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A cult anime series about three wars fought by Earth with alien technology against alien enemies over control of a powerful energy source. Initially a major success, its relatively adult story content is credited with introducing Western audiences to the sophisticated dramatic potential that Japanese animation had to offer.
This in turn led to a major rise in popularity of anime that was oriented towards the original Japanese productions unedited by American
''[[Choujiku Kidan Southern Cross|Super Dimension
The series was thus divided into three sagas, each based on its respective parent show and portraying a particular generation of characters. These are:
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In addition to redubbed anime, several comics, novels, and games have attempted to tell the story, with varying levels of success, within and between the Robotech "generations". One of the most ambitious was ''The Sentinels'', which chronicled the story of the ''Macross'' heroes as they go into space towards the Robotech Masters' homeworld in an attempt to stop any further wars. Naturally, they miss them, only to find the planet besieged by the second faction of the Invid, and meet a collection of alien races fighting to free themselves from Invid domination. Although the animated series fell apart after a few episodes were created, the story continued in comic, novel, and RPG form, each offering similar but varied takes on the story. Another stillborn project was ''Robotech: The Movie'' (a.k.a. ''Robotech: The Untold Story''), which spliced footage from the show with scenes from the anime ''[[Megazone 23]]'' in order to create a story set between the "Macross" and "Robotech Masters" sagas. Unlike ''The Sentinels'', this project was completed, but its tepid reception during test airings caused Harmony Gold to shelf it, and it has never had a wide release inside the states.
One of the stranger aspects of all of this was how Harmony Gold was able to gain the US trademark for ''Macross'' simply by defending the rights to ''Robotech''. At the time, Japan and the US did not have reciprocity for copyrights, and Bandai/Big West (the owners of ''Macross'') had sublicensed the international distribution rights to [[Tatsunoko Production]], who licensed all aspects of ''Macross'' except the Japanese model kits to Harmony Gold. Bandai also licensed several mecha designs to FASA for use in ''[[
== The end result of the convoluted legal snarl
* Harmony Gold can continue to release the original ''Robotech'' stories, and can release their own DVDs of the original ''Macross'' in the US, but cannot create derivative works based on ''Macross'' (or its Big West stablemate ''Southern Cross'').
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* In addition, they effectively have veto rights for the imports and English translation of ''Macross'' merchandise and series that are not covered by the original license. Consequently, all the sequels since ''[[Macross Plus]]'' are blocked from being sold or translated in North America, and under Harmony Gold's interpretation, [[Shoji Kawamori]] cannot make or distribute his own drawings and designs within North America. (This has not made them popular.)
Consequently Harmony Gold's more recent sequels, most notably the completely original feature-length film ''[[Robotech:
The
In 2019, Harmony Gold's license agreement with Tatsunoko to use ''[[Super Dimension Fortress Macross]]'', ''[[Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross]]'', and ''[[Genesis Climber Mospeada]]'' in ''Robotech'' was extended - the existing agreement will no longer end on March 14, 2021, but instead [https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-robotechmacross-license-has-been-extended-exclusive/ will continue "well into the future"]. As a side-effect, this means that ''Robotech'' might become available on Sony's streaming platform run by their subsidiary [[Funimation]], [https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/robotech-finds-new-home-at-funimation/ according to ''Den of Geek''].
{{tropelist}}
* [[A-Team Firing]]: At least in ''The New Generation'', where [[Five-Man Band|Scott's Team]] seems completely incapable of landing a rifle hit on the [[Humongous Mecha|giant crab mechs]] the Invid like to terrorize the world in.
* [[The Ace]]: Max Sterling in the ''Macross''
* [[After the End]]: Earth is devastated no fewer than three times in the series.
* [[The Ageless]]: The Zentraedi apparently have biological immortality due to a protoculture-based genetic engineering, despite having a life expectancy lower than humans due to being a [[Proud Warrior Race]] and [[Martyrdom Culture]].
