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One of the most contentious points of the DC filmverse is the vision that Zack Snyder's Dceu charted. Many fans thought it lacked heart and soul. They believed movies like Man of Steel and Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice were too violent, bleak and devoid of the warmth and inspiration that the Marvel Cinematic Universe inculcated into its tapestry.

Anime course corrected one of Snyder's biggest mistakes — his grim and soulless depiction of Superman. It comes courtesy of Warner Bros. Japan as Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League. The anime film elevates two of DC's most iconic heroes in the way Snyder ultimately failed to do years ago when he helmed the Dceu.

Batman V Superman's Script Was Filled With Clunky Dialogue Zack Snyder's Batman & Superman Senselessly Rushed Into a Fight Image via Warner Bros. Discovery

In Batman v. Superman, Snyder had Bruce Wayne hating how Superman and...

The anime medium has come a long way from its early beginnings on the silver screen to its modern capacity to draw crowds in theaters. As anime has become more popular among mainstream audiences, the medium's mature films have become increasingly beloved cult classics among fans. Whether an anime film is based on existing works or fashioned from completely original material, the best R-rated anime movies are celebrated for the dark tone and themes that define them.

Ghost in the Shell and Ninja Scroll are two of the most noteworthy R-rated anime films, but they are far from the only groundbreaking movies to redefine the mature side of the medium. The success of darker anime movies like these and many others is, in part, the catalyst for the growth of the medium's audience. A handful of R-rated anime movies are such masterpieces that they remain among the greatest works the medium has to offer fans.

Mobile Suit Gundam is easily the biggest mecha anime franchise out there, with few even potentially overshadowing it. However, one writer believes that a recent streaming move could help put another brand on top.

Ollie Barder's recent piece for Forbes noted the historical significance of both Gundam and the Macross franchise. In the article, the former Disney employee hypothesizes that the latter can actually defeat the former in global popularity. This comes as many of the Macross anime have been added to a popular streaming service, increasing the brand's chances of long-term success.

Related Evangelion Studio & Sunrise's New Gundam Anime Is Coming to North America Next Month

The epic new anime film by the studios behind Evangelion and Gundam is heading to North America next month, courtesy of film distributor Gkids.

Forbes Writer Suggests That Macross Could Overtake Gundam on the International Stage

Image via Big West

In...

In the broad pantheon of mecha anime, there's no series that's greater than Mobile Suit Gundam, which has been going strong for 40 years at this point. Pioneering the "Real Robot" subgenre, this franchise is synonymous with mecha with the many Gunpla plastic model kits being some of the most profitable anime collectibles around. Still, there's stiff competition from other properties, including one rival that might finally sing the right note.

The iconic anime series Macross came after Gundam, and it's intimately tied to various other franchises. Now that the brand has been brought to streaming around the world, fans will catch up with it through one streaming service. This could create a stronger chance of it overcoming the more established Gundam, with both properties on the path to seeing their biggest successes ever.

The Most Underrated Mecha Anime Franchise Is Finally Streaming Most Macross Anime are Now On Hulu

For years,...

Quick Links What If's Gamma War, Explained What If Reveals the Full Scope of Bruce Banner's Trauma What If Gives Sam Wilson a New Mech-Weapon What If's Hulk Becomes a Tragic Kaiju

The following contains spoilers from What If…? Season 3, Episode 1, "What If... the Hulk Fought the Mech Avengers?," now streaming on Disney+.

Fans have thoroughly enjoyed the first two seasons of Marvel's What If...? for doing intriguing deep-dives into the Multiverse. With Jeffrey Wright's Uatu the Watcher as a tour guide and narrator, it shows the nuances and scope of other dimensions and worlds. This helps set the stage for movies like Avengers: Secret Wars and the incursions and excursions to come.

In the What If...? Season 3 premiere, Disney swings big again with a monumental story about the Hulk's gamma being problematic. It brings in another iteration of the Avengers, who run into another potential apocalypse scenario.

Alba Baptista, Samson Kayo and Tharanya Tharan are set to star in “Voltron” for Amazon MGM Studios, alongside previously announced stars Sterling K. Brown, Daniel Quinn-Toye, Henry Cavill, Rita Ora, and John Kim, The Wrap has exclusively learned.

Rawson Marshall Thurber, who directed “Red Notice” for Netflix, will direct the “Voltron” film and wrote the script with Ellen Shanman based on the popular ’80s anime series. Plot details are being kept under wraps.

Thurber previously shared a video message with Voltron fans during VoltCon in which he said: “I want to make sure that we stay true to the heart and the spirit of Voltron. In this film, we’re going to be introducing an entirely new generation of pilots. We’ve reimagined Voltron for the live-action world, but we’re going to stay true to…those iconic elements that you love, that I love. And I’m so excited to share it with you.

