Well folks it is offical from RT.com:

TokyoPop to Publish MACROSS 7 TRASH Manga

Highly Anticipated and Coveted Series will Debut in April 2004

Author: Kristien Brada-Thompson

 
 

   
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Comic-Con, San Diego, CA (July 18, 2003) - Further solidifying its position as the leading U.S. manga publisher, TOKYOPOP Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of Macross 7 Trash to its 2004 manga release schedule. The legendary and complex Macross universe is seminal in the history of anime and manga. There have been thousands of Macross TV anime episodes, movies, manga volumes, toys, and videogames, spanning multiple distinct series. Macross - which was released worldwide by Harmony Gold - recently celebrated its 20th Anniversary and is known to many television viewers as Robotech.

One of the most popular incarnations of this franchise is Macross 7. The fan-favorite Macross 7 Trash manga is known as a side-story to the anime - set in the same world, but featuring different themes, characters and tone. Created by Mikimoto Haruhiko (Gundam 0080, Orguss), Macross 7 Trash features a complex, layered, character-driven narrative that adds immeasurably to the overall richness and diversity of the Macross experience. The story was originally serialized in Japan’s Shounen Ace magazine from 1994 to 2001.

“TOKYOPOP looks forward to not only sharing this compelling series with its existing fanbase here in America, but also to introducing a whole new audience of readers to Macross 7 Trash,” said the company’s President & COO John Parker.

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This is really good! I was at the RT panel at SDCC when this was announced by Tommy Yune. I think this solves the question of where HG stands on the issue of the derivitves…

You have to get HG approval to sell them here and that is what Tokyopop has done. GOOD FOR THEM.

I would like to say that I fully support this deal. In fact this deal benfits everyone , even the macrosspurists:

How?

1. Big West gets one of its Macross Derivites   into the US and thus gets revenue from the interantional market.

2. HG is able to protect its exclusive ownership of Macross along with protecting its licencees rights and thier future projects.

3. Tokyopop gets to release a manga that Robotech fans would love to see. PLUS they have the full backing (not to mention blessing)of HG and its marketing via Robotech.com

4. The Macross Purists get what they been screaming for: Macross Derivitves easily availble to them with out having outragoues import fees or fear by reatilers of vists by HG legal…

We are going to find out where the macross purists really stand. Remember part of thier beef with HG has been thier stoping importing of Macross Derivites and thier merchandise.

Well now the ball is in thier court.

If the purists embrace this then everybody wins.

Sadly I’m not hopefull…I mean when you see stuff like this…

Abombz!!
Posted: July 21 2003,08:44  

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You guys are making a big deal for nothing. Did any of you bother to get ADVs release of Aura Battler Dubine? No… they I suggest you at least take a look at it.

On the cover… theres a big sticker with the following: “From the creator of Gundam and the architect of Robotech comes the greatest anime series you’ve never seen”. Thats BS… because all Macek did was dub the series, he was not involved in anyway in producing the series. Now the casual n00b will see that and think its something in the lines of RT. Not only that… but the series was meant to be subbed only, how the heck is he getting so much credit?

What is my point? Its a publicity stunt to help HG push a dying franchise and to apease them so Tpop won’t have to deal with a lawsuit… that doesn’t mean they are directly involved. I just hope BW and whoever else takes the appropriate measures to deal with this… otherwise I will have no respect for them.

Folks HG is directly involved. Big West issued the licence to Tokyopop and Tokyopop knowing who is the real owner of SDF:Macross here in the US made a deal with HG. Also HG authorized this deal. Tommy Yune sated as such during the RT panel at SDCC.

Frankly seeing comments like this disturb me greatly. I mean here are the macross purists are getting exactly waht they want (Macross Derivitives distributed at resonable prices in wide distibution…). Yet they want Big West to give up a lucrative revenue stream just to satisfy a irartional hatred for HG.

As I said before this deal has my full support and I urge Robotech Fans and yes Macross Purists everywhere to support Tokyopop in thier Release of Macross 7: TRASH. We can show Big West that working with HG will benfit Big West and HG and both Robotech AND Macross.

Or we can go the purist route and let this die and pay high import fees, have C&D letters to dealers, watch those dealers go out of business and have Big West, Tatsunoko and Harmony Gold waste more money on engaing in lawsutis instead of new Macross and Robotech animation.

The choice is yours….

