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Macross Plus

From Alfawiki
Macross Plus
Company typeOriginal Video Animation (OVA) series and feature film
IndustryAnimation, Entertainment
Founded1994
FounderShōji Kawamori (creator)
Headquarters
Japan
Area served
Japan, North America, Europe, Australia
ProductsAnime series, feature film, soundtracks
ParentBandai Visual (Japan), Manga Entertainment (North America and Europe), Madman Entertainment (Australia)

Macross Plus is a four-part Original Video Animation (OVA) series and feature film within the Macross franchise. It stands as the first official continuation of the original Macross television series, while Macross II has been redefined by creator Shōji Kawamori as a parallel universe narrative within the broader Macross setting.

This production was groundbreaking for its integration of traditional hand-drawn cel animation with computer-generated imagery, establishing a new standard for CGI incorporation in Japanese animation.

In Japan, the OVA and movie were launched by Bandai Visual, with Manga Entertainment handling distribution across North America and Europe. In Australia, VHS versions were released by Manga Entertainment, and DVD editions were issued by Madman Entertainment under sublicense agreements. The series introduced multiple innovative mecha designs that drew inspiration from the original Macross universe.

Plot

Set in January 2040, thirty years after the conflict between humans and the Zentradi, the United Nations government conducts trials of advanced transforming fighter jets on the colony world Eden. Former comrades turned military test pilots, Isamu Alva Dyson and Guld Goa Bowman—a human-Zentradi hybrid—each pilot cutting-edge aircraft (the YF-19 from Shinsei Industries and the YF-21 from General Galaxy) as part of Project Super Nova, intended to succeed the VF-11 Thunderbolt within U.N. Spacy forces. Their personal rivalry interferes with the program’s progress.

Tensions escalate with the arrival of Myung Fang Lone, a childhood acquaintance who has become the producer for Sharon Apple, a leading AI holographic performer. Unknown to audiences, Sharon’s artificial intelligence remains incomplete and depends on Myung’s emotional input during live performances.

While conducting tests, Isamu and Guld engage in a violent dogfight that disrupts communications and results in Isamu sustaining injuries from an accidental weapons discharge. Following a tribunal, U.N. Spacy High Command terminates Project Super Nova due to completion of the Ghost X-9—a sophisticated stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle secretly developed on Earth. The Ghost X-9’s superior capabilities lead to suspension of YF-19 and YF-21 testing.

Simultaneously, Sharon Apple acquires a sinister sentience through an illicit bio-chip implanted by chief scientist Marge Gueldoa. During a concert at Earth's Macross City Atlantis Dome, Sharon commandeers both the Ghost X-9 and the SDF-1 Macross, placing attendees under hypnosis and entrapping Myung aboard.

Determined to validate the need for manned fighters, Isamu teams up with YF-19 engineer Yang to journey to Earth and confront the X-9, while Guld pursues them in the YF-21. Despite Sharon’s hacking of Earth's space defenses, both pilots penetrate through. Their rivalry reignites during combat; Guld appears to destroy Isamu’s fighter with missile fire but is confronted by suppressed memories revealing jealousy as the root of their estrangement. Isamu survives by gliding his fighter safely down, leading to reconciliation between them.

When Myung’s life is threatened, Isamu chases Sharon while Guld engages and ultimately destroys the X-9 by disabling his aircraft’s gravitational safety limiters to match its agility and speed. This extreme maneuver subjects Guld to fatal g-forces, resulting in his death upon crashing into the X-9.

During combat near the Macross, Sharon hypnotizes Yang into firing on Isamu but only manages to damage his helmet. After ejecting Yang, Isamu falls under hypnosis himself and crashes toward apparent death. Myung’s voice revives him; he evades fire from the Macross and destroys Sharon’s core system, ending her control.

The narrative concludes with Myung greeting a surviving Isamu as dawn illuminates the Macross Fortress. In response to these events, the U.N. government bans further development of AI technology but allows Project Super Nova to proceed.

