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Jumping into Robotech
The LandoStander
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Netflix recently put Robotech: Shadow Chronicles the Movie on instant watch and I found it at least somewhat enjoyable. I'm aware of Robotech but I've never sought it out nor have I followed any of the series. I know that there are different time periods dealt with and other such things so I'm hoping that some of you folks out there can guide me a bit as I try to wade into this franchise.
It would of course be easiest if there was a series that followed or preceded the movie I watched with most of the same characters etc. though I'm not aware of one. Failing that what series or section of the series should I watch next?
It would of course be easiest if there was a series that followed or preceded the movie I watched with most of the same characters etc. though I'm not aware of one. Failing that what series or section of the series should I watch next?
Maybe someday, they'll see a hero's just a man. Who knows he's free.
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Shadow Chronicles had a number of new characters, and some from the later series that comprised Robotech. Weirdly, it didn't prioritize Macross as much as it should have done, but you need to start with Macross regardless. It's by far the best part of the three series that became known as Robotech, and the only essential one. There are a number of direct Macross spinoffs from Japan, but again, the original Macross is the essential one.
Third up was Robotech: The New Generation. It featured motorcycles that turned into battle armor.
It doesn't look like NetFlix has the second or third series, unless it's under the main Robotech entry.
Personally, I enjoyed reading the novelizations they put out. They seemed to fit together better then the actual television series, and the whole Sentinel series was completed, as opposed to the single pilot episode they managed to put together.
The main Robotech entry appears to actually include:
Vol. 1 - Vol. 6: Robotech
Vol. 7 - Vol.10: Southern Cross (called "Masters" on there? It's been about two decades, so I'm fuzzy)
Vol.11 - Vol.14: New Generation
You can go back and get the DVDs that Chanus lists if you are interested in the Invid and Scott Benard(vol 11 - 14), or Rick Hunter, Skull Squadron, and Zentraedi (vol 1 to 6). The Robotech stuffed based on Macross (1 to 7) is my favorite.
You will want to check out Macross. You can watch Macross Plus on Watch Instantly. There's alot more Marcoss stuff out there too if you get interested.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Super_Dimension_Cavalry_Southern_Cross
Macross Saga!
Robotech Masters!
Start with Robotech Macross, then watch Masters. (Nobody will judge you if you only watch Macross)
Bottom line is that the original series of Robotech; The Macross Saga is worth watching. The second series (The Robotech Masters) and third series (New Generation) are complete garbage and you should not waste your time. I also encourage you to watch the Japanese version of Macross and not the Carl Macek version - there are HUGE plot holes.
Also you should be aware that there is a hollywood production for a Live Action film chronicalling the Macross Saga for which I have high hopes. It's all there in the wiki.
Macross Zero is also great, but I'm not if it's been released in the US or not. The OVA serves as a prequel for the original series.
You don't have to watch the series to enjoy or follow either of the mentioned OVA's.
I liked the New Generation stuff back in the day, although I found Masters horrifically unwatchable. I wasn't so found of Macross, personally, as the kissy/music stuff was my least favorite part of Robotech, and it was even more prominent in Macross. I kind of liked protoculture as a magic energy source better than the alternative.
What I saw of the other Macross cartoons didn't do anything for me, either. I think I saw one that was all guitars and rockstars everywhere, and another that was about the rivalry of two test pilots who were both giant douchebags and I ended up rooting for Earth to lose.
You mean the one with valkyries controlled by guitars and the big bad is vulnerable to the power of rock?
As for the latest entry in the series, I enjoyed Macross Frontier. If you've seen the other Macross series you'll also find a lot of references to them, including an entire episode this is one huge shoutout to Zero, Ozma (Skull squadron captain) names attack formations/patterns after Fire Bomber songs, pineapple salad "haunts" one of the cast members, someone who looks practically identical to Breetai present. The music is also
EDIT: Ignore the subtitle clusterfuck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnOws0VLg6k
Okay, being a huge Robotech and Macross nerd I'm going to have to respond. That's Macross 7. I saw every episode over the span of 4 days back in 1999, including whatever was available of Macross 7: Dynamite (the sequel).
It sucks. Except for Veffidas the drummer.
The second series you reference is Macross Plus. That, on the other hand, is beyond phenomenal. I think it's just as good as the original series.
BTW, OP, I would watch Macross versus Robotech, personally, mostly because Minmay's songs are far more tolerable in Japanese. They aren't really any better, but at least in Japanese you can sort of tune out the asinine lyrics (here's a sample: "to be in love must be the sweetest feeling that a girl can feel." Yeah, exactly)
Fun side note, there used to be a comment on the "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" Wiki page referencing a Minmay song...that was me vandalizing the page. I think it was eventually removed after a year.
I really really love this movie, though it's not so much of a Robotech movie as it just uses the universe as a backdrop for a good story. It covers almost nothing of the overall wars. It's terrific, don't get me wrong, it just could have been set in almost any world and it wouldn't have deeply impacted the movie.
They are just as bad, if not worse, in their original forms.
At least the DVD sets were cheap.
Your best bet is just to watch the various Macross series.