macross'' also comes from a wordplay combination of the prefix "macro" in reference to its massive size (though when compared with the alien ships in the series, it is only a relatively small capital ship) and the distance they must cross.<ref name="Macross perfect memory pg 246">Super Dimension Fortress Macross: The Making of Macross. Pages 203–246. ''Macross Perfect Memory''. Reference Book. 260 A4 pages. Minori Library, Japan. Y2800. 1983, 10 October.</ref>

"Super Dimension Fortress" prefix ("Chō Jikū Yōsai") is a wordplay on an intermediary working title for the series, which was originally "Super Dreadnought Fortress Macross" ("Chō Dokyū Yōsai Makurosu").<ref name="Production"/>

Originally proposed in 1980 and greatly inspired by ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam]]'' (1979-1980),<ref name="Gundamfans">{{cite web | title=Translation & Cultural Notes | url=http://www.animeigo.com/Liner/MACROSS.t#1 | work=The Super Dimension Fortress Macross Liner Notes | publisher=[[AnimEigo]] | date=2001-12-21 | access-date=2014-09-18 | quote=According to the liner notes of the AnimEigo DVD release of the Macross TV series ''Gunsight One'' was also the fanzine title of the ''Gundam'' fan club that creator Shoji Kawamori, character designer Haruhiko Mikimoto, and writer Hiroshi Oonogi (members number 1, 2, and 3 of said club) founded while they were students at Keio University in Japan... | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813121403/http://www.animeigo.com/Liner/MACROSS.t#1 | archive-date=13 August 2009 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> the show created by [[Studio Nue]]<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web |url=http://www.macross.co.jp/ |title=Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Series Outline. ''Macross Official Website''. Series Section. 04-09-09 |access-date=23 January 2005}}</ref> (from an original concept by newcomer member [[Shoji Kawamori]])<ref name="Macross perfect memory pg 246"/> was initially sponsored by a group called the "Wiz" (''Uizu'') Corporation that was prepared to fund a 48-episode run. "Wiz" wanted to produce the Sci-Fi show as an [[outer space]] comedy, but this clashed with Studio Nue's original idea of a more serious and epic "[[space opera]]" storyline. The resulting animosity between both companies made the initial pre-production of the series very difficult and full of delays.<ref name="Macross perfect memory pg 246"/><ref name="macross perfect memory pg247">Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Production Notes. Page 247. ''Macross Perfect Memory''. Reference Book. 260 A4 pages. Minori Library, Japan. Y2800. 1983, 10 October.</ref>

However, by 1981 Wiz had gone out of business and the "Megaload/Megaroad" (''Macross'') project seemed to be in permanent hiatus. Studio Nue bought the rights of the show from "Wiz" and searched for a sponsor with no avail. [[Big West Advertising|Big West]], an advertising agency looking to branch out into animation sponsorship, approached Studio Nue about the project and agreed to sponsor it.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Big West insisted on a leaner budget, not convinced that the show would pan out as profitable and pared the episode count to 27 episodes (meaning the show would have ended with the battle against [[Boddole Zer]]'s fleet).<ref name="Macross perfect memory pg 246"/><ref name="macross perfect memory pg247"/> Even then, Big West found that the show was going to run more expensive than it had bargained for, and to secure more money, entered into a partnership with animation studio [[Tatsunoko Production]]<ref name="macross perfect memory pg247"/> which included international distribution (what would culminate in the creation of the "[[Robotech]]" adaptation a few years later).<ref name="ADV"/>

When Macross debuted on 3 October 1982 (with only three episodes made so far) its stunning success among Japanese television audiences convinced Big West to approve an extension to 36 episodes, allowing the staff to end with the "two years after" story arc.<ref name="macross perfect memory pg247"/>

Animation work was contracted out to a number of sub-contracting studios, including [[Artland (company)|Artland]] ([[Haruhiko Mikimoto]]'s employer), the nascent [[Anime International Company|AIC]] and [[Gainax]] studios, as well as the [[Tatsunoko Production|Tatsunoko]]-supplied [[AnimeFriend]] and [[Star Pro]].<ref name="macross perfect memory pg 248-253"/><ref name="ReferenceA"/> AnimeFriend and Star Pro are infamously notorious among fans of the show for having brought in very spotty, off-model and continuity error-laden animation work.

