View source for Macross

{{Short description|Mecha anime franchise}}
{{Distinguish|Motocross}}
{{About|an anime franchise|the first ''Macross'' TV series|Super Dimension Fortress Macross}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox media franchise
| title = ''Macross''
| image = Macross Original Logo.jpg
| image_size = 230px
| caption = The original ''[[Super Dimension Fortress Macross]]'' series logo
| creator = [[Studio Nue]]<br>[[Artland (company)|Artland]]<br>[[Shōji Kawamori]]<br>Ken'ichi Matsuzaki
| origin = ''[[Super Dimension Fortress Macross]]''
| owner = [[Studio Nue]]<br>{{ill|Big West (advertising agency)|lt=Big West|ja|ビックウエスト}}
| atv = {{Plainlist|
* ''[[Super Dimension Fortress Macross]]''
* ''[[Macross 7]]''
* ''[[Macross Frontier]]''
* ''[[Macross Delta]]''
}}
| films = {{Plainlist|
* ''[[Macross: Do You Remember Love?]]''
* ''Macross Plus: Movie Edition''
* ''Macross 7: The Galaxy is Calling Me!''
* ''[[Macross Fb7 Listen to My Song!]]''
* ''Macross Frontier: The False Songstress''
* ''Macross Frontier: The Wings of Farewell''
* ''Macross Delta: Passionate Walküre''
* ''Macross Frontier: Labyrinth of Time''
* ''Macross Delta: Zettai Live!!!!!!''
}}
| vgs = {{Plainlist|
* [[List of Macross video games]]
* [[The Super Dimension Fortress Macross (1985 video game)|''Macross'' (Famicom)]]
* ''[[Super Spacefortress Macross (video game)|Super Spacefortress Macross]]''
* ''[[Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Scrambled Valkyrie|Scrambled Valkyrie]]''
* ''[[Macross: Do You Remember Love? (video game)|Do You Remember Love?]]''
* [[The Super Dimension Fortress Macross (2003 video game)|''Macross'' (PlayStation 2)]]
* ''[[Macross Ace Frontier]]''
* ''[[Macross 30: Voices across the Galaxy]]''
}}
| books = ''[[Macross The Ride]]''
| direct-to-video = {{Plainlist|
* ''[[The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012|Flash Back 2012]]''
* ''[[Super Dimensional Fortress Macross II: Lovers Again|Macross II: Lovers Again]]''
* ''[[Macross Plus]]''
* ''Macross 7: Encore''
* ''Macross Dynamite 7''
* ''[[Macross Zero]]''
}}
}}

{{nihongo|'''''Macross'''''|マクロス|Makurosu|, English/[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHy4YFFSmLI Mac-Ross]}} is a Japanese [[science fiction]] [[mecha]] [[anime]] [[media franchise]]/[[media mix]], created by [[Studio Nue]] (most prominently mecha designer, writer and producer [[Shōji Kawamori]]) and [[Artland (company)|Artland]] in 1982. The franchise features a fictional history of Earth and the human race after the year 1999, as well as the history of humanoid civilization in the [[Milky Way]]. It consists of four TV series, nine movies, six [[Original video animation|OVAs]], and multiple [[light novel]] and [[manga]] series, all sponsored by {{ill|Big West (advertising agency)|lt=Big West|ja|ビックウエスト}}, in addition to 40 [[List of Macross video games|video games set in the ''Macross'' universe]], two [[Crossovers in video games|crossover games]], and a wide variety of physical merchandise.

Within the series, the term ''Macross'' is used to denote the main [[capital ship]]. This theme began in the original ''Macross'', ''[[Super Dimension Fortress Macross]]''.

"Overtechnology" refers to the scientific advances discovered in an alien starship ASS-1 (''Alien Star Ship - One'' later renamed ''Super Dimension Fortress - One Macross'') that crashed on ''South Ataria'' island. Humans were able to reverse engineer the technology to create the [[mecha]] ([[variable fighter]]s and destroids), [[faster-than-light]] [[space fold]] drive for starships and other advanced technologies that the series features.

==Title==
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Macross Box Set.jpg|thumb|252px|The cover to the ''Macross'' Memorial DVD Box Set which shows several characters from the first animated series of the franchise, ''[[The Super Dimension Fortress Macross]]'']] -->
The series title comes from the name of the main human spacecraft (which is usually shortened from ''Super Dimension Fortress Macross'' to "SDF-1" or ''The Macross'' as it is the first). The original name for the ''Macross'' project was ''Battle City Megarōdo'' (or ''Battle City Megaroad'', as the Japanese transliteration to either "L" or "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); however, one of the sponsors of the project, Big West Advertising, was a fan of Shakespeare and wanted the series and the spacecraft to be named {{nihongo|''[[Macbeth]]''|マクベス|Makubesu}}. A compromise was made with the title {{nihongo|''Macross''|マクロス|Makurosu}} due to its similar pronunciation to ''Macbeth'' in Japanese and because it still contained connotations to the original title. The word ''Macross'' comes from a wordplay combination of the prefix "macro" in reference to its massive size in comparison to human vehicles (though when compared with the alien ships in the series, it is a relatively small gun destroyer) and the distance they must cross.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://macross.anime.net/faq/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908011825/http://macross.anime.net/faq/index.html |archive-date=September 8, 2008  |title=Macross Compendium FAQs |author=<Egan Loo> |date= January 15, 2003|website=Internet Archive Wayback Machine |publisher=Big West |access-date=June 28, 2022 |quote=}}</ref>

==Themes==
The following are themes commonly seen and established among the various series in the ''Macross'' franchise.

