The are a fictional, militaristic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in ''
Macross
is a Japanese science fiction mecha anime media franchise/media mix, created by Studio Nue (most prominently mecha designer, writer and producer Shōji Kawamori) and Artland in 1982. The franchise features a fictional history of Earth and the ...
''
media mix
Media may refer to:
Communication
* Media (communication), tools used to deliver information or data
** Advertising media, various media, content, buying and placement for advertising
** Broadcast media, communications delivered over mass e ...
and its ''
Robotech
''Robotech'' is a science fiction franchise that began with an 85-episode anime television series produced by Harmony Gold USA in association with Tatsunoko Production and first released in the United States in 1985.
The show was adapted from t ...
'' (1985) cartoon adaptation.
[Sony PlayStation 2 Compatible DVD-ROM Video Game. ''The Super Dimension Fortress Macross''. Instruction Booklet. SLPM-65405. Sega-AM2/Bandai. Japan. Y6800. 2003, October 23](_blank)
/ref>
It is transliterated as Zentradi, Zjentohlauedy, Zentrady, and Zentraedi for the Japanese ''Macross
is a Japanese science fiction mecha anime media franchise/media mix, created by Studio Nue (most prominently mecha designer, writer and producer Shōji Kawamori) and Artland in 1982. The franchise features a fictional history of Earth and the ...
'' series, with the Zentraedi spelling being the one most used commonly in the English-dubbed Robotech adaptation. The Robotech novels and comics would add the occasional spelling T'sentrati. In both the ''Macross'' and ''Robotech'' universes, humans and ''Zentradi'' are capable of interbreeding due to being genetically equivalent. Physically, most of them also resemble humans with pointy ears
Pointy ears or pointed ears are a characteristic of numerous animals, at least one genetic disorder in humans, as well as a cliché in popular culture, particularly in the fantasy genre. They are commonly known as elf ears.
Animals
"Pointy ears" ...
, though some have unique skin and hair colors. Prior to their first encounter with the human race, all members of the Zentradi race were artificially created through cloning
Cloning is the process of producing individual organisms with identical or virtually identical DNA, either by natural or artificial means. In nature, some organisms produce clones through asexual reproduction. In the field of biotechnology, cl ...
.
Conception and development
The idea of extraterrestrial humanoid enemies was first conceived by Shōji Kawamori
is a Japanese anime creator and producer, screenwriter, visual artist, and mecha designer. He is best known for creating the ''Macross'' mecha anime franchise and the ''Diaclone'' toyline, which were in turn the basis for the ''Robotech'' and ...
, inspired by the trend of militaristic alien antagonists from previous science fiction shows like ''Space Battleship Yamato
is a Japanese science fiction anime series produced and written by Yoshinobu Nishizaki, directed by manga artist Leiji Matsumoto, and produced by Academy Productions. The series aired in Yomiuri TV from October 6, 1974 to March 30, 1975, ...
'' (1974).
After the Studio Nue
Studio Nue, Inc. ( ja, スタジオぬえ) is a Japanese design studio formed in 1972 (as Crystal Art Studio) by Naoyuki Kato, Kenichi Matsuzaki, Kazutaka Miyatake, and Haruka Takachiho. Crystal Art Studio would change their name to Studio Nue i ...
staff developed the final concept of what would become the Zentradi giant warrior race, artists Kazutaka Miyatake is a visual artist and anime designer known for the mechanical design of the ''Macross'' TV series and a number of its continuations from Studio Nue, of which he is a founding member. He has also contributed to the mecha design of other series such ...
and Kawamori himself were in charge of designing the enemies' alphabet, machines and ships, while Haruhiko Mikimoto
is a Japanese anime character designer, illustrator and manga artist. Mostly active during the 1980s, during that decade he rose to prominence and is considered one of the top character designers of his time.
He graduated from Keio University, ...
developed the Zentradi uniforms and the different alien characters.
Appearances
In ''Macross''
In the original ''Macross'' anime the Zentradi were created as a spacefaring
Spaceflight (or space flight) is an application of astronautics to fly spacecraft into or through outer space, either with or without humans on board. Most spaceflight is uncrewed and conducted mainly with spacecraft such as satellites in o ...
race of giant humanoid proxy war
A proxy war is an armed conflict between two states or non-state actors, one or both of which act at the instigation or on behalf of other parties that are not directly involved in the hostilities. In order for a conflict to be considered a pr ...
riors by the first advanced humanoid civilization in the galaxy, the humanoid Protoculture, 497,500 years ago.[ADV Films Official ''Macross'' English Dub Page.](_blank)
They contributed greatly to the expansion of the Protoculture Civilization's sphere of influence and the creation of an "Interstellar Republic" (akin to a galactic empire
Galactic empires are a common trope used in science fantasy and science fiction, particularly in works known as 'space operas'. Many authors have either used a galaxy-spanning empire as background or written about the growth and/or decline of s ...
) that controlled most of the Milky Way.
