After years of complex legal battles and licensing issues, a significant portion of the beloved Macross anime franchise is set to debut on Hulu in the United States on January 13, 2025. This marks a major victory for fans who have long awaited access to these iconic series outside of Japan. The news comes after a landmark agreement in 2021 that paved the way for international distribution of most Macross sequels and films.
A Tumultuous History
The journey of Macross to Western audiences has been anything but smooth. The franchise’s complicated history stems from a series of 1980s licensing deals, most notably the creation of Robotech. American company Harmony Gold used the original Super Dimension Fortress Macross to create Robotech, a re-edited series that combined three separate anime. This led to a situation where Harmony Gold claimed to hold rights to the Macross name and characters outside of Japan.
This complicated rights situation prevented the Japanese owners of the Macross franchise from releasing any sequels overseas, much to the frustration of fans. The legal disputes became a major point of contention within the anime community, with many criticizing Harmony Gold for what they saw as a “chokehold” on the brand.
Landmark Agreement Opens the Door
In a surprising turn of events, Harmony Gold, Big West, and Studio Nue announced in 2021 that they had reached a new agreement that would allow for the global distribution of Macross sequels and films. This announcement was met with shock and excitement, as many fans believed that the franchise, beyond the original series, would never be available in North America. This agreement also confirmed that Big West would not oppose the Japanese release of a live-action Robotech movie, further signaling a new era of cooperation between the involved parties. The agreement also recognized Harmony Gold’s long-standing exclusive license with Tatsunoko for the use of 41 Macross characters and mecha in the Robotech television series and related merchandise throughout the world excluding Japan.
Hulu Becomes the Streaming Home
While it was initially expected that these titles might appear on Disney+, where they are streamed in Japan, Hulu is set to be the platform for the US release. This decision makes sense, as Hulu is also part of Disney and has a substantial library of anime content. The move ensures that these Macross series will be available on a platform that already caters to anime fans.
Titles Coming to Hulu
The following Macross anime are scheduled to begin streaming on Hulu on January 13:
- Macross Zero
- Macross: Flash Back 2012
- Macross II: Lovers, Again
- Macross Plus
- Macross Plus Movie Edition
- Macross 7
- Macross 7: The Galaxy is Calling Me!
- Macross Dynamite 7
- Macross Fb7 Listen to My Song!
- Macross Frontier
- Macross Frontier: The False Songstress
- Macross Frontier: The Wings of Farewell
- Macross Frontier: Labyrinth of Time
- Macross Delta
- Macross Delta the Movie: Passionate Walkūre
- Macross Delta: Zettai LIVE!!!!!!
This extensive list covers a significant portion of the franchise, offering fans a wide array of series and movies to enjoy.
The Notable Omissions
Despite this significant step forward, some key titles are still missing from the international release. The original Super Dimension Fortress Macross TV series and its movie adaptation, Do You Remember Love?, remain unavailable outside of Japan. These omissions are a disappointment for fans, as these titles are considered the cornerstone of the entire franchise. These two titles are available on Disney+ in Japan, but remain “landlocked” for international viewers due to unresolved rights issues. It is believed that Harmony Gold’s exclusive rights to the Robotech franchise, which incorporates the original Macross series, are the main reason for their continued unavailability outside Japan.
A Global Release, With Exceptions
While Disney+ has become the primary streaming platform for the Macross franchise in many regions, including Canada, the US market has been an exception. The official Macross website had announced in March 2024 that Disney+ would be responsible for streaming the entire Macross saga globally, with some titles restricted to Japan. This announcement led to confusion and speculation as to where US audiences would be able to stream the series, since Disney+ was not the chosen platform. The new announcement with Hulu as the streaming service for the US provides clarity to this confusing situation.
The global release on Disney+ included 16 of the 18 Macross titles. The two missing titles were Super Dimension Fortress Macross and Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love?.
The Impact of the Agreement
The 2021 agreement was not only about the distribution of existing content, but also about future collaborations. The agreement between Big West and Harmony Gold opened the door for new Macross and Robotech projects to be developed and distributed internationally. This suggests that fans can expect more content in the future, which makes the resolution of these long-standing legal battles a significant victory for the fanbase. This landmark agreement immediately permitted the worldwide distribution of most of the Macross films and television sequels and also confirmed that Big West would not oppose the Japanese release of an anticipated live-action Robotech film.
What it Means for Fans
The arrival of Macross on Hulu represents a huge opportunity for both long-time fans and newcomers to the franchise. For existing fans, it means long-awaited access to beloved series that have been difficult to obtain legally. It also introduces a new generation to the franchise’s unique blend of mecha action, music, and romance.
The Macross series is renowned for its complex storylines, memorable characters, and iconic mecha designs, as well as the incorporation of music. The series has had a profound influence on both anime and live action productions, making its availability to a wider audience a highly anticipated event.
The Road Ahead
While the original Macross series and movie remain unavailable, the release of so many other titles on Hulu is a sign that progress is being made. Fans can remain hopeful that the remaining licensing issues will be resolved, and that one day the entire franchise will be available globally. In the meantime, the arrival of these Macross series on Hulu is a major milestone that will give fans the chance to enjoy a significant portion of this iconic franchise.
The wait has been long and frustrating, but Macross fans in the US finally have a reason to celebrate. With the launch of these titles on Hulu, the future of the franchise appears brighter than ever, and a whole new generation of viewers can discover the joys of this iconic anime.
