Harmony Gold and Big West come to a new Licensing Agreement

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Harmony Gold and Big West come to a new Licensing Agreement

Postby Lanji » Thu Apr 08, 2021 9:03 pm

Hot off the press: https://macross.jp/b2b/

April 9, 2021, Tokyo, Japan: Landmark agreement between the anime companies will allow immediate international distribution of most Macross television sequels and films, while affirming Harmony Gold’s rights to the Robotech franchise. Both companies will cooperate on the international distribution of future Macross and Robotech projects post 2021.


Tokyo based BIGWEST CO.,LTD. and Los Angeles based Harmony Gold U.S.A. announced an agreement regarding the worldwide rights for the legendary Macross and Robotech franchises. This expansive agreement signed by both companies on March 1, 2021, ends two decades of disagreements and will allow Bigwest and Harmony Gold to chart a new path that will unlock the great potential of both the Macross and Robotech franchises worldwide. The landmark agreement immediately permits worldwide distribution of most of the Macross films and television sequels worldwide, and also confirms that Bigwest will not oppose the Japanese release of an anticipated upcoming live-action Robotech film. The agreement also recognizes Harmony Gold’s longstanding exclusive license with Tatsunoko for the use of the 41 Macross characters and mecha in the Robotech television series and related merchandise throughout the world excluding Japan. Moving forward, both parties will cooperate on distribution regarding future Macross and Robotech projects for the benefit of both franchises.

Bigwest Representative Director, Kaya Onishi added,“Stories that feature Valkyries, a transformable realistic mecha, in action among the galaxies while diva's sing in the background, as well as love triangles involving the pilots and singers. That was and continues to be the concept behind the Macross series, and I am happy that I can now help bring Macross to people all over the world on the 40th anniversary of the series. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Harmony Gold Chairman, Frank Agrama for his courageous decision in this matter.”

Harmony Gold USA Chairman, Frank Agrama stated, “This is an incomparably historic moment for both Harmony Gold and Bigwest and the anime industry overall. This is also an exciting moment for fans of Robotech and Macross worldwide. I thank my friend, Bigwest Representative Director, Kaya Onishi for her hard work to help us reach this long desired resolution that protects both of our franchises while building a better tomorrow for both our companies.”


I was hearing some very interesting things from a contact at Harmony Gold for a while, but I couldn't believe it when I read this a few minutes ago. I don't know how this will play out in the end but if this gets us legal Macross stories, I'm all for it! The Robotech movie is also not that much of a surprise in the end for me because they have gone through three studios at least trying to get it made... But this makes me wonder if its finally going to be announced.

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Re: Harmony Gold and Big West come to a new Licensing Agreem

Postby InfernosCaress » Fri Apr 09, 2021 2:45 am

Interesting. It is good that Macross can be released in the West now. Although, with exclusive "use of the 41 Macross characters and mecha in the Robotech" that may well block the use of all current Macross properties including the anime, the PSP and Vita games, Macross 30 as they all having some combination of recurring characters, the SDFN class, Zentraedi mecha and such.

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