On March 9, 1985, the first part of a trilogy video animation named “Megazone 23” was broadcasted in Japan. Hiroyuki Hoshiyama wrote the interesting and complex script of this episode produced by Aic, which became a model for the next Robotech movies.

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During an era when original video animation (Ova) was uncommon, the strong impact of this work was due to the joint effort in character design and animation by Toshiki Hirano, Haruhiko Mikimoto, and Ichiro Itano. Their collaboration had been put to the test and strengthened throughout their time working on “Macross” (1982). Director Noboru Ishiguro expertly guided and maintained harmony among this engrossed ensemble of performers.

Shogo Yahagi is a carefree biker who feels alive when he challenges himself. By chance, he meets Yui Takanaka in Shibuya, a hard-working dancer who dreams of standing on a Broadway stage one day. They start...

Quick Links The Original Macross Began Multiple Franchises Robotech Was Like Macross - Until It Wasnt Are There Any Other Robotech Anime?

The Macross franchise began with the original 1982 anime series, which spawned several sequels and spinoffs. Of course, there were also numerous other brands and properties spawned by this initial series. One of these was Robotech, which continues to have a somewhat controversial nature among fans of the original.

Despite its reception among some, Robotech was still a monumental series in terms of making anime more mainstream among international viewers. It also ended up developing in a wildly different direction due to the nature of the show. Since then, both Robotech and Macross have come to something of a standstill, though one of these is much healthier as a brand than the other.

The Original Macross Began Multiple Franchises

Released in 1982, Super Dimension Fortress Macross was something new for the mecha genre.

2024 has been an incredibly tough year for the entertainment world. After bidding farewell to so many beloved stars in 2023, including Matthew Perry, Tina Turner, Andre Braugher, and many more, the new year hasn’t brought much relief.

The industry lost more legends who have left a lasting imprint on millions of hearts. Yet, their work and legacy will continue to live on, reminding people of the joy and inspiration they brought into their lives.

Carl Weathers In addition to starring as Greef Karga, Carl Weathers directed some episodes of The Mandalorian Credit: Lucasfilm

Carl Weathers has been a celebrated name through generations, the former football player became famous for his iconic role as Apollo Creed in the Rocky series alongside Sylvester Stallone and was reported to have passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 1 at the age of 76 as per Deadline.

Related“My joke worked”: Not Carl Weathers,...

Humble Beginnings and Steady Growth Japanese animation has been around since the very early days of film. The oldest known animated filmstrip from the country is believed to have been made around 1907, and the oldest theatrical piece of Japanese animation dates back to the year 1917. But it wasn’t until the 1960s that anime started to shape itself into what it is today. Around this time, shows like ‘Astro Boy’ and ‘Sally the Witch’ featured characters with big eyes, and cartoonish yet realistically-proportioned designs, which would become general hallmarks of anime. Japan would continue to produce animated series for decades to come, and the unique elements present in them would attract a worldwide fandom. However, in English-speaking countries, including the United States, it would be quite a long time until anime got the mainstream recognition it has now. Things to do: Subscribe to The Hollywood Insider’s YouTube Channel, by clicking here.

Tom Wyner, an English-American voice actor, producer, writer and director, has passed away at age 77. Wyner was especially well-known for his numerous roles in iconic anime series like Cowboy Bebop, Digimon, Ghost in the Shell and more.

Mobile Monicker, Wyner's agency, confirmed the actor's death on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Wyner's first credited anime role was for the Lupin the 3rd Part II anime TV series. He would also appear in Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro, one of the most celebrated animated movies in the Lupin the 3rd franchise, directed by Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli fame. However, Wyner's breakout role was in the 1985 Robotech anime series as Jonathan Wolfe.

#TomWyner has passed away. Our prayers go out to his family. #Robotech #Ghostintheshell #Worldofwarcraft #Castlevania #Digimon #cowboybebop #transformersrobotsindisguise #buffythevampireslayer #mmpr #mightymorphinpowerrangers #VRTroopers #StarTrek #StreetFighter pic.twitter.com/4c7Wj8gNYC Mobile Monicker (@MobileMonicker) July 11, 2024

Among the countless...

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Also known as Skyfire, Jetfire is one of the most iconic characters in the Transformers franchise. Now, a new collector's item promises to give fans the darkest incarnation of the flying Autobot yet.

Part of the new Transformers Mpg line, Takara Tomy's Shattered Glass Jetfire gives a glimpse at what the character would be like if he were truly evil. Armed with the same accessories as a previous release of the mold, this impressive figure is one of the best representations of the character yet. It also signals the future of the series once known as Transformers: Masterpiece.