There were plans for a splashy ending to the series, one that would have shown major characters Misa Hayase and Hikaru Ichijo blasting off in the colonization ship ''[[SDF-2 Megaroad-01]]'', but the sequence was scrapped due to lack of time and budget. However, due to fan demand this sequence was later used in the ''[[Macross Flashback 2012]]'' OVA released in 1987.<ref name="Flashback">{{cite web | title=Translation & Cultural Notes | url=http://www.animeigo.com/Liner/MACROSS.t#1 | work=The Super Dimension Fortress Macross Liner Notes | publisher=[[AnimEigo]] | date=21 December 2001 | access-date=26 April 2009 | quote=Originally, the creators wanted to end the series with the launch of the SDF-2 and the newly-wed Ichijo Misa in her new captain's uniform. Mechanical designer Miyatake Kazutaka and character designer Mikimoto Haruhiko even drew new designs appropriate for the occasion. Unfortunately, the sequence was never animated. The creators finally got the chance to redesign and animate the SDF-2 Megaroad launch (along with the Minmay Sayonara Concert that was planned but canceled for the ''Do You Remember Love?'' movie ending) four years later. The conclusion of Hikaru, Misa, and Minmay's story appears in the 1987 music video ''The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012.'' | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813121403/http://www.animeigo.com/Liner/MACROSS.t#1 | archive-date=13 August 2009 | df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>Best Hit Series: ''The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012 Graffiti''. Shougakukan, Japan. Y910. 1987.</ref>

''Super Dimension Fortress Macross'' was produced as the first of the three ''Super Dimension'' mecha anime television series in Japan. It was followed by ''[[Super Dimension Century Orguss]]'' (1983) and ''[[Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross]]'' (1984). These shows were related in name only.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Anime Encyclopedia, Revised and expanded edition |last1=Clements |first1=Johnathan |last2=McCarthy |first2=Helen |year=2006 |pages=468–469 |publisher=Stone Bridge Press |isbn=1-933330-10-4}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=The Anime Encyclopedia, Revised and expanded edition |last1=Clements |first1=Johnathan |last2=McCarthy |first2=Helen |year=2006 |pages=598–599 |publisher=Stone Bridge Press |isbn=1-933330-10-4}}</ref>

==Media==

===Anime===
{{main|List of The Super Dimension Fortress Macross episodes}}
In 1984, [[Harmony Gold USA|Harmony Gold]] licensed the first ''Macross'' series from Tatsunoko and planned to dub the series on home video. In 1985, Harmony Gold, without permission from Studio Neu or Big West, edited and rewrote the series with ''[[The Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross]]'' and ''[[Genesis Climber Mospeada]]'', collectively releasing them as ''[[Robotech]]'', to syndicate on weekday television and to promote a [[Revell]] model line. ''Robotech'''s credits listed only the English adaptation's production crew and two Tatsunoko producers. No mention of the creators is shown in the credits. In 1999, Harmony Gold asserted it had exclusive rights to the "distribution of the Macross television series and the right to create and authorize the sale of merchandise based on such series" outside Japan, and began sending cease-and-desist letters to import toy dealers, temporarily barring ''Macross''-related merchandise from North America.<ref>{{cite news|title=Harmony Gold bars Macross Imports|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=16 April 2002|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2002-04-16/harmony-gold-bars-macross-imports|access-date=27 January 2007|archive-date=11 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311021147/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2002-04-16/harmony-gold-bars-macross-imports|url-status=live}}</ref>

The merchandise has since been imported again by the same toy dealers in direct sales.

