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Macross 7
Macross 7
from Wikipedia
Macross 7
Cover for the first Blu-ray box set.
マクロス7
(Makurosu Sebun)
GenreMecha, musical, military science fiction[1]
Created byShōji Kawamori
Anime television series
Directed byTetsurō Amino
Produced byKaya Oonish
Akira Iguchi
Written bySukehiro Tomita
Music byShirō Sagisu (stock music)
Yoko Kanno (stock music)
StudioAshi Productions
Licensed by
Original networkJNN (MBS)
Original run October 16, 1994 September 24, 1995
Episodes49 + 3 OVAs
Manga
Macross 7: Trash
Written byHaruhiko Mikimoto
Published byKadokawa Shoten
MagazineShōnen Ace
Original runOctober 18, 1994May 26, 2001
Volumes8
Manga
Macross 7: Valkyrie Rock
Written byOchi Yoshihiko
Published byShogakukan
MagazineMonthly CoroCoro Comic
Original runNovember 1994March 1995
Anime film
Macross 7: The Galaxy is Calling Me!
Directed byTetsurō Amino
Produced by
  • Katsunori Haruta
  • Minoru Takanashi
  • Yoshio Tsuda
Written byShōji Kawamori
Music byShirō Sagisu (stock)
Yoko Kanno (stock)
StudioHal Film Maker
Studio Junio
Licensed by
  • Big West (licensing)
    Disney Platform Distribution (worldwide streaming license)
    • NA: Crunchyroll (home video)
ReleasedSeptember 30, 1995 (1995-09-30)
Runtime33 minutes
Original video animation
Macross Dynamite 7
Directed byTetsurō Amino
Produced by
  • Minoru Takanashi
  • Hiroshi Katou
  • Hirotaka Kanda
  • Tomoko Yamazaki
  • Yume Moriya
Written by
  • Shōji Kawamori[a]
  • Sukehiro Tomita[b]
Music byShirō Sagisu (stock)
Yoko Kanno (stock)
StudioAshi Productions
Licensed by
  • Big West (licensing)
    Disney Platform Distribution (worldwide streaming license)
Released December 18, 1997 August 25, 1998
Runtime30 minutes
Episodes4
Manga
Macross 7th Chord
Written byAkira Kano
Published byKadokawa Shoten
MagazineMacross Ace
Original runJanuary 2009March 2011
Volumes1
Anime film
Macross Fb7 Listen to My Song!
Directed byTetsurō Amino
Written by
  • Shōji Kawamori[c]
  • Tetsurō Amino[d]
StudioSatelight
Licensed by
  • Big West (licensing)
    Disney Platform Distribution (worldwide streaming license)
ReleasedOctober 20, 2012 (2012-10-20)
Runtime90 minutes
icon Anime and manga portal

Macross 7 (マクロス7, Makurosu Sebun) is an anime television series. It is a sequel to the show The Super Dimension Fortress Macross that takes place many years after the events of the first series following a cast of mostly new characters. The show ran from October 16, 1994, to September 24, 1995, at 11:00 a.m., and 49 episodes were aired. Although it has been distributed in the other parts of the world, it remained unlicensed in North America until July 2022 when Right Stuf along with Nozomi Entertainment announced that they would be releasing the series on home video.[2]

Macross 7 is best known for its music, and since the show began airing over a dozen albums have been released by the fictional band Fire Bomber that stars in the show. Macross 7 exists in the official Studio Nue chronology and canon, with story concept by Shoji Kawamori, who also handled mechanical designs along with Kazutaka Miyatake.[3] A theatrical episode, Macross 7: The Galaxy is Calling Me!, was released in 1995. Several OVAs were also released, including Macross 7: Encore and later, Macross Dynamite 7. In 2012, a crossover movie retelling the Macross 7 events by Macross Frontier characters, Macross Fb7 Listen to My Song!, was released.

Synopsis

[edit]

Thirty-five years after the events of the original The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, a spacecraft called Macross 7 leads the 37th colonial fleet on a colonization mission into deep space. The story focuses on the fleet's encounters with an alien force called the Protodeviln, and especially events surrounding a rock and roll band called Fire Bomber, consisting of Basara Nekki (lead singer), Mylene Flare Jenius (seventh daughter of Maximilian Jenius and Milia Fallyna Jenius), Ray Lovelock, and full blooded Zentradi Veffidas Feaze.

The fleet's flagship is the Macross 7, which is actually composed of two parts: Battle 7 and City 7. Battle 7 is the fore section of the ship. It is a fully transformable battle carrier that is able to separate itself from City 7 during battle. Battle 7 is captained by original series regular Maximilian Jenius, who is also the commander of the entire fleet. The much larger back section of the two part ship is known as City 7 and is the main civilian population center of the fleet, containing a population in excess of one million people. The mayor of City 7 is the estranged wife of Maximilian Jenius, Milia Fallyna Jenius. City 7 features a "shell" that can close in order to protect the civilian population during battle.

In the seventh year of their mission the Macross 7 fleet encounters an unknown alien enemy. This new mysterious enemy is composed of heavily modified Valkyries led by a man named Gigil. In the first encounter, the Macross 7 engages the enemy with squadrons of their own Valkyries. This conventional warfare does little to stop the attack however. The enemy's tactics are different from the average rogue, or 'uncultured', Zentradi that are encountered in space travel. In the first battle with the Macross 7 fleet, the new enemy's main tactic is to extract an energy form called 'Spiritia' from the Valkyrie pilots, leaving them in a vegetative state.

Civilian musician Basara Nekki has a modified red state of the art VF-19 "Fire" Valkyrie of his own, and goes out to engage the enemy of his own accord. His VF-19 has an unusual control scheme that mimics a guitar, and he does not attack the enemy with weapons, choosing instead to fire speaker pods into enemy mecha, and playing his songs to the enemy. In the first few encounters, Basara's music does little to drive the enemy away, and the Macross 7 fleet's ace pilot, Gamlin Kizaki is bewildered and annoyed by Basara's endeavor, claiming that it interferes with the other pilots during combat.

It is eventually revealed that Basara Nekki was given the Valkyrie by his friend and bandmate Ray Lovelock, who is a former UN Spacy Valkyrie pilot, and part of secret project inspired by the effectiveness of Lynn Minmay's singing in the original war with the Zentradi. Eventually project head, Dr. Chiba, discovers that Spiritia deprived vegetative pilots can be revived. By playing them Fire Bomber's music the patients eventually wake up and return to normal.

Eventually the enemy infiltrates City 7 and begins extracting Spiritia from civilians. Due to the secretive nature of the infiltrators and the state of their victims, they are dubbed 'vampires' by the public forum. One of the 'vampires' is captured and revealed to be a human from an earlier lost space mission. A brainwashing mechanism found inside the helmet of the 'vampire' is used to control them. The captured prisoner is exposed to Fire Bomber's music and regains his memories. The prisoner, now revealed to be a Blue Rhinoceros elite squadron pilot, Irana Hayakawa, tells his story. Harakawa stated that the Blue Rhinoceros was a team sent to investigate the fourth planet of the Varautan system, which apparently holds Protoculture secrets, or even descendants of the Protoculture themselves. They were supposed to rendezvous with the United Forces Advisor Ivano Gunther, only to find that Gunther was possessed by an alien entity called the Protodeviln. The entire mission force is taken by the Protodeviln and used to assemble the new Supervision Army that is attacking the Macross 7 fleet.

City 7 is stolen by the Protodeviln, and for a short period of time it is separated from the rest of the fleet. Eventually they are rescued. After this the elite fighter squadron Diamond Force is permanently assigned to City 7 as a special defense force.

The Sound Force is created by the UN Spacy, and all the members of Fire Bomber are given their own specially modified Valkyries. They are sent out to confront the enemy with their music whenever the fleet is attacked.

The Macross 7 fleet gathers information in an attempt to understand their new enemy, while Geperuniti, the leader of the Protodeviln, begins to take steps towards achieving his goal of creating a Spiritia Farm, capable of producing an endless supply of the energy force that the Protodeviln depend on for life. With a generous supply of Spiritia being collected by the 'vampires', other Protodevilns begin to awaken from their sleep. One of them, named Sivil, goes to attack the Macross fleet. During the first encounter between Basara and Sivil, the effectiveness of his music was proven when it drove Sivil away. Sivil becomes interested in Basara, whom she refers to as the Anima Spiritia. Gigil leaves the Protodeviln fleet and joins the 'vampires' in City 7. Eventually due to constant contact with Basara and his music, Sivil begins to lose strength. She hides away in a separate "forest" section of City 7, and eventually goes into a state of hibernation, encasing herself in a force field. Basara discovers Sivil and sings to her daily in the hope of waking her up. Gigil watches Basara from the shadows, and collects Spiritia in order to help revive Sivil.

Around this time, Dr. Chiba discovers that Basara's singing creates what he calls Sound Energy. He creates the 'Sound Boosters', an attachment for the Sound Force Valkyries, in order to amplify and control the projection of this energy in battle.