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* [[Apocalypse How]]: Each series ends with one of these. Original Series faces a Class 1, Southern Cross' war is a Class 0, and the Invid Invasion is another Class 1.
* [[Applied Phlebotinum]]: Robotechnology and Protoculture in particular.
* [[Ascended Extra]]: The nameless Chief Engineer of the ''Macross'' with the weird eyes who appeared twice became Dr. Emil Lang, [[The Professor|Earth's Chief "Robotechnician"]] since being [[Touched
* [[Attack of the 50
* [[Authority Equals Asskicking]]: Breetai can take down two Battloids with a piece of pipe.
* [[The Battlestar]]: The SDF-1.
* BFG: The Veritech's cannons, the SFD-1's reflex cannon, and the Grand Cannon.
* [[Big Guy Fatality Syndrome]]: In ''The Sentinels'', {{spoiler|Breetai}} activates a [[Self-Destruct Mechanism]] to [[Taking You
* [[Big, Thin, Short Trio]]: Bron, Konda, and Rico, respectively
* [[Bishonen]]: Max, Kyle, Konda, Bowie, Zor Prime, Rem, ''several'' Tirolian clones, Lancer ...basically, a lot.
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** In Macross, while Earth was still recovering, both the SDF-1 and the SDF-2 get destroyed in Khyron's suicide attack (which he turned into one after getting too severely damaged to escape into space), and most of the main bridge crew aside from Lisa get killed.
** Then in the Robotech Masters, Zor Prime attempted to destroy the Protoculture factory in the SDF-1, but accidentally released the spores instead, which then causes the Invid to invade Earth. Since Earth's defenses were already really exhausted from all the fighting with the Robotech Masters, they weren't able to put up much a fight against the Invid.
** Then in the New Generation, while the humans are able to persuade the Invid Regis to leave Earth relatively intact (and she even destroys the neutron bombs the Expeditionary Fleet launched in a [[Salt the Earth|Scorched Earth]] attempt), Scott decides to leave Ariel alone while he tries to find Admiral Hunter (although [[Robotech:
* [[Blithe Spirit]]: Dana.
* [[Bridge Bunnies]]: [[Trope Namer|The originals]].
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* [[Downer Ending]]: Even worse in the books.
** Depends on which books, and which ending. The novelization of the Invid Invasion, for ex, ends more or less on an upbeat note, with a hint of more adventures to come as Scott Bernard heads back into space to find some missing personnel and clean up the loose ends. A later novel called ''The End Of The Circle'' picks up at the same point, but with a ''completely'' different tone, and it's ending is just plain stone cold stupid.
* [[Dressing
* [[During the War]]: Every season references the previous war.
* [[Dub Name Change]]: An example:
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** Miriya Parino Sterling (Millia Fallyna Jeinus)
** Dana Sterling (Komillia Jeinus and Jeanne Francaix)
* [[Dude, Where's My Respect?]]: Really, don't the [[Fan Hater
** No, most of them don't. Quite a few of them are a bit too young to remember when anime (then called Japanimation) was practically unheard of in the USA.
** Even bigger problem is that Harmony Gold chose not to credit any of the character designers, writers, mecha designers, directors or animators. Some ignorant ''
* [[The Dragon]]: Breetai, who matches one in size, too!
* [[The End of the World
* [[Expanded Universe]]: The novelization of the series and the comic books.
** Which conflict with each other extensively and the original material somewhat. At their worst the expanded universe materials are ghastly, at their best they can be quite good. This is especially true of the novels.
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* [[Foreshadowing]]
* [[Frothy Mugs of Water]]: Rico, Bron, Konda, and the "punch" at the SDF-1 landing celebration. Surprisingly this, trope is often averted in the series.
* [[Fun
* [[General Ripper]]: Supreme Commander Leonard, especially as [[Flanderized]] in the [[Expanded Universe]].
