One of the more exciting news for anime fans around the world for the part several weeks was that Macross was coming over to Disney+. This includes an anime catalogue spanning over 40 years which includes television series and movies. The big hoo-haa that came out of this reveal was that the original Macross series (which was released in 1982) will not be available on Disney+ outside of Japan. This is likely due to to licensing issues with Harmony Gold since it used that original series as the basis for the first part of its Robotech series: The Macross Saga. Harmony Gold is still intent on a live-action Robotech movie, so having the original Macross series being air in Western markets might just eat into its pie.

I’ve got no issue with Robotech, having grew up with it as it was staple weekday cartoon fare (it aired during the evenings), and I rather enjoyed the Jack McKinney books that also served to flesh out that universe. I only watched the Macross: Do You Remember Love movie (which is a retelling of the original series) when I was in college. I would say that the 2008 Macross Frontier series is my favourite, followed by Macross Plus (1994), Macross Delta (2016) and the original series.

The odd thing that came into my mail box a couple days ago was official communication from Disney+ Hotstar’s PR agency on the upcoming release of Macross on Disney+ Hotstar in Malaysia. While the text reads that a majority of the Macross anime catalogue will begin streaming on Disney+ Hotstar this year, the poster that accompanied that press release states “all series will be available in 2024”. Have a look for yourself on the press release and poster:

ICONIC JAPANESE SCI-FI ANIME “MACROSS” COMING 2024 TO DISNEY+ HOTSTAR

After Years Of Anticipation, This Celebrated Anime Catalogue Is Coming To Global Audiences Later This Year On Disney+ Hotstar

After four decades of astonishing Japanese viewers with its futuristic depictions of transforming mecha battles, deep space exploration and its award-winning original songs and scores, the majority of the Macross anime catalogue will begin streaming this year on Disney+ Hotstar.

Set to release in parts throughout 2024, Macross sets up the fate of the human race in the wake of a massive alien spacecraft crashing into Earth, causing an all-out space war between the United Nations Government and an unknown extraterrestrial threat that takes humanity to the brink of extinction. Following the events of the war, the New U.N. Government begins an emigration plan to ensure the survival of the species. Shortly after, the first ultra-long-range fleet, Megaroad-01 leaves the Earth, marking the beginning of humanity’s expansion into space. The Macross series goes on to depict the lives and events of future generations, including their conflicts with alien lifeforms and the power of songs, resulting in award-winning soundtracks featured throughout the franchise.

Replete with action, romance, music, and poignant modern themes, the Macross catalogue has attracted fans across the world since it first debuted in 1982. Start streaming the Macross catalogue later this year on Disney+ Hotstar.