Meanwhile, another colonization fleet, the Macross 5, makes contact with the Macross 7 fleet. The Macross 5 fleet has found a suitable planet to inhabit, and christened it as the planet Rax. However, soon the Macross 7 fleet loses all contact with the Macross 5. Arriving at Rax, they find the whole Macross 5 fleet decimated, but oddly few dead bodies are found. They assume that the people of the Macross 5 fleet were in fact taken captive by the Protodeviln. The Protodeviln fleet surrounds the planet forcing the Macross 7 fleet to remain on its surface.

At this time the military found out about Sivil being in the forest section of City 7 and takes her away to be studied. Gigil rampages in his Battroid in an attempt to find and rescue Sivil. Together he and Basara managed to awakened Sivil, who escapes from the laboratory.

Basara decides to search the planet for Sivil. Finally, he and Gigil find her inside an active volcano. Basara begins singing and manages to awaken her. When Sivil is awakened, the volcano suddenly begin to sink into the ocean. After the dust clears a ruin rises from sea. The ruins are investigated by the non micronized Zentradi Exsedol Folmo, who is now the top science advisor in the Macross 7 fleet. He concludes that it is a ruin from the Protoculture. The ruins reveal the mysterious genesis of the Protodeviln and how they were defeated by the Protoculture using something called the Anima Spiritia. In the end, the ruins are destroyed by Geperuniti's fleet and another pair of Protodeviln called Glavil and Gavil. This happens before the Macross crew can find out exactly what Anima Spiritia is.

Geperuniti now views Sivil and Gigil as a threat to his plans of creating a Spiritia Farm and orders his Protodeviln henchmen, Valgo, Gavil and Glavil to pursue and kill them. In the ensuing battle Gigil takes on his true form, and begins to sing Basara's music. He discovers that he can actually generate his own Spiritia this way. Gigil defends Sivil to his death, causing the entire planet Rax to explode.

Basara and Sivil mourn for Gigil while the battle with Geperuniti intensifies. The UN Government of Earth gives the permission to Captain Maximilian Jenius to use the illegal Reaction Weaponry against the Protodeviln. Captain Jenius forms a plan called Operation Stargazer in which a few elite volunteer pilots will accompany him to the fourth planet of the Varautan system, now known to be the base of Protodeviln operations. The mission is to stealthily attack the planet and plant the Reaction Weaponry in the chamber which houses the Protodevilns' bodies. Mayor Milia Fallyna Jenius is given temporary command of the fleet during the mission. Amongst the volunteers for this mission are the entire Sound Force.

Basara decides to do things his way and starts singing as soon as he reaches the planet. Surrounded by heavy fire, Diamond Force leader Gamlin Kizaki decides to focus on defending the Sound Force. He eventually crashes his Valkyrie unto Gavil's FBz-99G Zaubergern mecha, destroying it, but also appearing to be killed himself. When all looks lost the real plan of Operation Stargazer is revealed as Captain Jenius folds into the battle in a new advanced VF-22S Sturmvogel II Valkyrie carrying the Reaction Weapon. He races into the heart of the enemy stronghold, plants the weapon, and orders everyone to flee. But the mission is thwarted when in the last minute when the ingenious Geperuniti folds the Reaction Weapon to the location of Operation Stargazer group's Northhampton class frigate, destroying it.

The surviving members of the operation are captured by the Protodeviln, but they eventually manage to escape their holding cells. Just then Gamlin reappears in a Varautan Mecha, and helps defend the escapees against Gavil's attacks. While escaping, they discovered the Protodevilns have imprisoned the captured Macross 5 people, encasing them in a crystal-like chamber, and extracting their Spiritia. Basara tries to save them, but his efforts are in vain and they are forced to evacuate the area before Geperuniti destroys them. They escape using one of the Varautan space cruisers.

After escaping, Gamlin was possessed by Gavil, and he takes his VF-17D Nightmare Valkyrie and goes on a rampage through the Macross 7. The Sound Force were deployed and Basara and Mylene started singing. Gavil then captured Mylene and demands that Basara surrenders to the Protodeviln. Just then, Mylene steps out of her Valkyrie and starts singing, drawing out the possessed Gamlin out of his Valkyrie. Gavil is forced to depart from Gamlin and flees.

In another battle, the newly awakened Protodeviln twins, Zomd and Goram confronts the Macross 7 Fleet. Bringing along the crystal-like chambers containing the Macross 5 people, Basara's music was turned against him - as his music would serve to regenerate the Spiritia of the captured Macross 5 people, which later would be extracted from them to revive the Protodeviln twins. However, Captain Maximilian Jenius devises a plan to use the fold generators on the chambers and the plan was carried out by Gamlin and Docker, the leader of the Emerald Force. When the chambers are safely folded away, all the ships in the fleet fire their Reaction Weaponries. Although the Protodeviln twins were severely injured, they miraculously regenerated. Basara begins to sing and drives them mad. Sivil shows up and drives the Protodeviln away, but her powers are drained, and she crashes into Battle 7. Basara tries to revive her, but she accidentally drains him of his Spiritia, putting him into a vegetative state.

In the last part of the series, Geperuniti takes on his true form, which is an enormous Spiritia "Black Hole" that will eventually drain the entire universe of Spiritia. Under the command of Captain Maximilian Jenius, Battle 7 folded to the Protodeviln's base, begins to transform in order to fire the Sound Buster - the combination of Song Energy and the Macross Cannon. Firing several rounds of the Sound Buster, the Macross Cannon overloads and explodes. A strange reaction occurs, and Geperuniti begins to lose control of himself.

Waves of energy hit Battle 7 and prove to be too powerful for even the pinpoint barrier to withstand. Battle 7 is destroyed and the crews flee to safety. Geperuniti begins to extract Spiritia from everyone, even folding the rest of the Macross 7 fleet, including City 7 in order to extract more Spiritia. Geperuniti even goes against his own kind, killing Zomd and Goram. Gavil and Gravil, then, goes against Geperuniti, trying to convince him to stop. At the very last minute, Basara awakens when everyone begins singing to him, and goes out to fight Geperuniti. Together with Sivil they sing to Geperuniti until he also begins to sing. Geperuniti realizes that he can create his own Spiritia through music, and takes on a new form. He and his host of remaining Protodeviln then leave this galaxy to explore the rest of the universe. Sivil tells Basara that she will always remember his songs, and goes off with her kind.

Characters

[edit]

New characters

[edit]

Returning characters

[edit]

Protodeviln

[edit]

Media

[edit]

Movies

[edit]

Macross 7: The Galaxy is Calling Me!

[edit]

Macross 7: The Galaxy is Calling Me! (劇場版マクロス7 銀河がオレを呼んでいる!, Gekijō-ban Makurosu Sebun Ginga ga Ore wo Yondeiru!) is a theatrical episode of Macross 7. It is estimated to take place around episodes 38-41 of Macross 7, and was shown alongside Macross Plus: Movie Edition. The story tells of how Basara Nekki and Mylene Flare Jenius' sister, Emilia Jenius became acquainted. Basara winds up on an icy planet due to a fold accident. The townsfolk he encounters say a monster lives in the mountains, which causes Basara to investigate. He then meets Emilia Jenius, a full-sized Meltlan who sings on the planet because her voice is too loud for populated worlds. Emilia, who sports Milia Fallyna Jenius' green hair, aspires to be like Lynn Minmay, flies a Queadlunn Ouilqua Power Armor—a custom variant. Emilia's singing causes an Anima Spiritia irregularity, causing the Protodevilin, Gavil, Glavil and Natter-Valgo to investigate on orders by Lord Gepernich. Basara and Emilia fight the Protodevilin with song after Basara throws his VF-19-Kai "Fire Valkyrie" in the way of Emilia's missiles attacking Glavil. With the help of the other Sound Force members who show up during the battle, along with Gamlin Kizaki, the Protodevilins are repelled and flee. However, Emilia's custom power armor is destroyed during the battle while saving the townsfolk from a flood.

Macross Fb7

[edit]

A crossover retelling of the Macross 7 events by the subsequent series Macross Frontier characters, Macross Fb7 Listen to My Song! (with "Fb" for Fire Bomber), was released in 2012 in celebration of Macross 30th anniversary. Macross Fb7 was a full-length theatrical movie that continued the Macross 7 and Macross Frontier series' story.

OVAs

[edit]

Macross 7: Encore

[edit]

The Macross 7: Encore (マクロス7 アンコール, Makurosu Sebun Ankōru) OVA consists of three unrelated episodes set in the original Macross 7 TV series timeline. It is speculated that the story of Macross 7: Encore takes place around episodes 39-42 of Macross 7. The first episode, "Fleet of the Strongest Women", the Macross 7 fleet encountered a fleet of uncultured Meltlandi led by Chlore, an ace pilot rival of Milia. The second episode, "On Stage", details the story behind Basara Nekki, Ray Lovelock and Veffidas Feaze and describes how the rock band Fire Bomber was formed. Lastly, in the third episode, "Which One Do You Like?", Milia Fallyna Jenius thinks that she is dying due to her micronization, and thus desires to fulfill her last objectives before she 'departs'.

