The Robotech Legacy: Macross Saga Collection 3, a three disc collection, contains episodes 25 through 36 of the legendary anime series from the mid 1980s. The first two discs contain six episodes each. The third disc contains the "Exclusive DVD feature presentation" of "Robotech II: The Sentinels," the little seen feature film of the aborted "Season Two" of Robotech. It is only available if you purchase this boxed set. Out of all the releases, the special feature makes this 3rd Boxed Set Collection a MUST OWN!!!Set in the 21st century, Robotech was the most popular of the Americanized Japanese anime series to hit American TV waves during the 1970s and 1980s. Known for its cutting edge animation, high tech battle scenes, futuristic weapons (planes, tanks, motorcyles that transform into robots), cool alien invaders, and realistic and compelling storylines, Robotech swept an entire generation and helped put Japanese Anime forever on the map of American pop culture.
Robotech's sweeping saga spanned three generations, weaving together three separate actual Japanese anime series. The basic story premise is that the earth became forever changed when a mysterious alien battleship crashed on earth. The people of the world, now knowing that they are not alone, end all wars and unite to assimilate the advanced technology and prepare for the inevitable alien invasion that is sure to come. As the story unfolds mankind would go on to become embattled in an intergalactic struggle, battling three separate alien races over the next 60 years.
This volume chronicles the dramatic conclusion of the first season - The Macross Saga. In this collection we see the dramatic (and destructive) climax of the Zentraedi - Earth war and its fallout as well as the final resolution to the love triangle between Rick, Lisa and Minmei, as well as foreshadowing of events to come.
Here's a listing of what you'll find on these discs.
Disc 1: War and Peace
Episode 25 - Wedding Bells: The unusual courtship of Max and Miriya which leads to the historic union between mankind and Zentraedi.
Episode 26 - The Messenger: Exedore visits the SD-F1 on a historic mission. Also, Dolza's sentence: Death to All!!!
Episode 27 - Force of Arms: The historic final confrontation between Earth's defenders and Dolza's armada of 6 million. An unlikely alliance and an unconventional counter attack. Plus, Rick saves Lisa from what remains of the Earth...
Episode 28 - Reconstruction Blues: Set two years after Dolza's attack, the Earth's survivors attempt to rebuild their lives, Zentraedi survivors and renegades roam the earth. Also, Lisa's feelings for Rick continue to grow...
Episode 29 - Robotech Masters: Amidst problems with Kyle, Minmei returns to visit her family and starts to realize her true feelings for Rick. Restless Zentraedi renegades cause havoc. Also, who are the Robotech Masters?
Episode 30 - Viva Miriya: Rick, Lisa, Max, Miriya (w/ baby Dana) and Claudia join Breetai on a secret mission to a Robotech Fortress... Also, the Robotech Masters make Zor???
Disc 2: The Final Conflict
Episode 31 - Khyron's Revenge: The origins of Robotechnology and the Zentraedi race are finally revealed. Also, Khyron returns - with a vengeance!!!
Episode 32 - Broken Heart: Rick is off to the rescue after Khyron kidnaps Minmei and Kyle.
Episode 33 - A Rainy Night: Despondent over fears of losing Rick to Minmei, Lisa turns to Claudia who shares the woes over her initial courtship with the late Roy Fokker...
Episode 34 - Private Time: DOH!!! Rick stands up Lisa for a rendezvous with Minmei. Plus, more Zentraedi rebellion.
Episode 35 - Season's Greetings: Low on protoculture Khyron attacks on Christmas. Also, lost and with nowhere to go, Minmei moves in with Rick.
Episode 36 - To The Stars: The dramatic conclusion to the Macross Saga. Khyron's final offensive, Lisa's finally admits her feelings to Rick and Rick's final decision: Lisa or Minmei??? Plus, a sign of things to come.
