Although tangentially related to the mecha classic Macross, Southern Cross failed due to poor designs, rushed production, and a lack of toys.
Many anime fans still fondly remember the series. Macross since the 1980s, or perhaps you’ve seen the many sequels it spawned. Western fans might be more familiar with the American adaptation. Robotech, which is well known in its own way. Although most programs related to Macross became hits, a “sequel” turned out to be just the opposite.
South Cross was the third entry in the “Super Dimension” trilogy which included Macross, though it is universally regarded as the worst. This reception reflects a hellish production story, a shocking lack of merchandise, and an even more tongue-in-cheek second chance through Robotech. Here’s why anime fans have rarely experienced deja vu when remembering South Cross.
What was the Southern Cross anime?
South Cross is set in the futuristic year of 2120, where humanity has taken to the stars to colonize other worlds. Defending the human race is the Southern Cross army, piloting powerful vehicles and mechanized armor. Their last colony is the world of Glorie, which was once populated by the alien race known as Zor. The two species quickly come into conflict with each other, and their war is not unlike the battle between humanity and the Zentradi in Macross.
South Cross began as a concept by controversial artist Aki Uchiyama, known for his lewd and adult-oriented art. This series was to feature female historical figures in a comedy of sorts, including Joan of Arc. Eventually, it was decided to drop the lolita look of the concept characters, make them older, and put them in a sci-fi/fantasy setting. To complete this change, the staff of the classic series of mecha Aura Battler Dunbine was brought in, but when that show’s medieval setting failed to connect with the audience, it presented a problem.
Thus, the show eventually became a pure sci-fi mecha series that was able to secure the “Super Dimension” moniker from sponsor Big West. This did not mean that it was a sequel to The Super Dimension Fortress Macrosshowever, it simply shared a similar prefix as the second Super Dimension series, orgasm. In fact, Macross is even referenced as a show within the universe of South Cross.
Why was Southern Cross unsuccessful as Macross?
Unfortunately, much of the rest of the staff was not used to complex animated mecha designs, which resulted in South Cross have some absolutely horrible looking giant robots. Since it was, in fact, a series of mecha, these unflattering designs were a deterrent. It didn’t help that, ironically, South Cross didn’t have much in the way of official merchandise. Although there were a few products, none of them amounted to a line of mechanical toys or model kits like the ones in Macross wave Gundam Mobile Suit franchise.
The biggest batch of salt in the wound was the fact that Matchbox produced toys based on the mecha of the series when the images of South Cross was used in the “Saga of the Masters” of Robotech. This saw Japan importing the American toys for South Cross as if they had none of their own, all the while reversing the situation during the first part of Robotechwhere legal entanglements prevented American toy companies from importing Macross toys
Another big problem was that South Cross it was a rush job that had to be produced quickly to be a time slot track for orgasm. What further deterred its success was the pending release of the Macross film, Do you remember love?. There was a lot more publicity for this than South Cross, keeping the first Super Dimension series in the public eye while downplaying the newer one. This probably deserved it, since the series wasn’t exactly good. The planned 32 episodes were cut down to 23, so its story had to be cut short at a horrible pace. Plots and concepts are introduced, but quickly abandoned, and the characters aren’t much better.
The show also did not achieve the crossover success of Macross due to a combination of lethargic action through even poorer robot designs, as well as none of the great romance Macross was known for. love stories in South Cross, if you can call them that, they’re shallow and poorly developed, and it doesn’t help that the main character is a bit annoying. With all these problems combined, Super Dimension Calvary Southern Cross it came and went in 1984. The best thing to come out of the series was its admittedly decent music, namely the intro song “Hoshi no Deja Vu” by Yoko Katori. It can be streamed via Tubi TV, though it’s really only worth it for the most die-hard of Macross or mecha anime fans.
About the Author