===U.N. Spacy===
[[File:U.N. Spacy Roundel.svg|thumb|right|200px|U.N. Spacy [[Roundel]]]]
The {{nihongo|U.N. Spacy|統合宇宙軍|Tōgō Uchūgun}} is a fictional space military arm of the {{nihongo|[[Earth]] Unified Government|地球統合政府|Chikyū Tōgō Seifu}}. It was established by the successor to the modern [[United Nations]] in order to defend Earth from a possible attack by hostile [[Extraterrestrial life|aliens]], and was involved in Space War I against an extraterrestrial race called the [[Zentradi]]. Later operations of the U.N. Spacy expanded into interstellar [[Space colonization|colonization]] and general [[peacekeeping]] of off-world Earth settlements.

The term "Spacy" is a portmanteau of the terms ''Space'' and ''Army'' or ''Navy''. Some Japanese sources also use the term ''Space Army'' and some English-language sources use the term ''Space Navy'', suggesting that the term is a contraction.

===Variable fighters===
The [https://macross.anime.net/wiki/Variable%20fighter valkyrie] fighter is one of a series of transformable aerospace [[fighter aircraft|fighters]], primarily designed by franchise creator [[Shōji Kawamori]] and [[Kazutaka Miyatake]]. They are generally able to transform into jet/space fighters, Battroid (a humanoid robot) and a hybrid of the two modes, called Gerwalk (Ground Effective Reinforcement of Winged Armament with Locomotive Knee-joint). The VF-1 was specifically named "Valkyrie", but all of the jet fighter craft have generically been referred to as such in the series since then.

===Music===
Music is integral part to almost every ''Macross'' title by having significances in a series' antagonists behavior towards it. Music idols also play a central role to various ''Macross'' stories. Often, the protagonist will be involved in a love triangle with a series' music idol; most notably, [[Lynn Minmay]].

===Space fold===
Space folding permits nearly-instantaneous ultra-long distance travel: a space-fold transports a spacecraft in a very short amount of time by first swapping the location of the spacecraft with ''super dimension'' space or subspace, and then swapping the ''Super Dimension'' space with the space at the destination. 
 
According to U.N. Spacy First Lieutenant Hayase Misa during Space War I (2009–2012) an hour passes in super dimension space as approximately ten days passes in normal space. One of the latest ''Macross'' TV series, ''[[Macross Frontier]]'', further expands on that concept by introducing fold faults or dislocations, which further retard fold travel and interfere with fold communications. Also explained in ''Macross Frontier'' are the limitations of space folding, such as the geometric increase in energy requirement with the mass of the object to be folded, which prevents very large objects from being folded with ease across vast distances.

The act of entering ''Super Dimension'' space is called "fold in". When arriving at the destination, the act of leaving ''Super Dimension'' space is called a "defold" or a "fold out".

===Ancient astronauts===
The metaplot of the franchise is centered on a purportedly extinct humanoid alien race called the {{nihongo|Protoculture|[[w:ja:プロトカルチャー (マクロスシリーズ)|プロトカルチャー]]|Purotokaruchā}}. It was first conceptualized during the pre-production of ''The Super Dimension Fortress Macross'' when the creators were researching cultural studies to develop concepts used in the plot.

According to official sources, the Protoculture was the [[cradle of civilization|first advanced humanoid race]] in the universe—advanced Protoculture civilization started 500,000 years ago—and is the creator of the [[Zentradi]] and [[homo sapiens]]. Phases of colonization resulted in the establishment of an "Interstellar Republic", (similar to a [[galactic empire]]) which covers much of the [[Milky Way]] galaxy 2800 years after Protoculture civilization started (498,000 years ago).

A civil war happened sixty years later, resulting in a split in the Republic. One of the factions' created "super-Zentradi" forces, which was later possessed by interdimensional beings—these forces are later called the "Protodeviln", which feeds on [[life energy]] of both Protoculture and Zentradi; some of both the Protoculture and Zentradi was later brainwashed into the "Supervision Army".

The Supervision Army continued to battle both the Protoculture and Zentradi, which resulted in the dwindling of Protoculture population; they revoked the prime directive that banned Zentradi to attack the Supervision Army. This, however, made the war even more intense, and the Protoculture population sharply decreased; to avoid extinction, they seeded uninhabited planets by means of [[pantropy]] and avoided any conflict as much as possible. This action included the genetic engineering of [[human|homo sapiens]] on Earth by combining Protoculture genes with native genes; a "sub-Protoculture" race meant for preparing the Earth for a future Protoculture colonization. The genetic engineering crew, however, was immediately destroyed by anti-Interstellar Republic military ships.

The final blow of the war happened because of the Protoculture lost control of the Zentradi; 475,000 years ago, the Protoculture was believed extinct. However it was discovered that 10,000 years ago, the Protoculture remnants made contact with humans in "Mayan Island", genetically re-engineering the native inhabitants to utilize the artifacts left by them. This included the "Bird Human" bio-mecha, tasked to destroy humanity if they are still in war.

===Other elements===
The franchise also explores minor themes including [[culture shock]], [[capitalism]], [[coming of age]] and [[nostalgia]].