* [[Genius Ditz]]: Dana.
* [[Giant Enemy Crab]]: Invid [[Mecha
* [[Girl in
* [[Green-Skinned Space Babe]]: Green-''haired'', at least; one in each series.
* [[Half-Human Hybrid]]: Dana and Ariel.
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** Tony Oliver = Rick Hunter = the arrancar Ulquiorra Schiffer in Bleach.
** Jimmy Flinders (Cam Clarke) = Max Sterling / Yellow Dancer = Liquid Snake / 2002 He-man
* [[Hit and Run Tactics]]: Partially [[Averted]] in Palladium Books'
* [[Hive Mind]]: The Invid. The human-form ones can evidently unlink at least partially and don't 'need' it, but the ones with their memory still mostly maintain their presence on it.
* [[Hover Tank]]
* [[Humanity Is Infectious]]: For all the mecha and weapons Earth has, this trope is at heart the ''only'' thing that saves humanity.
* [[Humans Are the Real Monsters|Humans Are Bastards]]: On occasion, especially during the ''Southern Cross'' arc.
* [[Humongous Mecha]]
* [[Idol Singer]]: Minmei, Bowie, Musica, and Yellow Dancer.
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** As a meta-example, Robotech's ratings took a dip after the episode 'Force of Arms' because viewers had assumed the show was over, now that the Zentraedi were destroyed, and Rick had picked Lisa over Minmay. When they came back, they were shocked to find that the show was still going on, and that it was dealing with the aftermath. Some fans who had watched Robotech never came back, and didn't learn about Southern Cross or the Invid saga until years after it's first run.
* [[Kawaiiko]]: Minmei.
* [[Killed Off for Real]]: {{spoiler|Roy, Ben and then most of the population of Earth.}} Quite a series of shockers for the typical 1980s North American audience accustomed to [[Never Say "Die"]]. Also a number of characters, most notably {{spoiler|Scott's fiancée and Col. Wolfe}} in "New Generation".
** The destruction from Dolza's attack in the first part continues to hang over the whole story, too. There's no magic recovery, Earth is a ''wreck'' afterward.
** It is not immediately clear in the early episodes whether the main protagonist is Rick Hunter or Roy Fokker. It's only with {{spoiler|the death of Roy}} that {{spoiler|Rick comes fully into the spotlight...and Roy was a major character, with well-developed personality and connections. His presence is still felt many episodes later.}}
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* [[Leitmotif]]
* [[Loads and Loads of Characters]]
* [[Lost in Translation]]: A strange case came about as part of the translation of ''[[Genesis Climber Mospeada]]'' to "New Generation". While in most cases the script rewrite is accurate enough (barring necessary rewrites for "protoculture" and bowdlerization) to assume the Robotech writers had translations of the Japanese scripts to work from, sometimes just having a script isn't enough. The writers were confused because there are [[Only Six Faces]] in anime and assumed that the superimposition of {{spoiler|the deceased Marlene}}'s face over {{spoiler|the Invid simulagent Aisha/Ariel}}'s in the episode where {{spoiler|Aisha/Ariel}} was introduced meant the two characters were supposed to be identical save for their hair color (and so they ended up getting the same name and even the same voice actress, as well as some nonsense about cloning and genetic memories carrying over in the tie-in novels
:In actuality, they ''weren't'' supposed to be identical--it was just post-traumatic stress flashbacks on Scott/Stick's part coupled with the general similarity of faces in anime. When Harmony Gold was working on the ''Shadow Chronicles'' sequel, which was mostly a direct continuation of "New Generation", ''Mospeada'' writer [[Shinji Aramaki]] made the mistake clear (and pointed out that the whole idea was actually rather creepy). As a result, in ''Shadow Chronicles'' {{spoiler|Ariel}} got a new voice actress, and suddenly insisted Scott stop calling her by {{spoiler|his dead girlfriend}}'s name (among other retcons).
