Robotech: The Macross Saga got my attention because of my interest in big robot anime such as Gundam or Martian Successor Nadesco. I found this 36 episode collection to be addictively entertaining as I watched the entire series in six days. This collection was well worth the $30 I spent to buy it off of ebay.

The Macross Saga
Robotech begins in 1999 with the Earth fighting non-stop wars between nations, when a large alien ship crashes on the Earth. With humans realizing the greater threats of advanced aliens attacking the planet, they form a new Earth Government and work together to rebuild this new spaceship and learn its weapons.

Fifteen years later, the alien spaceship is rebuilt and named the SDF1. A city has built up around the grounded spacecraft named Macross City. Commander Roy Fokker is the leader of the veritech fighters, fighter jets that turn into combat robots and a guardian phase that is in between robot and fighter jet. Roy leads a celebration air show when his friend and civilian stunt pilot Rick Hunter shows up and joins the display.

After the show, Rick meets up with Roy who shows him the new fighters. At this time, an alien race of giants attacks the Earth to recover the lost spacecraft. Rick Hunter is dragged into battle to save the Earth.

The story follows Rick as he moves from civilian to fighter pilot to leader to commander.

The Science Fiction Aspect
Robotech: The Macross Saga is meant to be a near future story as it was created in the 1980's. There is great imagination put into the technology in this series such as fighter jets that turn into robots. There is a hyperspace mode the ship can enter called folding similar to the Dune Series idea of folding space to travel incredible distances instantly.

Fantasy
Great ideas play out such as the attacking aliens being giants who were born for combat through cloning. Because of this, the aliens have no understanding of male and female relationships and are confused by how human lives are not centered on war.

Anime
All anime speaks out about life. This series focuses on relationships and confusion from them. Also, there is a great commentary on war and anti-war. Similar to Gundam, Robotech shows how bad things come from war. However, Robotech also shows the naïveté of being anti-war and anti-military.

What to Expect
This series can best be described as a mix between the first Mobile Suit Gundam and Martian Successor Nadesco. It is like Mobile Suit Gundam in the action and animation. Although, the characters look much better in Robotech, the feel is similar because it is older than most cartoons. It is like Martian Successor Nadesco in the character interactions, humor, and complex look at the alien attackers.

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12