In 2000, Big West and Studio Nue took [[Tatsunoko Production]]s to the [[Tokyo District Court]] over who had the rights to the first ''Macross'' series, due to Harmony Gold's attempt to bar Japanese Macross merchandise in North America the previous year. During production, Big West entered into a partnership with Tatsunoko to assist in the production of the series in a deal where it acquired the license to distribute the show worldwide (i.e., outside Japan), as well as earning some royalties to the merchandise. Tatsunoko then sub-licensed ''Macross'' to [[Harmony Gold USA]] in 1984. In 2002, the Tokyo District Court ruled that Big West/Studio Nue is the sole owner of the original character and mecha designs for the first series,<ref>{{cite news|title=Macross Lawsuit|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=26 February 2002|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2002-02-26/macross-lawsuit|access-date=27 January 2007|archive-date=10 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110123327/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2002-02-26/macross-lawsuit|url-status=live}}</ref>
while that same court ruled in 2003 that Tatsunoko owned the production rights to the first series.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tatsunoko Wins "Author's Right" to Macross|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2003-10-14|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2003-01-20/tatsunoko-wins-author%27s-right-to-macross|access-date=27 January 2007|archive-date=2 March 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070302045552/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2003-01-20/tatsunoko-wins-author%27s-right-to-macross|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Tatsunoko Wins Macross Lawsuit|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=23 February 2004|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2004-02-23/tatsunoko-wins-macross-lawsuit|access-date=27 January 2007|archive-date=25 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225091822/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2004-02-23/tatsunoko-wins-macross-lawsuit|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2001 the series was sub-licensed in North America by [[AnimEigo]], who restored the series and released it unedited on DVD with Japanese audio and English subtitles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.animeigo.com/Products/MACROSS.t |title=SuperRestored Television Series Macross |publisher=[[AnimEigo]] |access-date=26 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227055636/http://www.animeigo.com/Products/MACROSS.t |archive-date=27 December 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> At first a limited edition pre-order boxset across nine discs was released on 21 December 2001. Preorders were available on AnimEigo's web store. Three smaller boxsets, each comprising three discs, were released from 10 September 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0000B1ODL |title=Macross, Super Dimensional Fortress Box Set 1 (eps 1–12) |date=9 September 2003 |publisher=[[Amazon.ca]] |access-date=26 December 2008 |archive-date=5 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105164414/http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0000B1ODL |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0000B1ODN |title=Macross, Super Dimensional Fortress Box Set 2 (ep.13–24) |date=21 October 2003 |publisher=[[Amazon.ca]] |access-date=26 December 2008 |archive-date=5 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105164419/http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0000B1ODN |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0000B1ODO |title=3pc Box: Set 3 – Macross |date=25 November 2003 |publisher=[[Amazon.ca]] |access-date=26 December 2008 |archive-date=5 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105164421/http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0000B1ODO |url-status=live }}</ref> Finally, AnimEigo released nine individual volumes.<!---I can't find the original release dates for these, Amazon.com and Amazon.ca both date the last volume before the 1st---> In 2003 [[Madman Entertainment]] released a six-disc [[PAL]] format version of this edition entitled ''Macross Ultimate Collection''.

