Macross International Distribution License Dispute Resolved

Mechas are one of the most iconic and culturally exportable items in anime. Mobile Suit Gundam and Neon Genesis Evangelion enjoy massive popularity not only in their native Japan, but among anime fans around the world. So it's always been a sad side note that one of the best anime mecha franchises, Macross , hasn't had any content released internationally for the last 26 years.

This is not because quality has dropped or because of a lack of demand. It is due to a decades-long legal fight over who controls the rights to the franchise and in what territories . Nonetheless, that dispute appears to have finally been resolved, at least to the extent that " immediate international distribution " of Macross is now allowed , according to a statement released by Japanese rights holders Big West that stated:

“ This comprehensive agreement signed by [Big West and Harmony Gold] on March 1, 2021, ends two decades of disagreement and will allow Big West and Harmony Gold to chart a new path that will unlock the great potential of the Macross and Robotech franchises. worldwide. The landmark agreement immediately allows for worldwide distribution of most of Macross' movies and television sequels around the world, and also confirms that Big West will not oppose the release in Japan of an upcoming Robotech live-action film.. The agreement also recognizes Harmony Gold's exclusive license with Tatsunoko Productions for the use of all 41 Macross characters and mechs in the Robotech television series and related merchandise worldwide, except Japan. In the future, both parties will cooperate in the distribution of future Macross and Robotech projects for the benefit of both franchises. »

The condensed version of the Macross licensing problem is that in the 1980s , before anime made it big overseas, Harmony Gold , a Los Angeles-based media outlet and real estate company, owned the rights to Macross . Harmony Gold included Macross along with two other unrelated anime series to create a series it titled Robotech, largely editing and stitching together their previously disconnected narratives.Harmony Gold purchased the international distribution rights to Macross from Japan's Tatsunoko Productions, but subsequent legal cases in Japan determined that Tatsunoko Productions only had authority to sell the international rights to the original 1982 Macross television series, and had no rights over subsequent installments of the Macross franchise , which were determined to be owned by Studio Nue and Big West of Japan.

It basically turned into a situation where all of Macross clearly belonged to Studio Nue / Big West in Japan . At the same time, the original Macross, in altered form, belonged to Harmony Gold, who also felt entitled to control the many sequels and spin-offs elsewhere, but only by virtue of a deal they made with Tatsunoko Productions, a company that had no control over said sequels and spin-offs. The end result is the strange duality of Macross going through a renaissance in Japan with sequel projects like Macross Zero, the incredibly popular Macross Frontier and Macross Delta , extra-packed with idols,while in the west the franchise has lost almost any real-time relevance with anime fans and Robotech has become forgotten by many .

The announcement of the deal between Big West and Haromny Gold was accompanied by comments from Big West's Managing Director , Kaya Onishi , who said: “ I am happy to help bring Macross to people around the world on the franchise's fortieth anniversary. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the President of Harmony Gold, Frank Agrama, for his courageous decision on this matter . " Frank Agrama added: «This is also an exciting time for Robotech and Macross fans around the world. I thank my friend, Bigwest Representative Director Kaya Onishi for her hard work in helping us achieve this much desired resolution that protects both of our franchises as we build a better tomorrow for both of our companies . "