Macross Dynamite 7

[edit]

Macross Dynamite 7 (マクロスダイナマイト7, Makurosu Dainamaito Sebun) is an OVA set one year after the events in Macross 7. Released in 1997 in celebration of the Macross 15th anniversary, Macross Dynamite 7 was a four episode OVA that continued the Macross 7 series' story. A subplot that involved the drugging and sexual assault of Mylene was removed when the OVA series was released on streaming services in Japan and overseas in 2025.[4]

Manga

[edit]

Macross 7: Trash

[edit]

Macross 7: Trash (マクロス7 トラッシュ, Makurosu Sebun Trash) is an eight-volume manga series by Macross character designer Haruhiko Mikimoto, serving as a side-story to Macross 7. Trash takes place early during the year 2046, focusing on Shiva Midou (a young "T-Crush" athlete who is rumored to be an illegitimate son of the famous Max Jenius), Mahala Fabrio (an ex-military officer), and Enika Cherryni (Shiva's girlfriend, who becomes the next "Minmay Voice" singing idol), as the three become entwined in a military plot. Unlike many other Macross manga, Trash does not feature any mecha or combat, instead focusing on the characters themselves. It was serialized for 52 monthly chapters in Shōnen Ace magazine from October 1994 to May 2001, then published as tankōbon from 1995 to 2001 by Kadokawa Shoten. In 2003, Tokyopop announced that they would be working with Harmony Gold to bring the Macross 7: Trash manga to the West with a slated spring 2004 release.[5] However, licensing issues (likely due to legal complications regarding the Macross franchise rights in the west at the time) caused the release to get cancelled.[6]

Trash takes place in the Macross 7 fleet early during the year 2046 of Macross timeline. The story revolves around a sport called "T-Crush", similar to roller derby but with air blades (hovering roller blades) and fighting. As the story progresses, weapons are added to the equipment and it becomes a one-on-one combat tournament.

Another plot element is the "Mind System" used to power the weapons in the tournament. The system was in development 7 years before the story begins and it caused a fatal accident during a military training session. On the surface, the system converts the emotions of a person into energy but the true functionality of the system is hidden until late in the story.

The story starts with Mahala quitting the military and being asked by Colonel Bacelon to seek out talented people and recruit them as pilots. By chance, she meets Shiva, a T-Crush player, and she becomes the coach of his team. Bacelon supplies the teams with weapons powered with the Mind System and organizes a tournament. Mahala became suspicious of Bacelon's intentions but is forced to cooperate after she was caught breaking into his data files. The team makes their way to the final where the truth is revealed.

Characters
[edit]
  • Shiva Midou (シバ御堂, Shiba Midō): A young "T-Crush" athlete who is rumored to be an illegitimate son of the famous Maximilian Jenius.
  • Enika Cherryni (エニカ·チェリーニ, Enika Cherīni): Shiva's girlfriend, who becomes the next "Minmay Voice" singing idol.
  • Mahala Fabrio (マハラ·ファブリオー, Mahara Faburiō): An ex-military officer. She was the teacher of the student who died in the accident 7 years ago.
Volumes
[edit]
No. Release date ISBN
1April 26, 1995 (1995-04-26)4-04-713105-9
2November 28, 1995 (1995-11-28)4-04-713122-9
3June 26, 1996 (1996-06-26)4-04-713142-3
4May 30, 1997 (1997-05-30)4-04-713183-0
5October 29, 1997 (1997-10-29)4-04-713198-9
6July 29, 1998 (1998-07-29)4-04-713230-6
7July 27, 1999 (1999-07-27)4-04-713293-4
8June 27, 2001 (2001-06-27)4-04-713397-3

International release

[edit]

Due to a legal dispute over the distribution rights of the Macross franchise, involving Studio Nue and Big West against Harmony Gold, much of the Macross merchandise, including Macross 7, have not received an international release.[7]

However, on March 1, 2021, Big West, Studio Nue and Harmony Gold reached an agreement on the international distribution of most Macross sequels and films. On July 2, 2022, during an Anime Expo panel held by Right Stuf and Nozomi Entertainment, they announced that Macross 7 would be getting its first North American home video release on Blu-Ray via two sets being regular and collector's edition Blu-Rays, respectively.

Soundtrack

[edit]

Macross 7 is unique from other Macross titles, as it does not have its own musical score. Instead, it relies heavily on songs by Fire Bomber as its soundtrack. The series also reuses selected BGM tracks and songs from Macross II and Macross Plus.

Episode list

[edit]

TV series

[edit]
No. Title Air date
1"Speaker Pod"
Transliteration: "Supīkā Poddo" (Japanese: スピーカーポッド)
October 16, 1994 (1994-10-16)
2"Spiritia Level"
Transliteration: "Supirichia Reberu" (Japanese: スピリチアレベル)
October 23, 1994 (1994-10-23)
3"Fire Scramble"
Transliteration: "Faiā Sukuranburu" (Japanese: ファイアースクランブル)
October 30, 1994 (1994-10-30)
4"Vampire Soldier"
Transliteration: "Banpaia Sorujā" (Japanese: バンパイアソルジャー)
November 6, 1994 (1994-11-06)
5"Spirit Girls"
Transliteration: "Supiritto Gyaru" (Japanese: スピリットギャル)
November 13, 1994 (1994-11-13)
6"First Contact"
Transliteration: "Fāsuto Kontakuto" (Japanese: ファーストコンタクト)
November 20, 1994 (1994-11-20)
7"Summer Accident"
Transliteration: "Samā Akushidento" (Japanese: サマーアクシデント)
November 27, 1994 (1994-11-27)
8"Virgin Bomber"
Transliteration: "Bājin Bonbā" (Japanese: バージンボンバー)
December 4, 1994 (1994-12-04)
9"Angel Night"
Transliteration: "Enjeru Naito" (Japanese: エンジェルナイト)
December 11, 1994 (1994-12-11)
10"Deep Ballad"
Transliteration: "Dīpu Barādo" (Japanese: ディープバラード)
December 18, 1994 (1994-12-18)
11"Minmay Video"
Transliteration: "Minmei Bideo" (Japanese: ミンメイビデオ)
December 25, 1994 (1994-12-25)
12"Spiritia Farm"
Transliteration: "Supirichia Fāmu" (Japanese: スピリチアファーム)
January 8, 1995 (1995-01-08)
13"Fold Out"
Transliteration: "Fōrudo Auto" (Japanese: フォールドアウト)
January 15, 1995 (1995-01-15)
14"Fighting Woman Mayor Milia"
Transliteration: "Tatakau Onna Shichō Miria" (Japanese: 戦う女市長ミリア)
January 22, 1995 (1995-01-22)
15"A Girl's Jealousy"
Transliteration: "Otome no Jerashī" (Japanese: 乙女のジェラシー)
January 29, 1995 (1995-01-29)
16"Music Box on the Battlefield"
Transliteration: "Senjō no Orugōru" (Japanese: 戦場のオルゴール)
February 5, 1995 (1995-02-05)
17"Pretty Devil"
Transliteration: "Puriti Debiru" (Japanese: プリティデビル)
February 12, 1995 (1995-02-12)
18"Falling Little Devil"
Transliteration: "Ochiteiku Koakuma" (Japanese: おちていく小悪魔)
February 19, 1995 (1995-02-19)
19"Deadly Date"
Transliteration: "Inochigake no Dēto" (Japanese: 命がけのデート)
February 26, 1995 (1995-02-26)
20"Lady Biker's Temptation"
Transliteration: "Redīsu no Yūwaku" (Japanese: レディースの誘惑)
March 5, 1995 (1995-03-05)
21"Dangerous Kiss"
Transliteration: "Abunai Kisu" (Japanese: あぶないKISS)
March 12, 1995 (1995-03-12)
22"Men of Burning Passion"
Transliteration: "Atsuki Honō no Otokotachi" (Japanese: 熱き炎の男たち)
March 19, 1995 (1995-03-19)
23"Sound Force"
Transliteration: "Saundo Fōsu" (Japanese: サウンドフォース)
March 26, 1995 (1995-03-26)
24"Merry-Go-Round"
Transliteration: "Merī Gō Raundo" (Japanese: メリーゴーランド)
April 2, 1995 (1995-04-02)
25"Midnight Duet"
Transliteration: "Shin'ya no Deyuetto" (Japanese: 深夜のデュエット)
April 9, 1995 (1995-04-09)
26"Deadly Battle at Planet Lux"
Transliteration: "Wakusei Rakusu no Shitō" (Japanese: 惑星ラクスの死闘)
April 16, 1995 (1995-04-16)
27"Rainbow-Colored Song Energy"
Transliteration: "Nanairo no Uta Enajī" (Japanese: 七色の歌エナジー)
April 23, 1995 (1995-04-23)
28"New Sound Weapon"
Transliteration: "Saundo Shin Heiki" (Japanese: サウンド新兵器)
April 30, 1995 (1995-04-30)
29"Dad and Mom Fall in Love Again"
Transliteration: "Papa, Mama Ai Futatabi" (Japanese: パパ、ママ愛再び)
May 7, 1995 (1995-05-07)
30"Formula for a Love Triangle"
Transliteration: "Sankaku Kankei no Kōshiki" (Japanese: 三角関係の公式)
May 14, 1995 (1995-05-14)
31"Scandal of Passion"
Transliteration: "Netsuai Sukyandaru" (Japanese: 熱愛スキャンダル)
May 21, 1995 (1995-05-21)
32"Jamming Birds"
Transliteration: "Jamingu Bāzu" (Japanese: ジャミングバーズ)
May 28, 1995 (1995-05-28)
33"Betrayal and a Girl's Tears"
Transliteration: "Uragiri to Shōjo no Namida" (Japanese: 裏切りと少女の涙)
June 4, 1995 (1995-06-04)
34"The Day Gigil Sang"
Transliteration: "Gigiru ga Utatta Hi" (Japanese: ギギルが歌った日)
June 11, 1995 (1995-06-11)
35"A Night for Two"
Transliteration: "Futari Dake no Yoru" (Japanese: ふたりだけの夜)
June 18, 1995 (1995-06-18)
36"Men's Blazing Song"
Transliteration: "Otoko-tachi no Nekka" (Japanese: 男たちの熱歌)
June 25, 1995 (1995-06-25)
37"Mystery of the Cosmic Ruins?"
Transliteration: "Uchū Iseki no Nazo?" (Japanese: 宇宙遺跡のナゾ?)
July 2, 1995 (1995-07-02)
38"Sivil of the Forbidden Planet"
Transliteration: "Kindan Wakusei no Shibiru" (Japanese: 禁断惑星のシビル)
July 9, 1995 (1995-07-09)
39"Basara Returns"
Transliteration: "Kaettekita Basara" (Japanese: 帰ってきたバサラ)
July 16, 1995 (1995-07-16)
40"A Message That Pierces Stars"
Transliteration: "Hoshi o Koeru Omoi" (Japanese: 星を越える想い)
July 23, 1995 (1995-07-23)
41"I Love Mylene!"
Transliteration: "Mirēnu Daisuki!" (Japanese: ミレーヌ大好き!)
July 30, 1995 (1995-07-30)
42"Risky Capture"
Transliteration: "Kesshi no Hokaku Daisakusen" (Japanese: 決死の捕獲大作戦)
August 6, 1995 (1995-08-06)
43"Partings"
Transliteration: "Sorezore no Wakare" (Japanese: それぞれの別れ)
August 13, 1995 (1995-08-13)
44"Nightmarish Strike Operation"
Transliteration: "Akumu no Totsunyū Sakusen" (Japanese: 悪夢の突入作戦)
August 20, 1995 (1995-08-20)
45"Ambition on Varauta 4"
Transliteration: "Yabō no Dai 4 Wakusei" (Japanese: 野望の第4惑星)
August 27, 1995 (1995-08-27)
46"Gamlin's Revolt"
Transliteration: "Gamurin no Hanran" (Japanese: ガムリンの反乱)
September 3, 1995 (1995-09-03)
47"The Death of Basara"
Transliteration: "Basara Shisu" (Japanese: バサラ死す)
September 10, 1995 (1995-09-10)
48"Mylene's Emotional Song"
Transliteration: "Mirēnu Namida no Nesshō" (Japanese: ミレーヌ涙の熱唱)
September 17, 1995 (1995-09-17)
49"A Song Heard Across the Galaxy"
Transliteration: "Ginga ni Hibiku Utagoe" (Japanese: 銀河に響く歌声)
September 24, 1995 (1995-09-24)

