We suggest the Robotech episodes that will get you hooked on this science fiction classic.
Being a cartoon from the 80s, youd be forgiven for automatically assumingRobotechdoesnt hold up.
I mean come on, have you tried watching any of those classic 80s shows recently?
Sure theyre nostalgic and fun, but do they really hold up to scrutiny?
Can they come close to matching the sophistication of todays kid shows?
Its not without its problems (the Max and Miriya courtship, am I right?)
but on a whole its an emotionally engaging ride.
This immediately set the groundwork for what became a saga.
Three generations of heroes fighting three successive waves of alien invaders.
The following list isnt so much one that tells the whole story ofRobotech.
This also isnt a best of list.
This is more a list that will give you a taste of whatRobotechhas to offer.
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Some spoilers are ahead but nothing that should horrifically impact your viewing.
If you do want to go in fresh, just start from the beginning.
Youre in for a wild ride.
Its time to activate the hyperspace fold jump!
There isnt a single moment of mecha combat.
Its a full on soap opera and for a show that could have been seen as just for boys?
Its great to see emotions on display so early on.
Episode 15: Homecoming
Who needs aerial combat when you could have political machinations?
Time to go home for all the refugees right?
If we let the refugees go theyll tell everyone and we kinda dont wanna look bad.
Can you just fly out into space and act as a distraction for the enemy?
The immediate sense of dread from the SDF-1 crew makes this episode.
Their own people have betrayed them.
And here they thought their only enemy was aliens.
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For all you DRAMA fans out there, weve got Rick escorting Minmei around.
A lot has changed since their near death experience.
Rick signed up for military duty while Minmei became a pop star.
Minmei prattles on all about herself and never bothers to let Rick talk.
Rick may have aged on the battlefield, but hes still a teenager at heart.
Episode 18-19: Farewell, Big Brother/Bursting Point
Okay, heres some action for you.
These two episodes feature spectacular dog fights but thankfully they have an undercurrent of emotion.
You know, like the desperate struggle to get these refugees off the ship before they riot!
From the title of Episode 18 alone, you could guess SOMEONE is going to die.
I wont spoil who, but its a game changer.Robotechpulls no punches.
I appreciate a little levity in my episodes filled with death and destruction.
Episode 27: Force of Arms
Ah, the big climax.
Its still shocking to me just how much happens in this episode.
The way the characters are able to defeat the Zentradi is nothing short of brilliant.
Not only do they blow stuff up, they also SING.
Yeah, singing brings down an alien armada.
Only inRobotech, people.
To describe this episode in any more detail would ruin it, so go check it out for yourself.
But nope, we get nine episodes of fallout from the war and it is glorious.
The Earth was turned into a wasteland and humanity has to pick up the pieces.
The peace theyve made with the Zentradi is tenuous at best.
Some of the Zentradi are still giant sized and dont like having to conform to a human lifestyle.
Khyron, who survived the final attack, uses this growing dissatisfaction to rebuild his army.
Also, Minmeis star is slowly falling and her relationship with Lynn Kyle has quickly turned abusive.
Not just physically but emotionally as well.
Its tough to watch but it finally makes you feel sympathy for Minmei.
Plus, we get some glorious set up for The Masters Saga.
You didnt miss anything; its just a clip show.
Here we meet our new lead character Dana Sterling and she instantly makes an impression.
Plus, she hasnt seen her parents in years.
This girl has a lot on her shoulders but no matter what she keeps on smiling.
The Masters saga gets a lot of crap fromRobotechfans, but Dana is criminally underrated.
Danas squad runs around the interiors of an alien ship thats clearly modeled after ancient Rome!
Forking corridors, mysterious alien labs, and closing gates blocking your escape!
This episode has got it all!
The team comradely is on delightful display as they banter and bicker while exploring.
Its just a fun outing that sets up the strange world of the Robotech Masters.
Plus, Bowie flirts with an alien cause she has a dope cosmic harp.
Episode 47: Outsiders
Ah, characters dealing with deep emotional issues.