In the summer of 2005, [[ADV Films]] announced that it would be releasing an English dub of ''Macross'' on 10 January 2006. This is the first uncut, unedited English dub for ''Super Dimension Fortress Macross'', and featured [[Mari Iijima]] returning to reprise the role of Lynn Minmay.<ref name="ADV"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Mari Iijima, the Japanese voice of Minmay, will play the same role in the English dub|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=22 October 2005|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/article.php?id=7659|access-date=19 November 2005|archive-date=18 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218190733/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-10-22/mari-iijima-on-macross-dub|url-status=live}}</ref> <ref name="Dub">[http://www25.advfilms.com/titles/macross/ ADV Films Official ''Macross'' English Dub Page.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711130623/http://www25.advfilms.com/titles/macross/ |date=11 July 2009 }}[http://www25.advfilms.com/titles/macross/cast_txt.html English/Japanese Cast Information. 04-09-09] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805002542/http://www25.advfilms.com/titles/macross/cast_txt.html |date=5 August 2009 }}</ref> This version was released by [[Hulu]] for online streaming in the United States in February 2010 and was removed in February 2013.<ref>{{cite news | title = 1st ''Macross'' Series Streaming with English Dub on Hulu | url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-02-10/1st-macross-series-streaming-with-english-dub-on-hulu | work = [[Anime News Network]] | date = 10 February 2010 | access-date = 14 February 2010 | archive-date = 14 February 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100214090459/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-02-10/1st-macross-series-streaming-with-english-dub-on-hulu | url-status = live }}</ref>

On April 8, 2021, Harmony Gold and Big West reached an agreement to allow Big West to release ''Macross'' globally.<ref>{{cite web|title=After Decades Of Conflict, We're Finally Getting Official Macross Releases In The West|url=https://kotaku.com/after-decades-of-conflict-were-finally-getting-officia-1846647624|access-date=9 April 2021|date=8 April 2021}}</ref>

===Manga===
Four [[manga]] adaptations of the TV series by different artists were serialized in 1982. A new manga adaptation called {{nihongo|'''''Super Dimension Fortress Macross: The First'''''|超時空要塞マクロス THE FIRST|Choujikuu Yousai Macross the First}} began releasing in Japan in 2009. It is a comic format alternate telling of the events in ''The Super Dimension Fortress Macross'' (with modern character and mecha designs) that was serialized in the ''Macross Ace'' manga magazine until its cancellation, being moved to ''[[Newtype Ace]]'' manga magazine until its cancellation, then to ''ComicWalker'' online magazine, and then to [[Cygames]] ''Psychomi'' online magazine. It was collected into six volumes. The artist for the new manga series is Haruhiko Mikimoto, who was the character designer for the original ''Macross''.<ref name="macross the first 1">{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-11-21/designer-haruhiko-mikimoto-to-draw-new-macross-manga|title=Designer Haruhiko Mikimoto to Draw New Macross Manga (Updated)|date=21 November 2008|access-date=12 November 2009|work=Anime News Network|archive-date=24 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124234842/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-11-21/designer-haruhiko-mikimoto-to-draw-new-macross-manga|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="macross the first 2">{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-06-28/new-macross-manga-launches-in-japan-macross-ace-mag|title=New Macross Manga Launches in Japan's Macross Ace Mag|date=28 June 2009|access-date=12 November 2009|work=Anime News Network|archive-date=24 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124034125/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-06-28/new-macross-manga-launches-in-japan-macross-ace-mag|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Video games===
{{Seealso|List of Macross video games}}

A game based on the TV series called ''[[The Super Dimension Fortress Macross (1985 video game)|The Super Dimension Fortress Macross]]'' was released for the Japanese [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Nintendo Family Computer]] console in 1985 by video game company [[Namco]].

Years later [[Namco Bandai Games|Bandai]] released ''[[The Super Dimension Fortress Macross (2003 video game)|The Super Dimension Fortress Macross]]'' 3D shooting game in October 2003 in Japan for the [[Sony]] [[PlayStation 2]] console. This game had levels based in both the TV series and its [[The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love?|movie adaptation]].

More recently, a new 3D [[shooting game]] called ''[[Macross Ace Frontier]]'' included several elements from the original series. It was developed by [[Artdink]] for the Sony [[PlayStation Portable|PSP]] and was released in 2008.