Related New G1 Transformers Bumblebee Diecast Car Rolls Out Internationally

A new diecast non-transforming Bumblebee collectible by Jada Toys showcases the Autobot's iconic Vw Beetle form from the original Transformers.

Transformers Mpg Unleashes a Dark (and Massive) Version of Jetfire

A...

Long before the likes of Hatsune Mike and similar characters, one major anime idol took center stage: Creamy Mami. Now over 40 years old, the character is celebrating with several new products and clothes featuring all-new art designs.

Via Natalie, the "Magic Angel Creamy Mami Happiness Chance Sweepstakes" will feature numerous illustrations and products available for fans, with lovers of the anime icon able to enter a lottery to win several of these products at once. With anime nostalgia stronger than ever, those wanting to wear their swag down memory lane will want to get a hold of these new Creamy Mami-themed items.

Related Crunchyroll Adds Robotech '80s Classic Genesis Climber Mospeada to Its Mecha Anime Lineup Crunchyroll is adding two mecha anime shows to its lineup, with one being a recent video game tie-in and the other a classic that's tied to Robotech. Creamy Mami Returns With Brand-New Merchandise...

Genesis Climber Mospeada, a classic 80s anime, holds up well on its own with a compelling storyline and impactful characters. Adapted into the third part of Robotech, this standalone series follows Stic Barnard on a mission to take down alien invaders on Earth. With thrilling action and emotional moments, Mospeada is a must-watch for fans of older sci-fi anime.

The 80s anime Genesis Climber Mospeada has joined Crunchyroll's numerous offerings in its original run. The series would eventually be incorporated into a singular multi-series compilation to form Robotech. However, it's just as good by itself as it was initially released and holds up independently to this day. Shorter in length than its later iteration, it is a must for fans of older sci-fi anime series. Its a foundational work whose incorporation into Robotech has made it extra influential on mecha stories that would come later.

Genesis Climber Mospeada originally...

Speed Racer is one of the most iconic classic anime shows and characters, with several generations of fans being familiar with the demon on wheels. Now, it will be easier than ever to watch the series via digital platforms, as well as on a new channel devoted entirely to classic cartoons.

MeTV is expanding its retro programming with old-school animation, including one of the first anime that Westerners encountered. The series will also be available to purchase digitally, both in its English incarnation and in the original Japanese dub. This comes as the Tatsunoko series and its manga source material near their sixth decade of existence.

Related Crunchyroll Adds Robotech '80s Classic Genesis Climber Mospeada to Its Mecha Anime Lineup Crunchyroll is adding two mecha anime shows to its lineup, with one being a recent video game tie-in and the other a classic that's tied to Robotech. MeTV Is...

Anime streaming service Crunchyroll is adding two mecha anime to its lineup, including a series that's inadvertently tied to two other mecha classics. With both related to major multimedia franchises, these works bolster the streaming service as the go-to place to enjoy anime.

Genesis Climber Mospeada and Megaton Musashi are both heading to Crunchyroll, with the latter series coming after the release of the Megaton Musashi Wired video game. In the case of Mospeada, it's a somewhat forgotten series that's overshadowed by the franchise(s) it's tied to. Now, fans of classic and new mecha anime alike can enjoy some of the best examples of both more easily than ever.

Related Transformers: First Look at Legacy Vector Prime Figure Revealed Vector Prime joins the Transformers: Legacy toy line, with the Autobot the latest character from the Unicron Trilogy anime to get a figure release. Macross-Adjacent Anime Mospeada Is Now...

"Toonami" debuted on the Cartoon Network in 1997, back when the network was just hitting its stride. Cartoon Network debuted in 1992, and originally offered mostly old animated reruns. It was, for years, the best place to find old Droopy cartoons, as well as Looney Tunes, Tom & Jerry cartoons, old DC superhero fare, and reruns of Hanna-Barbera trash like "Scooby-Doo" and "The Flintstones." 

In 1994, the network had the brilliant idea to repurpose a largely forgotten Hanna-Barbera character named Space Ghost, transforming him into a talk show host. "Space Ghost Coast to Coast" set a new dadaist tone for the Cartoon Network, proving that it could make hip, self-aware, original content in addition to its blocks of reruns. In 1996 and 1997, Cartoon Network launched a quartet of new shows -- "Dexter's Laboratory," "Johnny Bravo," "The Powerpuff Girls," and "Cow and Chicken" -- and their reputation was solidified. It was now a destination station.

Do you know what would make Disney+ so much better? Unedited versions of movies like Splash? No. Adding the missing Simpsons episodes? Nah. The answer is anime, namely Macross!

Yes, the legendary mecha series is coming to Disney’s streaming service! The news was posted on the series’ official website. Although a date for Macross‘s global launch hasn’t been announced, it appears it will happen this year.