Macross Chronicle
'' Issue 08. World Guide Sheet: 04a: The Zentradi. Part Two. Page 14
We've Inc
2008.10.30[Official Macross Chronology. Pages 54 and 55. ''Macross Perfect Memory''. Reference Book. 260 A4 pages. Minori Library, Japan. Y2800. 1983, October 10.]
As war broke out with '' The Supervision Army'' centuries later, the Zentradi entered into combat with their fearsomely powerful force of millions of space warships and mecha
In science fiction, or mechs are giant robots or machines controlled by people, typically depicted as humanoid walking vehicles. The term was first used in Japanese (language), Japanese after shortening the English loanword or , but the mean ...
produced in thousands of huge automated factories scattered across the galaxy and legions of expendable giant clone troops. After the end of the war with the Supervision Army, the Zentradi fleets travelled the galaxy in search of Supervision Army survivors until they encountered the human race, an event that caused Space War I (2009–2010).
In order to better maintain control of the Zentradi, the Protoculture trained them only in the limited mix of skills which were necessary for the soldier's particular role in the Zentradi military.[Character of Macross: ''The Zentradi''. Pages 130–135. ''Macross Perfect Memory''. Reference Book. 260 A4 pages. Minori Library, Japan. Y2800. 1983, October 10.] It seems that no Zentradi were trained in the repair and maintenance of their equipment, making them dependent on easily controlled supply stations and factory asteroids. The Zentradi were also segregated so that males and females could not mix, which might lead to love and/or natural procreation.
Macross Chronicle
'' Issue 08. World Guide Sheet: 04a: The Zentradi. Part One. Page 14
We've Inc
2008.10.30 Male Zentradi are also called "Zentran", which means "male" in the Zentradi language. Also, Female Zentradi are called Meltrandi
is a Japanese science fiction mecha anime media franchise/media mix, created by Studio Nue (most prominently mecha designer, writer and producer Shōji Kawamori) and Artland in 1982. The franchise features a fictional history of Earth and the ...
, the word "Meltran" meaning "female" as well. Finally, the Zentradi were forbidden culture, and were instilled with orders to never interfere with culture-bearing planets and civilizations, again apparently to suppress independent thought and keep an iron loyalty in all the Zentradi forces.[Zentradi Race Official Information. Retrieved on 04-26-09.](_blank)
/ref>
The downfall of the Zentradi nomadic warrior civilization came during Space War I (2009), when the technologically inferior but culturally and spiritually superior "Micronians" (humans) were able to reach the buried emotions of the Zentradi through terrestrial culture and humane actions, especially music and acts of love and kindness.
After 2012, the Zentradi are estimated to have 1000–2000 fleets of sizes similar to the 4.8-million-ship Boddole Zer Main Fleet in Space War I. However, the UN government of allied Humans and Zentradi became the reigning hegemony in near-Earth galactic space.
The average Zentradi are five times the size of Earth Humans, but some of them use ancient miniaturizing cloning technology known as the to coexist with humanity. Many integrated into each other's population where many families became a mix of both Human and Zentradi individuals.
Before the Zentradi and modern Humans made contact, the average Zentradi had the equivalent intelligence of Human primary school children, only needing to be intelligent enough to perform their assigned tasks. Since their exposure to Human society and knowledge, their potential intelligence and learning capacity has been shown to be higher.
In the first ''Macross'' TV series it was revealed that Commander Type Zentradi are bigger, stronger and more intelligent than the rest, while some are even able to survive in the vacuum of space for limited amounts of time. This makes it possible for them to endure hand-to-hand combat
Hand-to-hand combat (sometimes abbreviated as HTH or H2H) is a physical confrontation between two or more persons at short range (grappling distance or within the physical reach of a handheld weapon) that does not involve the use of weapons.Huns ...
against human mecha like the VF-1 Valkyrie
In the fictional ''Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Macross'' Japanese anime series and its English adaptation ''Robotech'', the first mass production, mass-produced transforming aerospace fighter aircraft, fighter mecha is called the VF-1 Valk ...
.
In the original ''Macross'' TV series the Zentradi possessed a fictional alien alphabet which was developed by Kazutaka Miyatake is a visual artist and anime designer known for the mechanical design of the ''Macross'' TV series and a number of its continuations from Studio Nue, of which he is a founding member. He has also contributed to the mecha design of other series such ...
of the Studio Nue staff but their dialogue was automatically translated into Japanese language. However, in the '' Macross: Do You Remember Love?'' animated film, the Zentradi were actually shown speaking a fictional extraterrestrial language (that also was developed for the movie by the Studio Nue production staff) as subtitles were provided for the audience.[Official Zentradi Dictionary. Retrieved on 04-26-09.](_blank)
/ref>
The Zentradi alphabet from the original ''Macross'' TV series and the spoken form of the Zentradi language from the ''Macross: Do You Remember Love?'' film appeared again in the '' Macross 7: Encore'' OVA and the ''Macross Frontier
is a Japanese anime television series and the third Japanese anime television series set in the ''Macross'' universe. It was broadcast on MBS from April 4, 2008 to September 26, 2008.
''Macross Frontier'' is the story of a human space ...