Bankofkev

If thats the case. Bring the M7 anime over here too!
I want Region 1 dvds!

If this works out that very well may happen!

Bankofkev

From the Robotech.com chat…

[Effect] Tom: Are Toykopop and HG working together on releasing Macross 7 Trash?

[Tom_Bateman] Effect, yes, we’re cooperating on it

Yes HG is directly involved and they are working on releasing Macross7:Trash with Tokyopop. What this also proves is that HG door is open to get this material released. I hope others decide to walk through it…

Bankofkev

Care who releases it. BW,HG, whatever. I just some good R1 dvds of M7, Macross Do You Remember Love,Macross 0, and the 20th annivesary dvd. And also some decent toys.The HG MPC were very lacking to me compared to “other” toys that were out there. I don’t really care for robotech like I used to. Don’t get me wrong, I still like it, but I prefer the oringinal Macross series more.

Its OK…

I understand your feelings in this matter…

The best way to get that good R1 DVD of M7 here is to support the HG TokyoPop deal for the M7 manga. If the m7 Manga sells well here in the US it will spark other companies into doing deals with HG to get other derivitve merchandise here into the US.

You feel there are “other” toys better than the MPC. Thats your opinion…and once again the best way to get them here without paying the outragous import fees is to support these deals as they happen.

Example…

When I buy Macross 7: Trash in 2004 3 companies benifit.

1. TokyoPop

2. Harmony Gold

3. Big West

Yes boys and girls Big West a company that i have been extremly critical of will get my business.

Why?

Cause they decided to work together…I have always stated that if a deal was reached I would support it and that is what I will do…

Folks if you want MORE Macross merchandise here in the US then this deal is a important first step to making that happen.

Bankofkev

Wish I wouldn’t have to wait till April 2004 to get trashed.

So far, Big West’s position in this entire deal has not been mentioned… Tokyo Pop possibly got their true license from Big West, but have now wussed out and are paying Harmony Gold’s “ransom” money in order for HG to “look the other way”.  Tommy, Tom, and Steve have some explaining to do…

If this was a legitiment deal and all parties are satisfied, that would be great if Y——o and companies like that can start bringing their stuff here, but if this is just another case of Harmony Gold trying to rip off Big West, and Macross fans,once again, well…

About what Tpop is going to do to the manga.

Looking at Initial D, Love Hina, and Rayearth, the translations, (and outright cuts) is something that makes HG proud.

Love Hina was good, it just got bad because the manga got bad as it continued.

The most blatant was in Volume 11 with Motoko’s sister.

There are MANY instances where they throw in words that were not present in the original versions.

Not to mention Tpop telling stores NOT to import the bilingual versions.

Then I must get the bilingual versions then.

These versions leave out certain chapters, since they were never meant to be complete.  Instead they were designed to be a english teaching aid for Japanese students.

So, unless you understand Japanese, your damned if you do, damned if you dont.

Mind you I’m not very fluent (who am I kidding, I’m barely know the language), but managed to muddle my way through the original manga.

Yeah I think Apollo is on to something.  -_-

HG has always said that they would be willing to deal with Yamato and Bandai to bring Macross merchandise to the U.S.  It’s BW that’s holding the gun to these company’s heads.

This just proves that HG isn’t trying to bury Macross like some claim.  Nor are they going to incorporate the Macross derivatives into Robotech.

BoK…. How ya doin? Long time, no see!!!

Anyhow, knowing me, I always have to get a word in…

I’m just curious about some of the statements you’ve made:

A) If, as HG claims, they do own the international rights to Macross, why would Tpop have to get a license from Bigwest? Bigwest, according to HG, has no rights outside of Japan. Tpop would have to have gone to HG directly.

B) “Cooperating”. Cooperation could mean many things. One way it can be construed is that a person is “cooperating” against their better wishes. Although HG has posted, word for word, Tokyopop’s press release, I see no mention in that release that states Tokyopop actually licensed from HG (something you’ll usually see). It could be (notice I mentioned “could”) that HG is cooperating because it’s better to go along than to say you fought something tooth and nail only to lose.

True, it would be an amazing feat indeed if all parties involved came to an agreement. But I think we shouldn’t come to conclusions too quickly just yet.

p.s.- Mac7 will probably never come out over here because of the music rights issue. Arrrghhh!!!

p.p.s.- I still like eggs.