Image Credit: Disney | Macross

“It has been decided that the ‘Macross’ series will be distributed in Japan and around the world in 2024 on the content brand ‘Star’ of Disney’s official video distribution service Disney+!“

However, American Disney+ subscribers will need to make some concessions. Not all of the eighteen Macross series will be available Stateside.

Two of the eighteen series will be locked down strictly for the Japanese audience:

“The Super Dimension Fortress Macross” (Limited distribution in Japan) “The Super...

The seminal anime mecha series Macross will stream this year on Disney+ — but there's a catch. Thanks to the complicated legal situation of the series and its rights holders, two notable entries in the franchise will only stream in Japan, and won't be available internationally. Macross' official Japanese website made the announcement today that all eighteen series, movies, and OVAs (original video animations) in the franchise are coming to the same streaming home for the first time ever. However, possibly due to the complex ownership situation of Robotech, the American version of the original anime series, only sixteen of those series will stream internationally. Super Dimension Fortress Macross, the 1982 series that kicked off the franchise, and its movie-length conclusion, Macross: Do You Remember Love?, will only be available to stream in Japan.

Quick Links What Is Darling in the Franxx About? What are the Themes of Darling in the Franxx? What Does Darling in the Franxx Mean?

Most fans associate the mecha genre with big names and properties, such as Gundam, Mazinger, Evangelion and even Gurren Lagann. Though it might not be as iconic in this regard, Darling in the Franxx was still highly revered and beloved by many. Darling in the Franxx takes place in a futuristic dystopia wherein humanity has lost that loving feeling. In the anime, the human race is dominated by elders, who have since given up their humanity to become ageless.

These older individuals live separately from society's children, with most children being artificially created instead of being made naturally due to the human race's adults no longer having the physical and biological capacity to reproduce. Despite the series' popularity, its very name is still a mystery to many.

Greg Finley, an actor, voiceover artist and Adr (additional dialogue replacement) specialist with credits including Robotech, The X-Files and Men in Black II, has died. He was 76.

Finley, who appeared and/or was heard in hundreds of movies and TV episodes, died Feb. 1 while on vacation in Phoenix, his son Guy Finley announced.

Finley served as a writer, director and voice actor on the 1980s syndicated anime series Robotech and created sounds for the Cigarette Smoking Man (played by William B. Davis) on The X-Files in the 1990s and a group of tiny aliens in Men in Black II (2002).

He retired in 2018 but still worked occasionally, appearing as recently as last year on the Netflix docuseries The King Who Never Was.

Greg Ronald Finley was born in Los Angeles on May 8, 1947. His father, Larry, a cousin of Twilight Zone creator Rod Serling, hosted shows on Ktla-tv and Kfwb radio and...

Greg Finley, a prolific voiceover actor whose many credits include animated fare like Robotech and live-action projects including The X-Files and Men at Work II, died peacefully February 1 of heart-related causes while on vacation at a family member’s home in Phoenix, Arizona. He was 76.

His death was announced by his son Guy Finley.

A voiceover actor with scores of credits stretching back to the 1980s, Finley (occasionally credited under the name Guy Garrett) had by that time already begun his show business career as an on-screen actor with small roles in episodes of, among others, Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1975) and, in 1981, Flo and The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo.

His voice work began when fellow Beverly Hills High School alum Paul Rabwin, a producer on CHiPs, invited him to provide Adr on that series. . He’d soon...

An anime blast from the past is celebrating her 40th birthday in a big way, and fans can celebrate by taking home the party favors.

Debuting in 1983, Creamy Mami was a Japanese pop culture icon whose influence is still felt in several ways. Created by Studio Pierrot, she debuted in the magical-girl anime series Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel. Running for one year across 52 episodes, the series follows Yū Morisawa, a young girl who -- after an encounter with an alien -- gains the ability to transform into a 16-year-old. Impressing others with her singing ability and becoming a pop star, she uses her new magic wand and transformation abilities to take on the identity of Creamy Mami, who now appears once more on some brand-new merchandise.

Lucky Star Returns With Infamous Lucky Channel and Upcoming Live "Film Concert"

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In honor of the original series turning 40, Amnibus is waving its own magic wand.

In the late 1990s, Bandai Entertainment and the Japanese animation studio Sunrise approached young director Shinichirō Watanabe to make a sci-fi action show (mostly so they could sell spaceship toys). Watanabe took that directive and led the creation of "Cowboy Bebop."

This 26-episode show followed down-on-their-luck bounty hunters in the year 2071, when mankind has colonized the solar system and left behind a ruined Earth. It brought Western and noir storytelling together into its sci-fi setting, fused with an existential mood and jazzy music composed by Yoko Kanno.

