Legacy Reviews: ROBOTECH Novelization

INTRODUCTION

The ROBOTECH franchise and Intellectual Property (IP), at least as most in North America were introduced to it, originates in the Saturday morning cartoons compiled and presented by Carl Macek and Harmony Gold. Figured into a series of “generations,” the entirety of the run was the combination of three distinct, yet visually similar, Japanese anime television series; originally presented as Super Dimension Fortress Macross (Wiki Link), Super Dimensional Cavalry Southern Cross (Wiki Link), and Genesis Climber MOSPAEDA (Wiki Link). It was a revolutionary form of animated entertainment for North American audiences, unafraid to present a more adult-themed setting, tackling subjects like war, discrimination, and relationships.

That’s not to say the program did not have its critics. Extensive edits from the source material, Westernization of characters and themes, not the least of which as well, the forging of connections between three discrete series to meet North American distribution requirements. These requirements also presented syndication issues; rebroadcasting the episodes out of sequence, or missing episodes could leave the audience out of step or missing events that impacted future events or episodes. What it did achieve though, was introduce the Japanese anime to a mass market of North America audience.

One of the other outlets that generated much attention to the Japanese animation series was the Tabletop Role-Playing Game (TTRPG) licensed/ presented by Palladium Books. The ROBOTECH RPG provides another avenue to enjoy the IP, the books doing a wonderful job of setting the scene for the Game Master (GM) to create scenarios and adventures for the Players to fight/role-play their way through, all the while dovetailing into the anime series. For more on the TTRPG products, see Legacy Reviews: ROBOTECH RPG.

NOVELIZATION

Brian Daley (L), James Lucerno (R)

The Author. ‘Jack McKinney’ is actually a pen name for a pair of writers: James Lucerno and Brian Daley. It’s been reported that in order to meet the insanely planned release schedule of one book per month, they wrote the books in a "leap-frog review" manner. In this fashion, James wrote a book, Brian the next, then they swapped manuscripts to match tone, pacing and style; then they wrote the next pair, and onward. It's claimed they did extensive viewing of the anime, as well as consultation with Carl Macek, producer of the Robotech anime series for Harmony Gold in the USA.

Adult Themes. The written form conveys the adult themes explored in the series in a more solid, impactful nature. The background of the Global Civil War, the politics and nature of the factions across Earth, even the tenuous balance the RDF has at maintaining some form or control while the SDF is berthed at Macross Island, all get detailed attention in the books. Once the Zentraedi arrive, that threat makes fast friends of former enemies.

• Technology. No stranger to science fiction novels is the idea that technology could make significant jumps that presents a threat to Humanity’s very survival; post nuclear age fiction was rife with this particular topic. Robotechnology is not an existential threat in and of itself, but the secrets of the SDF, for which Dr Lang (and later Dr. Lazlo Zand) only scratched the surface, still provides Humanity with vast arrays of new technology. Reflex power generators, transformable Veritech mecha, and a host of sundry items and appliances herald what would otherwise be called a Golden Age of Technology. As with any technological advance, the war machine always finds a way to lead that change, or exploit it. The Robotech series doesn’t necessarily embrace it as a central theme, but still brings it up more than perhaps the anime audience may catch, despite the narration and copious use of inner monologues by various characters. It would only be a matter of time before the same technology that bettered lives of Humanity, as derived from the ruins of the SDF, would be used for war. In this case, that threat would come from an extraterrestrial source.

• Anti-War. Rick’s view of the military and his ‘big brother’ Roy Fokker are further biased by Roy’s betrayal to stay with the family sky circus, owned by Rick’s father. That Roy joined one of the factions in the Global Civil War only exacerbates Rick’s position, presenting a naïveté that is crucial to his character arc. This theme runs throughout feudal state scenario presented in Southern Cross, and the post apocalyptic state of the world in The Invid Invasion; questions about the futility of war, impacts to civilian life, and the very existence of Humanity is examined. That it is forced upon the characters by extraterrestrial and existential threats to Humanity is recognized. There are numerous points of retrospection on the impact the conflicts have on people, civilian and military alike, and counter-cries for peace in various forms.

• Relationships. Something very distant from the cartoons of Hanna Barbara or Warner Brothers of the time, difficult relationship topics are heralded as primary topics in some episodes. There are a number of them in each ‘Generation’ that explore the sorrow of lost loved ones, burgeoning relationships and the entanglements therein, as well as inter-racial relationships – a near trope for science fiction novels. It should be noted that in several discrete cases, the anime depiction of these issues were sanitized with some infantilized humour by secondary characters, a characteristic of Japanese animation that would become a staple of the genre. The presentation to North American audiences kept much of this, often with voice-overs that did not do the topic any justice, whereas the novels allow the readers own voice to reinforce the seriousness.