The new era following the end of Space War I is part of the ongoing fictional time-line of the ''Macross'' franchise. The most recent series, ''[[Macross Delta]]'', is set 59 years after the start of the war with the Zentradi. Its main plot is about the spread of a rage virus on a star system and the combined efforts of singing idols and valkyrie fighters to stop it spreading.

Along with ''[[Gundam]],'' a [[real robot]] [[mecha]] series of which [[Shoji Kawamori]] is a fan, ''Macross'' explored how individuals cope with warfare. Whereas ''Gundam'' is far more political and direct on the horrors of war, each ''Macross'' television series is unique for never depicting the antagonists as inherently evil and proved in the end that love, culture, and music can be used to resolve their conflicts.

==Series chronology==
{{See also|List of Macross episodes}}
Several sequel series and one prequel have followed. Most use a chronology created by the Studio Nue creators, and those that followed their own chronologies were regarded as "parallel storylines" by the studio. Several different studios were involved with Studio Nue in the ''Macross'' franchise along the years, but since 2002's ''[[Macross Zero]]'', production has been handled exclusively between Nue and [[Satelight]], from which Shōji Kawamori is one of the main key members. The main of ''Macross'' production consists of (in chronological release order):
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Release dates
!Episodes
!Work
!Title (original)
!Chronology
|-
|1982/10 to<br>1983/06||36||TV series||''[[Super Dimension Fortress Macross]]''<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.macross.co.jp/ |title=The Super Dimension Fortress Macross (TV Series). ''Macross Official Website''. Series Section. 04-09-09 |access-date=November 28, 2007 |archive-date=January 21, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070121104445/http://www.macross.co.jp/ |url-status=live }}</ref><br>Original work adapted by Harmony Gold to become ''[[List of Robotech episodes#The Macross Saga|Robotech: The Macross Saga]]'' in 1985.<ref>[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/20080720043927/http://www25.advfilms.com/titles/macross/ |date=July 20, 2008 }}</ref>||2009–2012
|-
|1984/07||{{n/a}}||Movie||''[[Macross: Do You Remember Love?]]''<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.macross.co.jp/ |title=Macross: Do You Remember Love? (Movie). ''Macross Official Website''. Series Section. 04-07-09 |access-date=November 28, 2007 |archive-date=January 21, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070121104445/http://www.macross.co.jp/ |url-status=live }}</ref><br>Alternate telling of the events in ''Super Dimension Fortress Macross'', specifically episodes 2 through 27.||2009–2012 / <br> 2031 ([[story within a story]] in ''Macross&nbsp;7'') 
|-
|1987/06||1||OVA||''[[The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012]]''<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.macross.co.jp/ |title=The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012 (OVA). ''Macross Official Website''. Series Section. 04-07-09 |access-date=November 28, 2007 |archive-date=January 21, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070121104445/http://www.macross.co.jp/ |url-status=live }}</ref><br>Epilogue of the 1984 movie, segments were added in the movie's definitive "Perfect Edition".||2012
|-
|1992/05 to<br>1992/11||6||OVA series||''[[Super Dimensional Fortress Macross II: Lovers Again]]''<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.macross.co.jp/ |title=Macross II (OVA). ''Macross Official Website''. Series Section. 04-09-09 |access-date=November 28, 2007 |archive-date=January 21, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070121104445/http://www.macross.co.jp/ |url-status=live }}</ref><br><small>"Macross 10th Anniversary"</small><br>Sequel to the 1982 TV series, created without Studio Nue.||2092<ref>''The Super Dimension Fortress Macross II Original Soundtrack Vol. 2'' CD booklet, 1992, p. 3, Victor, VICL-365</ref><br>"parallel" world alternate continuity
|-
|1994/08 to<br>1995/06||4||OVA series||''[[Macross Plus]]''<ref name="macross.co.jp">{{Cite web |url=http://www.macross.co.jp/ |title=Macross Plus (OVA). ''Macross Official Website''. Series Section. 04-09-09 |access-date=November 28, 2007 |archive-date=January 21, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070121104445/http://www.macross.co.jp/ |url-status=live }}</ref><br>Sequel to the 1982 TV series, created by Studio Nue. A side-story.||2040
|-
|1995/03 to<br>1995/07||4||OVA series||''[[Macross Plus|Macross Plus: International Version]]''<ref name="macross.co.jp"/><br>Alternative version of the OVA with English cast and songs.||2040
|-
|1994/10 to<br>1995/09||49||TV series||''[[Macross 7]]''<ref name="Reference">{{Cite web |url=http://www.macross.co.jp/ |title=Macross 7 (TV). ''Macross Official Website''. Series Section. 04-09-09 |access-date=November 28, 2007 |archive-date=January 21, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070121104445/http://www.macross.co.jp/ |url-status=live }}</ref><br>Sequel to ''Macross Plus''. First of the sequels to touch upon the metaplot. Features a new cast of characters, and only three returning characters from the original 1982 TV series.||2045-46
|-
|1994/10 to<br>2001/05||8 volumes||Manga series||''[[Macross 7: Trash]]''<br>Comic side-story first serialized in ''Shōnen Ace'' magazine then released as volumes.||2046 
|-
|1995/09||{{n/a}}||Movie||''[[Macross Plus|Macross Plus: Movie Edition]]''<ref name="macross.co.jp"/><br>Alternative movie version of the OVA, with different editing and additional scenes.||2040
|-