"Cowboy Bebop" first aired in Japan 25 years ago, from 1998 to 1999, and Bandai Entertainment soon imported it stateside, where it debuted on Cartoon Network block Adult Swim in 2001. If anything, it's become an even bigger (and more enduring) hit in the U.S. than in its homeland. A big reason for this popularity was because the English dub was excellent: The characters speaking the...

Crunchyroll offers a vast catalog of retro anime series, including some dating back to the 1920s, making it a go-to platform for nostalgic and curious fans. Akira, directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, stands as one of the greatest anime movies of all time for its compelling story, high production values, detailed art, and unique soundtrack. Whether it's the bizarre and entertaining Samurai Pizza Cats, the stylish and tonally inconsistent City Hunter, or the space opera adventures of Captain Harlock, Crunchyroll's retro anime collection showcases a wide range of unique and fascinating series.

Crunchyroll has one of the largest streaming anime catalogs available. In addition to being the place to watch the most popular current anime series, Crunchyroll also has an impressive number of older anime series, including some from as far back as the early days of Japanese animation in the 1920s. Nostalgic fans or younger anime fans curious about...

Titan Comics' "Robotech: Rick Hunter" #1, now available, is written by Brandon Easton and illustrated by Simone Ragazzoni:

"...after the events of the 'Macross' saga, 'Rick Hunter' must face an all new threat, along with the ghosts of his past – when a 'Zentraedi' splinter group attacks 'Yokohama'.

"Piloting the new prototype 'Yf-4 Veritech', Rick encounters old friends and new enemies, all while recounting the moments of his life that shaped the most epic moments in the 'Robotech' universe..."

Click the images to enlarge...

Buy "Rick Hunter: Robotech" Here...

Kodansha is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Macross franchise with a commemorative art book full of history and deculture.

Previewed by publisher Kodansha, the Macross Super Encyclopedia is getting its second volume, which features cover art by Ichiro Itano. Itano is a prolific animator and producer who pioneered a style of action sequence seen in Real Robot mecha anime. These dogfights combine acrobatics with massive explosions, accentuating the drama present in Macross and other mecha franchises. The book cover image is the first such work from Itano for the franchise in over four decades. The upcoming new volume of the Macross Super Encyclopedia is centered specifically on the original incarnations of the property, comprised of The Super Dimension Fortress Macross movie retelling The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love? and music video collection The Super Dimension Fortress Macross Flash Back 2012.

Related: Crunchyroll Settles in User Information Privacy...

There are now official tabletop adaptations of nostalgia-heavy series, including Transformers, G.I. Joe, and even an RPG based on Power Rangers. Seemingly every movie and television series with a dedicated fandom has received a tabletop RPG adaptation, but there are still a few beloved cartoon series that could be great additions to the world of collaborative storytelling. While fans have created some unofficial Ttrpg rules for other franchises, there are many others that would benefit from an official adaptation. Universal systems allow a Game Master to create any type of game, but an official Ttrpg saves the hassle of creating home brew rules, while providing more game balance.

The recent line of series adaptations from Renegade Games Studios (which also publishes the newest editions of Vampire: the Masquerade and Hunter: the Reckoning) include the RPGs based on G.I. Joe and Transformers. These are a bit of a throwback to an...

Macross is easily one of the biggest and most popular mecha anime franchises—though that's mostly in Japan. The series found quite a bit of success in its native country due to its combining giant robots with Japanese music idol culture. Sadly, there hasn't been much widespread international presence for the property since the 1980s, but this is finally changing.

An international re-release of Macross Plus is finally on its way, bringing one of the best entries in the franchise to audiences everywhere. It's the first time in decades that this has happened, with the series and its predecessors/successors previously caught up in all manner of legal entanglements. Those walls are finally tumbling down, and it's just in time for the mecha genre's revival.

Related: What Is Gundam & How Many Gundam Anime Are There?

Macross Plus Is One of the Best Anime In the Franchise

Originally released in 1994, Macross Plus...

Titan Comic will have an exciting presence at San Diego Comic Con 2023! Not only will Oscar-winner Jamie Lee Curtis be on-site in support of her debut graphic novel “Mother Nature” co-written with Russell Goldman and art by Karl Stevens, but also writer Jim Zub will be making an appearance as well in support of “Conan” #1!

All Titan upcoming releases appearing at San Diego Comic Con 2023 can be found below:

Title: Mother Nature

On Sale: August 8th, 2023

About: Eco-horror graphic novel, set in New Mexico, and adapted from Jamie’s script for the forthcoming Comet Pictures/Blumhouse film. Graphic novel debuts at Sdcc!

Title: Conan The Barbarian #1

On Sale: July 26th, 2023

About: Robert E. Howard’s legendary Conan is back in a new tale of bravery and heroism! New ongoing series from Heroic Signatures and Titan Comics. Issue #1 debuts at Sdcc!