==Reception and legacy==
{{See|Macross|Robotech}}

In the ''Anime Encyclopedia'', authors [[Jonathan Clements]] and [[Helen McCarthy]] called the series "One of the three unassailable pillars of anime sci-fi, pioneering the tripartite winning formula of songs, battling robot-planes and tense relationships".<ref name="Anime Encyclopedia">{{cite book |title=The Anime Encyclopedia, Revised and expanded edition |last1=Clements |first1=Johnathan |last2=McCarthy |first2=Helen |year=2006 |pages=385–386 |publisher=Stone Bridge Press |isbn=1-933330-10-4}}</ref>

''Super Dimension Fortress Macross'' was the basis for two different animated franchises, ''[[Macross]]'' in Japan and ''[[Robotech]]'' in North America. In Japan, ''Super Dimension Fortress Macross'' spawned an animated film adaptation, ''[[Macross: Do You Remember Love?]]'' (1984), and a number of sequels, including ''[[Macross Plus]]'' (1994), ''[[Macross 7]]'' (1994), ''[[Macross Frontier]]'' (2007) and ''[[Macross Delta]]'' (2015). In North America, ''Super Dimension Fortress Macross'' was adapted into the first saga of the [[Robotech (TV series)|''Robotech'' television series]] (1985{{ndash}}1986), called ''The Macross Saga'', which spawned the ''[[Robotech]]'' franchise. ''Robotech'' was influential in the Western world, helping to introduce the [[anime]] medium to North America.<ref name="Forbes">{{cite news |last1=Barder |first1=Ollie |title=Shoji Kawamori, The Creator Hollywood Copies But Never Credits |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2015/12/10/shoji-kawamori-the-creator-hollywood-copies-but-never-credits/ |access-date=16 April 2020 |work=[[Forbes]] |date=December 10, 2015 |archive-date=25 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125090420/http://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2015/12/10/shoji-kawamori-the-creator-hollywood-copies-but-never-credits/#568704f01683 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1996, ''[[Hyper (magazine)|Hyper]]'' magazine reviewed ''The Macross Saga'', rating it 10 out of 10.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Anime |magazine=[[Hyper (magazine)|Hyper]] |date=July 1996 |issue=33 |page=18 |url=https://archive.org/details/hyper-033/page/18}}</ref>

''Macross'' popularized the concept of transforming [[mecha]], which can transform between a standard vehicle (such as a fighter plane or transport truck) and a fighting mecha robot. [[Shōji Kawamori]] introduced the concept with ''[[Diaclone]]'' in 1980 and then popularized it with ''Macross''. Kawamori then went on to design transforming mecha for ''[[Transformers]]'' (1986). The transforming mecha concept became popular in the mid-1980s, with ''Macross: Do You Remember Love?'' and ''[[Zeta Gundam]]'' (1985) in Japan, and with ''Robotech'' and ''Transformers'' in the West. ''Transformers'' went on to influence the [[Hollywood movie]] industry.<ref name="Forbes"/><ref name="scmp">{{cite news |last1=Knott |first1=Kylie |title=He created Macross and designed Transformers toys: Japanese anime legend Shoji Kawamori |url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/2187735/he-created-macross-and-designed-transformers-toys-japanese |access-date=16 April 2020 |work=[[South China Morning Post]] |date=27 February 2019 |archive-date=28 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228020835/https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/2187735/he-created-macross-and-designed-transformers-toys-japanese |url-status=live }}</ref>