Production

After Big West released Macross II in 1992—which was later reinterpreted as an alternate timeline—original Macross creator Shōji Kawamori embarked on developing a legitimate sequel. To accurately portray dynamic aerial combat sequences, Kawamori collaborated with action choreographer Ichiro Itano and others, undertaking training at Edwards Air Force Base in California. This experience inspired the depiction of New Edwards Air Force Base on the fictional planet Eden within the series. The 1980s Advanced Tactical Fighter initiative served as a model for the Project Supernova competition between the YF-19 and YF-21 aircraft, with the YF-21’s design influenced by the Northrop YF-23, while the YF-19 resembled the Grumman X-29 in its jet configuration.

The urban design of Eden City was inspired by the cityscape of San Francisco, which also influenced Frontier City in Macross Frontier. The planet’s wind turbines were modeled after those found in California’s Central Valley, and its highway system drew from roadways in Orlando, Florida.

Directing the series was Shinichirō Watanabe, with character designs by Masayuki and animation direction led by Kōji Morimoto, who was responsible for animating the Sharon Apple concert segment. All new variable fighter designs were created by Shōji Kawamori. Veteran mecha designer Kazutaka Miyatake contributed his earlier work on Macross mechs and the Destroid Monster, and additionally designed elements such as the YF-21 cockpit, both pilot flight suits, the X-9 Ghost drone fighter, and battle armor for rogue Zentradi units.

Score

The musical score for Macross Plus was composed by Yoko Kanno, with most recordings performed by members of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in Tel Aviv. The track "Dogfight," however, was recorded separately by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra in Prague.

The vocal performances attributed to Sharon Apple feature a range of artists including Gabriela Robin, Akino Arai, Mai Yamane, Melodie Sexton, Wuyontana, and the Raiché Coutev Sisters. Among these, Myung’s song "Voices" stands out; it is sung in Japanese by Arai and features an English rendition by Michelle Flynn for the dubbed version. Several tracks are performed in English ("Information High," "The Borderline," "Pulse"), one is in French ("Idol Talk"), while four songs are delivered in the fictional Zentran language.

Soundtrack albums were distributed in Japan via Victor Entertainment. In North America, only the first two soundtracks were released, initially through JVC and later through AnimeTrax, a subsidiary of The Right Stuf International.

Macross Plus OVA

The OVA (マクロスプラス) consists of four episodes, each running approximately 37 to 40 minutes. The original Japanese voice cast includes:

Macross Plus: International Version

The English-language dub was created with an international audience in mind, featuring a North American voice cast and an English adaptation of the main theme "Voices." Due to licensing complications affecting Episode 4’s original translation, the entire audio mix—including music and sound effects—was reconstructed for this version. Only Sharon Apple's songs ("Pulse," "Information High," "Santi-U" [second half]/"Torch Song") and the English "Voices" remained from the original soundtrack. Additionally, the background piece "Dogfight" was substituted with "Breakout," which appears in Episodes 1 and 2.

Subsequently, Bandai Visual authorized a new dub specifically for Episode 4 that reinstated the original Japanese audio mix but featured a different English voice cast due to actor availability constraints. Notably, David Hayter, recognized for his work on the Metal Gear franchise, replaced Isamu's role. This particular edition was exclusive to Japan and appeared on the 2012 Japanese Blu-ray release as the preferred English dub while maintaining original dubs for Episodes 1 through 3.

In Japan, this edition with Japanese subtitles is referred to as the "International Version."

In January 1998, Teletoon in Canada broadcasted it in three segments alongside the film Ninja Scroll.

Macross Plus: Movie Edition

The original series was restructured into a 115-minute cinematic version known as Macross Plus: Movie Edition. This version incorporated new and alternate footage while removing certain scenes from the initial OVA. It was showcased in a limited theatrical run at the Barbican Centre in the United Kingdom on September 14, 2019, and later screened in the United States through Fathom Events on December 14, 2021.