Disc 3: Elements of Robotechnology III
This is the "Special DVD features" disc that contains all the DVD extras. Compared to the previous releases THIS IS THE GEM OF THE BUNCH. It is only purchasable with the Boxed Set. On this disc you'll find the following:
1.Feature Film: Robotech II: The Sentinels. MUST SEE, this is the "sequel" to the original 85 episode series picking up right after the Macross Saga. Find out what happens to Rick, Lisa, Minmei, Max, Miriya and all the rest. The story picks up 9 years after the last episode of the Macross Saga as the REF gets ready to depart for the Robotech Masters' Homeworld. It ties up all the lose storylines from all 3 generations.
2.Audio Commentary with Carl Macek: Another MUST LISTEN. Macek voice-overs the feature presentation once again offering insights not only into the storyline of Robotech, but also it's production as well as the animation world as well.
3.Robotech II: The Sentinels promo: 10 minute promo highlighting scenes from the aborted 65 episode Sentinels series.
4.Character and Mecha sheets from the Sentinels
5.Bios for characters from the Sentinels. Great background info revealing a lot of the storylines of what would have been...
Out of all the releases so far this is the MUST OWN. The Sentinels features on the E3 disc is a MUST HAVE for all true fans of the series as you'll see what would have been in store had the series continued into a second season.
Robotech is BY FAR one of THE BEST animation products EVER. If you've never seen Robotech, simply put YOU MUST. The action and the drama are compelling, clearly showing why Robotech became a pop culture icon. It is the series that forever put Japanese anime on the map in the US. If you did grow up with Robotech, give these a watch again. They're great for a trip down memory lane. Honestly, watching these episodes now I can honestly say that they are better than I remember. You can't lose!!!
MUST OWN!!!
Of all 7 volumes of the Robotech DVD box sets, this is the one to get. It includes episodes 25-36 of the Macross Saga, which covers some of the grandest moments of the Robotech saga. Included here are the destruction and rebirth of Earth, the Sterling wedding, Lisa and Rick finally falling in love, and a lot more. Here is a summary of the episodes:25: Wedding Bells: The alien fighter ace Miriya Parino meets her match in human Max Sterling. Since she can't kill him, she does the next best thing...Marries him!
26: The Messenger: With the destruction of Earth nearing, a group of aliens (Zentraedi) form an alliance with Earth to prevent their own destruction.
27: Force Of Arms: The Earth is devastated in a horrifying attack.
28: Reconstruction Blues: Two years after the global holocaust, Earth is being rebuilt. All is not peaceful, however, and old conflicts threaten to flare up again.
29: Robotech Masters: The Zentraedi living on Earth continue to grow disillusioned as the Robotech Masters leave their homeworld to head for Earth...and battle with the humans!
30: Viva Miriya: Our heroes attack the last enemy weapons factory with their secret weapon...a baby????!!!!
31: Khyron's Revenge: The renegade alien warlord Khyron attacks a peaceful city.
32: Broken Heart: Khyron holds singing star Lynn Minmei hostage.
33: A Rainy Night: Claudia Grant and Lisa Hayes discuss loves lost and still to come.
34: Private Time: Rick abandons Lisa for a date with that sniveling pop star, Lynn Minmei.
35: Season's Greetings: Khyron the alien warlord attacks Macross City in a quest to destroy as many humans as possible.
36: To The Stars: Our heroes must stop Khyron's attack, but some of them will pay the ultimate price while the rest are changed forever.
These episodes include some of the high points of the series, and represented here are all of the facets that made Robotech such a splendid Sci-Fi experience. Space battles, cheesy pop songs, introspective moments of philosophizing...it's all here. This really is the best segment of the Robotech series.
Also included on the bonus DVD is the OAV sequel "The Sentinels", which follows Rick, Lisa, Miriya and the rest as they set out to make peace with the Robotech Masters but end up fighting the most ruthless enemy of all, the Invid. This action-oriented follow-up was never completed, but the first six episodes were edited together into this smashing sequel. "The Sentinels" will not be available anywhere other than this box set, so this really is the one to get.
A few words of caution: The sound for Robotech was recorded only in mono, so that's what we get on this DVD. Also, the video transfer is a bit grainy. The quality is at least as good as the aired versions or the VHS tapes released earlier, but has not been cleaned up a whole lot for the DVD. For these two reasons only I gave this DVD box set 4 stars instead of 5. Still, I loved it and will watch it over and over.
