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Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles

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Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles
File:RobotechTheShadowChronicles.jpg
from HarmonyGold.com
Directed byTommy Yune
Dong-Wook Lee
Written byFord Riley
Frank Agrama
Produced byFrank Agrama
Alan Letz
Jason Netter
Music byScott Glasgow
Distributed byFUNimation Entertainment
Running time
88 minutes
LanguageEnglish

At Anime Expo 2004, Harmony Gold USA revealed that the latest Robotech sequel was in production to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Robotech in 2005. The title of the feature-length pilot was originally announced under the name Shadow Force, but the name of the new story arc is confirmed to be Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles. This project was initially met with skepticism from the fan community due to Harmony Gold's spotty track record of completing Robotech sequels and spinoffs in past decades. The first teaser trailer debuted one year later to thunderous applause at Anime Expo 2005. An official trailer was more recently released on The Shadow Chronicles website to coincide with the NATPE conference, an industry trade show where broadcast rights to entertainment titles are bought and sold.

Story and development

The storyline is described as a direct continuation from the 85th (and final) episode of the original Robotech series, and perhaps also the Sentinels in an indirect way. The main plot seems to revolve around the Robotech Expeditionary Force's search for the missing Admiral Hunter and the SDF-3, but there are reports of a new adversary behind the scenes. Pre-release animatics and teaser trailer footage indicate that the production is a mixture of 2D animation and cel-shaded CG mecha animation.

Though the involvement of original Japanese studio Tatsunoko Productions seems to be limited to early development, the actual digital production of animation is being handled by DR Movie, whose credits include the animation of Macross Plus and the in-between animation of Yukikaze. Co-director Tommy Yune said in a Newtype USA interview (republished on the official Robotech website) that the producers "consulted extensively" with Kenji Terada, a writer on Genesis Climber Mospeada (one of the three series adapted into the 1985 Robotech series).

DC Comics’ Wildstorm label released Robotech: Prelude to the Shadow Chronicles, a comic prequel series bridging the end of the aborted Sentinels storyline to The Shadow Chronicles. Each of the issues features a "behind the scenes" article about the animation production.

Release status

Kevin McKeever, operations coordinator at Robotech.com/Harmony Gold, was able to confirm in February 2006 that the pilot movie had been completed. The finished film was screened theatrically for the cast and crew on March 8, 2006. McKeever also stated in a panel at the 2006 New York Comic-Con that earlier discussions with a potential distributor had failed due to contract terms that Harmony Gold considered unfavorable. In an April 14, 2006 FAQ posting on Robotech.com's forums, McKeever explains:

Harmony Gold has been weighing various offers from highly respected distributors for ROBOTECH: The Shadow Chronicles. As part of these negotiations, Harmony Gold has mandated certain marketing and distribution goals (based on fan and market research) to be met for any such agreement. When a distribution agreement is reached a release date will be set by the distributor.

McKeever stated that they were unable to discuss the status of any past, present, or pending negotiations with distributors, but would announce when a deal has been signed. He also stated that they would be unable to release further information or material pertaining to the show until that happened, in order to be able to provide distributors with exclusive material to use in promoting it.

Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles was shown for the first time in its entirety outside of Harmony Gold at the Cannes Film Market on May 22, 2006 in the Grey One Theatre to an audience that Harmony Gold said had cheered at the end of the screening. A few other film festivals will also screen the film during the summer and fall.

On July 21, 2006, FUNimation Entertainment licensed Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles with plans of theatrical and DVD releases at later unspecified dates. Harmony Gold and FUNimation announced the agreement the following day at the Comic-Con International 2006.

Music

The live musical score was composed by Scott Glasgow and performed by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. Chase Masterson is singing some of the parts for her robotic character Janice. Scott Glasgow has also confirmed that Melissa Kaplan, the lead singer of the band Universal Hall Pass, has vocalized some of the background music.

Cast

According to IMDb, some of the original voice actors are reprising their roles for characters such as Scott Bernard, Rick Hunter, Vince Grant, Sparks, and the Invid Regess alongside well-known actors such as Mark Hamill (Star Wars) and Chase Masterson (Star Trek DS9). This appears to follow the growing trend of casting high-profile Hollywood actors in the voice cast of animation titles.

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