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Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles is the 2007 animated sequel to the 1985 ''Robotech'' television series. At Anime Expo 2004, Harmony Gold USA revealed that Robotech: Shadow Force was in production to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Robotech in 2005. The name of the new story arc was soon changed to Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles and the film was not completed until January 27, 2006*. 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 during the NATPE conference, a broadcast industry trade show. Harmony Gold has planned several film festival showings, but FUNimation delayed a possible wider theatrical and DVD release until at least 2007. * Recently, a new release date has been set for February 6, 2007. *
Story and development The storyline is described as a direct continuation from the 85th (and final) episode of the original ''Robotech'' television 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 subcontracting on the animation in Macross Plus and the in-between animation of Yukikaze. Co-director Tommy Yune said in a USA'' interview (republished on the official Robotech website) that the producers "consulted extensively" with Kenji Terada, a writer on Southern Cross and Mospeada (two 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
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. Glasgow 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 Regis 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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