Title: Robotech: Rick Hunter #1

On Sale: August 2nd, 2023

About: Robotech...

Anime adeptly tackles a multitude of genres and the medium has found a particular strength when it comes to heightened stories set in outer space. The “space opera” subgenre tends to feature melodramatic tales that use space as a backdrop where romance, friendship, and warfare add rich emotion to this sterile setting.

There are some excellent sci-fi anime that spend time in space, but don’t really indulge in the typical space opera stereotypes. That said, viewers who want a crash course in the theatrical heights of space opera storytelling will be satisfied with this cross-section of anime that push the genre to its limits.

Related: 10 Most Underrated Anime That Take Place In Space

Super Dimension Fortress Macross 36 Episodes

The Macross franchise has evolved in some curious ways since its inception in the '80s and parts of it even helped form the basis of America's Robotech series. Super Dimension Fortress Macross...

When people think of anime's beginnings in America, they mostly think of the 2000s. It's a fair assumption, as Toonami really didn't get going until the 2000s, and some of the most popular series in America didn't come Stateside until the mid to late 2000s. However, anime in the '90s still played an important part in the growth of the medium.

Related: 10 Most Underrated Mha Heroes

Several key anime airing on Saturday mornings, or in syndication, helped define the medium in America. Some of these anime would experience enduring popularity that lasts even today. Others are forgotten by younger anime fans, but their contributions are still valuable to the genre.

Ronin Warriors

While the popular '80s series Saint Seiya had trouble working out in America, it's sister series Ronin Warriors had no such issue. The series made an appearance on syndication and on the Sci-Fi Network in the early mornings,...

Fans of the Macross franchise have something new to look forward to, as there's a brand-new anime on its way. Announced at the end of the recent Macross concert series, the details of this anime are still mostly unknown, though it will ironically be produced by Sunrise, the studio behind a notable rival of Macross. While things are still tightly under wraps, there are two elements of the story that will need to be properly balanced.

Macross has always been a sort of mix between mecha and idol anime, with the latter being integral to the plot in many ways. Sadly, as the mecha genre has decreased in popularity, the idol aspects have taken over the franchise. The new series would be wise to correct this imbalance, especially with how Gundam has become a mainstream series again. Here's how and why the series should move away from such a "deculture" change.

In both Japan and other regions such as Latin America, Saint Seiya is one of the most popular shonen anime and manga franchises. That's not the case in the West, with various attempts to bring the franchise to American audiences failing miserably. While one incarnation titled Knights of the Zodiac is well-known, two other versions never even made it to the silver screen.

There were two different attempts to adapt Saint Seiya for American audiences that never even saw the light of day. One of these was live-action and made in the vein of a similar success story, while another was animated like the Japanese source material. Both failed to ever materialize, though it's questionable just how successful they would have been in getting the property over for potential Western fans.

Related: Saint Seiya: The Best Shonen Anime Without an Ending

Saint Seiya's Success Led to Two Lost...

Titan Comics has unveiled brand-new artwork as it prepares to roll out its epic new series Robotech: Rick Hunter.

The exclusive images include a pull page from the first issue, as well as the issue's cover and a design for fan-favorite character Lynn Minmei. Power Rangers' artist Simone Ragazzoni illustrated all three works and will helm the series alongside Transformers writer Brandon Easton. While the cover and character design are not final art and remain a work in progress, they provide an exciting taste of what fans have to look forward to from Rick Hunter. The latest saga in Titan's adaptation of the beloved 80's anime will pick up where its previous series, The Macross Saga, left off and will continue the story past the events of the original animated series' continuity for the first time in the franchise's history.

Related: Why Alita: Battle Angel Is Still One of the...

Robotech is a franchise that keeps on keeping on and most of that is thanks to comics. After making a big splash with its original anime in 1985, the series mostly went quiet but comics were almost always there to fill in the gap. From Comico Comics to Eternity Comics, Academy Comics, Wildstom, and more, the Robotech comics now reside at Titan Comics. After relaunching the line in 2017, Titan paused on new Robotech comics in 2020 thanks in part to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Now the comics are back and they’ll be focusing on a fan-favorite lead character in the Robotech universe. Rick Hunter, from the first generation Macross Saga. Below we’ve got an exclusive synopsis and images from the new series.

Robotech: Rick Hunter #1

Writer: Brandon Easton

Artist(s):Simone Ragazzoni

Publisher: Titan Comics

32pp, $3.99, On Sale: August 2, 2023

The Wait Is Over…Robotech Launches Into An Epic New Series!