Encore

[edit]
No. Title Release date
1"Fleet of the Strongest Women"
Transliteration: "Saikyō Onna no Kantai" (Japanese: 最強女の艦隊)
December 18, 1995 (1995-12-18)
2"On Stage"
Transliteration: "On Sutēji" (Japanese: オンステージ)
December 18, 1995 (1995-12-18)
3"Which One Do You Like?"
Transliteration: "Docchi ga Suki na no?" (Japanese: どっちが好きなの?)
February 25, 1996 (1996-02-25)

Macross Dynamite 7

[edit]
No. Title Release date
1"Wonder"
Transliteration: "Hyōryū - Wonder -" (Japanese: 漂流 - WONDER -)
December 18, 1997 (1997-12-18)
2"Cemetery"
Transliteration: "Hakaba - Cemetery -" (Japanese: 墓場 - CEMETERY -)
February 25, 1998 (1998-02-25)
3"Lonesome"
Transliteration: "Kodoku - Lonesome -" (Japanese: 孤独 - LONESOME -)
May 25, 1998 (1998-05-25)
4"Zola - The Planet Where Galactic Whales Sing"
Transliteration: "Ginga Kujira no Utau Hoshi - Zola -" (Japanese: 銀河クジラの歌う星 - ZOLA -)
August 25, 1998 (1998-08-25)

References in other media

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]

Sources

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Macross 7 is a Japanese television series produced by Productions and aired from October 16, 1994, to September 24, 1995, consisting of 49 episodes as the seventh installment in the franchise created by . Set 35 years after the events of the original Macross, the series follows the Macross 7 colonization fleet—a group of ships carrying over a million inhabitants in search of a new habitable planet—as it faces attacks from the enigmatic alien Protodeviln, who drain the human life force known as "spiritia" to fuel their existence. The story centers on Nekki Basara, a passionate rock musician and leader of the band Fire Bomber, who pilots a transforming fighter jet called the VF-19 Excalibur and combats the invaders not with weapons, but by blasting his music at them to inspire hope and restore spiritia. Directed by Tetsurō Amino with series composition by Sukehiro Tomita, Macross 7 blends the franchise's signature elements of action and idol culture with a unique emphasis on the transformative power of and performance as tools for cultural and emotional warfare. Key characters include Basara's bandmate Mylene Flare Jenius, the daughter of veteran pilots from earlier stories, who grapples with her own musical aspirations amid the conflict, and Gamlin Kizaki, a disciplined pilot who initially clashes with Basara's unconventional tactics but grows to appreciate their effectiveness. The series explores themes of versus collectivism, the role of art in interstellar diplomacy, and the resilience of the human spirit, setting it apart from predecessors by prioritizing rock concerts and emotional resonance over traditional tropes. Macross 7 received a preview episode titled "Macross 7 Preview" on , 1994, and a special episode on February 25, 1996, expanding its narrative scope. It spawned related media, including the OVA Macross Dynamite 7 (1997), the compilation film Macross 7: The Galaxy is Calling Me (1995), and side stories like Macross 7 Encore (1995–1996), which delve deeper into side characters and post-series events. Despite its for innovative storytelling and memorable soundtrack featuring original songs by Fire Bomber, the series had no official home video release in as of 2025, though announced by Nozomi Entertainment in 2022; it became available for streaming on platforms like Disney+ and starting in 2024, and a new audio drama featuring Fire Bomber was released in October 2024, highlighting its enduring but niche appeal within the community.

Premise and Setting

Synopsis

In 2045, the Macross 7 serves as the flagship of the 37th long-distance colonization fleet, a massive mobile colony comprising the Battle 7 military fortress, the sprawling civilian habitat City 7, and the industrial zone Main 7, all traveling through space in search of a new habitable planet following the era of peace established with the decades earlier. During its expedition near the , the fleet encounters the Protodeviln, an ancient race of energy-based aliens who survive by consuming spiritia—the vital spiritual energy produced by living beings—launching targeted assaults that drain this essence from humans, rendering victims comatose and unresponsive rather than outright destroying the colony. Amid the escalating conflict, rock musician Nekki Basara, lead singer and guitarist of the band Fire Bomber, commandeers a Variable Fighter customized with massive speakers and ventures into battle zones, steadfastly refusing conventional weaponry in favor of broadcasting his songs to stir the spirits of both human defenders and Protodeviln attackers, positing music as a non-violent means to counter the energy drain. The narrative progresses through phases of initial Protodeviln incursions and human adaptations, including the scientific revelation of spiritia's role and the experimental fusion of Basara's music into tactical "sound force" operations, culminating in a resolution centered on interactions with the awakened Protodeviln entity Sivil and their supreme commander Geperuniti, where song fosters mutual understanding and halts the invasion.

Universe and Themes

The universe of Macross 7 centers on the concept of spiritia, a form of spiritual life energy inherent to sentient beings that serves as a vital sustenance for the antagonistic Protodeviln. These ancient entities, extradimensional non-corporeal energy lifeforms that possessed the bodies of the Protoculture's experimental "" series bioweapons, require spiritia to survive but cannot generate it independently, leading them to harvest it from other through inducing and engaging in destructive combat. This process drains victims, leaving them as despondent, empty husks devoid of will or emotion, as observed in attacks on the human-Zentradi fleet. , however, acts as a counterforce, restoring depleted spiritia by stimulating emotional and mental vitality, enabling regeneration and even fostering evolutionary growth in the Protodeviln themselves. Thematically, Macross 7 explores music as a capable of bridging divides across , extending the franchise's motif of as a means of communication and unity from humans to integrated and even the alien Protodeviln. Rock 'n' roll, in particular, embodies rebellion against the rigid structures of a spacefaring, colonized society, where the Macross 7 fleet represents a mobile frontier pushing humanity's expansion amid ongoing . This is juxtaposed with a critique of , emphasizing pacifist ideologies that prioritize emotional connection over armed conflict; the protagonist's unwavering commitment to as a tool for resolution challenges conventional military doctrines, highlighting music's potential to de-escalate interstellar threats without violence. Within the broader Macross lore, Macross 7 is set in 2045, over three decades after the First Space War of 2009–2010, during which Lynn Minmay's songs facilitated the initial integration of former enemy into human society. By this era, have become a seamless part of colonial fleets like Macross 7, which embarks on an exploratory mission to the galaxy's edge as the seventh New Macross-class colonization vessel. The series incorporates advanced variable fighters such as the VF-19 Excalibur, a mass-produced model derived from the YF-19 prototype, underscoring technological evolution in a universe where Protoculture ruins reveal shared ancestral origins among humanoids, , and Protodeviln.

