[Digital Dreamer]

Robotech (grabs flame resistant blanket) The Shadow Chronicles will be coming out this year.
It is some thing that has been in the works for some time now. You can check out a TV Teaser at :-
http://www.theshadowchronicles.com/trail...d=tvteaser

For those people that don't know, Robotech is western version of Macross. Orginal Robotech did used a footage from Macross. The first season of Robotech and Macross are very simulare in story too. However after that, both Macross and Robotech formed their on seperate time lines.

[Cyberpunk_X]

Lynk would LOVE to explain this better, but because hes not here, let me.

In 1985, Harmony Gold USA got the rights to the anime show, Super Dimensional Fortress Macross.

However, due to U.S. TV restrictions, that are still somewhat in effect to this day, they have "65 episode" policy. The reason why this is in effect, is daily tv syndication; the classic 5 episodes a week deal.

However, the original show (SDF Macross) only contained 36 episodes, and thus was not enough. Harmony Gold also had the rights to two other anime shows, both being shorter than SDF Macross, and these shows were (in order) Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross(Robotech Masters), and Genesis Climber Mospeada(The New Generation).

The reason why this works, is that thier is almost NO differance in animation. Vehicles and characters look remarkably the same, and Harmony Gold even managed to add the SDF in later series.

A writer, by the name of Carl Macek, took all of this, and created the 85 episode show, Robotech. The rest is history.

I should point out, and that many people do not know this. The very first episode of the Robotech Masters Saga, which is called Dana's Story, Harmony Gold created; it was made up of left over footage, to link the first Robotech Saga to the next.

[Analog]

Here's a little better trailer if anyone is interested:

http://www.theshadowchronicles.com/trail...r&size=480

[Lynk Former]

I gotta say, the Shadow Chronicles has some extremely kickass animation.

[Maverick]

lol it still has the same mecha from Mospeada, thats not fair! I want some new! >.<
looks nice, who's animating this sequel? USA or Japan? is anime? :P

[Lynk Former]

Korea of course XD

[Kiai]

Gods, that must have been a legal nightmare! Think about that today... I'm glad the original Macross saga is being redubbed and released ("My music is crushing your head" Minmei's original japanese voice actor is reprising her role and some of the other VA's are returning as well), because in my opinion the original robotech storyline was sloppy and hastilly thrown together. Maybe this time they'll turn it out right... CROSS YOUR FINGERS LYNK!

As for this new show, HOW THE HELL DID HARMONY GOLD HOLD ONTO THE RIGHTS SO LONG?

[Digital Dreamer]

As for this new show, HOW THE HELL DID HARMONY GOLD HOLD ONTO THE RIGHTS SO LONG?

Good Question......

I guess one of the things that contributed to that is that the
Robotech Time Line and Macross Time Lineare completely different.
Like the first season roughly the same. But after the Macross / SDF-1 returns to earth, that were things start getting very very different.
Like Macross time line has earth re-stablishing themselves, where as Robotech is getting invaded by the invid.

[Maverick]

I never understood anything of the robotech storyline

[Analog]

I did 10 years ago. If I'm gonna watch SC, I think I'm gonna have to break out my old Robotech books first :P

[Digital Dreamer]

I never understood anything of the robotech storyline

The problem with the Robotech is that I they really have not clearly defined what PROTOCULTURE is.
Like it's the fuel for the Jets. It's in MinMay's Singing. It's also the creates life.
It think I have any easier time explaining THE FORCE[TM] from Star Wars (before Episode I F***ed that one up)

If I just bury all the protoculture references to just "IT'S CREATES LIFE" as appose to all those things, it's not so bad.

At least RoboTech does not have a pilot that uses an Electric Guitar to pilot his Mecha. There is a lot of things that I did not like about Macross 7.
I guess that short of silliness died along with The Silverhawk with western cartoons long time ago.

However Macross 0, PLUS and II did make up for it in the end.

I did 10 years ago. If I'm gonna watch SC, I think I'm gonna have to break out my old Robotech books first :P

Those novels are hard to get and long time out of print. I know 2 people that have fullset of those. And they do not lend out to any one. (Like me with my set of 3 Gundam Novels)

From what I have been told, reading up on the events of The Robotech Masters and ROBOTECH : NEXT GENERATION would be useful. And there is the comic series that acts a prologue to the shadow chronicles.

