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————————————————————————————————————————
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