Production

Development History

The development of Macross 7 originated from Shōji Kawamori's vision to fuse with action as a to the original series, conceived during his return to the franchise in 1993 after a seven-year hiatus following Macross II: Lovers Again (1992). Kawamori, the creator of the universe through , drew inspiration from his visits to the , where fan enthusiasm for characters like Max Sterling and Miria Fallyna influenced their inclusion as aged versions in the new story, while emphasizing fresh narratives amid Bandai's push to expand the toy and in the mid-1990s. This concept emerged parallel to Macross Plus, allowing Kawamori to explore contrasting musical themes—rock for Macross 7 versus electronic for Plus—to innovate on the series' tradition of integrating idols and music into interstellar conflict. Key decisions during pre-production prioritized original characters, such as the rock musician protagonist Nekki Basara and his band Fire Bomber, over heavy reliance on legacy figures from prior entries, to inject youthful energy into the aging franchise. The integration of live-action concert elements was a deliberate choice to bridge animation with real-world performances by Fire Bomber's voice actors, enhancing the rock motif and creating promotional tie-ins that extended the story beyond the screen. Budget constraints, typical of mid-1990s TV anime amid economic pressures on the industry, led to the selection of Ashi Productions as the animation studio, favoring efficient workflows and simpler mecha designs over the more elaborate visuals of OVAs like Macross Plus. Planning for Macross 7 occurred in parallel with , following Kawamori's return to the franchise after a hiatus since Macross II (1992), with full production ramping up to meet broadcast deadlines despite the dual workload on Kawamori and his team. The 49-episode series aired from October 16, 1994, to September 24, 1995, on MBS. This timeline reflected Bandai's strategic expansion, positioning Macross 7 as an accessible entry point for new audiences while leveraging merchandise like transformable toys.

Creative Staff and Production Details

Tetsurō Amino served as the director of Macross 7, overseeing the integration of high-energy action with musical elements to create dynamic sequences that blended combat and performance. Shōji Kawamori contributed as a key mechanical designer, developing the VF-17 Nightmare variable fighter, which featured advanced stealth capabilities and a distinctive transformation system tailored for the series' interstellar conflicts. Kazutaka Miyatake also assisted in mechanical design, ensuring the variable fighters aligned with the franchise's established aesthetic while introducing new engineering details. The animation was produced by Ashi Productions, which handled the core visual production for the 49-episode run, while managed distribution and related media releases. Voice casting included as the lead Basara Nekki, bringing a passionate intensity to the role, and Tomo Sakurai as Mylene Flare Jenius, capturing the character's youthful energy and vocal talent. These performances were essential for the series' emphasis on character-driven narratives amid large-scale battles. Technical aspects of production involved early adoption of (CGI) for complex sequences, with assistance from Buildup Entertainment and CG production by Links Corporation, particularly evident in the opening and ending animations depicting variable fighter transformations. The extended 49-episode format influenced pacing, allowing for gradual character development but requiring careful management of animation resources to sustain visual quality across the run. In , real band performances by Fire Bomber's vocalists—Yoshiki Fukuyama for Basara's singing and guitar, and Chie Kajiura for Mylene's vocals—were integrated into the soundtrack, enhancing the authenticity of the in-series musical interludes. This approach presented challenges in synchronizing live-recorded audio with animated sequences, ensuring seamless transitions during high-motion scenes.

Characters

Protagonists and Fire Bomber

The protagonists of Macross 7 are centered around the rock band Fire Bomber, whose members play pivotal roles in using music as a form of resistance and morale support aboard the Macross 7 fleet. Led by the idealistic Basara Nekki, the group embodies the series' emphasis on emotional connection through song amid interstellar conflict. Basara Nekki serves as the lead vocalist and guitarist of Fire Bomber, as well as a reluctant Variable Fighter pilot equipped with the Sound Force VF-19 Excalibur, which he modifies to amplify and broadcast his music directly into battle zones. His backstory traces to a childhood as a street in the underdeveloped outskirts of City 7, where he developed a fervent belief in music's power to reach and inspire others, often prioritizing song over combat. This pacifist outlook defines his character, leading him to intervene in fights by performing rather than engaging enemies with weapons, a approach that initially frustrates but proves uniquely effective. Mylene Flare Jenius acts as Fire Bomber's bassist and co-lead vocalist, bringing a youthful energy to the band's performances while navigating her dual life as a UN Spacy trainee. As the youngest daughter of legendary pilots Maximilian Jenius and Milia Fallyna Jenius, she pilots a modified as part of the civilian Sound Force unit, balancing rigorous military training with her passion for music. Her involvement stems from family tensions that prompt her to seek independence through the band, where she contributes harmonizing vocals and helps bridge Fire Bomber's raw rock style with broader appeal. Ray Lovelock functions as Fire Bomber's keyboardist and player, serving as a mentor figure to the group with his composed demeanor and strategic insight. A former UN Spacy who retired under unspecified distressing circumstances, he discovered Basara's musical talent during the boy's childhood and later recruited him to form the band approximately seven years prior to the series' events. Ray's experience as a pilot informs his role in Sound Force, where he operates a VF-17T , but his primary focus remains supporting the band's mission to uplift the fleet's spirits through live concerts and recordings. Veffidas Feaze provides the rhythmic backbone as Fire Bomber's drummer, her powerful style reflecting her full-blooded heritage in a micloned (human-sized) form. Known for her stoic, few-words personality, she joined the band prior to its rise to prominence, adding a layer of from the Zentradi perspective while rarely speaking during performances or interactions. Her drumming emphasizes the band's high-energy rock sound, contributing to their role in countering enemy threats through synchronized musical assaults. She co-pilots the two-seater with Ray Lovelock as part of the Sound Force unit. Fire Bomber's formation began when Ray Lovelock, wandering after his military discharge, encountered the young Basara busking on the streets of City 7 and recognized his raw talent, leading to informal jam sessions that evolved into the full band with Mylene's addition and Veffidas' recruitment. The group quickly gained traction through grassroots performances in the fleet's civilian sectors, eventually signing with a local music label and becoming a symbol of resilience for the Macross 7 colonists. Their dynamics revolve around Basara's unyielding passion clashing with the others' more pragmatic approaches—Mylene's ambition for fame, Ray's protective guidance, and Veffidas' quiet reliability—fostering growth as they organize morale-boosting concerts that double as against the Protodeviln. This interplay not only propels the narrative but also highlights themes of unity, with the band's music serving as a counterpoint to traditional .

Returning and Supporting Characters

Maximilian Jenius and Milia Fallyna Jenius serve as veteran pilots and commanding officers in the Macross 7 fleet, providing continuity from earlier conflicts in the franchise. Jenius, an ace pilot from the original Space War I, holds the position of captain aboard the Battle 7 carrier, overseeing fleet operations and drawing on his extensive experience to guide the defense against emerging threats. Fallyna Jenius, formerly a renowned (Meltrandi) warrior, acts as the mayor of City 7, the primary civilian hub within the fleet, where she manages administrative and morale-related duties while leveraging her unique perspective as part of humanity's first interspecies union. Their roles emphasize familial bonds, as they are the parents of protagonist Mylene Jenius, bridging generational legacies in the UN Spacy structure. Exsedol Folmo, a de-micronized advisor, returns from prior engagements to support strategic decision-making on the Battle 7, offering historical insights into alien cultures and warfare tactics based on his archival expertise. His presence reinforces alliances formed during the First Space War, aiding the fleet's command in navigating interstellar diplomacy and military challenges. Among supporting UN Spacy personnel, Captain Kinryu exemplifies the dedicated ground crew and pilots integral to fleet maintenance and defense. As a former member of the Pink Pecker squadron, Kinryu commands the elite Diamond Force unit, equipped with advanced VF-17 variable fighters, tasked with high-priority escort and interception duties to protect civilian sectors. Other Diamond Force members, such as ace pilot Gamlin Kizaki, contribute to this specialized squadron, highlighting the hierarchical support system within the military that bolsters the fleet's operational resilience. Civilian refugees aboard the Macross 7 fleet represent the everyday inhabitants of City 7, whose lives are disrupted by external aggressions, underscoring the human cost of and the need for protective measures from fleet leadership. These non-combatants, including families and workers, form the social fabric of the , their vulnerability prompting coordinated responses from both and administrative figures to sustain and security.

