Super Dimension Fortress Macross

Lore & Background

The series begins in 1999 when a city-sized alien spacecraft crashes on South Ataria Island on Earth. Over ten years, the military organization U.N. Spacy reverse-engineers its technology and rebuilds the spacecraft, naming it the SDF-1 Macross. In 2009, during the launch ceremony, a space war fleet from an alien race of humanoid giants called the Zentradi arrives, identifying the Macross as a former battleship used by their enemies, the Supervision Army. The Macross's original systems fire its main cannon, starting a war. The crew attempts to use the Fold System to escape but accidentally transports the Macross and South Ataria Island to the edge of the solar system, forcing a journey back to Earth by conventional power.

Reader's Guide

The series was originally proposed in 1980, greatly inspired by Mobile Suit Gundam, and created by Studio Nue from an original concept by Shoji Kawamori. Initial sponsorship by the Wiz Corporation fell through when Wiz went out of business in 1981. Studio Nue bought the rights and later secured sponsorship from Big West, which insisted on a leaner budget and pared the episode count to 27. Big West then partnered with Tatsunoko Production for international distribution, which later led to the Robotech adaptation. When the show debuted on 3 October 1982, its stunning success convinced Big West to extend the series to 36 episodes. The series title is a compromise between the original working title 'Battle City Megaload/Megaroad' and the Shakespeare-inspired 'Macbeth', resulting in 'Macross'—a wordplay combining 'macro' (size) and 'cross' (distance). Most of its animation, with edited content, story changes, and revised dialogue, was adapted in the United States for the first saga of Robotech.

Did You Know?

• The series created one of the first anime idols, Lynn Minmay, whose voice actress Mari Iijima became an instant celebrity and launched a musical career.
• The original working title was 'Battle City Megaload' or 'Megaroad', but a sponsor's preference for 'Macbeth' led to the compromise 'Macross'.
• The Zentradi are a race of humanoid giants who identify the Macross as a former battleship of their enemies, the Supervision Army.
• The series was originally planned for 24 episodes but was extended to 36 due to its success after debuting on 3 October 1982.