What's this old cartoon?

September 24, 2007 11:41 AM

HiveMindFilter! Help me remember this cartoon from my youth!

Ok, so, I was driving down the road this weekend and there was something on the radio that triggered a memory which triggered a memory which triggered a memory and suddenly I found myself thinking about a cartoon from my youth that I hadn't thought about in forever.

I've tried Googling for it, but I lack any sort of suitable information which might narrow my search so that it is actually useful.

So, ok, what do I remember?

• I was born in 1980. This was a cartoon which aired after that point.
• It took place in space. Think space ships. Something along the lines of Wing Commander, maybe? My one specific recollection, and I know it is a reach, is that humanity is, perhaps, divided into opposing factions, and those factions are in the throes of conflict. It's possible these factions are at war against an alien entity, or maybe just among themselves. Anyway, I seem to recall a scene where the space fleet of the 'faction' at the heart of the story is watching a space battle (the participants are unclear) from afar, hidden by a planet or asteroid field or something.

I know, it's not a lot to go on. It's obviously not G. I. Joe or He-Man or any of the other hugely popular shows from my youth.

Help!

posted by kbanas to Media & Arts (29 answers total)

Star Blazers?
posted by dirtdirt at 11:44 AM on September 24, 2007

Response by poster: I would like to also add, as someone asked me after viewing this question, that I do not think it was Robotech.

I don't think it had that anime style of animation.

I don't... think. Jesus.. if you get this I'll buy you guys cookies.
posted by kbanas at 11:45 AM on September 24, 2007

Was this a Saturday morning show, or was it on weekdays?
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 11:45 AM on September 24, 2007

Robotech frequently featured massive battles in space. That sounds sort of like it would have been from the Macross portion of the series, when Humanity fought against the Zentraedi who were essential Giant People bred for war.
posted by beaucoupkevin at 11:47 AM on September 24, 2007

Response by poster: I don't think it's Star Blazers, but now there's a bigger problem because, seriously, it's possible I won't even know it when I see it.

A new memory!

I think it was on really early in the morning for me. I would only see it occasionally if I got up really, really early for school.
posted by kbanas at 11:47 AM on September 24, 2007

Damn you for denying me THAT quickly.
posted by beaucoupkevin at 11:48 AM on September 24, 2007

Response by poster:
Damn you for denying me THAT quickly.
posted by beaucoupkevin


I'm that good. :)
posted by kbanas at 11:50 AM on September 24, 2007

Thanks for this question - here in the office we're having fun with it. We can sorta kinda remember a few space-related toons that were maybe mid to late 80-ish:

Space Sentinels
Jayce & Wheel Warriors
Captain Power
Ulysses 31
Star Blazers
Autobots
Kidd Video
Brave Starr
Centurions
posted by iconomy at 11:56 AM on September 24, 2007

It doesn't really fit your description by more than about 30-40% but maybe The Galaxy Rangers?
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 11:58 AM on September 24, 2007

From this page, some cartoons that began with the word space (that you may have seen in reruns):
# Space Ace (1984)
# Space Ghost (1981-82)
# Space Stars (1981-82)
# Space Stars Finale (1981-82)
# Space Stars with the Teen Force (1981)

Check out that site - 80s cartoons. Something may ring a bell.
posted by iconomy at 12:01 PM on September 24, 2007

Response by poster: You all deserve accolades for your stalwart searching. Thanks.

However, I think that none of these are it. The fact that I may not even know it when I see it should not in any way discourage you from attempting to further spend time harvesting an answer for me.

I will attempt to clarify that I do not believe there was any metaphysical aspect to it. No one could transform or fly or shoot lasers out of their eyes.

It could be a red herring, but for some reason I identify it very strongly with the current incarnation of Battlestar Galactica.
posted by kbanas at 12:03 PM on September 24, 2007

Thunderbirds 2086, maybe?
posted by jquinby at 12:05 PM on September 24, 2007

Could be G-Force, or its relative Battle of the Planets. They are fondly remembered by many people.
posted by tomcooke at 12:06 PM on September 24, 2007

Where were you living at the time? People who lived there then would have an idea of what you were looking for.
posted by Ironmouth at 12:06 PM on September 24, 2007

Longshot(s): Science Ninja Team Gatchaman or its derivatives: Battle of the Planets and G-Force.
posted by cog_nate at 12:07 PM on September 24, 2007

Could it have been Starcom: The U.S. Space Force?
posted by studentbaker at 12:08 PM on September 24, 2007

Response by poster: Ironmouth,

We're talking Detroit-metro-area, mid-80s, early, early morning (Duck Tales and G. I. Joe started around 7, this was before that), antenna-based - it would have been either channel 50 or channel 25, which tells you nothing, but whatever.
posted by kbanas at 12:09 PM on September 24, 2007

In case it jogs your memory, here is the awesome intro for Battle of the Planets.
posted by tomcooke at 12:16 PM on September 24, 2007

Here's a link to Starcom: The U.S. Space Force on Squidoo which contains links to YouTube videos.
posted by studentbaker at 12:24 PM on September 24, 2007

Maybe the english translation of "once upon a time... space"
posted by PowerCat at 12:26 PM on September 24, 2007

Atariforce?
posted by cosmicbandito at 12:39 PM on September 24, 2007

I know you said it wasn't Star Blazers, but this you tube link goes to the final battle between the Comet Empire and the Star Force, taking place in the Asteroid Belt.
posted by Ironmouth at 12:40 PM on September 24, 2007

kbabas - if it was detroit it was channel 50 or 20 (wxon), not 25 (details, details)... I lived in the same area and was born the same year, and I remember getting up very early for both silverhawks and bravestarr - both set in space. I'll post links when I reach a real computer.
posted by adamkempa at 12:44 PM on September 24, 2007

Link for intro to Silverhawks

Link for intro to Bravestar
posted by lain at 1:26 PM on September 24, 2007

Voltron? Ewoks?
posted by Reggie Digest at 4:30 PM on September 24, 2007

Astroboy?
posted by Reggie Digest at 4:30 PM on September 24, 2007

One more. It's actually from the early sixties, Canadian, and 100% crap, but it re-ran up here in the 80's, so I'm gonna put it out there: Rocket Robin Hood.

(Here's Voltron, which is a better bet.)
posted by Reggie Digest at 4:49 PM on September 24, 2007

We're talking Detroit-metro-area, mid-80s, early, early morning (Duck Tales and G. I. Joe started around 7, this was before that), antenna-based - it would have been either channel 50 or channel 25, which tells you nothing, but whatever.

I grew up in the Flint area and watched a lot of the same channels, and the brief description but especially the time makes me really, really think it's Robotech. So, I urge you to reconsider. I used to get up every morning at 6 o'clock or so to watch it.
posted by OilPull at 12:05 PM on September 25, 2007

Seconding or thirding you check out G-Force/Battle of the Planets. It's the first thing that came to my mind when I read your question.
posted by malaprohibita at 12:14 PM on September 25, 2007