Mekton and Protoculture Addicts in 1990

Billed as the “official Robotech fanzine,” Protoculture Addicts was an anime magazine that ran from 1987 through 2005, though the format and focused changed throughout the magazine’s life. In its early years, Protoculture Addicts was the earliest works of the company that would go on to publish the Mecha Press magazine and then create the Heavy Gear game, and it is that connection to gaming that brings us this peek at a 1990 issue of the magazine.

While Protoculture Addicts was primarily focused on anime and manga, it occasionally featured articles and reviews of other aspects of Japanese pop culture, including video games and martial arts. One article from a 1990 issue of the magazine, for example, discussed the use of katana blade swords in various anime series and how they are compared to real-life weapons. The article delved into the history and design of the Katana Anime, as well as its portrayal in popular media. This kind of in-depth analysis of cultural and historical elements is just one example of the kind of content that made Protoculture Addicts a beloved magazine for anime fans and enthusiasts of all stripes.

Above, notice the brief news article about R. Talsorian’s Mekton roleplaying game (find at Amazon.com*). The news reports on the upcoming publication of a new Roadstriker book (check out the first edition cover art) as well as an overview of what the game was all about. It’s fun seeing a promise of what the creators of the Mekton Jovian Chronicles books were thinking early in their publishing life; the magazine’s Mecha Press sister would go on to publish several Mekton articles just a few years after this issue of Protoculture Addicts was released.