Classic 80's Anime Songs - 

That last article about Carl Macek made me think about all those wonderful 1980's anime songs that were either butchered or never release.  Sure, we all grew up with the theme from Robotech, but once you actually get your hands on the original songs, you realize just how amateurish the American dubs were.  For me, when I heard these songs, it was like seeing color tv for the first time.

Thanks to the wonders of the internet, just about anyone can listen to these wonderful classics.  Here is the original theme for Macross:

 

Goodbye Carl Macek, and good riddance

It has recently come to my attention that Carl Macek has kicked the bucket and gone to the big anime convention in the sky.  Well, I know it's not good to speak ill of the dead, but that won't stop me from evaluating this man's career and impact on the anime community.

First off, I hate the guy.  Let's get that out of the way.  Macek's wikipedia page refers to the man as an "anime pioneer", but in reality, he is no more than an anime opportunist.  The man was egotistical, had terrible taste and was foolishly ethnocentric.

 I know that Carl Macek has many admirers out there.  This is mainly because they believe he somehow introduced anime to North America through Robotech in 1985.  The popular belief is that somehow Macek's efforts made anime what it is today.  What a load of shit.  If anyone takes the time to look closely, we can already see that there were already many popular animes in America before Macek ever got his filthy, grubby fingers on it.

Star Blazers (originally Star Ship Yamato) was a huge hit.  It was broadcast in America starting in 1979, produced by Westchester Film Corporation: