Kevin McKeever in the Chinese Press

Kevin McKeever, the marketing head for Robotech at Harmony Gold, was a part of the Robotech Chinese panel during the recent convention. During the event, Kevin got to do a number of interviews for the Chinese press. He's looking for someone to translate the articles into english.

If you can help: http://bankofkev.blog-city.com/robotech_in_the_chinese_press.htm

Robotech Companion Returns

Finally, Robotech Companion, after a number of days being down, has finally been restored. It looks like my host had to redo his server from some lost. I believe everything is uploaded again and works. If you find any broken links, send me notice.

http://www.robotechcompanion.com

New Robotech.com Poll

Robotech.com has added a new poll to their web site. I believe it's based on a forum thread. The question this time is: "Which final episode from each generation was your favorite?"

Log in and vote on the new poll. We all know you want your points: http://www.robotech.com/community/poll/index.php?&PHPSESSID=09ce95d8323abbab8f79a80c30579ccf

Scifi.com Reviews Robotech Shadow Chronicles

It's been two months since Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles has been released. Sci-Fi Channel has actually decided to review the movie after all this time. Does it live up to their not so great feature movie collection? We'll see what they have to say.

"Fan reaction to Shadow Chronicles has been divided. It's the first significant completed Robotech project after years of failed, folded or flopped franchise spinoffs, so there's some reason to be happy just because it exists. But it's a sometimes shallow, sometimes confusing, sometimes redundant movie that retreads New Gen material, barely touches on or ignores most fan-favorite characters and leaves many questions (such as the ultimate fate of the SDF-3) wide open. Pro: It's a gorgeously animated movie, rich in layers and detail. Con: The ships and mecha are CGI, which annoys the purists who loved the original series' handmade look. "

Read the full article here: http://www.scifi.com/sfw/anime/sfw15674.html

Robotech Companion: Server is down

If anyone is wondering, it seems that the Robotech Companion web site's servers are down. My host seems to be completely down on all his sites. This also means my domain-based email addresses don't work either. I have no idea what's wrong and when it will be fixed. I hope pretty soon. So, keep an eye out. Luckily this news blog is on google. Too bad there's no news to report about really.

Update: It's slowly coming back. I'm hoping by tomorrow, Thursday May 3rd that my site will be back to normal.

Art of Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles Release Date

Robotech.com states that the Art of Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles Book will be released on June 15th.

"Now, all the art — both classic designs from Robotech's Japanese heritage and modern digital production techniques from The Shadow Chronicles — that went into putting Robotechnology and Protoculture on the screen has been collected into this stellar new full-color book from Stone Bridge Press. Everything fans seek in a film companion is right here:

- an inside look at the evolution of Robotech and the anime industry over three decades
- plot guides for the TV series and the movie
- in-depth character, mecha, and vessel profiles
- over 100 pages of concept art and production design
- detailed mecha and vessel statistics
- hundreds of full-color images, many never-before released
- a glossary of Robotech terms
- production commentary from director Tommy Yune
- foreword by original Robotech producer Carl Macek"

Pre-order your copy at Amazon.com for just $13.57: http://www.amazon.com/Art-Robotech-Chronicles-Tommy-Yune/dp/1933330295/ref=sr_1_4/002-1898370-3388829?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177710600&sr=1-4

Roboblog III: Chronicles Epiosde 4.5

Captain JLS continues with Episode 4.5 to answer fans' comments from ep 4. Check it out as always: http://sdf5x.blogspot.com/2007/04/roboblog-chronicles-episode-45.html

UGO's Chemisty 1001: Fantasy Substances

UGO.com created an article about fantasy substances that we all wished were real, and amazingly Protoculture made the list!

"Protoculture: Trying to nail down an exact definition of Protoculture is a bit dicey; the nearly mystical substance produced by space flowers in the Robotech universe is either a genetic modifier or a form of sentient life or a facilitator for telepathy...you know, one of those deals But one thing we do know is that it allows people to create and manipulate robotechnology, which means one thing: Giant robots. And brother, any substance that in some way makes it possible for us to possess and pilot our own giant robot is A-OK in our book. Sure, there are hallucinations and possible intergalactic war to follow but, hey...giant robots."

Everyone wants their giant robots, lol. Protoculture is so much more than that. Genetic-engineering, folding space, powering of huge spaceships, and more.

Find out what other substances made the list: http://www.ugo.com/ugo/html/article/?id=17206&sectionId=7

Thanks Darkwater

Robotech: New Generation Mobile Game Reviewed

WGWorld.com has reviewed the new Robotech: The New Generation Mobile Game for cellphones already. They seem to actually like the game enough to give it the Editor's Award.