• Life and Death. Despite much of the action presented in a sanitary, bloodless manner (e.g. like much of Star Wars or Star Trek at the time), this topic follows-on from the Technology, Anti-War and Relationship elements. The series was unafraid to present death and destruction, even though most are remotely assumed (e.g. RDF destroid blown up) or enemy combatants; the few scenes where Zentraedi are shot through is cheered as a victory. The loss of Roy Fokker though, presents a pivotal point for the main characters in the 'First Generation.' The death greatly affected Rick and Lisa (via Claudia), and served to move certain plot elements. The impact of Roy Fokker’s death on a cinematic animated series was a significant outlier for the day; particularly the lack of any visceral action in the scene. Southern Cross and The Invid Invasion also both presented deaths that impacted the primary characters (Dana Sterling and Scott Bernard). One must not overlook the plot element whereby the Zentraedi use an orbital bombardment and destroy a significant percentage of Humanity, that somehow does NOT get thwarted by the heroes. This was a big leap for the anime audience, and the novels do a great job reflecting the immediate and generational impacts.

• Protoculture. As the basis for Robotechnology, there is more to the substance than an incredibly powerful energy source. The Flower of Life has a history explored throughout the series, a tragedy that begins long before the SDF-1 arrival to Earth and extending long after. The ‘First Generation’ doesn’t explore this much, but many of the ‘remainder continue to provide snippets of the story. The mystical energy derived from these flowers, originally found on the Invid home world, not only provides power but also a shaping effect in the background, creating events and connections that allows the plot to develop as presented. It's a nuanced effect that I find rather successful in the novelization, as a way to tie them all together in a manner the anime fails to accomplish.

• Japanese Worldview. Something that came up in my broader research, is the idea that the RDF forces as the ‘good guys’ represent the WWII and post-War Japanese, ravaged by conflict and pulling themselves up out of post-war poverty and strife. The arrival of American military personnel, the proverbial industrial giants of the time (read: Zentraedi), are the warriors encountered. These warriors develop a fascination with the ‘alien’ culture and benefit from adopting at least part of their worldview. There may be some truth to the position, but I am sorely uninformed on the mentality of the writers, Japanese cultural norms and perceptions of the post-war era, and of the creators' position writ-large to determine if this is remotely true or not. I present it simply as an interesting position; worthy of note, not one I necessarily endorse.

• Discrimination. One doesn’t need to look too hard to find contemporary examples to prove its relevance. In the Western world, there remain copious examples of a vocal minority that would happily cheer Humanity’s victory over the alien, yet equally accept any cinematic example of bridging the divide between species through dialogue and understanding. The hypocrisy these same individuals would present in their interactions with those of differing race, gender or gender expression, creed, religion or language, certainly provides adequate reason to why this trope remains so popular among genre publications.

• Scope and Scale. Something not to be ignored is both the scope and scale of the series topics, but also how it was presented. Gone are the single-pilot views of the battle as the singular hero, with just their perspective making any difference. The cast of characters allows for a much more nuanced examination of the themes, as well as viewpoints to critical events. Those events are also something much broader, with greater impact. Each ‘Generation’ faces existential threats to Humanity and must overcome geopolitical friction, as well as fleet-level encounters that make a single Veritech a miniscule element of the whole, let alone the impact the plot elements have over Humanity as a whole.

Epigraphs. Something I found very interesting, these books fall in line with the publication of Dune and several other sci-fi novels in the publication timeframe. The use of non-canon epigraphs to introduce each chapter provides a neat insight into the overall novelization, and presents the general theme and pacing for each chapter. Mostly drawn from presumed future publications, they quote some of the more famous and infamous characters throughout the Intellectual Property. They provide the reader a bit of a preview, but also some extraneous tidbits that allow the novelization a more serious, adult feel to it.

ROBOTECH NOVEL REVIEWS

First Generation (Robotech Defence Forces). Based on the Super Dimensional Fortress Macross saga. This is the story of humanity’s response to the arrival of the SDF, and forces of the Zentraedi intent on capturing it. Presents stories centred on primarily on Rick Hunter, Lisa Hayes, Henry Gloval, and Minmei.

