ROBOTECH

One of the key characters in the Robotech saga, Rick Hunter starts out in the series as an arrogant young civilian stunt pilot and becomes an experienced, tempered veteran by the end of the Macross saga. A skilled pilot, Rick becomes leader of Skull Squadron after Roy Fokker dies and is promoted to Admiral at the end of the first Robotech war. Rick leads the Expeditionary Force to Tirol on a mission of peace, but instead becomes involved in a war against the Invid. After the Invid invade Earth, Hunter orders the Expeditionary Force fleet to Earth (including a young pilot named Scott Bernard) in order to recapture humanity's home. Rick Hunter disappears along with the rest of the SDF-3 in the final episodes of the series.

A career military woman, first officer of the SDF-1, and Rick Hunter's commanding officer. Lisa Hayes and Rick Hunter fight each other like cats and dogs in the early episodes of the series, but come to respect each other and eventually fall in love. Lisa is given command of the SDF-2, and then the SDF-3 after the SDF-2 is destroyed in the final battle of the first Robotech war. Rick and Lisa marry each other on the night before the SDF-3 leaves for Tirol.

Rick's mentor and "big brother", Roy Fokker is largely responsible for getting Rick into the military in the first place. Roy is a veteran pilot from the global civil war and was one of the first test pilots for the Veritech fighter. Roy leads the famous "Skull Squadron" of the SDF-1 until he is fatally wounded in combat by three Zentraedi. Who hit him from behind. He later die's on Claudia's couch. His death is a tremendous shock for Rick Hunter, who relies heavily on the veteran pilot for advice.

Chief Communications Officer of the SDF-1, Claudia Grant always provides a steady presence on the bridge during battle. Claudia was Roy Fokker's lover and is badly shaken by his death. Claudia is also Lisa's best friend, and helps her to sort out her confusing feelings for Rick Hunter. Claudia sacrifices herself in the final battle with Khyron to save Lisa's life.

At first Max is an insecure recruit assigned to Lieutenant Rick Hunter during the SDF-1's voyage to Earth. However, Max's phenomenal piloting abilities quickly distinguish him as THE best pilot aboard the SDF-1. This causes him to earn the hatred/respect of Miriya, ace pilot of the Zentraedi. Max defeats Miriya in combat and eventually marries her. Max becomes one of Rick's closest friends after Roy Fokker's death, and becomes the leader of "Skull Squadron" after Rick is promoted to Admiral.

A beautiful ace Zentraedi pilot and member of the Quadronos, an elite band of all-female Zentraedi warriors. Miriya is undefeated in combat until she meets Max Sterling. Miriya is so intrigued and infuriated by an opponent that she cannot defeat that she elects to be micronized and enter the SDF-1 secretly to kill Max. However, after being defeated by Max, Miriya falls in love with him and marries him. Max and Miriya have a child named Dana Sterling, who becomes a key character in the second Robotech saga.

An experienced commander and veteran of the global civil war, Captain Gloval is assigned command of the SDF-1. It is largely due to Gloval's tenacity and experience that the SDF-1 is able to make it back to Earth after folding to Pluto. After the destruction of the Earth and defeat of the Zentraedi armada, Gloval becomes supreme commander of the RDF, and begins construction of the SDF-2 to try and prevent another war by making peace with the Robotech Masters. However, Capt. Gloval is killed and the SDF-2 destroyed during Khyron's attack on New Macross.

Another young recruit assigned to Rick Hunter during the SDF-1's voyage, Ben has tremendous courage, determination, and loyalty but only average skill as a fighter pilot. Ben is killed in the line of duty while defending the SDF-1 from Khyron's attacks.

Claudia Grant's communication assistant and one of the "bridge bunnies," a trio of bridge officers who are inseparable both on duty and off. Kim is killed during the final battle with Khyron.

Lisa Hayes' assistant and the youngest member of the bridge crew. Also a member of the "bridge bunnies". Sammie begins to show promise as a talented officer near the end of the series, but is killed in the final attack by Khyron's forces.

Chief Computer Operator on the SDF-1 bridge, and the third member of the "bridge bunnies" trio. Vanessa is also killed by Khyron during the final assault on the SDF-1.

A beautiful but spoiled young girl who becomes Rick's primary love interest early on in the Robotech series. Minmei wins the Miss Macross beauty competition on the SDF-1 and quickly becomes a star, leaving Rick to pursue her career. After her career collapses, however, she comes back to Rick for emotional support. Lynn Minmei hates war and is a strong advocate of peace with the Zentraedi.

Lynn Minmei's cousin. Lynn Kyle comes onboard the SDF-1 after it returns to Earth to watch over Minmei and to be reunited with his parents (who Minmei was living with on the SDF-1). A talented actor and skilled martial artist, Lynn Kyle is also a strong believer in peace with the Zentraedi at ANY cost. Kyle becomes Minmei's manager, but the two break up when Kyle becomes discouraged and starts drinking after the destruction of the Earth.

Fleet commander Breetai is a veteran of countless battles against enemies of the Zentraedi, but is bewildered by the human enemies he encounters while pursuing the SDF-1. The right side of his face is enclosed in some kind of prosthesis, apparently from old injuries. In the Robotech timeline, I believe it is a wound from fighting with the Invid. Breetai is tall even for a Zentraedi, towering over everyone except Dolzaa. His skill was so great Dolza trusted him with a substantial portion of the Zentraedi fleet. When Dolza leads the main Zentraedi fleet to Earth to destroy the planet and the "contaminated" Zentraedi fleet, Breetai turnes his ships against Dolza and joined the defenders of Earth.

Breetai's assistant. A fairly brilliant analyst and scientist, Exedore is one of the first to realize the potential that humans possess. Exedore is absolutely loyal to Breetai, and eventually becomes a great supporter of Admiral Gloval, Rick Hunter, and Lisa Hayes.

Supreme Commander of all Zentraedi. Dolza wants to recapture the SDF-1 because he believes it holds a secret that will make the Zentraedi the most powerful race in the galaxy. However, he is unable to comprehend human emotions and orders the Earth destroyed rather than risk the contamination of his fleet. Dolza is killed by the SDF-1's counterattack after the Earth is destroyed.

Nicknamed "the Backstabber", Khyron is one of the best generals that the Zentraedi fleet has to offer. He is also totally ruthless, often sacrificing his own men if it will earn him a quicker victory. Khyron becomes obsessed with destroying the SDF-1 and constantly launches attacks despite his superior's orders to the contrary. Khyron is eventually killed in a kamikaze attack run on the SDF-1 and SDF-2.

Commander of the Quadronos and Miriya's superior officer. At first Azonia is extremely loyal to Breetai, but defects to Khyron's side after Dolza is killed. Azonia is killed along with Khyron during their attack on the SDF-1 and SDF-2.

Three Zentraedi spies sent to infiltrate the SDF-1 and learn all they can about human culture. However, they become contaminated by that culture and spread the contamination to Breetai's ships after they return. They become strong supporters of the RDF and good friends of Max and Miriya Sterling during the rebuilding period after Dolza's attack.