Differences between Robotech and Macross: Am I missing out?

TwistedJester

So here's a bit of a preface: Robotech came out around the time I was born, and I don't remember much of it. However I avidly watched the Macross portion of it when it was aired on Cartoon Network some years back, and I still have very fond memories of it. I even read the novelizations. However, a few years back I learned how Robotech was pieced together from three unrelated series and such. I didn't really think much of it, but almost every person I've met swears up and down that it (SDF Macross) was ruined when it became Robotech. I've been meaning to get Robotech on DVD, but I've been thinking maybe I should get the Macross english dub that was released a while back, what with everyone saying it's so much better.

So, my question to you, H/A: Is Robotech really that bad compared to the original? Has Harmony Gold really changed it that much? Enough to warrant spending almost $140 for Macross as opposed to $60ish for Robotech?

Zombot

It's a matter of choice I believe.
It's kinda like the whole Dub vs. Sub debate.

I love Robotech and I really don't care that it was pieced together from three separate animes
Because it's still a good show.

If you have the money and you want to get the original story, get Macross.
If you don't want to spend that much get Robotech and just look up all the differences on wikipedia or something.

The Robotech books are also fantastic.

ViolentChemistry

Macross is more coherent, and you don't end up watching whatever other two series Robotech was made from, which were never remotely as good. Also if you end up watching the other various Macross components, Robotech won't line up quite right and some things may not make as much sense as they ought. But if you don't care, you don't care.

Steel Angel

TwistedJester wrote: »

So, my question to you, H/A: Is Robotech really that bad compared to the original? Has Harmony Gold really changed it that much? Enough to warrant spending almost $140 for Macross as opposed to $60ish for Robotech?

In Macross, Protoculture refers to an ancient precursor civilization with advanced technology that traveled through the galaxy and had a hand in spurring the evolution of mankind and whose artifacts and legacies are high valued.

In Robotech, Protoculture was translated as a fuel source.

Yeah, there are some slight differences here.

As for if it's worth the price difference, VC's already mentioned that it makes other Macross stuff make more sense which is a strong consideration since other Macross stuff is often better made (the original series went through some ups and downs since its future was really uncertain at some points). And if any of your friends are anime fans, then being able to show them one of first non-super robot mecha and a classic series may be worth something.

Plus, you know, you're not watching a galactic search for gas.

Raere

Robotech was more interesting in my opinion, but that's probably because it was highly adapted for American audiences. But, like Steel Angel said, a lot was heavily butchered. If you don't mind turning a blind eye to the fact that it's very different from the three individual series, and the Japanese creators are/will be rolling in their graves, it should be enjoyable for me.

ViolentChemistry

Macross 7 is most definitely better than Robotech.

The Crowing One

Eeek, this is a tough one.

I own the first two disks of the "Robotech Remastered" release and I was rather disappointed. If you're DYING to see Macross in its pristine form, it's worthwhile. If you're looking for something that won't cost you an arm and a leg in DVDs, Robotech will give the sort-of-but-not-quite experience.

Anyone else ever play the Robotech RPG from Palladium?

grungebox

I'm a Macross/Robotech-head, of sorts, but it's been at least 4 years since I've seen Macross/Robotech story aside from Robotech: Shadow Chronicles. I even bought the original Animeigo Box set ($240!). Steel Angel is sort of right, I would say, but the difference in story doesn't play out as prominently as it sounds. The fundamental nature of protoculture is different, but the resulting actions are the same. That is, episode-by-episode they aren't terribly different. I do recommend Macross based on two things:
1) Minmay's songs in Robotech are horrible. Simply horrible. They're basically bad Celine Dion-ish songs, who already sucks, sung by a terrible singer. The voice actor for Minmay is grating, too. The Macross songs aren't great or anything, but they're somewhat less terrible.
2) The music in Macross is, from what I remember, much more varied. That goes for the songs that Minmay sings, too. In Robotech I think she has 4-5 songs, maybe, and 80% of the time she sings "My Boyfriend is a Pilot." I remember there being quite a few more in Macross.

And I think ViolentChemistry is super crazy monkey wrong about Mac 7 being better than Robotech, but on the internet everyone has an infinite supply of 2-cents they're always giving, including me

I will say that if you want, watch Macross: Do You Remember Love. It's basically a movie version of the Macross series that, frankly, is quite a bit better in terms of storyline.

