Liner Notes for Out of Print Titles

Baoh is a genetically-engineered parasite which feeds upon a living host, locating itself inside the host's brain. The host also becomes known as a Baoh. Dr. Kasuminome utilized genetic-engineering to manipulate the cellular structure of the Baoh parasites. The latest generation of his Baoh parasites can live in a host in a variety of environments.

“Demon Spies” takes place sometime during the Tokugawa Era (approximately 1603-1868, also called Edo Period), the period named for the 15 generations of Tokugawa Shogun (Military Overlords) who ruled the nation, maintaining a relatively static society, for over 250 years. This period of military-rule was characterized by its relatively peaceful order overall, clear division of the social hierarchy, extravagance by the privileged classes, isolation from the West, and a lot of convoluted treachery, as well as many important cultural and intellectual developments.

One of the opening animation sequences is an adaptation of a scene from the first episode of the TV series, and shows how Kyosuke and Madoka first met. Her red straw hat got caught by a sudden breeze, and Kyosuke caught it while counting the stairs up to his new apartment building. This led to his first argument with Madoka, when he said there were 100 steps, and she insisted there were only 99. He finally compromised by saying he would settle for 99.5 steps.

The series title is a complicated play on words, the result of the project's convoluted preproduction. The original story creators at Studio Nue and Artland initially named their project, "Battle City Megaload/Megaroad." The double pun refers to the ship's massive civilian population and long space journey. According to Chief Director Ishiguro, the producer for the sponsor was a fan of Shakespeare, and insisted on naming the series and ship "Macbeth" (pronounced "Makubesu" in Japanese). Studio Nue and Artland regrouped and proposed the title "Makurosu," or "Macross" when written in English. Along with its similarity to Macbeth's Japanese pronunciation, the finalized title also retained the first title's connotation.

Portrait of Hell takes place in the city of Heian-kyo (present day Kyoto), during the late Heian Era. This period, which lasted from 794-1185, is best known for a cultural renaissance of painting, poetry and writing, and for a general atmosphere of peacefulness (Heian means ‘peace’ in Japanese), during which Japanese society was especially sensitive to acts of crime and murder.

One of the most famous conflicts in Japanese military history were the Genpai Wars. Fought from 1180-1185, between the Taira (Heike) clan and Minamoto (Genji) clan, a series of bloody battles were fought for control of the Imperial throne--and ultimately control of Japan. In the final clash of the wars, the battle of Dannoura, the Minamoto clan defeated the Taira clan in a naval engagement at the Kanmon Straits in southern Japan.

Approximately 800 episodes of the Hissatsu series were produced through March of 1991. During the most successful seasons, when the show could boast ratings of nearly 30%, certain phrases and dialogues from the shows entered the everyday vernacular! Because of its popularity, many specials and several movies (the latest one is scheduled to premier during summer of 1998!) were made.

The Spirit of Wonder is a series of manga stories written and drawn by Tsuruta Kenji. Only one has as yet been animated, but several of the original mangas will soon be released in English form by Dark Horse Comics and Studio Proteus.

Inaba's name comes from a children's story called "Inaba no shiro-usagi" (The White Rabbit of Inaba). Inaba is actually a place name, located in the eastern Tottori Prefecture. Found in one of the "Izumo-shinwa" (myths of Izumi) and in the "Koojiki" (Books of Ancient History), it is the story of a white rabbit who tricks a shark into taking him across the sea from Okinoshima Island to "Inaba-no-kuni" (the land of Inaba).