Dear Akadot readership,

We've received quite a bit of mail and irate phone calls regarding factual errors in an interview with Carl Macek, "Re-visiting Robotech," published in these pages late last week. Several of the facts should have undergone a more stringent checking procedure, something curtailed by pressing deadlines and human error. However, the fault does not lie on the shoulders of the article's author, Len Cutler, nor Mr. Macek, who graciously granted us an interview. The fault lies with me alone, the editor of Akadot. Obviously, I cannot retract the article as it has made its indelible mark on these pages. However, to open up the forum - and as a laurel to the anime community, Mr. Macek, "Robotech" fans, "Macross" fans, et al - please read my address, a clarification and correction of the article's points, and the "Letters to the Editor: 'Robotech' Debacle," which features letters I received in response to the article. Thank you for your ear.

Sincerely,

Luis Reyes

Editor, Akadot

"Robotech" Debacle

Three major areas of concern:

1. The article alludes to "American anime." A distinction must be drawn between "anime" - imported directly from Japan, dubbed and subtitled, then released on the shelf - and "anime" - shows brought over for broadcast in the US that undergo some kind of change (i.e. "Robotech," "Cardcaptors," "Escaflowne"). The term is confusing as it refers only to the presence of anime in America, and therefore doesn't make the distinction.

2. The article also refers to the original, three anime series from which Carl Macek molded "Robotech" as "raw materials." The use of this term was never meant to demean "Macross," "Southern Cross" or "Mospeada" by inferring that they weren't complete, dynamic series in their own right.

3. Finally, the article operates under the misconception that "Macross" didn't enjoy success in Japan, when in fact it did.

Originally conceived of as a 50-episode show, producers were concerned about the commercial and economic viability of the project (though specific details remain cloudy). Consequentially, they narrowed the show to a 23-episode run. This 23-episode did so well that producers stretched the show to a 36-episode season.

Tatsunoko, the production company that bankrolled a hefty portion of the project, secured the international rights to "Macross" along with several other shows produced in the early eighties. Tatsunoko sold the show to Harmony Gold along with two other anime, "Southern Cross" and "Mospeada." Released independently, "Southern Cross" received mediocre ratings in Japan. But "Mospeada" even to this day has a strong following of dedicated fans that attribute its sub par performance on Japanese television to an unfavorable time slot. However, due to its inclusion in "Robotech," "Mospeada" has enjoyed a surge in its popularity.

[special thanks to Steve Yun at Robotech.com for his input on this correction piece]

Again, please feel free to write to us by clicking the envelope icon on the main page, or by clicking here.