Kawamori Shouji’s Debut Work “Macross: Ai Oboete Imasu ka” to Air at Year-End! Commemorating the Release of “Meikyuu no Shiori”

A Classic Macross Film Returns to Airwaves for a Special Celebration

Mark your calendars, mecha and anime fans! In a fantastic piece of scheduling, it’s been announced that the legendary film Chou Jikuu Yousai Macross: Ai, Oboete Imasu ka will receive a broadcast on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at 3:40 PM. This special airing is to commemorate the theatrical release of director Kawamori Shouji‘s first original feature-length animation, Meikyuu no Shiori, which hits cinemas on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026. What a perfect way to ring in the new year!

Key visual for ‘Chou Jikuu Yousai Macross: Ai, Oboete Imasu ka’.

About the Timeless Masterpiece: Macross: Do You Remember Love?

Chou Jikuu Yousai Macross: Ai, Oboete Imasu ka (which can be translated as “Macross: Do You Remember Love?”) was born from the immense popularity of the TV series Chou Jikuu Yousai Macross. Unlike a simple recap, the film was crafted as a completely new story with entirely fresh animation. It features redesigned characters and mecha with a more realistic and hardcore aesthetic. The film is perhaps most iconic for its theme song, “Ai, Oboete Imasu ka,” performed by Iijima Mari. This song transcended the anime community to become a cherished memory for an entire generation.

A scene from the iconic film.

A Story of Love and War Among the Stars

The story is set in 2009 AD. Earth finds itself caught in the crossfire of a war between two giant alien races: the Zentradi and the Meltlandi. Fleeing from alien attacks, the spaceship SDF-1 Macross, carrying 56,000 civilians, struggles through countless battles on its journey back to Earth. During a Zentradi assault, UN Spacy pilot Ichijou Hikaru rescues idol singer Lynn Minmay, and the two begin to grow close.

Meanwhile, Hikaru has a strained relationship with his superior officer, Hayase Misa. Their conflict takes a dramatic turn when both are captured by the enemy Zentradi. After a daring escape, Hikaru and Misa finally reach Earth, only to find it has been reduced to a desolate wasteland by alien attacks. The narrative beautifully portrays how their hearts rapidly grow closer during their survival life on the uninhabited planet.

Visual for Kawamori Shouji’s new film, ‘Meikyuu no Shiori’.

The Perfect Double-Feature Schedule

This broadcast is a heartfelt tribute to the release of Meikyuu no Shiori. It offers fans a brilliant “anime ladder” schedule: experience the shocking and enduring legacy of Chou Jikuu Yousai Macross: Ai, Oboete Imasu ka on New Year’s Eve, then head to the theaters on New Year’s Day to witness director Kawamori’s latest original vision. It’s a dream come true for animation enthusiasts.

Another memorable moment from the film.

The beloved classic Chou Jikuu Yousai Macross: Ai, Oboete Imasu ka will be broadcast on TOKYO MX1 from 3:40 PM to 5:55 PM on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.

Additional Visuals

Staff & Cast

The talent behind this legendary film is a who’s who of anime legends. Here are the key contributors:

Staff

Role	Name(s)
Production	Oonishi Yoshimasa, Yoshida Kenji
Original Work / Director	Studio Nue / Ishiguro Noboru, Kawamori Shouji
Story Composition & Adaptation	Kawamori Shouji
Script	Tomita Yoshiyuki
Character Design	Mikimoto Haruhiko
Production Design / Animation Director	Miyatake Kazutaka / Mikimoto Haruhiko, Itano Ichirou, Hirano Toshihiro
Music	Hatano Kentarou
Directing	Akiyama Katsuhito, Kasahara Tatsuya, Sootome Ariyoshi
Color Setting	Yui Atsuko, Kitagawa Akemi
Planning & Production	Big West, Tatsunoko Production, Mainichi Broadcasting System, Shogakukan
Distribution	Toho Co., Ltd.

Cast

Character	Voice Actor
Lynn Minmay	Iijima Mari
Ichijou Hikaru	Hase Yutaka
Hayase Misa	Doi Mika
Bruno J. Global	Hazama Michio
Claudia LaSalle	Ohara Noriko
Roy Focker	Kamiya Akira
Maximilian Jenius	Hayami Shou
Kakizaki Hayao	Suzuki Katsumi
Milia 639	Takeda Eri
Britai 7018	Kanie Eiji
Gor Boddole Zer	Ichikawa Harumi