|1995/09||{{n/a}}||Movie||''[[Macross 7|Macross 7: The Galaxy is Calling Me!]]''<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.macross.co.jp/ |title=Macross 7 The Movie: The Galaxy Is Calling Me!. ''Macross Official Website''. 04-09-09 |access-date=November 28, 2007 |archive-date=January 21, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070121104445/http://www.macross.co.jp/ |url-status=live }}</ref>||2046
|-
|1995/12||3||OVA||''[[Macross 7|Macross 7: Encore]]''<ref name="Reference" /><br>Three sequel episodes to the 1994 TV series.||2046
|-
|1997/12 to<br>1998/08||4||OVA series||''[[Macross Dynamite 7]]''<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.macross.co.jp/ |title=Macross Dynamite 7 (OVA). ''Macross Official Website''. Series Section. 04-09-09 |access-date=November 28, 2007 |archive-date=January 21, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070121104445/http://www.macross.co.jp/ |url-status=live }}</ref><br><small>"Macross 15th Anniversary"</small><br>Sequel to the 1994 TV series.||2047
|-
|2002/12 to<br>2004/10||5||OVA series||''[[Macross Zero]]''<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.macross.co.jp/ |title=Macross Zero (OVA). ''Macross Official Website''. Series Section. 04-09-09 |access-date=November 28, 2007 |archive-date=January 21, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070121104445/http://www.macross.co.jp/ |url-status=live }}</ref><br><small>"Macross 20th Anniversary"</small><br>Prequel to the original 1982 TV series.||2008
|-
|2007/12 to<br>2009/11||5 volumes||Manga series||''Macross Frontier Manga''<br>Comic format telling of the events in ''Macross Frontier'' first serialized in ''Shōnen Ace'' magazine.||2059
|-
|2007/12||1||TV series pilot||''[[Macross Frontier|Macross Frontier: Close Encounter - Deculture Edition]]''<br><small>"Macross 25th Anniversary"</small><br>Pilot episode for the sequel to the 1994 TV series.||2059
|-
|2008/04 to<br>2008/09||25||TV series||''[[Macross Frontier]]''<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.macrossf.com/ |title=Macross Frontier (TV Series). ''Macross Frontier Official Site''. 04-09-09 |access-date=April 9, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327230407/http://www.macrossf.com/ |archive-date=March 27, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><br><small>"Macross 25th Anniversary"</small><br>Sequel to the 1994 TV series.||2059
|-
|2009/1 to<br>2014/4||6 volumes||Manga series||''Macross: The First''<ref name="macross the first 1">{{cite web|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=November 21, 2008|access-date=November 12, 2009|publisher=Anime News Network|archive-date=November 24, 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 web|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=June 28, 2009|access-date=November 12, 2009|publisher=Anime News Network|archive-date=November 24, 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><br>Comic format alternate telling of the events in ''The Super Dimension Fortress Macross'' serialized in ''Macross Ace'' magazine and actually ''Newtype Ace''.||2009–2012 
|-
|2009/11/21||{{n/a}}||Movie||''[[Macross Frontier#Macross Frontier: The False Songstress|Macross Frontier: The False Songstress]]''<br>Theatrical movie adaptation of the 2008 TV series.||2059
|-
|2010/12 to<br>2011/11||12||Novels||''[[Macross The Ride]]''<ref>[http://hobby.dengeki.com/macross_r/index.html Macross R ''Macross R Official Site''.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117181613/http://hobby.dengeki.com/macross_r/index.html |date=January 17, 2012 }}</ref><br>Prequel to the 2008 TV series.||2058
|-
|2011/02/26||{{n/a}}||Movie||''[[Macross Frontier#Macross Frontier: The Wings of Farewell|Macross Frontier: The Wings of Farewell]]''<br>Sequel to the 2009 theatrical movie, a continuing adaptation of the 2008 TV series.||2059
|-
|2012/10/3-8||{{n/a}}||Musical||''Macross The Musicalture''<br>30th anniversary [[Tokyo Dome]] live music show.||2062
|-
|2012/10/20||{{n/a}}||Movie||''[[Macross Fb7 Listen to My Song!]]''<br><small>"Macross Dynamite 7 15th Anniversary"</small><br>Adaptation of ''Macross 7'' from the perspective of ''Macross Frontier'' characters.||2059
|-
|2013/02/28||{{n/a}}||Video game||''[[Macross 30: Voices across the Galaxy]]''<br><small>"Macross 30th Anniversary"</small><br>Video game sequel to ''Macross Frontier''.||2060
|-
|2016/04 to<br>2016/09||26||TV series||''[[Macross Delta]]''<br>TV sequel to both ''Macross 30'' and ''Macross Frontier''.||2067
|-
|2018/02/09||{{n/a}}||Movie||''[[Macross Delta|Macross Delta: Passionate Walküre]]''<br>Compilation movie of ''Macross Delta'', with some changes.||2067
|-
|2021/08/08||{{n/a}}||Movie||''[[Macross Delta|Macross Delta: Zettai Live!!!!!!]]''<br>Sequel to ''Macross Delta: Passionate Walküre''.||2067
|}

A feature film, subtitled ''[[Macross: Do You Remember Love?|Do You Remember Love?]]'' (愛・おぼえていますか ''Ai Oboete Imasu ka''), was released in 1984, with a condensed version of the storyline and cutting-edge animation. This movie was later described as a "historical drama" movie within the ''Macross'' universe (similar to World War II films in the real world). In ''Macross Plus'' and ''Macross 7'', it is revealed that there was a movie produced after [[First Space War|Space War I]] (the original Earth-Zentradi conflict). Kawamori described the relation between the two depictions of Space War I: "The real Macross is out there, somewhere. If I tell the story in the length of a TV series, it looks one way, and if I tell it as a movie-length story, it's organized another way."<ref name="Interview">{{cite news | title=Shoji Kawamori Interview | work=Animerica |volume=3 |issue=1 | publisher = Viz, LLC }}</ref> (An edited, English-dubbed version of the feature was also released to video as ''Clash of the Bionoids''.)

