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Watching a Classic in the Anime Room

Once a staple of anime conventions, screening rooms have been phasing out since 2022, which is a shame since many of us were introduced to new titles through them. Thankfully, the tradition was alive and well at BayCon 42, as guests could pop into the Anime Room anytime to watch a variety of works being screened. One such title that I sat through during the event was Macross: Do You Remember Love?.

The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love? was released in 1984 as a cinematic adaptation of the original series. Due to the decades-long licensing dispute between Harmony Gold and Big West that has plagued the franchise, it has rarely been seen outside of Japan, with limited screenings and almost no physical media releases in the West. Thus, guests at BayCon 42 got the rare chance to watch this sci-fi classic.

Do You Remember Love?

Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love? takes place right after the events depicted in episode two of the series. The SDF-1 Macross is at the edge of the solar system, making its way back to Earth while the residents of Macross City have built a community within the spacecraft. During that time, Lynn Minmay has grown to become a beloved idol of the community while Hikaru Ichijyo has become a U.N. Spacy pilot. After another attack by the Zentradi forces, Ichijyo and Minmay get trapped inside the underbelly of the spacecraft. When they are rescued, it is during a moment of passion witnessed by the Macross community, making them the center of attention among the population.

Zentradi forces, on the other hand, are in a state of shock during their encounters with the humans. The concepts of genders living side by side, relationships based on emotions, music, and culture stun them. As a civilization engineered only to be warriors and fight, a different way of life is unheard of. The introduction of love and culture creates a divide among the ranks, between those who wish to defect and join the humans and those who want to continue the fight.

As the SDF-1 Macross comes closer to Earth, a rival faction to the Zentradi, the Meltrandi, enters the conflict, setting the stage for a final confrontation. The only hope is the power of music and love that could break the war culture and remind both the Zentradi and Meltrandi of what it means to live, reconnecting them with their ancient past through the Protoculture song “Do You Remember Love?”.

So This is Culture

Prior to the pandemic, anime screening rooms were common at conventions and one of the best ways to discover something new. It was in these rooms that I first saw One-Punch Man, Saga of Tanya the Evil, and Kiki’s Delivery Service. So to have one at BayCon in 2026 was a welcoming sight, especially since they were showing works that are not widely available on streaming platforms. Having the chance to watch Macross: Do You Remember Love? for the first time was an added bonus to the overall experience.

The screening of Macross: Do You Remember Love? began at 6 p.m. I was the first one in the room and got myself a good seat in the front row. The version presented was the subbed version, and the subtitles were easy to read thanks to how the seating was arranged and the size of the TV. As the film continued, more guests would walk in and out to either see the entire film or take a break while watching. Overall, it was just like the good old days of anime conventions, where you could walk into a room and watch a new anime.

Highlights of BayCon 42

Having a rare chance to watch Macross: Do You Remember Love? in the Anime Room was among the highlights of my weekend. There were many other anime screenings and events to check out during BayCon 42. The event took place from July 3rd to July 6th at the Santa Clara Marriott.

This special report is part of 8Bit/Digi‘s coverage of BayCon 42 / Westercon 78. If you attended the event, please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Disclaimer: BayCon provided me with a pass for the weekend.

8Bit/Digi is a news outlet that provides insight into the Bay Area Science Fiction fandom community.