Overview of Macross Streaming Availability
- The Macross series has become accessible on Hulu and Disney+ in the United States, featuring the newest installment.
- While some Macross titles are available on Disney+ in select English-speaking countries, the complete series isn’t accessible worldwide.
- Legal complexities surrounding the Macross and Robotech franchises have been resolved, resulting in distribution agreements between BIGWEST and Harmony Gold.
Good news for Macross enthusiasts! Many series from this iconic franchise are now available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+ following the resolution of international distribution rights in 2021. Enthusiasts have eagerly anticipated this moment.
In the United States, a total of 16 Macross titles are currently offered on Disney+ and Hulu, which includes the recent feature film, Macross Delta the Movie: Absolute Live!!!!!! (Zettai Live), released in 2021.
However, it’s important to note that the full range of Macross series is not available universally on Disney+. The titles may be limited to specific countries, particularly in English-speaking regions.
Although BIGWEST’s official announcement primarily highlighted Hulu, reports from social media suggest that several Macross series are also accessible on Disney+. These might not be immediately visible on the main page but can be found using the search function:
It doesn’t show up on the Disney+ home page, but if you search for Macross, several series are found. pic.twitter.com/mSf3EWu3ee — It’s Sergio (@SergioB_) January 14, 2025
The following Macross titles are available for streaming:
- The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012
- The Super Dimension Fortress Macross II: Lovers, Again
- Macross Plus
- Macross Plus Movie Edition
- Macross Delta
- Macross Delta: Passionate Walküre (Macross Delta the Movie: Passionate Walkyuure)
- Macross Delta: Zettai LIVE!!!!!!
- Macross Zero
- Macross 7
- Macross Dynamite 7
- Macross 7: The Galaxy is Calling Me!
- Macross Fb7 Listen to My Song!
- Macross Frontier
- Macross Frontier: The False Songstress
- Macross Frontier: The Wings of Farewell
- Macross Frontier: Labyrinth of Time
Initially, BIGWEST indicated that all 18 series produced since 1987 would be added to Disney+ globally in 2024. However, this announcement was later removed, and the reasons for this omission remain unclear. It could be linked to availability issues or ongoing negotiations with Disney.
As there has been no further formal announcement, the potential for global availability of the Macross series on Disney+ remains open for future possibilities.
The Extended Legal Dispute
The Macross vs. Robotech Controversy
The distribution rights of the Macross franchise in the U.S. has long been entangled in a legal dispute between Japan’s BIGWEST and America’s Harmony Gold.
In the 1980s, Harmony Gold obtained the rights to key series, including Super Dimensional Fortress Macross, Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross, and Genesis Climber MOSPEADA, creating the hybrid series Robotech by merging their footage. Contrarily, BIGWEST, an advertising agency, simultaneously held rights to the Macross brand, which faced multiple challenges during its initial airing in Japan.
BIGWEST has been cognizant of the agreement between Tatsunoko and Harmony Gold since at least the 1990s, which prompted the production of the sequel, Super Dimensional Fortress Macross II: Lovers Again, in 1992 without Tatsunoko’s involvement.
Fortunately, this conflict has finally reached a resolution. In 2021, BIGWEST and Harmony Gold established a distribution agreement covering numerous Macross sequels and films, with BIGWEST maintaining rights for international distribution of all titles produced after 1987.
In return, BIGWEST consented to not contest the distribution of a live-action Robotech film set to be produced by Harmony Gold in Japan. Furthermore, Harmony Gold is now legally permitted to utilize 41 Macross characters within Robotech, including rights to create and sell merchandise for these characters (excluding Japan).
Both companies expressed intentions to collaborate on global distribution efforts. However, the ownership rights concerning the original series and the 1984 movie Do You Remember Love? remain ambiguous. It is plausible that both companies share these rights, meaning collaborative approval would be necessary for international distribution.
Robotech is still available for streaming on Crunchyroll in the U.S., suggesting that Harmony Gold has retained distribution rights within that territory. Notably, Funimation (currently part of Crunchyroll) announced plans to make Robotech accessible in other regions, including Latin America, with English-language options available.
Currently, Hulu and Disney+ offer a variety of Macross titles for viewers in the U.S., while Crunchyroll provides access to Robotech.
For more detailed analysis, you can refer to sources from Anime News Network and Gizmodo.
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