Super Dimension Fortress Macross

After a mysterious spaceship crashes on Earth a fleet of spaceships belonging to a race of aliens known as the Zentradi descend upon Earth sparking an intergalactic war.

Super Dimension Fortress Macross (1982-1983) is a Japanese animated space war series produced by Tatsunoko Production and Artland, a classic early real robot anime that anchors its science fiction in military life. After a mysterious spaceship crashes on Earth, a fleet of Zentradi aliens descends and sparks an intergalactic war. Pilot Hikaru Ichijyo (voiced by Arihiro Hase) is pressed into service with the crashed ship's crew, and his romance with pop idol Lynn Minmay (voiced by Mari Iijima) pulls him between duty and the songs that become a strange weapon. Hikaru's fellow officers, including Misa Hayase (voiced by Mika Doi) and Roy Focker (voiced by Akira Kamiya), navigate combat in transforming fighter mecha while the civilian crew struggles to survive. Across its single season of 36 episodes, the show mixes dogfight action, romantic melodrama and musical numbers in a tone that is earnest, hopeful and occasionally melancholy. Its look is a product of 1980s hand-drawn animation, and its blend of mecha spectacle and pop idol culture has made it a touchstone for fans of the genre. Fans of Mobile Suit Gundam, Robotech and Space Battleship Yamato will find much to love here.

Audience reception calls the series acclaimed, with its mecha battles, music-driven drama and ambitious war storytelling remembered as a landmark of the genre.

• Mobile Suit Gundamshared mecha space war tradition with giant transforming fighters and alien invasion
• Robotechshared space opera mecha romance and music idol elements with alien war
• Space Battleship Yamatoshared sci-fi anime with alien threat, military space fleet and love triangle

Release Date

1982-10-03

Episode runtime

25 min

Rating

8.4 / 10 (62)

What is Super Dimension Fortress Macross about?

After an alien warship crashes on Earth, a young pilot and a pop idol find themselves at the center of an intergalactic war between humans and the Zentradi.

What is Super Dimension Fortress Macross like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Super Dimension Fortress Macross as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.

Is Super Dimension Fortress Macross violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Super Dimension Fortress Macross as moderate.

What did critics think of Super Dimension Fortress Macross?

Audience reception calls the series acclaimed, with its mecha battles, music-driven drama and ambitious war storytelling remembered as a landmark of the genre.

Which shows are like Super Dimension Fortress Macross?

Shows with a similar feel include Mobile Suit Gundam, Robotech, and Space Battleship Yamato.

How long is Super Dimension Fortress Macross?

Super Dimension Fortress Macross: 1 season, 36 episodes.

Is Super Dimension Fortress Macross still running?

No, Super Dimension Fortress Macross has ended.