robotech

Robotech is an American animated science fiction franchise created by Carl Macek and produced by Harmony Gold USA. It originated with a 1985 syndicated television series that edited and localized three Japanese anime titles—The Super Dimension Fortress Macross (1982), The Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross (1980–81), and Genesis Climber Mospeada (1983–84)—into a single, continuous narrative. The editing included new voice dubbing, rearranged story order, and newly created material to bridge the disparate sources, producing a multi-generational space opera across 85 episodes.

The Robotech saga is divided into three generations: the Macross Saga, The Robotech Masters, and The New Generation. The first follows the SDF-1 starship and its human pilots as they defend Earth against alien Zentraedi. The second arc introduces the Robotech Masters and broader interstellar conflicts; the third follows human colonists and their descendants facing new threats.

The franchise spawned subsequent media, including a 1986 theatrical feature, Robotech: The Movie, which re-edited portions of the Macross material with new animation and music; Robotech II: The Sentinels, a planned continuation that was never produced; and The Shadow Chronicles, a 2006 direct-to-video installment. Additional tie-ins include novels, comics, and role-playing games.

Legacy: Robotech helped popularize American-dubbed, serialized mecha anime in the United States and influenced later adaptations. The copyright and licensing for Robotech are controlled by Harmony Gold, with licensing for the original Macross material complicated by rights held by Japanese entities, sometimes limiting new productions.