''[[Macross II]]'', the only animated project without Studio Nue's direct involvement, was declared by Studio Nue to be a parallel-world story.

In March 2007, Studio Victor placed a casting call for a voice actress to play the heroine [[Ranka Lee]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-08-18/yoko-kanno-heroine%27s-voice-announced-for-new-macross|title=Yoko Kanno, Heroine's Voice Announced for New Macross|access-date=November 28, 2007|archive-date=November 21, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071121040523/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-08-18/yoko-kanno-heroine%27s-voice-announced-for-new-macross|url-status=live}}</ref> in a then untitled new ''Macross'' series.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-03-09/follow-up-victor-voice-actress-auditions-for-macross |title=Follow Up: Victor Voice Actress Auditions for Macross |access-date=November 28, 2007 |archive-date=October 31, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031104249/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-03-09/follow-up-victor-voice-actress-auditions-for-macross |url-status=live }}</ref> Eighteen-year-old Megumi Nakajima selected in the nationwide singing and acting audition for the role of Ranka Lee in Japan. The project was given the tentative title of ''Macross 25''. Later, as part of the 25th anniversary concert, a trailer was shown that revealed the new tentative title of ''[[Macross frontier|Macross F (Frontier)]]''. During the concert, [[Kawamori Shoji]] mentioned that the timeframe of ''Macross Frontier'' was about 2070 AD. Kawamori also announced that [[Yoko Kanno]] would be the music co-composer of the new ''Macross'' series. According to ''Newtype'' magazine, this new series were supposed to take place in a school. The pilot episode aired on December 23, 2007. The new series were finally set in the year 2059 AD and took place in a new Macross Colony Fleet called "Macross Frontier". The new show was produced by [[Satelight]] and its episodes began their regular broadcast on April 4, 2008, in [[Mainichi Broadcasting System|MBS]] channel of Japan. The final episode aired on September 25, 2008, what brought the series to a total of 25 episodes. A ''[[Macross Frontier#Macross Frontier Movie Edition|Macross Frontier Movie Edition]]'' was announced just after the ending of the new TV animated series.<ref name="macross frontier movie">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-09-25/macross-frontier-movie-announced|title=Macross Frontier Movie Announced|date=September 25, 2008|access-date=September 25, 2008|publisher=Anime News Network|archive-date=September 26, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080926100750/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-09-25/macross-frontier-movie-announced|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Kanto area rerun of the ''Macross Frontier'' anime television series during early 2014 in Japan ended with a teaser announcement that a new ''Macross'' TV series is in the works,<ref name="new macross tv">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-03-26/macross-science-fiction-anime-franchise-gets-new-tv-series|title=Macross Science-Fiction Anime Franchise Gets New TV Series|date=March 26, 2014|access-date=May 6, 2014|publisher=Anime News Network|archive-date=May 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518043758/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-03-26/macross-science-fiction-anime-franchise-gets-new-tv-series|url-status=live}}</ref> and later in the year was tentatively titled ''Macross Δ (Delta)''. Just like for ''Macross Frontier'', a casting call was held for the series' main singer who also became part of the cast.<ref name="macross delta casting">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-10-19/new-macross-tv-anime-project-announced-with-singer-auditions/.80094|title=New Macross TV Anime Project Announced With Singer Auditions|date=October 19, 2014|access-date=October 19, 2014|publisher=Anime News Network|archive-date=October 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021052203/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-10-19/new-macross-tv-anime-project-announced-with-singer-auditions/.80094|url-status=live}}</ref> The winner of the contest as well of the rest of the cast and characters were revealed in a special event held on October 29, 2015.<ref name="macross delta announcement">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-09-24/macross-delta-tv-anime-final-title-visual-logo-unveiled/.93355|title=Macross Delta TV Anime's Final Title, Visual, Logo Unveiled|date=September 24, 2015|access-date=September 24, 2014|publisher=Anime News Network|archive-date=September 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926022627/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-09-24/macross-delta-tv-anime-final-title-visual-logo-unveiled/.93355|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2002-04-16/harmony-gold-bars-macross-imports|title=Harmony Gold continues to enforce their zero imports policy|date=November 11, 2000|access-date=March 18, 2017|publisher=Anime News Network|archive-date=March 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311021147/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2002-04-16/harmony-gold-bars-macross-imports|url-status=live}}</ref> A new ''Macross'' anime television series was to premiere in 2018, but still hasn't released (as of September 2024).<ref>{{cite web|title=Macross Gets New TV Anime in 2018, 35th Anniversary Project|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-01-29/macross-gets-new-tv-anime-in-2018-35th-anniversary-project/.111595|website=Anime News Network|access-date=May 11, 2017|archive-date=May 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505195726/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-01-29/macross-gets-new-tv-anime-in-2018-35th-anniversary-project/.111595|url-status=live}}</ref> A new ''Macross'' series was announced in 2023 to be animated by [[Bandai Namco Filmworks]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 12, 2024 |title=New Macross Animation Project to Be Produced by Sunrise |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-06-04/new-macross-animation-project-to-be-produced-by-sunrise/.198798 |access-date=September 12, 2024 |website=Anime News Network |language=en}}</ref> It is unknown if this is the previously announced 2018 anime or if this is a completely new project. 