What you would need to know is (the following is about the last 2 chapters in Robotech)
2022 - SDF-3 launches and takes its position as the flagship of the Robotech Expeditionary Force, marking the official start of the "Pioneer" mission to find the homeworld of the Robotech Masters. Its intention was to avert another war by confronting the threat before it arrived on Earth. This was lead by Rick Hunter.
2031
While the Expeditionary Force was spending most of his time in hyperspace, the Third Robotech War begins as the Invid arrive on Earth in an event known afterwards as the Invid Invasion. The battered and beleaguered forces of the Army of the Southern Cross are completely destroyed and Earth falls quickly to the alien onslaught.

2044
Admiral Hunter regroups the Robotech Expeditionary Forces and coordinates the campaign to retake the Earth. However, during the final battle in 2044, Rick Hunter’s flagship, the SDF-3 never materialized from its final hyperspace fold disappears without a trace.
Part of Shadow Chronicles will be about the fate of Rick Hunter and the crew of the SDF-3. I have been told that this plays a rather large role in the Shadow Chronicles.

I have no idea where and if ROBOTECH : THE SENTINALS is still suppose to be linked into the Chronology. After all, it was uncomplete.

[Lynk Former]

I'm glad the original Macross saga is being redubbed and released ("My music is crushing your head" Minmei's original japanese voice actor is reprising her role and some of the other VA's are returning as well), because in my opinion the original robotech storyline was sloppy and hastilly thrown together. Maybe this time they'll turn it out right... CROSS YOUR FINGERS LYNK!

http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/alt_reviews/976.php

It's sounding bloody good so far.

[Maverick]

I never watched Macross II, I read somewhere it was quite bad...

[Analog]

I recorded it but couldn't get through it either. Not even close to being good. On the other hand, I just finished watching Macross Zero a couple of weeks ago. Awesome series. Just behind Macross Plus and DYRL as my favorite Macross series of all time. XD

Now if I could just get DYRL on DVD...

[Maverick]

too bad, I liked the Macross II valkyrie design :P

[Digital Dreamer]

I never watched Macross II, I read somewhere it was quite bad...

I found it quite watchable provided that you are not watching the english dub.
Keep in mind that it is dated.

Macross II is not considered canon (and treated as a parallel universe story) by many Macross fans due to the absence of Studio Nue's input on this part of the Macross universe. Although Studio Nue originally created and developed Macross, Big West owned the rights because it was the financial backer. So it licensed and created Macross II without Studio Nue's consultation (thus the DVDs credit to Studio Nue simply for design inspiration and association).
So the original series creators, such as Shoji Kawamori, Kenichi Matsuzaki and Ichiroh Itano did not work on it.

I do remember reading an interview with Shoji Kawamori about the time that Macross Plus was coming out, and he had no idea that Macross II existed.

too bad, I liked the Macross II valkyrie design :P

I liked a lot of the mecha designs. My favorite was the Marduc Gilgamesh Mark II.



Please note the following.....
For those people that are thinking about purchasing Macross II from any of the western distributors (Kiseki or Manga Video), Macross II OVA and Macross II Movie are the same thing. The only difference between the 2 is that Manga video amalagmated all 6 episodes on 3 hour movie by chopping out the beginning and ending theme of episode. Manga video did this so they could make a quick buck along with the people that were purchasing Macross Plus the movie.
After all, the Macross Plus OVA and Movie are very different, and find that it's not a waste of money to have both editions. This is not the case with Macross II.
Come to think of it, I don't think you can purchase the seperate OVAs episodes any more.

[Prime]

I found it quite watchable provided that you are not watching the english dub.
Keep in mind that it is dated.

The English dub is completely unbearable.

Here is the wikipedia definition of Robotech Protoculture.

[The General]

Sad thing about it, if were done better. It would have been a great addition to the Macross Saga and maybe Robotech.

[Analog]

On another note, Robotech.com is reporting that the Shadow Chronicles is *done*. Just one problem though... they still don't have anyone to distribute it XP

[Lynk Former]

They should try ADV. They seem like the obvious choice.

[Analog]

My guess is ADV spent all their "Robotech" funds on the new Macross English dub XP

Hey, maybe we could start our own DVD distribution company! How many DVD's can you burn in a day Lynk? 10? 20? We'd probably only have to make 100 or so to meet demand for SC.

[Digital Dreamer]

The English dub is completely unbearable.[/url]

yeah, Macross II english dub as be No.2 on my list of all time worst dubs. Number 1 still goes to Macross : Clash Of The Bionoids.

Sad thing about it, if were done better. It would have been a great addition to the Macross Saga and maybe Robotech.

