Recently, several Macross series made their debut on Hulu and Disney+, yet fans of Macross Dynamite 7 may feel disappointed due to the censorship of certain footage.
Macross Dynamite 7 is a four-part OVA that initially aired between 1997 and 1998. This marks its first official release in the United States. However, according to Anime News Network, the censorship issue is not unique to the U.S. version, as the streaming edition in Japan is similarly affected.
This article includes discussions surrounding sensitive topics, specifically concerning child sexual assault. Reader discretion is advised.
Details of the Censorship
Significant content was removed from Dynamite 7, specifically a subplot featuring Mylene Flare Jenius, a teenage character who experiences drugging and sexual assault in the original narrative. While this particular segment remains accessible through pay-per-view or rental options in Japan, it has been omitted from all streaming formats, including Hulu and Disney+ offerings in both Japan and abroad.
Official Macross Viewing Options
As of now, a total of 16 Macross series are available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+ in the U.S., as well as in select other international markets. However, the series is not yet accessible in all Disney+ territories, with availability primarily in English-speaking countries. Previously, BIGWEST announced that all titles produced since 1987 would be released globally, but that statement has since been removed.
The Macross franchise has finally gained international accessibility following a prolonged legal struggle regarding distribution rights. The issue arose between BIGWEST, a Japanese company, and American producer Harmony Gold, which had obtained Macross rights from Tatsunoko while also creating Robotech through edited footage.
BIGWEST, which retained rights to the series and was not part of the original agreement, contested Harmony Gold’s claims over both Macross and Robotech. This dispute concluded in 2021, allowing BIGWEST to distribute all Macross series produced after 1987 internationally. Nevertheless, the ownership of the rights for the original Super Dimensional Fortress Macross (1982) and Do You Remember Love? (1984) remains ambiguous.
Source: ANN
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