'' animated television series.[Macross Frontier (TV Series). ''Macross Frontier Official Site''. Story Section. Story List. Episode 5. 05-01-08](_blank)
/ref> Both the fictional Zentradi language and its alphabet have been used in several video games that take place in the ''Macross'' universe.
In ''Macross 7
is an anime television series. It is a sequel to the show ''The Super Dimension Fortress Macross'' that takes place many years after the events of the first series following a cast of mostly new characters. The show ran from October 16, 1 ...
'' (2045), the Zentradi are noted to be especially fearful towards other alien creatures known as the ''Protodeviln'' to the point of it being a reflex
In biology, a reflex, or reflex action, is an involuntary, unplanned sequence or action and nearly instantaneous response to a stimulus.
Reflexes are found with varying levels of complexity in organisms with a nervous system. A reflex occurs ...
.
During the third Macross TV series, ''Macross Frontier
is a Japanese anime television series and the third Japanese anime television series set in the ''Macross'' universe. It was broadcast on MBS from April 4, 2008 to September 26, 2008.
''Macross Frontier'' is the story of a human space ...
'' (2059), the Zentradi are shown to live among humans in both macronized (giant) and micronized (human sized) form in the outer space colonies. This includes having Zentradi sized buildings and facilities, including shopping malls with similarly sized products. They also seem to change sizes at will using the cloning technology described before. In the new series, some Zentradi-Human hybrids also share the ability to have their hair move on its own according to their feelings, as well as having an above-average resistance to space vacuum.
Meltlandi
In the ''Macross'' setting, Meltlandi or Meltlan is the term for female Zentradi, a giant humanoid alien warrior race segregated by gender.
In the first ''Macross'' T.V. animated series, the female Zentradi collaborated with the male Zentradi in Space War I against the Humans, but the two genders were segregated into separate fleets to prevent direct interaction. The segregated fleets shared the same ship types (with different color schemes), but employed different armor and vehicle complements. Neither the word "Meltlandi" nor any derivative was coined or used in this series.
''Macross: Do You Remember Love?'' reimagined the female Zentradi as their own faction fighting against the male Zentradi for millennia.[Sony PlayStation Compatible CD-ROM Video Game. ''The Super Dimension Fortress Macross:Do You Remember Love?''. Instruction Booklet. SLPS-02005~7. Sega/Bandai Visual. Japan. Y6800. 1999, May 27](_blank)
/ref> The movie also introduced the term "Meltlan" as the term for "female" in the Zentradi language (a language created for the movie). The corresponding term in the Zentradi language for "male" is "Zentran". The later series ''Macross 7'', incorporated the term "Meltlan" in its dialogue to refer to female Zentradi. The liner notes for the series explained the term was popularized among Humans by a 2031 movie depicting Space War I.
Probably the best known female Zentradi is Milia Fallyna Jenius
The following is a list of all the fictional characters within the '' Macross'' anime franchise.
''The Super Dimension Fortress Macross''
Humans
* Hikaru Ichijyo (Arihiro Hase and Kenji Nojima/Vic Mignogna)The Super Dimension Fortress Macros ...
, the most renowned Zentradi pilot that the humans have encountered. The spelling and pronunciation of these terms is difficult to interpret, as the Japanese language uses a series of characters that split the difference, phonetically, between the English letters "L" and "R", and thus can be transliterated as either.
In ''Robotech''
In the American adaptation of the series ( Harmony Gold, 1985) the Zentraedi were originally a genetically engineered race of giant clones that served the people of the habitable moon Tirol from their inhospitable mother planet Fantoma. In time, the ruling leaders of Tirol became the Robotech Masters, and the Zentraedi were transformed from miners to soldiers for the Masters' galactic empire.
The traits and behaviors of the Robotech Zentraedi are substantially the same as those of their Macross counterparts. However, although segregation by gender remains a central premise, the word "Zentraedi" refers equally to males and females in Robotech, with no use of the word "Meltrandi" occurring. Additionally, in Robotech continuity, the near-totality of Zentraedi in existence is found between Dolza's Main Fleet of 4.8 million warships destroyed by the SDF-1, the unified forces of Breetai and Azonia that fight alongside the SDF-1, and one additional substantive fleet led by Commander Reno and tasked with protecting the Robotech Factory Satellite. With the defeat of both Dolza and Reno, and enormous losses suffered by the allied forces in the course of their campaigns, very few of a race that once numbered into billions are known to remain alive by the end of Robotech's Macross Saga—a significant difference from the Macross continuity, where thousands of fleets on par with Dolza's said to exist.
Reception
In Anime Classics Zettai! Brian Clamp and Julie Davis describe the Zentradi as "a parody of tendencies in human civilisation" and compare them to the Laputans from Gulliver's Travels
''Gulliver's Travels'', or ''Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. In Four Parts. By Lemuel Gulliver, First a Surgeon, and then a Captain of Several Ships'' is a 1726 prose satire by the Anglo-Irish writer and clergyman Jonathan ...
.
References
External links
Zentradi
at th
Macross Compendium
Macross Nexus
{{Robotech
Television characters introduced in 1982
Macross
Robotech
Fictional warrior races
Fictional giants
Fictional clones
Science fiction television characters