"As you fly through the levels, the ship automatically fires so that you can solely concentrate on maneuvering to shoot down enemies, pick up power-ups and avoid attacks. To transform into the Battloid, you must pick up vials to fill up a transformation gauge, however, it need not be full in order to use. As long as you have any amount in the gauge, the Battloid can be used, but since your offensive and defensive capabilities increase when in this mode, it would be smart to save as much of the gauge as possible for when in Boss battles. Other power-ups include extra health, upgraded weapons, shields and extra ships."

Read the full review here: http://www.wgworld.com/site/article/robotech-new-generation

Robotech: New Generation Mobile Game this May!

It's taken some time, but the very first Robotech mobile game will be releasing this May 2007! If you're a Robotech fan, you're gonna wanna buy this game. It's going to be on cingular's network for sure and likely other carriers.

"The long-awaited mobile iteration of the perennial favorite anime series combines strategic behavior and character selection with classic top scrolling gameplay. Featuring 20 distinct levels, five environments and three playable VERITECH ALPHA fighter ships, Robotech: The New Generation is sure to engage the hard-core fan as well as the casual gamer."

Read the full article: http://www.robotech.com/news/viewarticle.php?id=313

Watch a preview of the game here: http://www.robotech.com/gallery/mmitem.php?id=316

Hero Factory releases New Generation CCG Deck

It's almost amazing that Hero Factory has somewhat actually completed their Collectible Card Game series by releasing decks for all three sagas. I really suggest you buy this one and the second saga deck, because these were almost not produced. Hero was about to give up renewing their license, but gave Robotech another chance. Support their CCG, even if you don't like the rules.

Hero Factory presents the New Generation deck that includes:
"Scott Bernard and his band of human freedom fighters against the Regess and the Invid horde. This kit incorporates new vessel and location cards and includes an updated playing sheet with rules and a deck for two players, all packaged in a full-color box!"

Order the New Generation CCG Deck here: http://www.robotech.com/store/viewproduct.php?id=290

For the rest of the collection: http://www.robotech.com/store/viewcategory.php?id=16

Robotech Shadow Chronicles RPG Update!

There's been some updates and news about the Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles RPG.
Here's what Palladium has to say:
"Sometimes things don’t materialize as quickly as you’d hope, and all you can do is keep working at it.

That has been the case with the Robotech® RPG license. Hammering out the final contract has had long delays for one reason or another, but we think we are finally on track. The current draft is in our hands and we hope to have a done deal soon!

Harmony Gold, USA is happy to be working with Palladium Books again, and the feeling is mutual. We can hardly wait to be doing Robotech® again.

We are tentatively shooting for an August release, but it could drop into the Fall. We will keep you posted.

We can let you in on the inside track with some of our plans for the new RPG series.

The first book will be Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles. We haven’t decided completely yet, but it may include a lot of the New Generation/Invid Invasion/Mospeada information, as Shadow Chronicles picks up where Invid Invasion leaves off.

It will be a 192-224 page “manga-sized” book. So will the subsequent supplements.

Price will be an irresistible $15.95 retail. You heard right, $15.95 because we want everybody to buy one without hesitation.

The Shadow Chronicles® RPG will probably be followed by the Macross-based sourcebook, followed by Southern Cross and new stuff.

Yes, we will be updating, correcting, and adding to the original books. These will not be reprints of our old titles.

I am also considering doing a deluxe collector’s, hardcover edition with some interior color pages, similar to what we did with Rifts® Ultimate Edition at the usual 8 1/2 x 11 format. If we did, it wouldn’t see publication until Fall or possibly early 2008. Everything is still in the planning and concept stage, so nothing is written in stone. Let us know what you think.

Summer or Fall "

source: http://www.palladiumbooks.com/press/press2007-04.html

Roboblog III: The Roboblog Chronicles Episode 4

Captain JLS continues the Roboblog Chronicles with why he believes selected New Generation characters will appear in the next Shadow Chronicles movie. There's also a little bit about how the next movie may be promoted.

Roboblog III: The Roboblog Chronicles Episode 4: http://sdf5x.blogspot.com/2007/04/roboblog-chronicles-episode-4.html

Art of Shadow Chronicles Preview at A.P.E.

Stone Bridge Press will be at the Alternative Press Expo this weekend (April 21st and 22nd) in San Francisco, at Booth 427. A complete version of the forthcoming The Art of Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles will be on-hand at the Expo, along with prize drawings, glossy promo cards, and the array of books illuminating Asian culture.