On March 2, 2025, Big West and Bandai Namco Filmworks announced through a livestream that songstress auditions for the next Macross series had officially begun and that submissions for the first round will be open until April 30. This audition is limited to only women ages 13-22.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 2, 2025 |title=New Macross Anime Holds Songstress Audition Contest |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-03-02/new-macross-anime-holds-songstress-audition-contest/.221826 |access-date=March 2, 2025 |website=Anime News Network |language=en}}</ref> In that same livestream, it was revealed that [[FlyingDog]] and [[Lantis (company)|Lantis]] would be responsible for the music of the series.  The first round audition song is be "Ai to Ai" by Fuwari and that the contest would feature prior franchise artists and guests perform the song during the duration of the audition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=新マクロス 超時空歌姫オーディション2025 |url=https://www.youtube.com/@macross_aud2025/videos |access-date=March 2, 2025 |website=YouTube |language=en}}</ref>

===''Macross'' fictional chronology===
Several sequel series and prequels have followed in ''Macross''. The main ''Macross'' productions consists of (in fictional chronological timeline order):
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Time period
!Title (original)
!Work
!Release dates
!Episodes
|-
|1999||''[[Super Dimension Fortress Macross]]'' (Prologue only)<br>Original work adapted by Harmony Gold to become ''Robotech: The Macross Saga'' in 1985.||TV series||1982/10 to 1983/6||36
|-
|2002–2010||''[[Misa Hayase: White Reminiscences]]''||Novels||1984/2||{{n/a}}
|-
|2008||''[[Macross Zero]]''<br>Original ''Macross'' origin story||OVA series||2002/12 to 2004/10||5
|-
|2009||''[[Dreaming Prelude: My Fair Minmay]]''||Novels||1983/4||{{n/a}}
|-
|2009–2012||''[[Super Dimension Fortress Macross]]''<br>Original work adapted by Harmony Gold to become ''Robotech: The Macross Saga'' in 1985.||TV series||1982/10 to 1983/6||36
|-
|2009–2012||''[[Macross: The First]]''<br>Comic format alternate telling of the events in ''Super Dimension Fortress Macross'' serialized in ''Macross Ace'' magazine and actually ''Newtype Ace''.||Manga||2009/1 to 2014/4||6 volumes
|-
|2010||''[[Macross Inside Story: Macross Classic]]''||Audio drama||1996/8||4
|-
|2012, 2031<br>([[story within a story]])||''[[Macross: Do You Remember Love?]]''<br>Alternate telling of the events in ''The Super Dimension Fortress Macross'', specifically episodes 2 through 27. Canon in-universe as a fictional movie.||Movie||1984/7||{{n/a}}
|-
|2012||''[[The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012]]''<br>Epilogue of the ''Macross: Do You Remember Love?'', segments were added in the movie's definitive "Perfect Edition".||OVA||1987/6||{{n/a}}
|-
|2014–2030||''[[Macross M3]]''||Video game||2001/2||{{n/a}}
|-
|2040||''[[Macross Plus]]''<br />Original ''Macross'' sequel OVA created by Studio Nue. A side-story.||OVA series||1994/8 to 1995/9||5
|-
|2043||''[[Macross: True Love Song]]''||Video game||2000/3||{{n/a}}
|-
|2045||''[[Macross 7|Macross 7 Docking Festival: Singing Saves the Galaxy!?]]''||Audio drama||1995/3||{{n/a}}
|-
|2045–2046||''[[Macross 7]]''<br>TV series sequel to ''The Super Dimension Fortress Macross''. First of the sequels to touch upon the metaplot. Features a new cast of characters, and only three returning characters from the original series.||TV series||1994/10 to 1995/9||49
|-
|2046||''[[Macross 7|Macross 7: Trash]]''||Manga||1995/5 to 2001/7||8 volumes
|-
|2046||''[[Macross 7|Macross 7: The Galaxy is Calling Me!]]''||Movie||1995/9||{{n/a}}
|-
|2046||''[[Macross 7|Macross 7: Encore]]''<br>OVA series sequel to ''Macross 7''||OVA series||1995/12 to 1996/2||3
|-
|2046||''[[Macross Generation]]''||Audio drama||1997/4||10
|-
|2047||''[[Macross Digital Mission VF-X]]''||Video game||1997/2||{{n/a}}
|-
|2047||''[[Macross Dynamite 7]]''<br>''Macross 7'' OVA sequel||OVA series||1997/12 to 1998/8||4
|-
|2050||''[[Macross VF-X2]]''||Video game||1999/9||{{n/a}}
|-
|2058||''[[Macross The Ride]]''||Novels||2010/12 to 2011/11||12
|-
|2059||''[[Macross Frontier]]''||TV series||2008/4 to 2008/9||25
|-
|2059||''[[Super Dimension Song Maiden Ranka]]''||Manga||2008/10||1 volume 
|-
|2059||''[[Macross Frontier#Macross Frontier: The False Songstress|Macross Frontier: The False Songstress]]''<br>''Macross Frontier'' theatrical movie adaptation.||Movie||2009/11||{{n/a}}
|-
|2059||''[[Sheryl: Kiss in the Galaxy]]''||Manga||2010/9 to 2012/10||4 volumes
|-
|2059||''[[Macross Frontier#Macross Frontier: The Wings of Farewell|Macross Frontier: The Wings of Farewell]]''<br>''Macross Frontier'' theatrical movie adaptation and sequel to ''The False Songstress''.||Movie||2011/2||{{n/a}}
|-
|2059||''[[Macross Frontier|Macross Frontier: Hold Me Tightly to the Edge of the Galaxy]]''||Manga||2012/9||1 volume
|-
|2059||''[[Macross Fb7 Listen to My Song!]]''<br>''Macross 7'' & ''Macross Frontier'' crossover special.||Movie||2012/10||{{n/a}}
|-
|2059||''[[Macross Fortissimo]]''||Manga||2013/3||1 volume
|-
|2060||''[[Macross 30: Voices across the Galaxy]]''||Video game||2013/2||{{n/a}}
|-
|2062||''[[Macross The Musicalture]]''<br>''Macross'' 30th anniversary live music show.||Musical||2012/10||{{n/a}}
|-
|2067||''[[Macross Delta]]''<br>TV sequel to both ''Macross 30'' and ''Macross Frontier''.||TV series||2016/04 to 2016/09||26
|-
|2067||''[[Macross Delta|Macross Delta: Passionate Walküre]]''<br>Compilation movie of ''Macross Delta'', with some changes.||Movie||2018/02/09||{{n/a}}
|-
|2067||''[[Macross Delta|Macross Delta: Zettai Live!!!!!!]]''<br>Sequel to ''Macross Delta: Passionate Walküre''.||Movie||2021/08/08||{{n/a}}
|-
|2092||''[[Macross II]]''<br>Original ''Macross'' sequel OVA created without Studio Nue and considered an alternate universe by them.||OVA series||1992/5 to 1992/11||6
|}