* [[Love Triangle]]: Between Lisa, Rick, and Minmei.
* [[Macross Missile Massacre]]: [[Trope Namer]].
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* [[Mobile Factory]]: A number of examples.
* [[Mooks]]
* [[The Movie]]: ''Robotech: The Movie'' was adopted from ''[[Megazone 23]]'', but after endless [[Executive Meddling|conflicts with Cannon Films]], as well as poor feedback from the test audience, Macek shelved the film, and has since [[Canon
* [[Narrator]]
* [[Never Say "Die"]]: Despite all of the changes made, this was averted wholesale (See Killed off for Real above).
* [[Nice Job Breaking It, Hero]]: The SDF-1's barrier system overloads while over Toronto caused a chain reaction which destroys the city, killed a chunk of Khyron's forces, and Ben Dixon.
* [[Notable Original Music]]: There was a soundtrack CD released, the first of its kind in the US. The French version of Robotech has a [
* [[Novelization]]: The Jack McKinney novels.
* [[Nuke'Em]]
* [[Oh Crap]]: In an anime of this caliber, there are plenty.
** Max Sterling, upon finding out that his dream woman, Miriya Parino is in fact a Zentradi Pilot and is trying to kill him.
{{quote|
'''Max:''' There goes our first date. }}
** Rick Hunter, as he finds himself caught in friendly fire, thanks to Lisa. Oops.
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* [[Ragtag Bunch of Misfits]]: Scott Bernard's rebellion against the Invid; The Sentinels.
* [[Roboteching]]: The [[Trope Namer]].
* [[Spanner in
* [[Scary Dogmatic Aliens]]: The Invid could be taken as a stereotype of {{spoiler|Communist China}}, and the Zentraedi as...{{spoiler|Americans}}.
* [[Screw the Rules, I'm Doing What's Right]]: Captain Global defies the orders from his superiors to take off from the Earth in order to bait the Zenreadi forces away from Earth.
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** [[Hand Wave|It could be said]] that eventually they would figure out where damage would be and make it easily repairable. This is [[Lampshade Hanging|lampshaded]] in the novels, where the civil engineers were marvelous, able to both synthesize new building materials at an incredible pace, and devised a way of setting up the city in such a way it sustained minimal damage during transformation.
* [[Sorting Algorithm of Evil]]: A classic example with the Zentraedi, controlled by the Robotech Masters, who were afraid of the Invid, who were TERRIFIED of the Children of Shadows.
** Not exactly: the Robotech Masters kept the coolest toys for themselves, but the Zentradi were more powerful than them or all the other enemies combined in the series due sheer numbers (see [[We Have Reserves]]); initially the Robotech Masters were scared of the [[The Unseen|Disciples of Zor]], and don't consider the Invid as more than a nuisance until after various battles against the Southern Cross and the relative losses. Played straight with the Children of Shadows in [[Robotech:
* [[Space Is Cold]]
* [[The Starscream]]: Khyron, who gets bonus points for {{spoiler|[[Dragon Their Feet]] during the [[Colony Drop]]}}.
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* [[They Look Like Us Now]]: Zentraedi becoming human sized. The Masters, particularly Zor Prime being sent in as a [[Heel Face Mole]]. The Invid Simulagents.
* [[This Is Not a Drill]]
* [[Town
* [[Villain World]]
* [[Wagon Train to
* [[Wave Motion Gun]]: The Macross reflex canon. It doubles as a fancy light show for special occasions.
* [[We Could Have Avoided All This]]
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{{reflist}}
{{Wizard top 50 anime}}
[[Category:The Renaissance Age of Animation]]
▲[[Category:The Eighties]]
[[Category:Science Fiction Western Animation]]
[[Category:Anime]]
[[Category:Toonami]]
[[Category:Edie Mirman]]
[[Category:
[[Category:Anime of the 1980s]]
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