Why This Iconic Macross Movie Deserves a U.S. Release Right Now!

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In the year 2025, the timeless movie “Macross: Do You Remember Love?” was once again screened in Japanese cinemas by Big West. Ollie Barder on Forbes wrote about the enchanting experience of watching this iconic film on a big screen. Watching “Macross: Do You Remember Love?” is a rare treat for those living in the West, as there’s no legal way to view it either in cinemas or through domestic streaming services. The general consensus is that Harmony Gold maintains ownership of the characters from the original “Macross” series, due to their agreement to incorporate the show into “Robotech.” At San Diego Comic Con 2023, Harmony Gold acknowledged that films like “Macross: Do You Remember Love?” are not allowed for release in the United States.

The movie “Macross: Do You Remember Love?” premiered in Japanese cinemas back in 1984, and it’s become a defining work within the realm of anime films. Its climactic final scene is widely regarded as one of the most iconic in anime history, solidifying “Macross” as a significant cultural symbol. Unfortunately, due to legal restrictions, it’s not easily accessible for many anime enthusiasts around the world. If I had the chance, I would personally go to the offices of Harmony Gold and Big West, ready to hand over all my savings, just to see this film released in the West. Is there any hope that “Macross: Do You Remember Love?” might eventually become available in the United States? Well, it’s a complex issue.

Sequels of certain Macross series like “Do You Remember Love”, as well as any future installments featuring common characters, robots, and/or plotlines, are not allowed at the moment. This applies to Robotech-related content at SDCC 2023. #80s #anime

— ROBOTECH (@RobotechNews) July 21, 2023

What Led to Macross: Do You Remember Love? Being Banned in the West

The longstanding and perplexing disputes regarding the intellectual properties of Macross and Robotech, two popular animated series, are as well-known as they are confusing. To put it simply, Harmony Gold, the company responsible for creating Robotech, owned certain rights to Macross outside of Japan due to its use in Robotech. However, because of these same deals, Harmony Gold was unable to legally distribute subsequent Macross series, resulting in many parts of the franchise being locked away for decades. Some Macross sequels managed to evade these restrictions, such as Macross Plus, which famously premiered in the West with an English dub featuring Bryan Cranston from Breaking Bad. Regrettably, even Macross Plus found itself stuck in legal limbo due to Harmony Gold’s deals.

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Despite Harmony Gold being commonly perceived as a notorious figure due to its past questionable business practices, it’s important to understand that the company didn’t aim for the legal issues surrounding the Macross series to become so intricate. Harmony Gold was simply protecting its trademark on the brand by preventing its release in the West, as part of an agreement with Big West, the Japanese rights holders. In a detailed analysis on Anime News Network in 2019, Justin Sevakis explained the complex legalities surrounding Macross, noting that Harmony Gold wasn’t the only obstacle preventing the series from being released overseas at that time. Sevakis described the extensive effort and legal work needed to settle the Macross rights as comparable to finding a cure for cancer.

It wasn’t just Sevakis who felt this way, as many insiders, experts, and enthusiasts shared the belief that overcoming the legal obstacles for Macross would be a near impossible feat. However, what seemed like an almost unbelievable turn of events happened when Harmony Gold, Big West, and Studio Nue managed to reach an agreement to distribute Macross internationally in 2021. This development, which might serve as evidence that miracles do exist, left fans eagerly anticipating the release of Macross: Do You Remember Love.

In the 80s, Carl Macek, the main creator of Robotech, showed a desire to turn Macross: Do You Remember Love into a movie. He hinted at this during an interview with Anime News Network in 2010. However, instead, he chose to adapt Megazone 23 into Robotech: The Movie. Since then, Macross: Do You Remember Love has been highly sought after within the anime community. Fans hoped that the film would finally reach Western audiences in 2021. Regrettably, due to a deal made in 2021, new Macross sequels featuring characters from the original anime cannot be released in the West because Harmony Gold retains the rights to those characters, as they were utilized in Robotech.

Is there Hope for the Macross Movie?

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Should I have sufficient sway in the industry, I’d strive tirelessly to bring the classic anime movie “Macross: Do You Remember Love?” to theaters across the United States. It seems unfair that this iconic piece remains confined within Japan; it is a breathtakingly beautiful animated film that encapsulates its time period perfectly. The climactic final battle is among the most memorable moments in anime films, and while clips of the movie can be found online, a theatrical experience would elevate it to something truly magical.

I’m thrilled to share that importing Japanese Blu-rays and 4K discs, including the elusive “Macross: Do You Remember Love?”, can be done effortlessly via Amazon! It feels like a temporary hiccup that Harmony Gold has stated the movie is not yet available in the U.S., but who knew we’d get this deal in 2021? The series is mostly accessible on streaming platforms now, with “Macross: Do You Remember Love?” being the remaining gem. It might require another miraculous event similar to the 2021 agreement for this film to finally reach our shores. Fingers crossed that it won’t take another 40 years!

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2025-03-29 18:12