ViolentChemistry

You're simply wrong, that's all. "Rock-music and giant-robots save the universe" is empirically a more awesome premise than "the search for more oil goes intergalactic".

subedii

Zombot wrote: »

I love Robotech and I really don't care that it was pieced together from three separate animes
Because it's still a good show.

Oh, and OT but I would have liked Macross Zero so much more if it didn't go crazy weird at the end. Probably the most awesome dogfight scenes in any anime I've ever seen.

Plus <3 that first VF1 transformation scene. You can tell they took their time with that one.

blincoln

I loved Robotech as a kid, but after watching the original DVDs I'm glad I didn't spring for one of the more expensive versions. It was fun to see again, but not ~$150+ fun.

Septus

Man, I could not make myself watch very much of a guy operating a veritech fighter while also jamming on his axe. But then, I was never much of a fan of macross, except for plus, which is brilliant.

ViolentChemistry

Septus wrote: »

Man, I could not make myself watch very much of a guy operating a veritech fighter while also jamming on his axe. But then, I was never much of a fan of macross, except for plus, which is brilliant.

But dude, the music is the only thing that can stop the aliens!

:lol: So fucking awesome.

Steel Angel

grungebox wrote: »

I will say that if you want, watch Macross: Do You Remember Love. It's basically a movie version of the Macross series that, frankly, is quite a bit better in terms of storyline.

It did a great job of cutting out a lot of the incoherent parts of the series, but it only covers about 2/3's of the series. It also insanely hard to find a legitimate copy of. There is no U.S. DVD release and I believe there's no European release either (though it is on VHS). All the legal entanglements created by Harmony Gold have severely screwed with the ability to bring other Macross stuff out of Japan.

Septus

ViolentChemistry wrote: »

Septus wrote: »

Man, I could not make myself watch very much of a guy operating a veritech fighter while also jamming on his axe. But then, I was never much of a fan of macross, except for plus, which is brilliant.

But dude, the music is the only thing that can stop the aliens!

:lol: So fucking awesome.

Well, to be fair, I've never really liked much, if any, comedy in my anime(although Macross was actually light on the comedy).

Which means I end up avoiding the vast majority of anime.

Oh I forgot the Macross series with the Marduk and that alien singer-chick. Macross II? That one was pretty decent.

TwistedJester

Ok, thanks guys. I was aware of some of the differences such as Protoculture being something totally different, but I just wasn't sure if much else was different. This makes it a bit clearer and I've decided to go with getting the Macross DVDs.

Also, I really didn't care at all about everything after the Macross saga of Robotech. The mecha designs didn't grab me (I was a big fan of the F-14 design since I was a kid) and I didn't care much for the characters. Just a small aside.

Eu Plon Ka

I used to watch Macross on early morning cartoons on Cartoon Network.... Moltar hosted that as well... I am still a Dietech fan before I can ever been a Macross fan.

LondonBridge

ViolentChemistry wrote: »

Macross 7 is most definitely better than Robotech.

Ha ha, you're kidding right? Macross 7 is like Jem with robots. Anyways, I watched Robotech first so I am biased however both stories can be appreciated. One big distinct difference is also the music. I found Robotech's to be better, it's themes are up there with Star Wars.

I say you can watch both and enjoy it.

Septus

But...Jem is excitement.

ViolentChemistry

LondonBridge wrote: »

ViolentChemistry wrote: »

Macross 7 is most definitely better than Robotech.

Ha ha, you're kidding right? Macross 7 is like Jem with robots. Anyways, I watched Robotech first so I am biased however both stories can be appreciated. One big distinct difference is also the music. I found Robotech's to be better, it's themes are up there with Star Wars.

I say you can watch both and enjoy it.

Jem didn't have Max and Miria getting into dogfights. Or passable music even by pop-music standards. Fire Bomber is no worse than the White Stripes.

V2-Gundam

I say Macross is better than Robotech but thats just me.

Also to truly enjoy Macross 7 you have to watch it to the end. The last third of the show is a whole level better.

I still like Holy Lonely Light and Try Again.