Macross was actually Gundam's competitor at the time. Gundam focused more on the war side of things, while Macross focused more on the peace "Make love, not war" side of things. And then Macross devolved into loli vocaloid crap.
I actually do recommend you check out the Japan side of things. Macross: Do You Remember Love? (the best anime movie ever) and Macross Plus (Cowboy Bebop creator's first project) specifically :v
Robotech on the other hand issssssssssssss.... I guess I'm still bitter about the whole Harmony Gold thing. At least Macross Plus (somehow) made its way to America with Bryan Cranston voicing the protag lmao.