If you happened to actually go and see the book, leave us some comments about it!

source: http://stonebridgepress.blogspot.com/2007/04/robotech-preview-at-ape-this-weekend.html

Space Station Liberty Interviews Jonathan Brands

Chris Meadows aka Robotech_Master will be interviewing Jonathan Brands on his live talk show podcast Space Station Liberty. Jonathan Brands is the brand manager for Robotech at Funimation; Harmony Gold's Tommy Yune will also be present. The interview will be recorded live, and will take place on Saturday, April 21th at 4 p.m. Eastern/1 p.m. Pacific time. After Meadows completes his interview, Brands will take questions from the call-in audience, and questions can also be submitted via the contact form at http://terrania.us/emailme.htm

Space Station Liberty is the live call-in talk show hosted by Chris Meadows via the TalkShoe podcasting service. The focus of these shows is the Robotech universe and fandom. Guests and audience members may call in by ordinary telephone or Voice-Over-IP and participate in the discussion, as well as share comments by text-based chat. The show can be streamed live or downloaded as an mp3 podcast after recording ends. For more information on Space Station Liberty, see http://terrania.us/liberty . For more information on TalkShoe, see http://www.talkshoe.com

We ask all Robotech fans to come join us for these once in a life time chances to speak and listen to the creators of Robotech. You can listen live or download the show later. You really should download the TalkShoe cilent and join us in the chat cilent where you can talk to other Robotech fans, ask questions, and have the choice to call in to ask your very own questions to the guests.

Saturday, April 21th at 4 p.m. Eastern/1 p.m. Pacific time
http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=5988

Robotech Shadow Chronicles Soundtrack on iTunes

You can now download Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles music soundtrack on Apple's iTune for the price of $9.99.

The soundtrack is 67 minutes, and features music composed by Scott Glasgow and performed by the Prague Symphony Orchestra. iTunes-purhcased tracks work in iTunes and on iPods.

iTune Store to buy (requires iTune software): http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=214011801&s=143441

Roboblog III: The Roboblog Chronicles Ep 3.5

You know the drill. Captain JLS responses to fan comments and questions from Episode 3 of Roboblog Chronicles.

Roboblog Chronicles Episode 3.5: http://sdf5x.blogspot.com/2007/04/roboblog-chronicles-episode-35.html

Fan Creation: Destroid Legos

Yes, more legos! Another fan by the username of Ktorrek has created a Robotech Destroid out of legos. There's a little neat drawing of plans to construct one (above) and the final masterpiece out of legos. Of course, theres steps too. Ok, they're just funny steps to follow. Just check out his whole entry here: http://ktorrek.blogspot.com/2007/04/adventures-with-legos-part-1.html

Japan: Aoshima's Legioss is just Toynami's Alpha

It seems that the Legioss 1/48 transformable toy that was reported as a new mold by Aoshima appears to actually be the Toynami Masterpiece Alpha. This relates strictly to the Japanese release and Mospeada. Captain JLS reports:

This (http://toyboxdx.com/brog/?p=233) is the first time I've heard some particular details regarding the upcoming Aoshima 1/48 Legioss toys -- specifically, that they seem to have licensed the Toynami molds and are merely making their own improvements to them, most notably strengthening the joints (GOOD!). That would certainly explain the relatively short gap between their announcement earlier this month and the intended release date at the end of July. This actually makes the toys more intriguing to me; I'd love to pick one up now and do a side-by-side comparison.

Also interesting is the remark about the introduction of "new weapons" -- you mean weapons like the ones in the image Roger Harkavy sent me all those months back? Based on the description, signs point to "yes."

I ran the Yacolog article through Altavista's Babelfish (babel.altavista.com) to see if there are any other interesting details. It seems Aoshima will be showing these revised Masterpieces off at the 2007 Shizuoka Hobby Show next month, so we'll get to see the photographic evidence, the packaging, and any visual differences then.
--Jonathan

Check out his own article as well here: http://sdf5x.blogspot.com/2007/04/i-did-not-know-that.html

Robotech Goes Global Again

Kevin's big surprise was about how Robotech is going global again with new licensing deals and related. Tommy announced this during the Macek interview on Space Station Liberty. Now the details are here.:

With a franchise and top-selling animated series that spans over two decades, coupled with a resurgence of the series, Melissa Wohl, Vice President, Sales for Harmony Gold, announced today that company has officially re-launched the “Robotech” brand worldwide and as such as has already signed three new licensing and merchandising deals for the original “Robotech” animated series (85 half-hours) that debuted in 1985. Additionally, four new distribution deals for “Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles” (90-minute hi-def) recently released feature film based on the series, have been signed with more pending.

Read the full article here: http://www.robotech.com/news/viewarticle.php?id=311