Home video

Macross Plus first appeared in Japan on VHS and Laserdisc formats distributed by Bandai Visual. The DVD release followed with episodes issued on August 25, 2001, and February 25, 2002, featuring English-language audio tracks. In Europe and North America, Manga Entertainment handled distribution on VHS (both dubbed and subtitled) as well as Laserdisc. The English-dubbed version was additionally accessible on MovieCD for Windows computers. In 1999, Manga Entertainment released a DVD collection containing two episodes per disc; however, sales of the second disc were hindered by subtitle synchronization issues that were rectified in subsequent printings.

In the United States, Manga Entertainment issued a subtitle-only VHS for Macross Plus: Movie Edition, followed by a DVD release in 2000. This DVD embedded subtitles permanently without an option to disable them and did not include an English dub.

On August 24, 2007, Japan saw the release of an HD Remastered DVD box set encompassing the entire OVA series along with the Movie Edition. Unlike prior editions that carried English dub tracks, this collection excluded the dub and replaced Dolby Digital stereo with PCM audio. A Blu-ray box set arrived on June 21, 2013, featuring episodes 1 through 4 plus the Movie Edition with restored Japanese and English audio selections; episode 4 utilized an updated Bandai mix while episodes 1 to 3 preserved Manga’s original mixes. The Movie Edition Blu-ray, exclusive to Japan, provides English subtitles alongside both DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and PCM soundtracks. A standalone Blu-ray of the theatrical cut was released on January 29, 2016.

Books

During the period surrounding the series’ debut, Shogakukan published a companion visual guide titled This Is Animation Special: Macross Plus, focusing on the first two episodes. Subsequently, another publication explored the production process behind the Movie Edition.

Toys

The toy line for Macross Plus launched in 2000 when Yamato Toys introduced a diecast model of the YF-19 at a 1/72 scale. Later releases included additional figures and replicas produced by Doyusha and Kaiyodo under their Revoltech brand. Despite these offerings, most of these toys have remained scarce in the U.S. market due to ongoing legal conflicts involving Big West and Tatsunoko Production/Harmony Gold USA concerning Macross intellectual property rights.

Model kits

Between 2001 and 2002, Hasegawa Hobby Kits issued non-transformable fighter mode kits for both YF-19 and YF-21 models; these molds were later adapted for VF-19A and VF-22S variants. In 2009, Hasegawa expanded their lineup with a new 1:48 scale YF-19 kit released alongside their VF-1 Valkyrie model.

Several Japanese manufacturers have produced resin and garage kits, notably Studio HalfEye’s highly detailed 1/100 Perfect Variable YF-19 kit which served as an inspiration for Yamato’s earlier 1/72 diecast figure. More recently, Bandai launched High Grade 1/100 plastic model kits of both VF-19 and VF-21 during 2023 and 2024 that incorporate part-switch mechanisms enabling transformation features.

Manga adaptation

Kadokawa Comics A began serializing a fresh manga version titled Macross Plus: TAC Name, which revisits the storyline of the anime with deeper insight into the characters' histories. This adaptation, illustrated by Naoki Moriya, has been in circulation since February 2012.

Video games

In 1997, Banpresto introduced an arcade shooter game with vertical scrolling mechanics based on Macross Plus.

The PlayStation title Macross Plus: Game Edition was released exclusively in Japan in 2000 by Shoeisha Co. Ltd. This game features voice performances from the original cast, segments of the soundtrack, and cutscenes drawn from the Movie Edition. It includes variable fighters from the OVA alongside selected units from the original Macross series, with the Neo Glaug available as a unique addition. Unlike other games in the Macross franchise, the variable fighters do not switch forms during gameplay; each stage locks the player’s unit into a single configuration. The game supports both a single-player narrative mode and competitive two-player battles.

External links

Fan sites
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