Due to legal issues involving another series that it spawned, most entries in the Macross anime franchise have never made their way to the West. Despite an agreement being reached between Big West and Harmony Gold -- the latter of which produced Robotech -- these shows still have yet to surface through physical media releases or streaming services. Strangely enough, the first real attempt to bring these lost "Robotech" sequels over is through an entirely different type of production.

The Macross Delta idol girl musical group Walküre is having their final live musical tour, bringing an end to their performances for the time being. Though the show is going on in Japan, it will also be live-streamed and broadcast for Western fans. It's an utterly bizarre way to bring the series to America for the first time, completely overlooking the anime that viewers are still desperate to see get an official English release.

Frank Agrama, founder and chairman of Harmony Gold, died on Tuesday. He was 93.

Agrama’s career as an entertainment pioneer saw him founding several production companies including the Film Association of Rome and then Harmony Gold, which launched television series such as “Shaka Zulu” and “Robotech.”

He was born on Jan. 1, 1930, and became a child actor in Egypt with his own TV series. While his father was the Surgeon General of Egypt, Agrama initially followed in his father’s footsteps by acquiring a degree in medicine and surgery from the University of Cairo. By the time he was 23 years old, Agrama was a medical doctor.

Agrama left his medical career to pursue his passion for entertainment production, obtaining a Bachelor of Theater Arts from UCLA. He then moved back to the Middle East in 1964 where he would go on to help establish Lebanon’s movie industry.

Agrama then moved to...

Star Wars Celebration 2023 has so far been especially exciting for fans of the animated side of the universe. "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" and "Star Wars Rebels" creator Dave Filoni was revealed to be directing a live-action "Star Wars" movie, set between the events of "Return of the Jedi" and "The Force Awakens." And while the film is still in early development, Filoni also brought a brand new trailer for his upcoming live-action series "Ahsoka," which will continue the storyline of "Star Wars Rebels."

When animated properties in the "Star Wars" universe make a jump into live-action, it tends to make big waves. Sometimes, though, those ripples into live-action can be a lot more subtle. When a show based on a character like Ahsoka Tano comes out, it's no surprise that we'll be seeing animated characters from her past adventures. Sabine Wren, Hera Syndulla, Grand Admiral Thrawn, and even Chopper...

"The Little Mermaid" saved Walt Disney Feature Animation in 1989. It earned rave reviews from critics like Roger Ebert, who wrote that "the magic of animation has been restored to us." It won an Academy Award and a Grammy for the hit song "Under the Sea." Best of all, the film popularized animated musicals; not just animated films with songs, but films with songs that expressed motivation and character as aptly as the animation did. Lyricist Howard Ashman and composer Alan Menken, responsible for the off-Broadway legend "Little Shop of Horrors," brought their hard-won expertise to a project that was floundering on the rocks. The results didn't just set the standard for the Disney Renaissance; they set the standard for its competition. For the first time in many years, Disney took the lead as opposed to ceding ground to challengers like Don Bluth. Not every film in the coming years would be successful,...

Exclusive: We hear that Netflix has preemptively picked up scribe Greg Russo’s spec script Seismic for six figures.

The thriller from the Mortal Kombat co-writer follows a single mother who fights to reunite with her missing son amid chaos after the Earth’s surface is decimated by a mysterious attack.

Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen & Dan Levine are producing for 21 Laps alongside Adam Kolbrenner for Lit Entertainment Group. Max Gains is overseeing for 21 Laps. and Patrick White is overseeing for Lit.

New Line’s Mortal Kombat opened to a robust 23.3 million stateside in April 2021 as theaters were finding their footing as part of a day-and-date HBO Max theatrical strategy during the pandemic. The pic went on to make about 84M worldwide.

Russo wrote Robotech for Sony with James Wan directing and Heatseekers for Paramount with Timur Bekmambetov attached to direct and Michael Bay and Chris Morgan producing. Other recent work...

“Super Dimension Fortress Macross” created by Studio Nue, is another huge anime franchise from Japan, which has been popular since the first series aired in 1981. Also known as “Macross” and “Robotech” in its international version, it consists of four TV series, four movies, six OVAs, one light novel, and five manga series, all sponsored by Big West Advertising, in addition to 40 video games set in the Macross universe, two crossover games, and a wide variety of physical merchandise. Furthermore, it created one of the first anime idols Lynn Minmay, turning her voice actress Mari Iijima into an instant celebrity, and launching her musical career.

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In 1999, a city-sized alien spacecraft crashes in South Ataria Island on Earth. Over the course of 10 years, the military organization U.N. Spacy reverse-engineers its technology and rebuilds the spacecraft, naming it the Sdf-1 Macross.

