Robotech: Part 1 - Multi-Dimensional Characters Macross

The most-requested, long-awaited feature series is here! RetroBlasting takes on Robotech in Part 1 of a FOUR PART SERIES!

#RetroBlasting #Robotech #Macross

[dolari]

I watched Robotech as a 5th grader in 1985. One of the biggest influences as I grew up.

[kchishol]

The reason why the Zentrandi have so much trouble is explained that Commander Breetai's orders are to capture the ship intact AT ALL COSTS. So, with that objective, Breetai has to be delicate in his strategies and the Micronians prove so slippery and unpredictable as to make that nearly impossible. Not to mention he has to control his subordinate, Khyron, who is so fanatically determined to destroy it that his superiors have to 1. forcibly recall him with a special override signal, 2. threaten to fire on him unless he backed off or 3. Destroy his troops when they are on the attack and thus threatening delicate diplomatic operations.

[LucLightWolf]

Thank you for doing this, Michael.

ROBOTECH was my favorite anime of the 1980s.

[silentbobstash]

I watched Robotech religiously here in California on Channel 13 in 1985. It was the only cartoon show that rewarded viewers for watching the entire series instead of stand alone episodes.

[ronaldfrechette]

Who else lost it when Roy dropped dead in the middle of dinner with Claudia?

[mahatmarandy]

FUN FACT: The Robotech script for all three series was written, recorded, and dubbed all in *SIX WEEKS.* Super-rush job. They did have the original scripts to go off of, but they had to change a lot of stuff to tie the shows together. The fact that they did such a good job with so little time to work on it is nothing short of amazing.

FUN FACT #2: As you said, the original Japanese show got a seven-episode extension because it was popular. As you also pointed out, those episodes just suck. As a result, it was *cancelled* and the seventh episode was never made. The script for that episode ended with Captain Lisa Hayes and Commander Rick Hunter leaving the earth on the "Megaroad, " the first human colony ship. That would have been a much more solid conclusion than the photo album we got. :)

Suck though it does, the scene of everyone singing "Silent Night" after the terrorist attack on Seattle (Or is it portland?) gives me chills every time.

[batangbatugan]

Macross and Robotech made me fall in love with classic anime and started my OBSESSION with transforming mecha, Japanese die-cast robot toys, and tiny plastic model kits. I remember bawling my eyes out to force my parents to buy me either the Takatoku Veritech Fighter (unsuccessfully). I had to satisfy myself with small Taiwan plastic knockoffs of the VF-1S and the SDF-1, but both still transformed into their respective modes. Still some of my fondest toy memories.

[johnT]

This was fantastic to watch. Robotech (Macross) had far more influence on me as I grew up than Star Wars or Star Trek. Thanks for this. Well done.

[seanmullins]

This was THE THING that I got home from school for as a teenager. While in the Navy a read all the books. I think there is eighteen of them. Loved all of it.

[BBBHuey]

Gloval's actions may have been irresponsible and cost many lives, but you've got to ask yourself; would you have done it differently?

Try putting yourself in Gloval's shoes. Forced to handle an alien invasion and faced with all these hard decisions.

[shaggycan]

16:15 the novels explain this better. The SDF-1 had massive factory fabricators like 3D printers that could take all the rubble and use it to build anything. After the first transformation they redesigned the city so that it would survive a transformation. The food comes from protein farms, it was all explained as science that was derived from Robotechnology.

[keithc]

I can recall literately Running home from school to watch Robotech ever week day, the them always puts a smile on my face. Thank you fo putting this video out.

[albineigengrau]

I actually like those extra episodes they stuck on at the end, because in many ways they felt more real than the rest of the show. Things don't just end happily after the big climactic battle, life just continues to be messy. Also, there's "A Rainy Night", which is probably my favorite episode of the original series (but I'll admit that's also because I like Claudia a lot).

[thekaijumasterx]

Finally my favorite youtubers discuss super dimensional fortress

[SeekerLancer]

Robotech was easily my favorite show as a teen after I had "grown out of" GI Joe and Real Ghostbusters, though I only really liked the Macross saga. It was great learning the true story when I got older, watching Macross in its uncut form and seeing that Macross had sequels I could watch.

[mahatmarandy]

Minmei has at least two songs. The big one over the climax of the series is "We Will Win, " which immobilizes the Zentradi.

Also, I have to disagree about Gloval. He was not being reckless when he did the hyperspace fold over Macross City. He had no way of knowing it would take anything other than the SDF1 itself. He certainly didn't know that it would take 5 or 10 miles of the island, sea, and sky to Pluto. Also, remember they were aiming for the far side of the moon, so they could attack the Zentradi from the rear. They ended up on the far side of Pluto. They had *NO* idea how the fold system worked, they'd never actually done it before, and they explicitly say this.

In fact, really the first third of the series is deliberately a comedy of errors, with none of the technology working right, them *losing* the hyperspace engine after its only useage, them not knowing the ship was booby trapped. Hell, they didn't even know the ship could change shape.

The remarkable thing is that Gloval managed to get 35, 000 people home alive, despite *daily* attacks from the Zentradi, and the loss of hundreds, possibly thousands of fighter pilots. As to the people who undeniably died in the first transformation: Do you let everyone die, or let a few die to save the majority? The destruction of Ontario? Yeah, that's on him, but nothing until that point is, and he *does* manage to forge an alliance with 3 separate Zentradi fleets to turn against the main fleet, thereby saving (Some) of earth. About 85% of earth dies, though.

Gosh, this is a grim show! :)

[tonywilliams]

I came to Robotech via the novels by "Jack McKinney" (James Luceno and Brian Daley). A year or so later, Sci-Fi Network started airing the 'toon weekday mornings. I nearly missed the bus for school every day sticking around to hear the theme over the end credits. Great 1st vid, looking forward to the rest of the series!

[jasonplace]

good job. as a 1985 kid (49 years old) you explained Robtech well. I have a carel macek autograph from the 80s

[WyldstaarStudios]

I've had "Stage Fright" stuck in my head now for the past two days!!! Thanks a lot, Michael! I'd forgotten just how evil that song was. I hated Minmei so much as a kid that I burned the tiny figure of her that came with the SD Veritech at the stake!

[gutz]

Was waiting for this one for six years. So glad it finally happened. Well done guys.