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{{Short description|2006 animated film}}
{{About|2006 animated film|the 2008 book sharing this title produced by [[Palladium Books]]|Shadow Chronicles RPG}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Shadow_Chronicles_Teaser_Poster.jpg
| caption = Film poster
| director = {{ubl|[[Tommy Yune]]|Dong-wook Lee|Yeun-Sook Seo (co-director)}}
| producer = {{ubl|[[Frank Agrama]]|Alan Letz|Jason Netter|[[Ippei Kuri]]|Kouki Narushima}}
| screenplay = {{ubl|[[Ford Riley]]|[[Frank Agrama]]}}
| story = {{ubl|Thomas J. Bateman|Steve Yun|Tommy Yune}}
| based_on = {{based on|''[[Robotech (TV series)|Robotech]]''|[[Carl Macek]]}}
| starring = {{ubl|[[Richard Epcar]]|[[Eddie Frierson]]|[[Mark Hamill]]|[[Alexandra Kenworthy]]|[[Yuri Lowenthal]]|Melanie MacQueen|[[Chase Masterson]]|[[Edie Mirman]]|[[Iona Morris]]|[[Tony Oliver]]|Arthur Santiago|[[Gregory Snegoff]]|[[Michael Sorich]]|[[Kari Wahlgren]]|[[Dan Woren]]}}
| music = {{ubl|[[Scott Glasgow]]|[[Ulpio Minucci]] (main theme)}}
| cinematography =
| studio = {{ubl|[[Harmony Gold USA]]|[[DR Movie]]|[[Tatsunoko Production|Tatsunoko Productions]]}}
| editing = David W. Foster
| distributor = [[Crunchyroll LLC|Funimation]]
| released = {{Film date|2006|08|25|New York City|2007|01|05}}
| runtime = 88 minutes
| country = {{ubl|United States|South Korea|Japan}}
| language = English
}}

'''''Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles''''' is the 2006 [[animation|animated]] [[sequel]] to the 1985 [[Robotech (TV series)|''Robotech'' television series]]. It was released on DVD on February 6, 2007.

The project was originally announced at [[Anime Expo]] by [[Harmony Gold USA]] on July 6, 2002 as an unnamed new animated series already under negotiation at a major network<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 6, 2002 |title=Robotech.com |url=http://robotech.com/news/viewarticle.php?id=116 |access-date=April 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020806200535/http://robotech.com/news/viewarticle.php?id=116 |archive-date=August 6, 2002 }}</ref> with a target date of 2004. Prior to this announcement in 1998, Harmony Gold USA had relinquished their rights to create a sequel based on the original Japanese series of which ''Robotech'' was based on. However, rights to produce a ''Robotech'' sequel using designs derived from ''[[Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross]],'' and ''[[Genesis Climber MOSPEADA]]'' (and excluding ''[[Super Dimension Fortress Macross]]'') were restored just eight days prior to this announcement.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2017 |title=Harmony Gold, USA, Inc., Petitioner, v. Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd., Respondent. Case No. 2:17-cv-06034-PA-MRW Amended Judgment Confirming Arbitration Award. United States District Court Central District of California |url=https://ia800802.us.archive.org/27/items/gov.uscourts.cacd.686501/gov.uscourts.cacd.686501.16.0.pdf}}</ref>

It was revealed at Anime Expo 2004 that this project would instead be a feature-length film titled ''Robotech: Shadow Force'' and set to be released in 2005. Due to the term "Shadow Force Megazord" having been trademarked by [[Saban Capital Group|Saban]] for use in its [[Power Rangers]] series in 2001,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trademark Status & Document Retrieval |url=https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=76323584&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch |access-date=April 17, 2024 |website=tsdr.uspto.gov}}</ref> the title of the film was changed to ''Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles'' shortly thereafter.

The screenplay went through numerous writers, including noted science fiction author [[Robert J. Sawyer]] in 2003,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Robert J. Sawyer » Blog Archive » Robotech and me |url=https://sfwriter.com/blog/?p=179 |access-date=April 17, 2024}}</ref> before landing its final screenwriter, [[Ford Riley]], in July 2004. Due to Harmony Gold USA's agreement with Tatsunoko Production not allowing their sequel to reference characters or designs from ''Super Dimension Fortress Macross,'' only one character from that series used in ''Robotech'' was included, with another appearing in a deleted scene. Both had drastically altered appearances from how they originally appeared.