==Video games==
{{main|List of Macross video games}}
''Macross'' video games are based on its universe, sometimes expanding it with original characters and sidestories; latest games often include newly created anime footage, and all of them were exclusively released in Japan;<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://macross.anime.net//production/software/index.html |title=''Macross'' Video Games Official Release Information at the Original ''Macross Compendium'' Page |access-date=April 4, 2009 |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803162009/http://macross.anime.net//production/software/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> except a Takatoku Toys handheld electronic game distributed by Incoming Trading, a Banpresto arcade game licensed by Fabtek,  and a Bandai Visual PlayStation game whose debuted North American localization was eventually cancelled probably due to copyrights issues involving Harmony Gold.<ref name=" Why You Haven't Seen Any New Macross in the West for Nearly 15 Years ">{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5990702/why-you-havent-seen-any-new-macross-in-the-west-for-nearly-15-years|title=Why You Haven't Seen Any New Macross in the West for Nearly 15 Years|date=September 24, 2015|access-date=March 18, 2017|publisher=Kotaku|author=Eisenbeis, Richard|archive-date=May 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505104938/http://kotaku.com/5990702/why-you-havent-seen-any-new-macross-in-the-west-for-nearly-15-years|url-status=live}}</ref>

See the [[List of Macross video games|list of ''Macross'' video games]] for all the official and crossover releases from the 1980s up to the 2010s.

==Legal complications with international distribution==
{{See also|Harmony Gold USA#Legal issues regarding Macross copyright}}
[[Harmony Gold USA|Harmony Gold]] purchased the international distribution rights for the ''Macross'' series and between 1999 and 2003 filed trademarks on the distribution of ''Macross'' merchandise and media outside of Japan.<ref name="Why You Haven't Seen Any New Macross in the West for Nearly 15 Years"/> Harmony Gold's international distribution rights are under dispute however as they bought the rights from the Japanese company, Tatsunoko Production, which in a court ruling against companies, Studio Nue and Big West, was ruled to have only the rights to the international distribution of ''The Super Dimension Fortress Macross'' and no legal claim to the rest of the franchise; those belonging to the latter companies.<ref name="Macross Lawsuit">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2002-02-26/macross-lawsuit|title=Macross Lawsuit|date=February 26, 2002|access-date=March 18, 2017|publisher=Anime News Network|archive-date=November 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110123327/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2002-02-26/macross-lawsuit|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.macross.co.jp/contents/index.html |title=To Whom It May Concern |access-date=March 18, 2017 |publisher=Macross Company |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040806174222/http://www.macross.co.jp/contents/index.html |archive-date=August 6, 2004 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2004-02-23/tatsunoko-wins-macross-lawsuit|title=Tatsunoko Wins Macross Lawsuit|date=February 23, 2004|access-date=March 18, 2017|publisher=Anime News Network|archive-date=December 25, 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><ref name="Why You Haven't Seen Any New Macross in the West for Nearly 15 Years"/> Harmony Gold claims that the case does not apply to them since it occurred in Japan and does not apply to the international distribution rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2002-03-05/harmony-gold-on-macross-rights|title=Harmony Gold on Macross Rights|date=March 5, 2002|access-date=March 18, 2017|publisher=Anime News Network|archive-date=May 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504164107/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2002-03-05/harmony-gold-on-macross-rights|url-status=live}}</ref> Harmony Gold continued to re-affirm their claim to the international distribution through cease and desist letters,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2000-11-02/harmony-gold-asks-website-to-stop-taking-pre-orders-for-toys|title=Harmony Gold asks website to stop taking pre-orders for toys..|date=November 3, 2000|access-date=March 18, 2017|publisher=Anime News Network|archive-date=March 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319111339/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2000-11-02/harmony-gold-asks-website-to-stop-taking-pre-orders-for-toys|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2002-04-16/harmony-gold-bars-macross-imports|title=Harmony Gold bars Macross Imports|date=April 16, 2002|access-date=March 18, 2017|publisher=Anime News Network|archive-date=March 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311021147/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2002-04-16/harmony-gold-bars-macross-imports|url-status=live}}</ref> resulting in later ''Macross'' series not being distributed outside of Japan.<ref name="Macross Lawsuit"/><ref name="Why You Haven't Seen Any New Macross in the West for Nearly 15 Years"/>

