Carl Macek, who is credited with helping to start the anime boom here in North America when he put together the Robotech syndicated series from three different mecha anime in the mid 1980s, has died from a heart attack at the age of 58. The news of Macek’s untimely death was reported by animation historian Jerry Beck on his blog. Macek and Beck were partners in Streamline Pictures, which they formed in 1988.
While Robotech was crucial in spreading interest in anime to a wide audience and somewhat controversial (especially to purists) in the way that it manipulated pre-existing anime series, Streamline Pictures released a host of brilliant anime productions on VHS tape that established the reputation of Japanese animation in North America. The high quality Streamline releases helped to create a devoted fan base for challenging adult animated stories that targeted a mature audience with sophisticated, often science fiction-themed sagas such as Akira, Robot Carnival, Lensman, Doomed Megalopolis, Twilight of the Cockroaches, Wicked City, and Crying Freeman. Streamline also released Miyazaki’s brilliant Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro, and Carl supervised the original English dub track of My Neighbor Totoro. Streamline was purchased by the financially shaky Orion Pictures in 1996 and disappeared with the demise of its parent company.
Macek returned to animation production in the late 1990s acting as a consultant for the Heavy Metal 2000 animated film, and writing the anime adaptation of Brian Pulido’s Lady Death for ADV.
At the time of his death Macek was helping to create the English dub version of the Bleach anime series for Viz Media.
Dies at 58
Posted by ICv2 on April 19, 2010 @ 10:41 pm CT
MORE SHOWBIZ
Launching with Vault OGN; Michael Bay and Brad Fuller's Platinum Dunes Developing
April 25, 2024
Post Malone is writing a graphic novel for Vault Comics, with producers Michael Bay and Brad Fuller’s Platinum Dunes joining in to develop a feature film.
New 'Star Wars' Game Later this Year
April 25, 2024
Unexpected Games will release The Mandalorian: Adventures, a new game based on Season 1 of the Disney+ Star Wars series, later this year.
MORE NEWS
From QM Direct
April 26, 2024
QM Direct will be bringing Europa Universalis: The Price of Power (Standard Edition) to trade in the U.S., with a Q3 release planned.
Will Continue as Independent Agent
April 26, 2024
Japon Brand will continue as an independent agent serving the Japanese and worldwide markets.