Profile 
Haruhiko Mikimoto
by
Robert Lantz
(contributing Writer) In 1982 a revolutionary TV series would change the face of Anime. It would do what no other transforming giant robot show had done yet. It made its mecha realistic. They transformed from jetfighter planes to sixty-foot tall humanoid robots and in a most believable fashion. The plot was a typical 'Invasion From Outer Space' theme, but it had such unique spins on it that it broke the mold for its genre. The characters were also innovative and fresh; few shows had shown such depth of character interaction and background as this one. Characters that are still some of the most popular ever today. A unique look, a fresh approach, and beautiful designs in mecha and characters. The show was Super Dimensional Fortress Macross. The character designer was Haruhiko Mikimoto. Macross was Mikimoto's first major job as chief character designer, and has remained as one of his most endearing projects to date. At last year's Katsucon 5, he was seen at his autograph table signing books and drawing his trademark Macross character, Lynn Minmei. Mikimoto (or "Hal", as he signs some of his work) has worked on a variety of projects and shows over the years. I'm going to barely touch upon one of my favorite artist's works in this article. The phenomenal success in 1982 with Macross (AKA - Robotech) launched Mikimoto's career into the stratosphere. Quickly following Macross' June ending date in 1983, the show Super Dimensional Century Orguss was put on replacing its exact time slot. Character designs were also done by Mikimoto, but despite the similarities to its predecessor (transforming mecha, Hal's designs) there was no relation to Macross. The show didn't live up to the studio's expectations and ended after thirty-five episodes. In the summer of '84, MIkimoto was called upon to do designs for Macross, this time in the form of the motion picture "Love, Do You Remember?" The Macross movie broke the boundaries of conventional anime and set a standard of lush and detailed characters and backgrounds that modern animation still compares itself to. The story, while a bit lacking because of its condensation of the thirty-six episodes TV series, was still well presented and gave us some of the most spectacular mecha combat sequences of all time. Anyone who's seen this movie will never forget Max and Mirya's heart quickening dogfight! Shortly thereafter, in 1985 the OVA Megazone 23 Part 1 was released, once again with Mikimoto's character charms gracing the direct video market. This video went through very turmoil filled times, including its butchering for the American "Robotech The Movie". However, it remains a classic for long time anime fans from the 80's era of mecha and idol singers. In the late 80's, Mikimoto once again gave us a reason to celebrate with the original video animation to the long time series, Mobile Suit Gundam 0080. This six part OVA featured a story from a different point of view. War through the eyes of a child. This heart wrenching show proved to us that there were good natured people on both sides of a war, and that war is usually just a matter of difference of opinions. Early in the 90's, Hal was once again called for to produce the characters for a new Macross. Macross II had lavish character designs by Hal, mecha designs by Koichi Ohata and a fantastic animation quality. This was also a historic event in that this would be the first simultaneous release in Japan and the US for a new anime series of any kind! Unfortunately, the story didn't live up to its predecessor and Macross II is regarded as one of the biggest flops in anime history. Even the studios tried to apologize by saying many years later in the Macross Plus OVA series (which lives up to its title thankfully) that the events in Macross II were part of a 'parallel universe'. Thankfully, the 1988 OVA series Top Onerai! (literally: Aim For The Top! AKA - Gunbuster) was still fresh in everyone's mind at this point. One of the most popular OVA's of the 80's and perhaps of all time, this show mixed elements of over-the-top Giant Robot Action and Mikimoto's trademark big-eyed heroines. A gripping story of alien invasion and personal triumph in the face of overwhelming odds, Top Onerai! is still a marvel to behold. Since the start of the 90's Hal has gone on to do several successful projects. His own serialized manga (comic) in Newtype, "Marionett Generation", garnered its share of fans in Japan and various other Gundam illustrations kept him busy. However, he was not busy enough to keep him from donning his sequel gloves for one more bout. He penned the characters for Super Dimensional Century Orguss II, Thankfully much more impressive than Macross II. As stated earlier, Hal has even come to some US anime conventions including Animecon and, most recently, Katsucon 5 in Arlington, VA. There he hosted panels and stayed at his autograph table for long hours not only signing autographs, but also drawing sketches of his more famous characters from Macross. Mikimoto has set a high standard in his field, influencing artists for years to come. So where does this leave Mikimoto for the future? We're not quite sure, but one thing's for certain......with such shows as these and such wonderfully executed characters and portraits under his belt, Haruhiko Mikimoto is an artist of the highest caliber who will not be forgotten by fans of Japanese animation. Ever. | 
