Genesis Climber MOSPEADA

Did You Know?

• The incidental music was composed by Joe Hisaishi, later known for Hayao Miyazaki films, though it was accidentally credited to 'Yuzuru Hisaishi'.
• Malaysian indie rock band Hujan made a cover of the opening song titled 'Lonely Soldier Boy' with lyrics translated into Malay.
• The opening theme 'Ushinawareta Yume o Motomete' was composed by Yukihide Takekawa and arranged by Joe Hisaishi.

Story

In the 21st century, Earth's pollution problems lead to the development of a hydrogen fuel called HBT, while mankind colonizes Mars. In 2050, an alien race called the Inbit invades Earth, leaving only pockets of human resistance; many refugees escape to the Moon. The Inbit establish their main base, Reflex Point, in the Great Lakes area of North America. The Mars colony sends troops to fight from the Moon, but they fail. The Inbit show no hostility unless provoked and can sense HBT, which is used in weapons. Mars Base becomes a military factory, and in 2080 an expeditionary force is sent but virtually destroyed. A Second Expeditionary Force is dispatched three years later but is also destroyed; Legioss pilot Stig Barnard is the sole survivor, crash-landing in South America after his fiancée Marlene is killed. A holographic recording of Marlene gives him strength. He meets other characters and forms a group of freedom fighters to reach Reflex Point. The Inbit's purpose is revealed: they seek a place to evolve, but their presence threatens extinction for both species.

Characters

Stig Barnard (Scott Bernard in Robotech), voiced by Bin Shimada, is a 20-year-old Mars Base lieutenant whose fiancée Marlene is killed during the Second Earth Recapture Force's defeat. His hatred for the Inbit sometimes distracts him, but he eventually finds peace through his growing feelings for Aisha. Ray (Rand), voiced by Hisao Ōyama, is a 17-year-old scavenger who repairs motorcycles and serves as the group's historian and wisecracker. He joins Stig to fight the Inbit, is resourceful and intuitive, and develops feelings for Houquet. Mint La Blue (Annie "Mint" La Belle), voiced by Sanae Miyuki, is a spirited 13-year-old abandoned by her parents who tags along seeking a husband. Though often an annoyance, she proves valuable and is loved by the group; she wears an E.T. cap.

Production

Original working titles for MOSPEADA included Kouka Kihei Vector, Chou Fumetsu Yousai Reflex Point, and AD Patrol. Character designs were created by Yoshitaka Amano, later known for Final Fantasy. Mechanical designer Shinji Aramaki conceived the transformable motorcycle exoskeleton while working on Diaclone, inspired by riding his Honda VT250. The bike design was influenced by the Suzuki Katana, and the black-and-white stripes on the Legioss and VR ride armor pay tribute to Allied invasion stripes from World War II. The series was released in North America by ADV Films on June 17, 2003, and is licensed by Crunchyroll.

Adaptation for the Robotech series

Most of MOSPEADA's animation, with edited content and revised dialogue, was adapted as Robotech: The New Generation, the third saga of Robotech. In Robotech, the Inbit became the Invid, and the advanced space forces are the returning Robotech Expeditionary Force. Unlike the Invid, the Inbit had no connection to the Robotech Masters and sought only a planet for evolution. The transformable mecha were renamed: Armor Cycles became Veritech Cyclones, the Legioss became the VF/A-6 Alpha Veritech, and the Tlead became the VFB-9 Beta Veritech. Character names were altered with minimal characterization changes, making MOSPEADA the least altered of the three series used in Robotech. Harmony Gold is free to use elements from MOSPEADA as it is owned by Tatsunoko. An OVA music video titled Genesis Climber MOSPEADA: Love Live Alive was released in Japan in September 1985, featuring new and old footage and focusing on Yellow Belmont's concert and flashbacks. In 2013, Harmony Gold adapted it into Robotech: Love Live Alive.