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In 1984, the animated television series MACROSS had soared to new heights in popularity in Japan. Never before had an animated series captivated the Japanese public like MACROSS. While shows like Astro Boy, Kimba, Gigantor, Mazinger, and Gundam had amassed devoted young followings, MACROSS transcended age, class, and gender barriers in a way no anime had before it. Songs from the series, sung by voice actress Mari Iijima as the character Lynn Minmay, were climbing the charts one after another. In fact, Lynn Minmay had become as much of a pop culture phenomenon in Japan as Madonna was in America, despite being a fictional character.
Recognizing MACROSS' widespread popularity, directors Noboru Ishiguro and Shoji Kawamori began work on a big-screen adaptation of the series. A theatrical release would allow for higher production values, crisper animation, and a more mature storyline. The challenge would be condensing the TV series' numerous episodes and complex plot into a 114-minute film. But Ishiguro and Kawamori were up to the task, determined to preserve the elements that made MACROSS a hit - transforming mecha, unique spaceships, and a character-driven narrative.
When THE SUPER DIMENSION FORTRESS MACROSS: DO YOU REMEMBER LOVE? premiered in Japanese theaters on July 21, 1984, it became an instant box office sensation.
As was the case in the classic MACROSS television series, the plot would revolve around Hikaru Ichijyo (Arihiro Hase), a daredevil-turned-fighter pilot. Ichijyo finds himself entangled in a complicated love triangle, torn between his feelings for a young Chinese pop star named Lynn Minmay and a strong-willed military officer named Misa Hayase (Mika Doi).
As in the original show, Minmay's rising fame proves too much for the young pilot to handle. Through a series of dramatic events, Ichijyo ends up paired with the stern yet vulnerable Hayase.
In an attempt to quickly escape the space fortress, the captain ordered a fold maneuver to instantly transport the ship and crew to another point in space, hoping to get them out of harm's way. Unfortunately, the maneuver was executed too close to a nearby island, which was transported along with the battleship. The island's inhabitants, including their homes and businesses, were quickly rescued and brought aboard the ship, where they worked to reconstruct Macross City and resume a normal existence.
The Zentradi soon tracked the vessel and launched an all-out effort to prevent the humans and their battle fortress from reaching Earth. During the conflict, both the Zentradi and Meltlandi became obsessed with human culture, which they referred to as "Protoculture" or a prototype culture. They were particularly fascinated by the music of pop sensation Lynn Minmay.
In the end, it was an ancient song sung by Minmay that led to peace between the three warring factions.
A year after the release of "THE SUPER DIMENSION FORTRESS MACROSS: DO YOU REMEMBER LOVE?" in Japanese theaters, the original MACROSS series would reach American audiences through the ROBOTECH television series. This sparked growing interest in the theatrical MACROSS film on this side of the Pacific. In the late 1980s, Celebrity Home Entertainment (Just For Kids) released a heavily edited VHS version under the title "CLASH OF THE BIONOIDS," aimed at young adults. This edited version removed most of the movie's violent battles and Lynn Minmay's shower scene, much to the disappointment of American MACROSS/ROBOTECH fans.
Unfortunately, a proper DVD release of the film has never materialized in the United States. This is due to an ongoing legal dispute between the production companies Big West, Tatsunoko Pro, and Harmony Gold (who produced the ROBOTECH series). Many companies have expressed interest in releasing the film on DVD, but the complex legal situation has prevented a proper release so far. As a result, "THE SUPER DIMENSION FORTRESS MACROSS: DO YOU REMEMBER LOVE?" risks becoming a lost treasure in the annals of Japanese animation releases in the United States.
The 1984 anime film "The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love?" (also known as "Chôjikû yôsai Macross: Ai oboeteimasuka" or "Clash of the Bionoids") was directed by Noboru Ishiguro and Shôji Kawamori. The story was written by Shôji Kawamori, with the screenplay by Sukehiro Tomita. The talented voice cast included Mari Iijima as Lynn Minmay, Arihiro Hase as Hikaru Ichijyo, Mika Doi as Misa Hayase, and many others. This beloved anime film was released in Japan on July 21, 1984.
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