Shōji Kawamori
"Macross" popularized the concept of transforming mecha, which can transform between a standard vehicle (such as a fighter plane or transport truck) and a fighting mecha robot. Shōji Kawamori introduced the concept with "Diaclone" in 1980 and then popularized it with "Macross". Kawamori then went on to design transforming mecha for "Transformers" (1986). The transforming mecha concept became popular in the mid-1980s, with "" (1984) and "Zeta Gundam" (1985) in Japan, and with "Robotech" and "Transformers" in the West. "Transformers" went on to influence the Hollywood movie industry.