Disney Plus and Hulu will be streaming the extensive saga of Macross starting next week.
Last year, it was planned for the anime franchise Macross to debut on Disney+, aiming to expand its reach in the west. However, the release of the original series, Super Dimension Fortress Macross, and its film version, Do You Remember Love?, did not occur as planned in 2024.
The reason for the delay in the release of Macross on Disney+ is not specified. But it is known that the absence of these two titles from the January 2025 Disney+ and Hulu streaming release in the US is due to persistent licensing complications and distribution rights issues that continue to limit their availability outside Japan.
Harmony Gold, the company that maintains the license for Super Dimension Fortress Macross and Do You Remember Love?, prevents them from being globally streamed outside of Japan. This is a longstanding issue, as the international rights of the Macross series have historically been complex and have delayed or restricted their distribution outside Japan.
Despite this setback, 16 out of the 18 Macross anime shows and films are set to be released on Disney+ and Hulu in the US on January 13, 2025. These include titles like Macross Delta: Absolute Live!!!!!!, Macross Delta the Movie: Passionate Valkyrie, and the Japanese television special Gekijō Tanpen Macross Frontier Toki no Meikyū.
The Macross series Macross Plus and its Movie Edition are also part of the Disney+ and Hulu release. Additionally, various Macross titles, including concert videos related to the original series and Macross Frontier, are being released for streaming on these platforms.
The Macross series Macross Frontier is represented in the Disney+ and Hulu release with four titles: Macross Frontier, Macross Fronter: The False Songstress, Macross Fronter: The Wings of Farewell, and Macross Fronter: Labyrinth of Time.
The two titles, Super Dimension Fortress Macross and Do You Remember Love?, are considered key parts of the Macross enterprise. Their exclusion from the Disney+ and Hulu release is a significant omission, marking the franchise's arrival on these platforms but not including its most iconic series and film.
The companies in control of Macross and its western equivalent Robotech had previously been at odds, but an agreement was reached. Nevertheless, the licensing issues surrounding the original Macross series and film remain unresolved, keeping them from being streamed globally.
In summary, while the Macross series is now available on Disney+ and Hulu in the US, the original series and its film are still not included due to licensing complications and distribution rights issues. The arrival of Macross content on these platforms is a step forward, but the absence of Super Dimension Fortress Macross and Do You Remember Love? is a noticeable omission.
- The future release of the iconic Macross series, including titles like Macross Delta and Macross Frontier, is set on Disney+ and Hulu, but the original series, Super Dimension Fortress Macross, and its film, Do You Remember Love?, are yet to be streamed globally due to persistent licensing complications and distribution rights issues.
- Despite the widespread availability of many Macross titles on Disney+ and Hulu, some key components, such as the original series and its film, remain unavailable, partially due to Harmony Gold's restriction on their global streaming rights.
- Io9 and Gizmodo have been following the Macross franchise's journey to arrive on mainstream television and streaming platforms like Disney+ and Hulu, with the latest development being the release of 16 out of 18 Macross anime shows and films, excluding the original series and its film due to ongoing licensing issues.
