Cheap Robotech - A New Threat (Vol. 7) (DVD) (Robert V. Barron) Price

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Customer Reviews of Robotech - A New Threat (Vol. 7)

Top-notch Anime - Volume VII
The seventh DVD volume of the Robotech series (the first DVD in the Dana Sterling Saga) contains six excellent episodes concerning the second invasion of Earth taking place approximately fifteen years after the events of the Rick Hunter Saga - including the eyecatches to and from commercial breaks. In the late 1980s, F.H.E. had released a videotape of these same episodes edited together to form one "movie;" while that was okay, this presentation by ADV Films is far superior, allowing easy access to any particular episode on may wish to view.

This is one of my favorite anime series. However, I can only rate this DVD as a "3" for two reasons. First, concerning the DVD construction, the main menu begins with a brief clip from the series without any actual menu selections immediately available, which can cause confusion for some users. Second, the voices used in many of the eyecatches are for characters from the Rick Hunter Saga - characters which DO NOT appear in the Dana Sterling Saga. Third, and by far the most significant downfall, this DVD is NOT compatible with the PlayStation2, whereas the first DVD in the series worked flawlessly with the PS2.

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The Second Saga Begins
15 years have pasted after Kyron and Azonia rammed their ship into the SDF-1. After trying to rebuild most of Earth, Rick Hunter and the rest of the remaining crew from the Macross saga embark upon the SDF-3 to find the Robotech Masters as seen in the Robotech feature The Sentinals. Now, the new RDF is assembled. Comprised of Dana Sterling, daughter of Max Sterling, Bowie Grant, cousin of Claudia Grant, Angelo and Dante in the 15th Armored Devision. Thus begins the Robtech Masters (Southern Cross in Japan) saga of Robotech.

Dana's Story: Dana tells Bowie the story of how her parents met. Suddenly, the Robotech Masters attack spacestation Liberty.

Flase Start: Dana is put in command of the 15th Armored Division, but ends up getting in trouble on her first day. Later, she is forced into combat with a red Bioroid.

Southern Cross: Dana makes a desperate desicion to defend a base and risk her command.

Volunteers: Dana volunteers her division to re-establish contact with a spacestation on a dangerous mission through the enemy in space.

Half Moon: When Bowie and Dana try to find some answers to protoculture at the original site of the SDF-1, Bowie is captured by the Bioroids. Dana goes out of her way to make a rescue attempt with her division.

Danger Zone: Dana and her squad make a Death-Star-esque attack on the Robotech Master's ship in order to crash the ship on the ground.

Overall, these episodes have a good amount of action and are really fun to watch if your a big mecha fan. However, if your hoping for something similar to Macross, you won't find it here. But if it's action you crave and plot that actually makes you think, this is saga of Robtech is for you.

Side Note: Notice how all the uniforms in this saga look very similar to samurai armor.

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A New Beginning...
Robotech: A New Threat, chronicles the first six episodes (Episodes 37 - 42) in the second story arc (The Robotech Masters) in the classic, trend-setting, epic Americanized anime series from the 80s, Robotech.

For the uninitiated, Robotech was the most popular of the Americanized Japanese anime series to hit American TV waves during the 1970s and 1980s (along with Star Blazers, Voltron, Transor Z, etc.) Known for its cutting edge animation, high-tech battle scenes, futuristic weapons (planes, tanks, motorcyles that transform into robots), cool alien invaders, and realistic and compelling storylines, Robotech swept an entire generation and helped put Japanese Anime forever on the map of American pop culture.

Set 15 years after the events in the Macross Saga, the story picks up with a new generation of Robotech defenders (in this case the heavily armored Armies of the Southern Cross) protecting the Earth as a new wave of Alien invaders, the Robotech Masters, descend upon the earth looking to reclaim the missing Protoculture factory hidden aboard the now derelict SD-F1.

Here's a rundown of the episodes featured on this DVD:

Episode 37 - Dana's Story: Flashback episode to the closing of Macross Saga. A new generation of Robotech fighters, including Dana Sterling and Bowie Grant, graduate from the Robotech Academy to carry on the great tradition of Robotech. Dana relates to Bowie the story of how her parents, Max and Miriya, met and fell in love. Plus, the Robotech Masters attack Moon Base Luna.

Episode 38 - False Start: Dana and the 15th Squadron get into more mischief while out practicing maneuvers. Also, the Robotech Masters arrive in Earth's airspace, prompting Earth's first offensive.

Episode 39 - Southern Cross: It's all-out war as the Robotech Masters' Bioroid Army annihilates the main base, and only Dana and the 15th can stop them.

Episode 40 - Volunteers: Dana and Crystal lead a team on a dangerous shuttle mission to re-establish contact with Space Station Liberty, going directly up against the Robotech Masters ship. Plus, the menacing Red Bioroid.

Episode 41 - Half Moon: Bowie is captured by the Bioroids while he and Dana are patrolling near the remains of the SD-F1. Against orders Dana mobilizes the 15th to rescue him and comes face-to-face again with the mysterious Red Bioroid.

Episode 42 - Danger Zone: It's once again all-out war. The Earth Government wants Zor's ship destroyed at all costs; and they pay a high cost indeed!!! Plus, Earth's scientists wonder -- are the Bioroids and the Robotech Masters human?

Incidentally, these volumes DO NOT have special DVD features (aside from trailer ads for other anime series coming out on DVD from ADV). While on its own this may be considered a crime, not to fear. If you purchase the boxed set collections, each boxed set collection will come with an "Extra: Elements of Robotechnology" DVD special which will contain all the DVD special features you could want: interviews, trailers, commercial spots, specs, etc... So by all means, get the boxed set if you are planning on buying.

Though this particular arc of the Robotech saga is pointed to by many as the "low-point" of the series (and I felt the same way too as a kid), I must say that it's definitely A LOT better than I remember it being watching it now that I am older and understand the plot better. The action still kicks butt even 15 years later.

If you've never seen Robotech, simply put YOU MUST. The action and the drama are compelling, clearly showing why Robotech became a pop culture icon. It is the series that forever put Japanese anime on the map in the US. If you did grow up with Robotech, give these a watch again. They're great for a trip down memory lane. You can't lose!!!

Highest Recommendation