"Beauty and the Beast" truly is a tale as old as time, and has been retold in countless ways, like the Ron Perlman and Linda Hamilton TV series of the same name, the Fran Drescher comedy "The Beautician and the Beast," the teen rom-drama "Beastly," or even in an episode of "Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theater." Recently, legendary Japanese filmmaker Mamoru Hosoda delivered "Belle," a magnificent animated sci-fi fantasy film that thrusts the tale out of the world of old and into the techno future.

The story takes place in the not-so-distant future where the internet has evolved into a legitimate virtual reality called U, where avatars are created by users' scanned biometric information. A teenager named Suzu creates an avatar named Belle who becomes a pop superstar, but everything changes when her virtual concert is interrupted by the seemingly undefeatable fighter The Dragon (or "The Beast"), who she quickly becomes infatuated with.

"Robotech," which was the American adaptation of three unrelated Japanese anime TV series edited into one, aired in the United States back in 1985. Though I was more of a "Battle of the Planets" sort of kid, I was certainly aware of it. In the series, an alien ship crashed on Earth, and humans used the technology to create giant mecha to battle an looming alien invasion. Though there were failed attempts to make a film version of the anime before, a new attempt has just nabbed a director. According to Deadline, Rhys Thomas, who directed three of the six episodes of Marvel's Disney+ series "Hawkeye," will...

The post Robotech Movie Coming From Hawkeye Director Rhys Thomas appeared first on /Film.

Development on a live-action “Robotech” movie began back in 2007 at Warner Bros. with a fleet of writers each taking a crack at turning the beloved Japanese anime series from the 1980s into a Hollywood feature film. Directors James Wan and Andy Muschietti had previously been attached, and now a new director has been selected by Sony Pictures.

Continue reading ‘Hawkeye’ Director Rhys Thomas To Helm Live-Action ‘Robotech’ Movie For Sony at The Playlist.

Exclusive: After helping steer the ship as the main director on Marvel’s Hawkeye series, Rhys Thomas has been set to direct Mark Canton and Gianni Nunnari’s Robotech for Sony Pictures. The film is currently in development with the script by Marcum & Holloway with a rewrite by Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka. Harmony Gold also is involved.

Based on the popular ’80s anime TV series, Robotech is set in a time when Earth has developed giant robots from the technology of an alien spacecraft that crashed on a South Pacific island and now is using that technology to fight off an impending alien invasion.

Thomas is flying high after directing and executive producing the Disney+ Marvel series Hawkeye, with Jeremy Renner reprising his Avengers role. Thomas also is highly regarded in the comedy world for his work on Saturday Night Live and the Emmy-nominated IFC series Documentary Now!, which he co-created with Fred Armisen,...

“Voltron” has long been a beloved anime property from the 1980s and like “Transformers,” “Gundam,” “Battle of The Planets,” and “Robotech,” is another sci-fi animated series heading towards the big screen with a high-profile feature film in the works. The Hollywood Reporter says that “Red Notice” director Rawson Marshall Thurber is set to helm and co-write a film with the pitch and teaser reel being sent out to multiple studios leading to a bidding war.

Continue reading ‘Voltron’: Live-Action Movie From Rawson Marshall Thurber Sparks Bidding War With WB, Amazon & Universal In The Mix at The Playlist.

For a long time the Macross anime franchise couldn’t escape the shadow of Robotech, at least in America. Ever since Robotech utilized the first Macross series as part of its amalgamation of three shows in the ‘80s, it’s been difficult for Macross to make its own place in the United States. Due to complicated legal problems most of the franchise besides the original series wasn’t legally available in the U.S. for the past 20 years. This was a shame since the Macross franchise continued on from its original series with multiple sequels, films, manga, and more.

Now we’re finally getting it. After the agreement earlier this year between all parties involved with Macross and Robotech, the theatrical film Macross Plus is coming to US theaters on December 14th. The synopsis for the film, set in the same universe as the first Macross series, is below.

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Funimation is bringing anime fans something awesome to look forward to with a complete remaster of Robotech coming to Blu-Ray this September. If you’ve been looking to get into the original Robotech series, or just want to enjoy it once again in the best way possible…you’re in luck. Today, Funimation has announced the original series, […]

The post Complete Robotech Series and Original Films Remastered in Massive Blu-Ray Collection appeared first on Cinelinx | Movies. Games. Geek Culture..

The direct-to-video Robotech film, Robotech: Love Live Alive, is the last movie in the franchise so far. When compared to other standalone installments in the series, like Sentinels and The Shadow Chronicles, Love Live Alive was actually adapted from archival material from the Japanese series Genesis Climber Mospeada (which was later adapted as Robotech in America).

Related: Robotech Love Live Alive Characters Ranked By Likability

Written and directed by anime dubbing artist Gregory Snegoff, Robotech: Love Live Alive has had an interesting production process involving several renowned artists from the anime world.