On March 1, 2021, Big West, Studio Nue, and Harmony Gold came to an agreement.  Harmony Gold would no longer hinder Big West's distribution of ''Macross'' properties outside Japan and Harmony Gold would be allowed to release their upcoming ''Robotech'' film in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Big West, Studio Nue, Harmony Gold USA Agree to Global Distribution of Macross, Robotech|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-04-08/big-west-studio-nue-harmony-gold-usa-agree-to-global-distribution-of-macross-robotech/.171570|website=[[Anime News Network]]|date=April 9, 2021|access-date=April 10, 2021|archive-date=October 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006092946/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-04-08/big-west-studio-nue-harmony-gold-usa-agree-to-global-distribution-of-macross-robotech/.171570|url-status=live}}</ref>

Starting in August 2024, ''Macross'' was made available via [[Disney+]] for streaming worldwide outside the US (via the [[Star (Disney+)|Star]] hub), with the exception of the ''Super Dimension Fortress Macross'' and ''Do You Remember Love?'' that are currently available only in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|last=Osmond |author-link=Andrew Osmond (journalist)|first=Andrew|title=Disney+ to Stream Nearly All Macross Anime Worldwide in 2024|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-03-18/disney-to-stream-nearly-all-macross-anime-worldwide-in-2024/.208882|website=[[Anime News Network]]|date=March 18, 2024|access-date=July 18, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bueno |first=Daniel |date=July 25, 2024|title=Macross Joins Disney+ August Anime Lineup |url=https://www.siliconera.com/macross-joins-disney-august-anime-lineup/#:~:text=Walt%20Disney%20Japan%20announced%20that,international%20movies%20and%20TV%20series. |access-date=April 24, 2025 |website=Siliconera |language=en-US}}</ref> On January 13, 2025, it was made available in the US via [[Hulu]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 10, 2025 |title=Hulu Adds Multiple Macross Anime in U.S. on January 13 |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-01-10/hulu-to-add-multiple-macross-anime-on-january-13/.219912 |access-date=April 24, 2025 |website=Anime News Network |language=en}}</ref>

==Legacy==
''Macross'' was the basis for the ''[[Robotech]]'' franchise 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=April 16, 2020 |work=[[Forbes]] |date=December 10, 2015 |archive-date=December 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151214050052/https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2015/12/10/shoji-kawamori-the-creator-hollywood-copies-but-never-credits/ |url-status=live }}</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?]]'' (1984) 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=April 16, 2020 |work=[[South China Morning Post]] |date=February 27, 2019 |archive-date=February 28, 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 mecha conflict from the perspective of non-combatant civilians, such as the singer [[Lynn Minmay]].<ref name="Forbes"/> 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=April 16, 2020 |website=[[Kotaku]] |date=September 7, 2012 |language=en-us |archive-date=May 13, 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_band#Japanese_virtual_idols|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=April 16, 2020 |work=[[Crunchyroll]] |date=June 25, 2018 |language=en-us |archive-date=August 5, 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=May 23, 2020 |archive-date=August 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805125243/https://books.google.com/books?id=PLc22hQhZGwC&pg=PT163 |url-status=live }}</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]] in ''Super Dimension Fortress Macross'', 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"/>

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.mahq.net/animation/macross/macross.htm ''Macross'' episode reviews] at MAHQ
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080708141119/http://www.anime.net/macross Macross Compendium]
* [http://www.macrossworld.com/ Macross World]

===Japanese===
* {{official website|http://www.macross.co.jp/}}
*[https://www.macross.jp/ New Official website]
* [http://macross30.com/ Macross 30th Anniversary Official Site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925113930/http://www.macross30.com/ |date=September 25, 2017 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080327230407/http://www.macrossf.com/ Macross F Official]
* [http://www.bigwestfrontier.co.jp/ Big West]

{{Macross series}}
{{Portalbar|Japan|Anime and manga|Film|Video games|Science Fiction|1980s|1990s|2000s|2010s|2020s}}
[[Category:Macross| ]]
[[Category:Bandai Visual]]
[[Category:Extraterrestrials in anime and manga]]
[[Category:Fiction about faster-than-light travel]]
[[Category:Mecha anime and manga]]
[[Category:Military anime and manga]]
[[Category:Fiction about alien invasions]]
[[Category:Apocalyptic anime and manga]]
[[Category:Robotech|*]]
[[Category:Space opera]]