Episode 148: Carl Macek and Robotech


Lynn Minmay

Lynn Minmay

Yep, we’re back with a do-over episode. Many months ago, we produced an episode in which we were to talk about Carl Macek. Somehow, we went almost the entire episode without even so much as mentioning him; a fact which perturbed me for some time.

Well, this has been amended. Sometimes revered, other times reviled, Carl Macek left behind an incredible legacy of work and undoubtedly paved the way for the anime market that came after Robotech.

Here we have the somewhat complete story of the amazing career of Carl Macek, though we did skip over some things, such as his time at DiC and Spumco. We talk about his rise with Harmony Gold, the rise and fall of Streamline Pictures, and his time at ADV.

We also tread through the Robotech saga again, this time a bit more in detail. And if any of this is at all confusing, don’t worry. You’re running about average. Truth be told, Robotech shows its seams, and even with additional animated content made to bridge the three separate sagas, it still is an obvious hodgepodge of content.

I still very much recommend ADV’s dub of Macross, IF you can still find it.

Robotech - The Macross Saga

Robotech – The Macross Saga

Dirty Pair - Flight 005 Conspiracy

Dirty Pair – Flight 005 Conspiracy

The Professional: Golgo 13

The Professional: Golgo 13

Episode 134: Adult Swim


Adult Swim

Adult Swim


All kids out of the pool! We’re joined by Ren of Marshmellow Surprise to talk about Cartoon Network’s late night adult animation block!

Is Adult Swim a second life for shows previous abused by the Fox Network, or is it frat party for Flash animators?

Only one truth prevails.

Episode 127: Sailor Moon


I shall punish you!

I shall punish you!

This week, we’re joined by Kittyhawk and Abby Lehrke to talk about Sailor Moon!

Yes, after many weeks of giving it the stink eye and pulling my hair out, it’s the Sailor Moon episode. Normally, I can clean up the audio and present you with a pristine podcast. But, one of our recorders failed, so I had to default to the Skype recorder and using other recordings to fill in some of the mess.

For the most part, it sounds okay, but you’ll notice some crackling and background noise. I tried my best.

Episode 124: Obscure 80s Anime


Welcome  to the 80s

from Megazone 23. Yes, this is what passed for aerobics wear in the 80s. It was indeed a magical time.

Kittyhawk is back this week, and we’re talking about obscure 80s anime. This is the stuff that made us fall in love with anime back in the early 90s, when we used to call it “Japanimation.” We say “early 90s” because most of this stuff wasn’t even available in American in the decade that they were created. We had to wait around for Streamline Pictures and Central Park Media to bring this stuff to us.

The 80s was a special time. It was a time of leotards and legwarmers. Leather jackets and torn jeans. And everyone had a boombox with high-speed dubbing.

But there is nothing so aggressively 80s as the anime of the era. Come join us for this brief journey into some of our obscure favorites, and tell us some of yours.

Project A-Ko - Possibly the most iconic anime of the era.

Project A-Ko – Possibly the most iconic anime of the era.


Riding Bean is what came before Gunsmith Cats.  Gunsmith Cats is better, but if you want more guns and cars in an 80s car chase scenario, you might want to check out Riding Bean.

Riding Bean is what came before Gunsmith Cats. Gunsmith Cats is better, but if you want more guns and cars in an 80s car chase scenario, you might want to check out Riding Bean.

Doraemon

Doraemon

This is what you would get if you took the Force out of Star Wars.  You'd have Han Solo: The Movie. ...aka Crusher Joe.

This is what you would get if you took the Force out of Star Wars. You’d have Han Solo: The Movie. …aka Crusher Joe.

Listen to the show to hear about the rare localized Harlock cartoon.  Possibly the most obscure of them all!

Listen to the show to hear about the rare localized Harlock cartoon. Possibly the most obscure of them all!

Girl in school uniform versus girl in one-piece bathing suit/battle uniform.  Need I explain why I love Project A-Ko?

Girl in school uniform versus girl in one-piece bathing suit/battle uniform. Need I explain why I love Project A-Ko?

Episode 120: Magic Knight Rayearth


Magic Knight Rayearth

Magic Knight Rayearth

This week we’re joined by Kittyhawk and Abby again as we look into the weird, wild world of Magic Knight Rayearth, a shoujo series by CLAMP.

We explore a series about three little girls who are summoned to a magic realm by a princess who wants them to kill her for falling in love…because love is bad if you’re the princess, apparently. Oh, and there’s some stuff about being the pillar, or some other such gobbledy gook. Something about a little Pikachu-thingy creature also being God. And then the series asks if it’s really incest if you’re making out with yourself.

Look, the point here is that Rayearth is a weird attempt to follow up the shoujo groundwork laid by Sailor Moon. As I had only played the Sega Saturn game (and a fine game it is) I sat back slack-jawwed as the ladies explained to Ben and me exactly what this show is all about.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy some magic girly goodness, I guess.

Oh, you guys get bonus homework! Since I lerves me them vidjero games and wish to spread as much love as I can about the Saturn and publisher Working Designs, I humbly ask that you listen to this episode of Retronauts to hear an interview with Victor Ireland. He talks about the torture that it was to port Rayearth to the states and what the US anime rights holders had asked him to do! Yikes! Must listen!

Oh, and don’t forget to subscribe to the new Retronauts blog, because they’ll be making new episodes again soon!

that Alcione is quite the looker, I must say.

that Alcione is quite the looker, I must say.

Well.  My head asplode.

Well. My head asplode.

Ah, memories.

Ah, memories.

The Very Best of Jenny Stigile

Jenny Stigile sang the theme song on the Sega Saturn version of Magic Knight Rayearth.