Protodeviln Antagonists

The Protodeviln are an ancient race of extra-dimensional energy beings who entered the known universe through a space-time warp and possessed the Protoculture's experimental "" series superweapons, ultimately leading to the near-extinction of the Protoculture civilization thousands of years ago. These parasitic entities require spiritia—the vital life energy produced by sentient beings—to sustain themselves, having depleted much of the galaxy's supply through unchecked consumption and domination efforts. Sealed away in a dormant state by the rare Anima Spiritia power possessed by certain Protoculture individuals, the Protodeviln remained imprisoned until 2045, when they were awakened on the planet Varauta's fourth world by harvested spiritia from human victims, initiating their campaign to revive their kind. The Protodeviln operate under a hierarchical structure led by Geperuniti, their supreme commander who orchestrates the collection of spiritia and directs strategic assaults. Key members include Sivil, an initial scout dispatched to probe human fleets for spiritia sources; Glavil, a destructive force capable of annihilating entire reconnaissance groups with massive energy discharges; and Gavil, a subordinate who assumes field command for direct attacks after awakening. Additional figures like Gigile, a Protodeviln enforcer who takes a Zentradi-like form for combat operations, serve as enforcers in combat operations. Biologically composed of pure energy, the Protodeviln exhibit abilities centered on possession and energy manipulation, allowing them to hijack sentient hosts—such as Varauta pilots and —to control armies and execute coordinated invasions. They drain spiritia by inducing overwhelming fear and despair in victims, converting emotional turmoil into harvestable energy that leaves survivors in comatose states. However, they demonstrate a critical to cultural expressions like music, particularly "song energy" infused with strong will, which disrupts their forms and repels their attacks, as observed when combined performances generate protective barriers against their assaults.

Media Releases

Television Series

The Macross 7 television series comprises 49 episodes that aired weekly on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. on the MBS and TBS networks in , from October 16, 1994, to September 24, 1995. A preview aired on October 2, 1994, prior to the regular run. Each follows a standard format with an approximate runtime of 25 minutes, incorporating dedicated music segments featuring performances by the fictional Fire Bomber, which integrate original songs into the narrative flow. The weekly serialization structure facilitated the buildup of multi-episode story arcs, allowing progressive development of character relationships and conflicts over the season. Key format elements include the opening theme "Seventh Moon" performed by Fire Bomber (featuring the voice of Basara Nekki, voiced by Yoshiki Fukuyama), which plays at the start of every episode. Ending themes vary: episodes 1–34 use "My Friends" by Fire Bomber (featuring Mylene Jenius, voiced by Chie Kajiura); episodes 35–48 feature "Planet Dance" (also known as "...Dakedo Baby!!") by Chie Kajiura; and the finale (episode 49) closes with an acoustic version of "Totsugeki Love Heart" by Yoshiki Fukuyama. Previews of the subsequent episode, often accompanied by thematic music snippets, conclude most installments to maintain viewer engagement.

Films and OVAs

Macross 7's animated extensions beyond the television series consist of one theatrical and three OVAs, which provide side stories, sequels, and crossover recaps while maintaining the franchise's emphasis on as a force against conflict. The first such extension, Macross 7: The Galaxy is Calling Me!, is a 30-minute theatrical released on September 30, 1995. Set toward the end of the series' timeline, the plot follows Basara Nekki as he investigates a mysterious sound energy anomaly during one of his galactic tours, leading to a fold navigation mishap that crash-lands him on a remote, snow-covered . There, he faces initial hostility from the locals but befriends a young boy named , a Fire Bomber fan, who guides him; Basara discovers the anomaly originates from Emilia Jenius, a lone Meltrandi struggling to create , ultimately resolving the situation through a collaborative performance that echoes the series' themes of song over violence. The incorporates new sequences and features the original voice cast, including as Basara. Released shortly after the TV series concluded, Macross 7: Encore comprises three unaired episodes formatted as an OVA, with volumes issued from December 18, 1995, to March 25, 1996. These post-series side stories adopt a lighthearted, holiday-themed tone, expanding on character interactions in festive settings. The first episode, "Fleet of the Strongest Women," depicts the Macross 7 fleet encountering a rogue Meltrandi fleet commanded by an old rival of Milia Fallyna Jenius, leading to comedic and musical resolutions. The second episode, "On Stage," explores Ray Lovelock's past as a , his first meeting with Basara, and the formation of Fire Bomber. The third episode, "Which One Do You Love," involves Milia falling ill, feeling her life expectancy is short, and attempting to have Mylene engaged to Basara, reinforcing the series' blend of humor and harmony without advancing the main Protodeviln conflict. Macross Dynamite 7, a four-episode OVA , was released from December 18, 1997, to August 25, 1998. Occurring less than a year after the Protodeviln war in 2046, the story centers on Basara Nekki embarking on a solo space journey after temporarily leaving Fire Bomber, driven by his desire to spread music further. He arrives on the planet Zola, where he discovers massive, sentient creatures known as Galactic Whales being hunted by interstellar poachers for their valuable organs. Basara intervenes by using his songs to protect and communicate with the whales, culminating in a high-stakes confrontation that highlights themes of environmental guardianship and the universal power of sound, with returning staff like director Tetsuro Amino overseeing production. Nearly two decades later, FB7: Listen to My Song! premiered as a computer-generated (CG) animated theatrical film on October 20, 2012. Set in an alternate 2059 timeline within the broader universe, the narrative frames a recap of the original events through the perspective of characters from , who receive mysterious tapes delivered by a peculiar bird while traveling the fleet. As they watch the tapes depicting Basara and Fire Bomber's battles against the Protodeviln—now mythologized in their era—the film interweaves new CG-animated reaction scenes and subtle updates to the lore, bridging the two series while exploring how the "sound force" legacy inspires . Directed by Tetsuro Amino with contributions from original creator Kawamori, it runs approximately 70 minutes and emphasizes meta-commentary on the franchise's enduring musical motifs.

Manga and Other Adaptations

Macross 7: Trash is an eight-volume manga series written and illustrated by , serialized from April 1995 to 2001 by . As a side story set in 2046 aboard the Macross 7 fleet, it follows Siva Aoba, the son of Max Sterling and Milia Fallyna Jenius from the original , who excels as a player in T-Crush, a intense vehicular sport akin to . The narrative examines the military's efforts to recruit T-Crush athletes for their superior reflexes, while weaving in elements of romance and the fleet's musical culture; Siva's girlfriend, Enika, pursues a career as a "Minmay voice," a singer essential for motivating pilots in battle. Unlike the anime's focus on combat and rock performances, the manga emphasizes sports dynamics and interpersonal drama without direct involvement from the band Fire Bomber. A supplementary manga adaptation, Macross Dynamite 7: Mylene Beat, comprises five chapters published in 1997, serving as a companion to the OVA Macross Dynamite 7. Centered on Mylene Flare Jenius, now 16 years old, the story explores her internal conflicts regarding her feelings for Basara Nekki and her growth as a , as she seizes an opportunity to perform as with the idol group Jamming Angels. This work provides deeper insight into Mylene's character arc during the OVA's timeline in 2047, highlighting her aspirations to achieve parity with Basara on stage. Beyond print formats, Macross 7 expanded into audio media with a three-episode released in 2024 to mark the anime's 30th anniversary. Titled Macross 7 30-Shūnen Kinen Kōshiki Dōjin Audio Drama Uta wa Ginga o Sukueru no ka!?, it was penned by original series director Tetsuro Amino and premiered on October 16, 2024. The plot depicts Fire Bomber preparing for a aboard the amusement ship Hollywood within the Macross 7 fleet, complicated by the sudden disappearance of lead singer Basara Nekki, whom song energy detectors fail to locate. The production features the original voice cast reprising their roles, emphasizing the band's enduring legacy.