For what it was, it was not that bad. The main problem with Macross II was there was no input at all from any of the orginal creators. Hence the strong debate about Macross II is a parralle time line.
The problem there is that I don't think the oringal Macross time line as gotten that far the in future yet. In memory servers, Macross II is suppose to be 100 years after orginal Macross Saga.

My guess is ADV spent all their "Robotech" funds on the new Macross English dub XP

Those Pimps!!!!!

[Lynk Former]

I'd rather they spend their efforts working on a Macross dub than anything else.

[Prime]

In memory servers, Macross II is suppose to be 100 years after orginal Macross Saga.

Approximately around 2089 they say. Not to get picky.

[Analog]

Finally someone agreed to distribute RTSC... and its not ADV! o_O

You can read about it here.

[Lynk Former]

*points at FUNimation* WHY FUNIMATION?! WHY COULDN'T YOU HAVE AQUIRED ONE PIECE?!

But read at the bottom, they're trying to get DYRL!

[Analog]

Yeah, I noticed that part XDDD

I don't know though... I've listened to the Japanese voices for so long I don't think any dub would do it justice in my mind :/

[Lynk Former]

That's not the point, DYRL on DVD with English subtitles you fool!

[Analog]

Heh, you do have a point there Lynk

[The General]

I can see the Macross fans didn't accept the Macross II series as part of canon timeline for it. But when I first saw in 1999, I thought if things were different if they could use the other micronians(Zentradi vocabulary) against the humans after their bitter 1st defeat for third and final offensive with conjuction with the remaining Zentradi diehards. Then Rick or Hariku and rest of the gang will have a real fight and Minmay will have to work harder against her alien counterparts on who has the better version of protoculture. Also seeing the SDF-1 being shot down after the 2040 incident with that automated singer, Apple.

As for Macross Zero, it was excellent compliment to both the Macross series and to Robotech. Because it gives more details of Roy's past love life that gives that reason of why he had never propose to Claudia. It shows more details about the Anti-Global group, their Veritech fighters, personal motives on some their soldiers(UN in that scene has alot reexamining their house-to-house tactics). The sad thing is that the female native priestess should have some clairvoyance ability to see the threats of the Zentradi invasion, Robotech Masters and Invids (in the Robotech timeline), and those other micronians(Macross II) that she should gave the humans very restricted access to the alien artifact.

[Lynk Former]

Macross Zero was made for Macross, not Robotech. They're Valkyries, not Veritechs, it's Hikaru, not Hariku or Rick. There are no Robotech Masters or Invid and they're Miclonians, not Micronians.

Remember that Macross existed before Robotech and it has its own set timeline completely unrelated to Robotech. Robotech just used to TV series and created the first part of what is now a totally different series. Macross II, Macross Plus, Macross 7 and others, Macross Zero and Macross DYRL were all made with this Macross timeline in mind and never had any intention of interacting with the Robotech timeline at all.

[Hawkeye]

This was one damn fine piece of animation, pity it wasn't conected to Macross Offically but it's still a great story in it own right. If anyone wondering if they should go out and but this, then I recommend.... oh boy what a story.... What a story....

[The General]

But still it would have made a great prologue for Robotech - Macross Saga. It would have give some greater details of the Reunification War that was lacking in the anime and more details on Roy's past life before he and Rick teamed up.

[Lynk Former]

Don't rape Macross Zero.

[Analog]

So has anyone else seen Shadow Chronicles? I just watched it tonight and the story and animation weren't half bad. And actually the best part was probably the musical score. That was very well done. Okay, maybe a little overdone, but it was still impressive.

[Prime]

I just saw it last week after getting it from Zip.ca.

It was OK overall. Some of the lines were pretty cheesy, and the animation was hit or miss. Some stuff looked quite good, but other parts, like the battloids movement looked only a little above animatics quality as in it was very stiff. But it was a decent attempt considering how many stillborn Robotech projects there have been over the years. Apparently it has done quite well financially. But it was nowhere near up to Macross Zero's quality, which is to bad, if not expected.

On a side note, the biggest problem I personally had was shifting back to the Robotech world from Macross. It just sounded funny to me to hear about the Protoculture being an energy source and the like...

And oh my, giant boobs everywhere!

[Lynk Former]

And oh my, giant boobs everywhere!

LOL Oh? *googles info about Shadow Chronicles and adds "boobs" as a keyword*

Looks like a lot of other people had a problem with it too XD

[Analog]

Genetic engineering is a wonderful thing in the Robotech universe!



XD

[Blue Confusion]

Yeah, they look positively thrilled with its effects... XD

[Chimasterwang]

That image makes them look quite different sizes XD