Ask John: What Exactly is Robotech?

Question:
Is that true that the original Japanese series SDF Macross was mixed with a series named Mospeada to make the American version named Robotech?

Answer:
Actually, three different, completely separate and unrelated Japanese anime TV series from 1982, 1983 and 1984, Superdimensional Fortress Macross, Superdimensional Calvary Southern Cross and Genesis Climber Mospeada respectively, were edited together and re-written in the US to create Robotech. Furthermore, the little seen “Robotech movie” was actually a dub of Megazone 23 part 1 with a new ending created specifically at the request of Harmony Gold and Streamline Pictures. People that have seen the “international” version of Megazone 23 part 2 are probably familiar with the ten minute long Megazone 23 part 1 “happy ending” footage included as a bonus with that release. This footage is actually the conclusion of the Robotech movie, which was screened theatrically very briefly by Orion Pictures in the late 1980s then permanently shelved.