Music and Soundtrack

Original Soundtracks and Albums

The original soundtracks and albums for Macross 7 were predominantly released by Victor Entertainment starting in 1994, encompassing theme song singles, vocal collections featuring insert songs, studio albums by the in-show band Fire Bomber, and live recordings that captured the series' emphasis on as a narrative device. These releases, totaling over a dozen volumes through the late , included arrangements and original compositions primarily by Kuniaki Haishima, with insert songs and performances led by Yoshiki Fukuyama as the voice and guitarist for Fire Bomber. The albums often blended studio tracks with live elements simulating in-universe concerts, contributing to the franchise's real-world musical extensions. Key early releases focused on theme songs and initial vocal compilations. The opening theme single "Seventh Moon" by Fire Bomber debuted on November 2, 1994 (catalog VIDL-10558, ¥1,000), containing the title track, "My Soul for You," and a special interview with Basara Nekki's voice actor. On the same date, the ending theme single "My Friends" by Fire Bomber featuring Mylene Jenius (catalog VIDL-10559, ¥1,000) included "Sweet Fantasy" and an interview with Mylene Jenius's voice actor. These set the tone for the series' musical integration. The first major vocal collection, Music Selection from Galaxy Network Chart, arrived on January 21, 1995 (catalog VICL-572, ¥3,000), compiling 10 insert songs and themes that reflected the show's "" radio drama style. Representative tracks included "Planet " and "Totsugeki Love Heart" by Fire Bomber, alongside contributions from guest artists like Bamboo-road Express ("Check Mate") and Alice Holiday (""). A sequel volume followed on March 23, 1996 (catalog VICL-731, ¥3,000), with another 10 tracks such as "Rock 'n' Roll Fire" by Fire Bomber and "" by Kamal Hazaar. These collections served as de facto original soundtrack volumes, capturing episodic music without full BGM isolation. Fire Bomber's discography formed the core of the soundtrack releases, with studio and live albums released in quick succession. The band's debut album Let's Fire!! came out on June 7, 1995 (catalog VICL-573, ¥3,000), featuring 10 original tracks emphasizing high-energy rock anthems. A live recording, LIVE Fire!!, documented their May 21, 1995, concert and was issued on August 23, 1995 (catalog VICL-2138, ¥2,000), with 6 performance tracks including live versions of "Planet Dance" and "Holy Lonely Light." The follow-up studio album Second Fire!! followed on October 21, 1995 (catalog VICL-574, ¥3,000), containing 10 new songs like the duet "Holy Lonely Light" and "Dakedo Baby!!." Later entries included the single " Explosion" on December 17, 1997 (catalog VICL-30097, ¥1,020), with "" as the B-side, and the third studio album Fire!! on January 21, 1998 (catalog VICL-60115, ¥3,045). , as the anime's producer, oversaw tie-in singles and promotional live recordings tied to in-universe concert episodes, often distributed through Victor. Compilations rounded out the era's releases, with Ultra Fire!! serving as a best-of album on April 7, 1999 (catalog VICL-60364 regular edition, ¥3,045; limited VIZL-39, ¥3,255), spanning 17 tracks from Fire Bomber's catalog, including "Try Again," "Holy Lonely Light (Duet Version)," and "Seventh Moon." A album, Fukuyama Fire!!! A Tribute to Nekki Basara, was released on May 25, 2005 (catalog GNCA-7026, ¥3,150), featuring 14 covers and new material by Yoshiki Fukuyama, such as reinterpreted versions of "Planet Dance" and a new track "Like a Fire." For the 20th anniversary in 2014, Victor issued remastered compilations and live sets tied to Fire Bomber's anniversary concert on October 5, 2014, at Tokyo International Forum, including updated editions of earlier albums with bonus tracks and high-resolution audio remasters of seminal songs like "Planet Dance" and "Dynamite Explosion." These sets preserved the original mixes while enhancing accessibility for modern listeners. In 2024, Fire Bomber released their first new single in 12 years on October 30, featuring a new track alongside live versions. A 30th anniversary live concert took place on February 22, 2025, at Toyosu PIT, marking the band's first solo performance in 13 years.
Album TitleRelease DateCatalog NumberLabelTracksNotable Content
Music Selection from Galaxy Network ChartJan 21, 1995VICL-572Victor Entertainment10"Planet Dance" (Fire Bomber), "Check Mate" (Bamboo-road Express), "My Friends" (Fire Bomber featuring Mylene Jenius)
Let's Fire!! (Fire Bomber)Jun 7, 1995VICL-573Victor Entertainment10Debut studio album; original rock tracks like "Remember 16"
LIVE Fire!! (Fire Bomber)Aug 23, 1995VICL-2138Victor Entertainment6Live concert recording from May 21, 1995; includes "Planet Dance (Live)"
Second Fire!! (Fire Bomber)Oct 21, 1995VICL-574Victor Entertainment10"Holy Lonely Light (Duet Version)," "Dakedo Baby!!"
Music Selection from Galaxy Network Chart 2Mar 23, 1996VICL-731Victor Entertainment10"Rock 'n' Roll Fire" (Fire Bomber), "" (Kamal Hazaar)
Dynamite Fire!! (Fire Bomber)Jan 21, 1998VICL-60115Victor Entertainment12Third studio album; sequel to "Dynamite Explosion" single
Ultra Fire!! (Best Album)Apr 7, 1999VICL-60364Victor Entertainment17Compilation of hits; limited edition with premium items

Songs and Musical Performances

The music of Fire Bomber serves as a core narrative device in Macross 7, where protagonist Basara Nekki uses songs broadcast through his variable fighter to combat the Protodeviln by infusing enemies with "spiritia" via rock performances rather than traditional weaponry. This integration of music into battles emphasizes themes of cultural connection over violence, with songs functioning as anthems that rally allies and disrupt foes during key confrontations. Among the band's signature tracks, "Planet Dance" stands out as the series' opening theme and Basara's primary battle anthem, debuting in episode 1 and recurring throughout the 49-episode run to symbolize his unyielding mission to "reach the hearts" of the Protodeviln. Composed by Sudou with by Junki Kawauchi and lyrics by K. Inojo, the song captures the high-energy pursuit of freedom and connection in the universe. Similarly, "Holy Lonely Light" highlights Mylene Flare Jenius' vocal talents as a feature, often performed during emotional arcs involving her growth as a and her strained partnership with Basara, underscoring themes of isolation and longing amid interstellar conflict. Composed by Sudou, arranged by Tohben Yukawa, and with lyrics by K. Inojo, it serves as a pivotal solo showcase for Mylene in episodes exploring her independence from the band. "Dynamite Explosion," a climactic track from the OVA Dynamite 7, represents the band's explosive resolution in later storylines, used to amplify high-stakes battles and mark narrative peaks with its intense, rallying chorus. Composed and produced by Yoshiki Fukuyama, it embodies the raw power of Fire Bomber's sound in sealing major confrontations. Fire Bomber's musical style blends with J-rock elements, featuring driving guitar riffs, powerful vocals, and anthemic structures that evoke 1990s Japanese rock influences while fitting the anime's mecha-action sequences. Composers such as Hideki Sudou, Yoshiki Fukuyama, Junki Kawauchi, and Miki Kawano contributed to this sound, creating tracks that prioritize emotional intensity and accessibility for both in-story performances and real-world appeal. In real life, the band's music was brought to audiences through live performances tied to the series' 1994-1995 broadcast promotion, with voice actors (Basara Nekki) and Tomo Sakurai (Mylene Flare Jenius) joining singing voices Yoshiki Fukuyama and Chie Kajiura to form a performing ensemble. The inaugural Fire Bomber concert, "1st Live Planet Dance," took place on May 21, 1995, at Nippon Seinenkan Hall in , featuring setlists dominated by series hits like "Planet Dance" and drawing fans for its direct tie-in to the anime's musical ethos. A follow-up event occurred on September 2, 1995, at , further embedding the band's rock concerts into promotional efforts and inspiring specials like Macross 7 Plus 7 - Fire Bomber 1st Live Planet Dance. These 1995 live shows, recorded and released as LIVE FIRE!!, showcased the performers' ability to replicate the anime's energetic style on stage, fostering a dedicated fanbase around the music.

Release and Distribution

Japanese Broadcast and Home Video

Macross 7 premiered in Japan on October 16, 1994, and ran for 49 episodes until September 24, 1995, broadcast on the Mainichi Broadcasting System (MBS) and Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) network in the Sunday 14:00 time slot. A preview episode aired on October 2, 1994, ahead of the regular run. The series targeted a new animation block on Sundays, but viewership ratings averaged around 3.4%, with a peak of 5.5% and a low of 1.4%. Initial home video distribution occurred via and formats starting in 1995, coinciding with the broadcast, through , with volumes released progressively through 1996. For example, VHS volume 13 was issued on February 25, 1996. box sets, such as Box Fire 1 and Box Fire 2, followed in 1999 as compilations. DVD releases began in 2001, with individual volumes like volume 1 on March 25, produced by in region 2 format. Remastered DVD box sets arrived in 2007, divided into two installments—Box 1 on August 24 and Box 2 later that year—to mark the franchise's 25th anniversary, featuring enhanced video quality across 13 dual-layer discs for the full series. These sets included episodes 1–25 in Box 1 and 26–49 in Box 2, with extras like audio commentaries. Blu-ray editions were issued in 2012 by in two limited-edition box sets: Complete Fire 1 (episodes 1–29 plus extras) on October 26, and Complete Fire 2 (episodes 30–49 plus additional content) on December 21. Each set utilized HD remastering for improved visuals and audio, packaged with artwork by and over 60 minutes of bonus materials per volume.

International Release and Localization

The international release of Macross 7 was significantly delayed due to longstanding legal disputes involving , which held rights to the original and restricted distribution of sequels like Macross 7 in and other markets for decades. A 2021 agreement between Big West, , and Harmony Gold enabled broader global licensing and distribution of the franchise. In , Macross 7 remained unlicensed until July 2022, when Nozomi Entertainment (a subsidiary of ) announced acquisition of rights for its first-ever release, including Blu-ray and DVD editions. However, following the closure of in 2023 and its acquisition by , the planned physical release was cancelled. As of November 2025, no physical editions are available in . The series became available for streaming on starting January 13, 2025, with Japanese audio and English subtitles, marking its debut on a major U.S. platform. No English-language dub has been produced or announced as of November 2025. In , Macross 7 has been accessible via Disney+ in select regions since early 2025, offering English subtitles alongside the original Japanese audio. Physical releases in the region during the were limited, with no confirmed DVD editions from specifically for this series, though the platform's rollout follows the franchise's expanded licensing. Asian markets saw earlier localizations, including a Cantonese dub that aired on Hong Kong's channel. The series is also available on Disney+ in parts of with English and Chinese subtitles, varying by territory. In October 2024, a three-episode audio drama celebrating the series' 30th anniversary was released in , with announcements covered internationally but no dubbed or subtitled versions confirmed outside Japanese audio.

