Robotech: The New Generation – Legacy Collection 6 is a three-disc DVD box set that was released in 2002 by ADV Films. The first disc contains the episodes: “The Invid Invasion,” “The Lost City,” “Lonely Soldier Boy,” “Survival,” “Curtain Call,” “Hard Times,” and “Paper Hero.” The second disc contains the episodes: “Eulogy,” “The Genesis Pit,” “Enter Marlene,” “The Secret Route,” “The Fortress,” and “Sandstorm.”
The first and second discs both have an option for Scene Selection; this allows you to choose which episode to watch on a disc, and where in the episode you want to begin viewing the disc. Both discs also have previews on them. The first disc has previews for Legend of Crystania, Soul Hunter, AD Police, Those Who Hunt Elves, Dirty Pair Flash, and Farscape. The second disc in the set has previews for Princess Nine, Soul Hunter, AD Police, Those Who Hunt Elves, Dirty Pair Flash, and Farscape.
The third DVD in the set is labeled as “Extra New Generation 1 – Elements of Robotechnology VI.” This DVD contains all the special features included in this box set. The first extra is the original unaired English pilot for Mospeada. The background music from the original Mospeada series was used, and the dialogue in this episode is very different from the dialogue that appeared in the corresponding episode that was done for Robotech. Here, the Invid had their original name from Mospeada (Inbit). Scott Bernard was Stick in this pilot, his girlfriend Marlene was named Marlen, and Rand was named Randy in this pilot. Just like with the original English pilot for Macross, the tone of this pilot would not have helped Mospeada achieve the success that Robotech ultimately had in the United States.
Next is a “Prototype Toy Presentation.” This was a video produced for the buyers at retail outlets that sell toys, trying to sell them on the 1986 Robotech toy line put out by Matchbox. Overall, it’s rather boring; however, the most amusing section was when the guy demonstrating the toys had issues with a couple of the prototype toys not transforming the way they were supposed to. It should be pointed out, though, that this presentation was not produced with the intent of it ever being seen by the masses. When looked at in that light, it’s easier to deal with how boring it is.
The next feature is an “Animation Gallery.” This is thirty-four screens of model sheets of characters, mecha, and weapons from the third section of Robotech. The “Promotional Videos” are two videos produced to sell the boys’ line and the girls’ line for Matchbox’s Robotech toys. Again, these were not produced for mass consumption, so they can be a bit boring. However, they’re not as long or as boring as the “Prototype Toy Presentation.”
“New Generation Comics” is twenty-five screens of the comic book covers for the comic books Comico released for the “New Generation” section of Robotech. The final extra is labeled as “International Clips.” The first clip is when Scott and Rand meet for the first time. The second clip is when Lunk decides to join Scott and his group to save his friend. Both of the clips are available in English, French, Spanish, Portugese, and Italian. I’m disappointed that the original Japanese versions of these clips weren’t included.
Overall, this is a decent DVD box set. Even though I wish ADV Films had gone to more effort to remaster the video for this release, I would still recommend this box set. However, this set is now out of print. Even though ADV Films has released other Robotech box sets, I prefer these original DVD sets. If you are a fan of Robotech and happen to stumble upon a used copy of this DVD set, I would recommend picking it up.
I wrote this review after watching a copy of this DVD box set that my husband and I purchased.
