Robotech: A Recollection

Robotech has been stuck in my mind since I’ve posted my TIME DROP post.

Last year I purchased the digitally remastered DVD PROTOCULTURE COLLECTION which contains the entire series (85 episodes): MACROSS SAGA, MASTERS & NEW GENERATION + Extras.

Robotech first aired in 1985 so my memory was a little foggy about what to expect.
I remembered only a few episodes in their entirety, but even I was younger I knew I was watching one of the greatest animated series of all time.  The top of my list also includes Star Blazers, Gundam Wing and The Flintstones.

When I was younger, I’m not sure what intrigued me about Robotech.  Perhaps it was the same feeling I got when watching Star Blazers (1978-early ’80’s): the characters had a sense of self-awareness within their respective story lines.  Robotech felt like an epic — a bigger experience than any another cartoon airing at that time and even now.

After watching the PROTOCULTURE COLLECTION, my sparse memories of Robotech did not let me down.  Yes, Robotech lived up to my expectations and has stood the test of time, especially MACROSS SAGA.

After watching all 36 epsisodes (of MACROSS SAGA), I commented to friend that I was sad it was over.   I wanted to continue to follow the stories of Rick Hunter, Lisa Hayes and Lynn Minmei (Minmay), but the Saga was over.  Yes, Robotech, as it did back in 1985, still had a sense of being an epic, a sense of self-awareness and a sense of something ahead of its time.

If you haven’t seen Robotech in over two decades, it may be time to revisit this series.  You will not be disappointed.

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Copyright © 2011 by Rob Dragan