Thats right, the soap opera level antics didnt end with the Macross saga!
Ah, Sean Phillips.
One of my favorite character archetypes.
We also get some of that classicRobotechworld building with Major John Carpenter returning from his mission with Rick Hunter.
They wont be getting relief from the SDF-3 mission anytime soon.
Hinting at further adventures we dont see on screen excites the imagination.
TheRobotechnovels would have a field day with this.
Its nice to see everyone outside the stressful rigors of day to day military life.
They get to have fun!
By the way, ion guns guns dont rupture.
Rupture-schmupture, it got us in didnt it?
That footage was mostly extended bits of violence and random segments of nudity and fan service.
This episode includes one of those when Dana is scaling the wall and you could briefly see her panties.
Theres no reason for this shot to be included and it takes you out of the episode.
Which is a shame, because it actually has the best finale of the three arcs.
New Gens still doesnt make much sense after all these years.
You shouldnt hate the Invid because your girlfriend probably would have been killed anyway.
Macross is good but it lacks the comradery seen here.
Macross might have the more memorable characters, but they sometimes felt a little disconnected from each other.
The Masters team is right in it till the end, even when they lose some of their own.
More world building goodness!
Plus, the final moments are devoid of hope.
The Earth is screwed.
From the opening seconds it has an atmosphere thats never been recaptured in any form of media.
The stirring and truly alien score.
Some have called the narration inRobotechoverdone, but I love it.
It perfectly recaps everything that happened between the two sagas and again leaves the door open for further adventures.
Yeah, a whole comic series was written about that.
When Scott Bernard, our leading character, lands on Earth?
He seeks shelter from the rain and despises the forest.
The Earths native splendor is lost on me.
Theres too many places here for an enemy to hide.
Give me a scorched Martian desert any day.
As Scott shivers in the cockpit of his mecha, he doubts his mission.
Is he in over his head?
Well, youll have to watch and find out.
Plus, hes got a transforming motorcycle that becomes battle armor.
Sure, mechas are cool, but I prefer the Cyclones.
Ground based combat always makes me care about a character more than zipping around in spaceships.
They have a small cast.
No endless generals, bridge crews, or enemy commanders.
Just a small group of freedom fighters with distinct designs and personalities.
Yeah, Im just going to spend this whole entry talking about Lancer because hes amazing.
Lancer crossdresses and makes fun of anyone who doesnt take it seriously.
It just proves how ahead of its timeRobotechwas.
Episode 65: Curtain Call
This is just another fun one.
Annie is especially hilarious here, stirring the crowd up into storming the stage.
Sure, the singing doesnt even come close to matching the lip flaps but who cares?
Sometimes you just need a good action romp and Curtain Call delivers.
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No big shocker, but hero worship will always bite you in the ass.
Episode 70: Enter Marlene
Ah, crushed hopes.
A recurring theme inRobotech, even if they more or less bounce back every time.
Here, Scott thinks the team is heading towards six thousand reinforcements.
Theyve all been decimated.
Scott is not getting any more help.
His team rightly gives him shit for taking it out on them.
Scott may be the leader, but hes not absolved of his shitty actions.
I mean yeah, its creepy, but Scott needs something to anchor him.
Something to remind him that theres a light at the end of the tunnel.
In this case its pretty literal as the team makes their way through a snowy mountain.
Theyre at each others throats when they discover an abandoned city.
Scott wants to load up and keep moving, but Rand and Annie protest.
Give it a rest, Scott.
This place is an important part of our historical heritage.
Again we see how much war has changed the human race.
Scotts not even from Earth and struggles to find a connection with it.
Rand and the others have known nothing but fighting their whole lives.
As is perhapsRobotechsbiggest theme, war isnt glorious.
Even in that darkness however, there is still hope.
There are still people who fight for whats right even up against insurmountable odds.
So thats where to get started withRobotech.
It just gets in your blood or something, I dont know.
Check outRobotechnow that its on Netflix and see if it gets in your blood.
