Robotech: The Thread

[Arjak]

So a short time back, I was in my local Wal-Mart, and while looking at the video section, I stumbled across the newest DVD box set of Robotech, that classic anime adaptation that arguably planted the seeds of anime becoming big in America.

Ignoring the strangeness of a Wal-Mart carrying something somewhat niche, I immediately decided I wanted this for Christmas. I had heard a little bit about Robotech in the past, and so, being a fan of anime, I decided that this was the time to start watching. I was quite happy to receive this 20-Disc monster of a DVD box set (no Blu-Ray version, unfortunately), and so, I started watching it a day or so later, and today I have finished the first disc (the first 8 episodes).

And you know what? Despite being totally '80s, having stilted writing and acting, and lots of changes from the Japanese shows it was made from (apparently, Robotech is made up of three story arcs that were all created from separate-but-similar anime series and they just created a new storyline to fit it all together), I still think it's awesome!

Besides being a lot of fun to watch, it also has a unique historical significance. Watching it from the imagined perspective of a kid growing up in the mid '80s, it is quite unlike anything else that I can think of that was on at the time, especially when you consider that anime was almost completely unknown in the U.S. at the time.

What do you guys think of Robotech? Discuss all you like, but try not to put major spoilers in your posts. Remember, I haven't watched it all yet!

[Black Tiger]

Robotech sux.


































Just kidding.



I love protoculture.

[PunkicCyborg]

Robotech is cool but nowadays I'd much rather watch the three different series Macross, Mospeada and Southern Cross in Japanese subbed. I watched Robotech series as a kid and remember even then thinking the story line was weird and things didn't match up and that was before I knew about how the three series which are totally unrelated were mashed up together. I am a big 80s mech anime and Macross fan though so I'm probably a little pickier than most.

[esteban]

Naturally, as a kid, I had no idea that Robotech was stitched together.

It's still awesome, but it is IMPOSSIBLE for me not to think about the source material these days. So, while I can still appreciate Robotech, I don't have a "pure, unadulterated" experience with it. Rather, I'm engaged in an inner dialogue, debating myself on how/why decisions were made (with respect to storylines, for example).

I repeat: Robotech is still awesome.

[TR0N]

Robotech was the show that really got me into japanese animation.Still it wasn't original to begin with,since harmony gold took three unrelated shows and edited them together for one series.Last year i did watch the whole robotech saga again on netflik and i don't think much of it now.If any thing at all i prefer the japanese original of the shows of that being macross,souhtern cross and mospeada.

[ParanoiaDragon]

I actually didn't watch it as a kid.  I recall being ticked off that the bots weren't sentient(ala Transformers), which is wierd since I recall enjoying both Voltron series.  But, when I got older, I appreciated it.  I've actually only watched the first season/Macross.  I need to watch the other 2.

One thing I can't recommend is going back & watching Voltron.  I tried to watch it.  I was thinking of getting the lion boxsets.......but I watched an episode on Youtube.  I just couldn't take it.  Maybe it was just the English dub that was throwing me off, I don't know.

[NightWolve]

I remember when Robotech starting airing, but I never really got into it for whatever reason. I dug TranZor Z and Voltron, plus GoBots, Transformers for a time. Bit of a problem with TranZor Z though was that by the time I caught it, it was only playing on one of the many Espanol TV stations in Chicago, so I had to watch it in Spanish.

since I recall enjoying both Voltron series.

"Voltron: Defender of the Universe" FTW!!!!111

One thing I can't recommend is going back & watching Voltron. ... I watched an episode on Youtube.  I just couldn't take it.

Wait, what ? Blasphemy! Cause of one episode you found shitty, it's all bad now ?? :\

[ProfessorProfessorson]

Who needs Robotech when you can have Captain Power.

[FiftyQuid]

Captain Power was the shit.  Every Saturday I sat down to watch it and cursed my parents for being poor and not buying crap guns that I could violently aim at the television while shouting profanities.

Before Robotech I didn't have a damn clue what anime was.  Even when watching it I just thought it was a cool cartoon.  I didn't know I was watching anime.

[ParanoiaDragon]

I may have seen a couple of Voltron episodes.  I think it's one of those cases where, one show seem to love all thru time, while another you return to, just isn't as you remember it.  For me, I still love Transformers, but there are others who tried watching it years later...& it just does nothing for them. :/





Wow, as for Captain Planet, I have no memory of that!

[TR0N]

I remember when Robotech starting airing, but I never really got into it for whatever reason. I dug TranZor Z Bit of a problem with TranZor Z though was that by the time I caught it, it was only playing on one of the many Espanol TV stations in Chicago, so I had to watch it in Spanish.

Speaking of tranzor z aka mazinger z it is coming to dvd uncut for the u.s 
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-10-06/discotek-adds-mazinger-z-super-robot-tv-anime

Rumors lately a release is set for 2014 thankfully enough.Yeah i grew up on transor z and voltron as well,but robotech was the show that really got me into anime.

[esteban]

Who needs Robotech when you can have Captain Power.

I never met anyone who actually had the toys back in the day, but I think they sold VHS tapes of the show, too? So you could always battle with television, not just on Saturday mornings.   

Anyway, I would love to see how the toys actually interacted with the TV program.

Didn't Photon (competitor to Lazer Tag) also have a show that seemed kinda similar to Captain Power? For all we know, Captain Power used Photon firearms. Just sayin'...

Captain Power was the shit.  Every Saturday I sat down to watch it and cursed my parents for being poor and not buying crap guns that I could violently aim at the television while shouting profanities.

Surely, we will go to our graves never knowing the true meaning of awesome. 

[FiftyQuid]

I never met anyone who actually had the toys back in the day, but I think they sold VHS tapes of the show, too? So you could always battle with television, not just on Saturday mornings.   

Yes, VHS tapes were definitely available.

[lukester]

I have never watched the show, but still want to add something related.

This is a very in depth page from a developer of the cancelled Robotech 64. Contains the Alpha, as well. 

http://www.opusgames.com/games/rcd/rcd.html