Full Macross Franchise Guide (animated works)

Source

For those unaware, Macross is among the most prominent and long lasting mecha series in all of anime. It is most well known for its transforming jet mechs, the valkyries, and its unique blend of genres. Aside from the real robot military mecha story and space opera setting, each major entry has a great focus on romance (usually a love triangle), and heavily integrates music (most of the time idols) into their stories.

Macross is the second largest mecha franchise in anime with over 200 episodes and ~30 different related entries. It can be quite daunting to get into with the amount of titles and not knowing how exactly they relate to each other. This list will provide a basic breakdown of all the related animated entries and will hopefully give you a better understanding of this great franchise.

The best way to watch Macross is in the chronological order of release as the majority of entries are sequels to one another. It is possible to watch main series titles on their own as they largely follow their own unique plot, having knowledge or previous entries is highly recommended to get the best experience out of them.

Main Series (Mandatory Entries)

• The original (where it all began):
  Macross
  After the success of the original tv show, a movie adaptation was made:
  Macross Do You Remember Love
  The film adapts some of the key moments of the show but with a more condensed original story.
  (While both can be viewed as different interpretations of the same general story, both are treated as equally canon by future entries referencing one or the other. It is recommended to watch the tv show first as a lot of details and character arcs are highly shortened in the film’s runtime and the film has a much higher quality of animation)

• First sequel to the original:
  Macross Plus

• First sequel tv show and first to feature characters from the original making a comeback:
  Macross 7

• A prequel to the original show:
  Macross Zero
  (Best seen at this point as the next chronologically released entry directly references it)

• Next sequel:
  Macross Frontier
  Likewise to the original, an alternate 2 part film adaptation of Frontier was made in the same vein as DYRL:
  Macross Frontier The False Songstress
  Macross Frontier The Wings of Farewell

• Next sequel:
  Macross-/
  A single film adaptation was also made for Delta:
  Macross Gekijou no Walkre

• A sequel to the Delta movie was made covering new events past that of the tv show:
  Macross Zettai LIVE
  (This film ties in much more to the end of the movie version than tv show. It is recommended to watch the TV show, then the previous movie before this to get the best closure for this story arc)

Side Content (For already invested fans and best seen directly after their main series counterparts)

• Short OVA made after DYRL featuring old and a few new scenes:
  Choujikuu Yousai Macross FLASH BACK 2012

• An OVA that was meant to be first sequel after DYRL (set in an alternate universe):
  Macross II Lovers Again
  (This story was made without the involvement of the original creators and was later retconned by Plus. Best to view this story as a “What if” future than a true sequel)

• Movie adaptation of Plus:
  Macross Plus Movie Edition
  (The differences between this movie and the OVA are quite minute, thus, it isn’t necessary viewing if you’ve seen the OVA. The latter’s pacing is more fitting as it was made with that format in mind first)

• Various side stories for 7:
  Macross 7 Plus
  Macross 7 The Galaxy is Calling Me
  Macross 7 Encore
  Macross Dynamite 7
  (Best watched after completing 7 for some extra content)

• Various side stories for Frontier:
  Macross fufonfia
  Macross frontier MUSIC CLIP Shuu Nyankuri
  Macross Frontier Toki no Meikyuu
  (Best watched after completing Frontier and its movies for some extra content)

• A recap movie for 7 from the perspective of Frontier characters:
  Ozma Meets Fire Bomber Macross FB7
  (This is mainly a piece of fanservice for 7 and Frontier fans)

• Various side stories for Delta:
  Macross Special
  Macross Gekijoban Delta Shougekijou
  (Best watched after completing Delta and its movies for some extra content)

Miscellaneous extras

• Random shorts featuring the various mechs:
  Macross XX
  ALL THAT VF Macross 25th Anniversary Air Show VerZERO
  ALL THAT VF Macross 25th Anniversary Air Show Version F
  Macross Frontier Chou Jikuu Gekijou

• A pilot episode for Frontier:
  Macross Frontier Deculture Edition
  (Not necessary viewing as it is largely identical to the real episode 1 of Frontier)

Relations TBA

Macross Shinsaku Animation

Feel free to ask any further questions about the franchise!

This thread will be updated when new entries get added.