Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012 (超時空要塞マクロス Flash Back 2012, Chō Jikū Yōsai Makurosu Furasshu Bakku 2012) is a 1987 collection of music videos from Super Dimension Fortress Macross animated television series (1982–1983) and the Macross: Do You Remember Love? theatrical film remake (1984). Released to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the series, it also contains several minutes of new footage that depicted story-events that were initially planned, but not animated for the endings of the television series (the launch of the Megaroad colonization ship captained by Misa Ichijyo), and the film (the final concert on Earth for Lynn Minmay).[1] Preliminary designs were created for these story events in the production of the earlier works, but Flash Back 2012 was the first time that these events were animated (The earlier preliminary designs were replaced with new designs by the original director/mechanical designer Shoji Kawamori, original character designer Haruhiko Mikimoto, and original mechanical designer Kazutaka Miyatake).[1][2] The premise of the collection is a farewell concert by Lynn Minmay, who is leaving the Earth on its first long-distance colony vessel, Megaroad-01.[1]
| Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012 | |
 Japanese DVD cover | |
| Genre | Drama, Mecha, Military Sci-Fi |
|---|---|
| Created by | Studio Nue |
| Original video animation | |
| Directed by | Shoji Kawamori |
| Music by | Kentarō Haneda |
| Studio | Artland Tatsunoko |
| Licensed by |
|
| Released | 21 June 1987 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes |
SDF-2 Megaroad-01
editIt was designed by Mechanical Designer Kazutaka Miyatake.[2][3][4]
In the fictional setting of Macross, the SDF-2 Megaroad-01 was initially slated to be the second Macross-class Super Dimension Fortress space battleship, but went on to become the first long-distance Megaroad-class colony ship.[2][3]
A completely indigenous ship design based on feedback gleaned from 'Over-Technology' found on the "ASS-1" (later rechristened SDF-1 Macross) and the needs of Earth's forces, the completed SDF-2 Megaroad-01 is vastly different in size, hull design and capacity for war. Also, unlike the SDF-1 Macross, Megaroad-class colony ships lack modular transformation as its designers deemed it unnecessary after realising and overcoming the many problems that so plagued the SDF-1 following its launch. Command of the Megaroad-01 was given to war hero Misa Hayase Ichijyo. Aboard the fleet were her husband, Hikaru Ichijyo, leading the entire Skull group, and the famous idol singer Lynn Minmay.
The Megaroad-01 set out towards the center of the galaxy in 2012.[4] However, in July 2016, barely four years into its voyage toward the center of the Milky Way, all contact with the fleet abruptly ceased. This information was never made known to the general public for fear it would jeopardize all ongoing and subsequent colonization efforts. The many victories and momentous events involving Minmay and the Skull Team during the Space War have been played up over and again to the point of legend ever since, just so everyone not already in the know would believe Megaroad-01 and its fleet are still in active contact with Command. A direct result of this is the release of the film "Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love" in 2031 to remind the masses of the fragile peace they now enjoy with themes like the near extinction of humanity and some of the momentous events leading up to the end of War with the Zentradi and ending with 'Actual' footage of Minmay's Goodbye Concert Tour.
The name Megaroad originated in a pre-production name for the first Macross series, namely "Battle City Megaroad".[5] This pre-production name was written as a deliberate wordplay on "Megaroad" (a long journey through space) and "Megaload" (a massive cargo in the form of a civilian city).[5][6] After the first Macross series went into production, an additional wordplay, "Megalord," was considered for the second super dimension fortress before the name SDF-2 Megaroad-01 was finalized. There were plans for a splashy ending to the original Macross series, one that would have shown Misa Hayase and Hikaru Ichijyo blasting off in the SDF-2 ship, but the sequence was scrapped due to lack of time and budget. Due to fan demand this sequence was later used in the Macross Flashback 2012 OVA (1987).[2] However, the Macross Perfect Memory Japanese reference book for the original series that was released in 1983 includes a profile and artwork for the first SDF-2 "Megalord" design.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b c Best Hit Series: Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012 Graffiti. Shogakukan, Japan. Y910. 1987.
- ^ a b c d "Translation & Cultural Notes". The Super Dimension Fortress Macross Liner Notes. AnimEigo. 21 December 2001. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
Originally, the creators wanted to end the series with the launch of the SDF-2 and the newlywed Ichijo Misa in her new captain's uniform. Mechanical designer Miyatake Kazutaka and character designer Mikimoto Haruhiko even drew new designs appropriate for the occasion. Unfortunately, the sequence was never animated. The creators finally got the chance to redesign and animate the SDF-2 Megaroad launch (along with the Minmay Sayonara Concert that was planned but canceled for the Do You Remember Love? movie ending) four years later. The conclusion of Hikaru, Misa, and Minmay's story appears in the 1987 music video The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012.
- ^ a b Macross Chronicle Archived 29 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine Issue 14. Mechanic Sheet: FB: U.N. Spacy 01A: SDF-2 Megaroad. We've Inc. 2009.01.22
- ^ a b Best Hit Series: The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012 Graffiti. Shougakukan, Japan. Y910. 1987.
- ^ a b "Translation & Cultural Notes". The Super Dimension Fortress Macross Liner Notes. AnimEigo. 21 December 2001. Archived from the original on 13 August 2009. Retrieved 11 May 2009.
- ^ "Mecha Data". The Super Dimension Fortress Macross Liner Notes. AnimEigo. 21 December 2001. Archived from the original on 13 August 2009. Retrieved 11 May 2009.
- ^ Mechanic of Macross: SDF-2 "Megalord". p. 150. Macross Perfect Memory. Reference Book. 260 A4 pages. Minori Library, Japan. Y2800. 10 October 1983.
External links
edit- Official Macross website (in Japanese)
- Macross Flash Back 2012 at IMDb
- Macross Flash Back 2012 (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Macross Mecha Manual A website profiling the fictional vehicles of the Macross series
- Flash Back 2012 entry on Macross Compendium