Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross - Production

Production

This show was the third mecha anime series released under the "Super Dimension" moniker by the sponsor Big West in 1984. This science fiction mecha series followed 2 other series created by Studio Nue with Artland: Super Dimension Fortress Macross (1982–1983), produced by Tatsunoko, and Super Dimension Century Orguss (1983–1984), produced by Tokyo Movie Shinsha. Unlike the other two series, The Southern Cross was created and produced almost entirely by Tatsunoko with mechanical designs by its sister studio Ammonite. The series lasted for 23 episodes. The three titles share some of the same creators, and Macross is referenced by character cameos and inside references by the latter two series. However, the basic stories are unrelated. Southern Cross was the least successful of the Super Dimension banner, and it was actually cancelled due to low ratings, forcing the scriptwriters to hastily conclude the series.

Most of the animation of The Southern Cross (with edited content and revised dialogue) was adapted outside Japan for the second part of Robotech, following The Macross Saga, and preceding The New Generation. In this form, it is frequently referred to as "Robotech Masters" (as it was titled in the comic-book adaptation released by Comico). The characters and background of the series are described, below, using in-universe tone.

In order to depict The Robotech Masters as occurring on Earth, Harmony Gold editors had to remove a second moon from the sky as was shown in the original Southern Cross. As this was years before digital editing, a complex machine was reportedly involved in the process. Some of the animation from The Southern Cross also appeared in two shows produced by Harmony Gold.