After decades of rights disputes and complicated licensing agreements, a large portion of the beloved Macross anime franchise is finally making its way to Western streaming services. Starting January 13th, a significant collection of Macross series and movies will be available on Hulu in the United States. This marks a major victory for fans who have long waited to legally access these iconic mecha anime outside of Japan.
The Long and Winding Road to the West
The journey of Macross to Western audiences has been fraught with legal entanglements. The core issue stems from the 1980s when American company Harmony Gold used the original Super Dimension Fortress Macross to create Robotech. This led to Harmony Gold claiming ownership of the Macross name and characters from the original series outside of Japan. Consequently, the Japanese rights holders, Big West and Studio Nue, were unable to release any Macross sequels overseas for many years.
This created a major point of contention for fans, who criticized Harmony Gold for what many considered a “chokehold” on the franchise. However, in 2021, a landmark agreement was reached between Harmony Gold, Big West, and Studio Nue, paving the way for the global distribution of Macross sequels and films.
What’s Coming to Hulu?
While the original Super Dimension Fortress Macross TV series and the movie Do You Remember Love? remain unavailable due to ongoing rights issues, Hulu is set to release a considerable amount of the franchise. The following titles will be available on January 13th:
- The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012
- The Super Dimension Fortress Macross II: Lovers, Again
- Macross Plus
- Macross Plus Movie Edition
- Macross 7
- Macross 7: The Galaxy is Calling Me!
- Macross Dynamite 7
- Macross Fb7 Listen to My Song!
- Macross Zero
- Macross Frontier
- Macross Frontier: The False Songstress
- Macross Frontier: The Wings of Farewell
- Macross Frontier: Labyrinth of Time
- Macross Delta
- Macross Delta the Movie: Passionate Walküre
- Macross Delta: Zettai LIVE!!!!!!
This extensive list includes some of the most popular entries in the franchise, such as Macross Frontier known for its captivating music and characters, and the groundbreaking Macross Plus, which blended traditional animation with CGI.
The Disney Connection
It’s worth noting that the initial plan was to release these Macross anime on Disney+ outside of Japan, since Disney+ handles the streaming of the franchise within Japan. However, given that Hulu is now fully owned by Disney, it makes sense for these series to find a home there, especially as Hulu already has a large catalog of anime content. This move seems to be a strategic way for Disney to consolidate its anime offerings under one umbrella.
Missing Pieces and Future Hopes
Despite the exciting news, the absence of the original Super Dimension Fortress Macross and Do You Remember Love? is still a disappointment for many fans. These are foundational works that provide context for the entire franchise. The reasons for their continued unavailability appear to be directly tied to the original Robotech licensing agreement with Harmony Gold.
It is speculated that the original characters are still tangled up in those licensing issues. While The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012, which includes music videos and footage from the original anime, is included in the Hulu release, it is not a complete substitute for the original show.
However, with the agreement reached in 2021, there is hope that future negotiations could pave the way for these missing pieces to eventually be released in the West. This move to Hulu may also open up the possibility of physical media releases in the future, which many fans still desire.
A Streaming Landscape Shift
The arrival of Macross on Hulu marks a significant shift in the anime streaming landscape. For years, Western fans have had to rely on unofficial channels to watch these shows. Now, they have legal and convenient access to many of them, further solidifying Hulu as a major player in anime distribution.
It also signifies Disney’s continued foray into the world of anime, posing a challenge to other major streaming services like Crunchyroll and Netflix. With the addition of Macross, Hulu is poised to attract a larger audience of anime fans, particularly those who appreciate the mecha genre.
More than Just Mecha
Macross is more than just a mecha anime; it’s a cultural phenomenon. The franchise is known for its innovative blend of mecha action, music, and romance. It has significantly influenced many other anime and has a dedicated fan base that spans generations.
The series is also notable for the incorporation of music as a crucial plot element. Many of the shows feature memorable songs and performances that are deeply intertwined with the narrative, with some of the soundtracks having sales that rival those of popular series such as Neon Genesis Evangelion.
The arrival of most of Macross on Hulu is a long-awaited victory for fans in the West. While some key titles remain unavailable, the extensive library that is being released offers a chance for fans to explore and enjoy this celebrated franchise, and it may pave the way for future releases of the remaining series and movies. This move marks a significant milestone for anime distribution and for the Macross franchise itself, finally making it accessible to a wider audience. The complexities of rights and licensing agreements have kept this show out of reach for too long, but the resolution, though incomplete, is a positive sign.