• Book 1: Genesis. The SDF-1 arrives on Earth, pitting the forces of the SDF-1 and its stalwart RDF forces against the mighty Zentraedi fleets.

• Book 2: Battle Cry. The SDF-1, now traversing from Pluto to Earth, faces off against the Zentraedi at Saturn, Mars, and sees a major culture clash start to affect the mighty Zentraedi.

• Book 3: Homecoming. Forthcoming!

• Book 4: Battle Hymn. Forthcoming!

• Book 5: Force of Arms. Forthcoming!

• Book 6. Doomsday. Forthcoming!

Second Generation (Southern Cross). Based on the Super Dimensional Cavalry Southern Cross. This is the story of Dana Sterling and her unit as they fight the forces of the Robotech Masters, who have come to Earth after they discover the failed outcome of the Zentraedi’s efforts.

• Book 7: Southern Cross. Forthcoming!

• Book 8: Metal Fire.  Forthcoming!

• Book 9: The Final Nightmare.  Forthcoming!

Third Generation (Invid Invasion). Based on the Genesis Climber MOSPAEDA series. Scott Bernard returns to Earth to find the Invid have taken over. His attack wave's attempt to rid the Earth of the Invid invaders catastrophically fails, but he resets and begins a rag-tag counter-insurgency operation against the Invid invaders.

• Book 10: Invid Invasion. Forthcoming!

• Book 11: Metamorpohosis. Forthcoming!

• Book 12: Symphony of Light. Forthcoming!

IMPRESSIONS

First Generation. Easily the most expansive and immersive of the trilogy, it is easily the longest in terms of episodes and novels. With six books, the reader is presented with several character arcs that, in some cases, take the entirety of the series to develop. I found it interesting to look at the original Japanimation Wiki page and saw that Minmei, Lisa and Rick were listed (in that order) as main characters. I would argue the story essentially revolves around Rick and his experiences, but I digress. The 'First Generation' provides some heady topics for younger viewers and readers to digest, something I found appealing each time I've read it. Certainly better received (by me in any case) in the novelization over the anime, it is a nostalgically enjoyable read, despite not having touched it for over 30 years. I particularly enjoyed the interplay between Breetai and Capt Gloval throughout, two dogged and experienced commanders testing each other. Not to completely dismiss the anime, the style and the action certainly has an appeal, with action sequences to delight any young viewer. It certainly has aged, in particular the social interactions of many of the the characters, but I have no issues reliving the Veritech dogfights and Destroid battles against the Zentraedi invaders. It also benefits as having the longest run of novels within the trilogy, allowing the reader to get much more in-depth characterization/character arcs, and the exploration of a variety of topics.

Southern Cross.  Forthcoming!

Invid Invasion. Forthcoming!

CONCLUSION

It's difficult to adequately position how important the ROBOTECH series that Karl Macek and Harmony Gold was to the development of anime and children's cartoons back in its era. The 1980s were rife with non-linear, single episode stories that had little to no bearing at all to the next episode of the former. The topics were rarely very risque and catered to a much more conservative and restrained presentation. The classics of the time: Bugs Bunny and Road Runner Show, The Smurfs, He-Man, Transformers, G.I. Joe, and the like were all part of a new era of shows that had a pre-planned revenue stream of toys and products to support them. The ROBOTECH franchise certainly didn't eschew from that lucrative market, but its episodic nature and unabashed portrayal of war (and subsequent violence), as well as a host of more mature content of relationships, death anti-war sentiments, politics, and race relations were front and center. Some nuance was leveraged, but there was no mistaking the intent.

One must recognize that the originally presented anime from Harmony Gold has not aged very well. The hallmarks of that time period can be found in modern anime/japanimation properties, but these are set for current audiences and expectations. Minmei's songs, the pouty and bombastic exclamations from the Bridge Bunnies, and dialogue make for a campy trip down memory lane. The same criticisms could not be equally said of the novels. Originally released one book each month during a period between 1986-1987, they remain a very accessible and immersive return to the IP that caught so much attention 40 years ago. Although many of the scenes from the anime that would be viewed from askance nowadays remain, the portrayal of topics by Jack McKinney allows the reader to interpret them in a more modern way, without taking away from the story. The action flows, the pacing remains quick throughout. Despite mostly numbering around 200 pages per novel, they allow the reader to better dive into the emotional understanding of the characters and the sweeping messages the plot presents. For any fan of the anime, I can only very highly recommend the novels as the standard for experiencing the story and enjoyment of this IP, even now, 40 years later.

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