In contrast to earlier [[mecha anime]] which focused on combatants, ''Macross'' portrayed a mecha conflict from the perspective of non-combatant civilians, such as the fictional singer [[Lynn Minmay]].<ref name="Forbes"/> She went on to become the first [[virtual idol]]. Voiced by [[Mari Iijima]], Minmay was the first fictional idol singer to garner major real-world success, with the theme song "Do You Remember Love?" (from the film ''Macross: Do You Remember Love?'') reaching number seven on the [[Oricon]] music charts in Japan.<ref name="Kotaku">{{cite web |last1=Eisenbeis |first1=Richard |title=The Fictional (Yet Amazingly Popular) Singers of Japan |url=https://kotaku.com/the-fictional-yet-amazingly-popular-singers-of-japan-5940894 |access-date=16 April 2020 |website=[[Kotaku]] |date=September 7, 2012 |language=en-us |archive-date=13 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513073505/https://kotaku.com/the-fictional-yet-amazingly-popular-singers-of-japan-5940894 |url-status=live }}</ref> This was later further explored in ''Macross Plus'' with the virtual idol [[Sharon Apple]], an [[artificial intelligence]] (AI) [[computer program]] who takes the form of an intergalactic [[pop star]],<ref name="Crunchyroll">{{cite news |last1=Rattray |first1=Tim |title=From Macross to Miku: A History of Virtual Idols |url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2018/06/25-1/from-macross-to-miku-a-history-of-virtual-idols |access-date=16 April 2020 |work=[[Crunchyroll]] |date=June 25, 2018 |language=en-us |archive-date=5 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805090325/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2018/06/25-1/from-macross-to-miku-a-history-of-virtual-idols |url-status=live }}</ref> and in ''Macross 7'' with the [[virtual band]] [[Fire Bomber]] who became a commercial success and spawned multiple CDs released in Japan.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Camp |first1=Brian |last2=Davis |first2=Julie |title=Anime Classics Zettai!: 100 Must-See Japanese Animation Masterpieces |date=2011 |publisher=[[Stone Bridge Press]] |isbn=978-1-61172-519-3 |page=163 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PLc22hQhZGwC&pg=PT163 |access-date=20 September 2024}}</ref> ''Macross'' set the template for later virtual idols in the early 21st century, such as [[Hatsune Miku]] and [[Kizuna AI]].<ref name="Kotaku"/><ref name="Crunchyroll"/>

Another innovative character concept in ''Macross'' was the role of [[Misa Hayase]], who was one of the main commanders of the Macross battleship. She was the boss and commanding officer of the fighter pilot protagonist [[Hikaru Ichijyo]], and later his love interest. This was a scenario Kawamori came up with which he had not seen in any Hollywood movies before. A similar scenario, however, later appeared in the Hollywood movie ''[[Top Gun]]'' (1986). According to Kawamori, "Many people pointed out that later films like ''Top Gun'' copied that idea and setting, as well as including the combination of many songs and fighters too."<ref name="Forbes"/>

For the video game ''[[Devil May Cry 4]]'', motion and voice actor Reuben Langdon was told to be cockier than his younger persona, albeit more mature. Despite the staff's concerns for the difficulties of such a portrayal, Langdon had no issues after choosing [[Roy Focker]] from ''The Super Dimension Fortress Macross'' as his character model and noting he had almost the same age as [[Dante (Devil May Cry)|Dante]] during the production of the game.<ref name="YouTube">{{cite web|author=Langdon, Reuben |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8ySzx_fmjk| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/N8ySzx_fmjk| archive-date=2021-12-11 | url-status=live|title=DMC4 Nero  |publisher=Youtube|date=14 January 2013 |access-date=30 May 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.macross.co.jp/ Official ''Macross'' website] {{in lang|ja}}
* {{ann|anime|355}}
* {{IMDb title|0142183}}
* [http://www.mahq.net/animation/macross/macross.htm ''Macross'' episode reviews]
* [http://macross.anime.net/wiki/Category:The_Super_Dimension_Fortress_Macross Macross Compendium]
* [http://www.macross2.net/m3/sdfmacross/sdfmacross-index.html Macross Mecha Manual]—A website profiling the fictional vehicles of the ''Macross'' series
* [http://www.macrosschronicle.com Macross Chronicle]—News and Info of the ''Macross'' series (In Spanish)

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{{Macross series|state=expand}}
{{Robotech|state=collapsed}}
{{Noboru Ishiguro}}
{{Tatsunoko Production}}
{{Artland}}

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