Reception and Legacy

Critical Reception

Upon its initial broadcast from 1994 to 1995, Macross 7 garnered praise for its bold fusion of and action, particularly through the performances of the fictional band Fire Bomber, whose debut album won the Japan Gold Disc Award for Animation Album of the Year. The series also earned recognition in the 17th , where protagonist Basara Nekki secured second place in the best male character category. However, critiques have highlighted repetitive plot formulas centered on musical confrontations and Basara's unyielding focus on song over tactical warfare, which some viewed as limiting narrative depth. In the 2020s, retrospectives have emphasized the show's enduring appeal as a lighthearted entry in the Macross franchise, valuing its energetic soundtrack and character-driven humor despite acknowledged flaws in pacing and animation reuse. A 2024 Anime News Network review of the first half of the series awarded it an overall B+ grade, lauding the retro sci-fi aesthetic, vibrant art, and innovative expansion of the Macross universe while critiquing Basara's grating persistence and formulaic episodes. Similarly, a 2021 analysis praised its emotional highs and thematic emphasis on music as a unifying force, positioning it as a standout for fans of genre-blending anime. The series maintains a mixed but dedicated following, with user ratings on averaging 6.63 out of 10 based on over 400 responses, underscoring its polarizing status among viewers who appreciate its cheesiness versus those preferring more serious tones in mecha storytelling.

Cultural Impact and Fandom

Macross 7 significantly influenced the anime landscape by deeply integrating and idol performances into its mecha narrative, a stylistic choice that amplified the franchise's emphasis on cultural and emotional warfare over pure combat. This approach, exemplified by the protagonist Basara Nekki's use of song as a weapon against alien threats, refined the "song energy" concept introduced in earlier entries and paved the way for the idol-mecha hybrid genre. The series' fictional band, Fire Bomber, transitioned into real-world performances starting with a 1995 concert at Nippon Seinenkan in , where voice actors Yoshiki Fukuyama and Chie Kajiura brought the music to life. These events have sustained fan engagement, with revivals including the 2024 Basara Explosion tour across multiple venues in from to , featuring Fukuyama as Basara. In 2025, Fire Bomber held its first solo in 13 years on February 21 and 22 at Toyosu PIT in , sponsored by to celebrate the series' 30th anniversary, complete with a new song release. This musical legacy directly inspired elements in later Macross works, such as the idol group Walküre in , whose tactical sound performances echo Fire Bomber's role in blending entertainment with interstellar conflict. The series also received nods in through references like the playback of Fire Bomber's "Totsugeki Love Heart" and a 2012 crossover OVA, Macross FB7: Listen to My Song!, which reimagines Macross 7's events from Frontier characters' perspectives. Fandom for Macross 7 remains vibrant, evidenced by ongoing anniversary celebrations and dedicated gatherings. The 30th anniversary in 2024-2025 included the aforementioned and live shows, drawing crowds to relive the series' energetic spirit. Conventions like the Super Dimension Convention, North America's largest Macross-focused event, feature fan activities including of characters like Basara and Mylene, fostering community discussions and tributes. Crossovers extend the series' reach into gaming, with Macross 7 units and characters appearing in titles like D, Alpha 3, and the 2025 smartphone iteration, where Basara's mechanic integrates into tactical battles. These inclusions highlight the enduring appeal of Macross 7's unique fusion of music and .

Episode Guide

TV Series Episodes

The Macross 7 television series aired 49 episodes from October 16, 1994, to September 24, 1995, on MBS-TBS in , with each episode directed primarily under the supervision of series director Tetsurô Amino, who helmed the majority of installments. Scripts were contributed by a team of writers led by series composition supervisor Sukehiro Tomita, with notable contributions from Ryōta Yamaguchi on several key episodes. The episodes are divided into loose arcs, such as the initial introduction to the Protodeviln threat (episodes 1–13) and escalating conflicts involving the Macross 7 fleet (episodes 14–49). Below is a complete list of episodes, including English titles, romaji transliterations of the Japanese titles, and original air dates.
EpisodeEnglish TitleRomajiAir Date
1Speaker PodSupiikaa PoddoOctober 16, 1994
2Spiritia LevelSupirichia ReberuOctober 23, 1994
3Fire ScrambleFaiaa SukuranburuOctober 30, 1994
4Vampire SoldierBanpaia SorujaaNovember 6, 1994
5Spirit GalSupiritto GyaruNovember 13, 1994
6First ContactFaasuto KontakutoNovember 20, 1994
7Summer AccidentSamaa AkushidentoNovember 27, 1994
8Virgin BomberBaajin BonbaaDecember 4, 1994
9Angel NightEnjeru NaitoDecember 11, 1994
10Deep BalladDiipu BaraadoDecember 18, 1994
11Minmay VideoMinmei BideoDecember 25, 1994
12Spiritia FarmSupirichia FaamuJanuary 8, 1995
13Fold OutFoorudo AutoJanuary 15, 1995
14Fighting Woman Mayor MiliaTatakau Onna Shichou MiliaJanuary 22, 1995
15Maiden's JealousyOtome no JerashiiJanuary 29, 1995
16Music Box of the BattlegroundSenjou no OrugeruFebruary 5, 1995
17Pretty DevilPuriti DebiruFebruary 12, 1995
18Fallen Little DevilOchiteiku KoakumaFebruary 19, 1995
19Desperate DateInochigake no DateFebruary 26, 1995
20Ladies' TemptationRediisu no YuuwakuMarch 5, 1995
21Dangerous KissAbunai KissMarch 12, 1995
22Men of Burning FireNetsuki Honoo no OtokotachiMarch 19, 1995
23Sound ForceSaundo FoorusuMarch 26, 1995
24Merry Go RoundMerii GooraandoApril 2, 1995
25Late Night DuetShinya no DuettoApril 9, 1995
26Struggle to Death on Planet RaxWakusei Rax no ShitouApril 16, 1995
27Rainbow Song EnergyShichishoku no Uta EnerugiiApril 23, 1995
28New Sound WeaponSaundo Shinpei UtsuwaApril 30, 1995
29Papa, Mama Love Once AgainPapa, Mama Ai FutatabiMay 7, 1995
30Love Triangle FormulaSankaku Kankei no KoushikiMay 14, 1995
31Passionate Love ScandalNetsuai SukyandaruMay 21, 1995
32Jamming BirdsJamingu BaazuMay 28, 1995
33Betrayal and a Girl's TearsUragiri to Shoujo no NamidaJune 4, 1995
34The Day Gigile SangGigile ga Utatta HiJune 11, 1995
35A Night Just For TwoFutari Dake no YoruJune 18, 1995
36Burning Song of MenOtokotachi no Netsu UtaJune 25, 1995
37Mystery of the Space Ruins?Uchuu Iseki no Nazo?July 2, 1995
38Sivil of the Forbidden PlanetKindan Wakusei no ShibiruJuly 9, 1995
39Basara Comes BackKaette Kita BasaraJuly 16, 1995
40Thoughts That Transcend the StarsHoshi wo Koeru OmoiJuly 23, 1995
41I Love Mylene!Mylene Daisuki!July 30, 1995
42Death-Defying Capture BattleKesshi no Hokaku Taisaku IkusaAugust 6, 1995
43Everyone's SeparationSorezore no WakareAugust 13, 1995
44Invasion of NightmaresAkumu no Totsunyuu SakusenAugust 20, 1995
45Fourth Planet of AmbitionYobou no Dai 4 WakuseiAugust 27, 1995
46Gamlin's RebellionGamurin no HanranSeptember 3, 1995
47Basara DiesBasara ShisuSeptember 10, 1995
48Mylene - Singing Strong Through TearsMylene Namida no NesshouSeptember 17, 1995
49Singing Voice Resounding Through the GalaxyGinga ni Hibiku UtagoeSeptember 24, 1995

OVA Episodes

Macross 7: Encore is a three-episode (OVA) released from December 18, 1995, to February 25, 1996, consisting of unaired episodes originally produced for the television series. The episodes were directed by Tetsurō Amino, with original creator and original character designs by ; animation direction was handled by Kenichirō Katsura.
EpisodeTitleOriginal Japanese Title
1Fleet of the Strongest WomenSaikyō no Onnatachi no Gurafu
2Which One Do You Love?Docchi ga Suki?
3On StageOn Sutēji
Macross Dynamite 7 is a four-episode OVA series released between December 1997 and August 1998, serving as a sequel to the main series set one year after its events. Directed by Tetsurō Amino, it features original creation by , character designs based on Haruhiko Mikimoto's originals, mecha designs by Kawamori, and music direction by Yasunori with additional music by Yōko Kanno. The episodes were released on December 18, 1997; February 25, 1998; May 25, 1998; and August 25, 1998, respectively.
EpisodeTitleOriginal Japanese Title
1WonderWandā
2Semetarī
3LonesomeRonsamu
4The Planet Where Galactic Whales SingGinga no Kujira ga Utau Hoshi
Macross FB7: Listen to My Song! (full title: Macross FB7: Ore no Uta o Kike!) is a single 90-minute feature released on October 20, 2012, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the franchise; it incorporates recap footage from the original series with new animated segments. Tetsurō Amino directed and wrote the screenplay, based on Shōji Kawamori's original concept, with character designs adapted from Haruhiko Mikimoto's work by Kenichirō Katsura and animation direction by Osamu Horiuchi.

References

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