The cast recorded the script initially in the fall of 2004<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 5, 2005 |title=Robotech.com - The Official Robotech Web Site! |url=http://robotech.com/news/viewarticle.php?id=207 |access-date=April 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050205003741/http://robotech.com/news/viewarticle.php?id=207 |archive-date=February 5, 2005 }}</ref> with later pick-ups done in 2005, including the addition of cast member [[Yuri Lowenthal|Yuri Lownenthal]], as well as re-casting [[Alexandra Kenworthy]] back in her original role as The Regis.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 16, 2006 |title=Robotech.com - The Official Robotech Web Site! |url=http://www.robotech.com/news/viewarticle.php?id=261 |access-date=April 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060316235701/http://www.robotech.com/news/viewarticle.php?id=261 |archive-date=March 16, 2006 }}</ref>

Animation was primarily handled by the South Korean studio [[DR Movie]], with Harmony Gold USA first showing pre-renders in January 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 4, 2005 |title=Robotech.com - The Official Robotech Web Site! |url=http://www.robotech.com/community/forum/read.php?id=1286200&forumid=16&pagenumber=2 |access-date=April 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050404040428/http://www.robotech.com/community/forum/read.php?id=1286200&forumid=16&pagenumber=2 |archive-date=April 4, 2005 }}</ref> The film was completed on January 27, 2006.<ref name="IMDb">{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443771/releaseinfo | title=Release dates for Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles | publisher=[[IMDb]] | access-date=November 28, 2007}}</ref>

== Plot ==
{{See also|Robotech: Prelude to the Shadow Chronicles}}

In June 2044, the Robotech Expeditionary Force (REF) fleet gathers at Moon Base ALUCE for its final attempt to drive the alien [[Invid (Robotech)|Invid]] from the Earth. Among the REF fighter pilots are [[Maia Sterling]], [[Marcus Rush]] and Alex Romero, all of whom were born in space during the REF mission and have never seen Earth. General Reinhardt sends [[Vince Grant]], captain of the ''Icarus'', on a rescue mission to look for [[List of Robotech characters|Rick Hunter]], chief military commander of all REF forces and a legendary veteran of the First Robotech War.

Despite not having a powerful arsenal, General Reinhardt begins the attack. The assault initially goes well until the Invid Regis launches all of her remaining forces in one final wave. When Reinhardt tries to get an update from the ground forces, he makes contact with resistance leader [[Scott Bernard]]. Scott informs Reinhardt that the attack is going poorly. Ending the communication, Scott meets with [[Ariel (Robotech)|Ariel]], an Invid princess that looks like a young human woman, and Scott's love interest. Ariel hopes to convince her mother, the Invid Regis, that the humans and the Invid can live in peace. As the battle rages on, [[Ariel (Robotech)|Ariel]] finally convinces her mother to leave Earth rather than allow both races to be destroyed. Ariel, after using her teleportation power to travel to Moon Base ALUCE, informs Scott that she had a vision. The Children of the Shadow are planning on attacking the REF. Scott is arrested and interrogated, where he warns of the impending attack.

Suddenly, all contact with Space Station Liberty is lost. When the ''Icarus'' arrives, Liberty is under attack by a large fleet of alien ships which have jammed all communications. The battle is going poorly for the REF; capital ships are being destroyed with just one hit. It then becomes clear that the Haydonites are in fact the Children of the Shadow, and that Ariel's warning was true. Captain Grant realizes that every piece of technology the Haydonites have given to the REF contains some kind of [[Trojan Horse]]. Unable to restore communications, Grant is unable to warn the remaining ships of these findings, and they are left to fight a hopeless battle.

Louie searches for ships that have no Shadow technology but finds only one: the massive colony ship ''Ark Angel''. Vince orders the evacuation of all station personnel to the ''Ark Angel''. Liberty has the remaining stockpile of Neutron-S missiles, and Vince sets one to self-destruct. The ''Ark Angel'' is able to depart as planned. The Haydonites move their fleet towards Liberty as the Neutron-S warheads detonate, destroying Liberty and the entire Haydonite fleet.

As the ''Ark Angel'' approaches Earth, Maia and Marcus console each other over the recent events. General Reinhardt gives Vince his new orders: Vince and his crew are to take the ''Ark Angel'' and attempt to locate the SDF-3, which may not have been destroyed as initially thought. As Scott and Ariel share a kiss, Louie does his best to reassure a confused and uncertain Janice that "We will win."

==Cast==
* [[Richard Epcar]] as [[Vince Grant]] and Haydonite
* [[Eddie Frierson]] as Dr. Louis Nichols and Haydonite
* [[Mark Hamill]] as Commander Taylor and Haydonite
* [[Alexandra Kenworthy]] as The Regis
* [[Yuri Lowenthal]] as [[Marcus Rush]]
* Melanie MacQueen as Marlene Rush
* [[Chase Masterson]] as Janice Em
* [[Edie Mirman]] as [[Maia Sterling]]
* [[Iona Morris]] as Dr. Jean Grant
* [[Tony Oliver]] as [[List of Robotech characters|Admiral Hunter]]
* Arthur Santiago as Alex Romero
* [[Gregory Snegoff]] as [[Scott Bernard]] and Haydonite
* [[Michael Sorich]] as Sparks
* [[Kari Wahlgren]] as [[Ariel (Robotech)|Ariel]]
* [[Dan Woren]] as General Reinhardt and Haydonite

==Release status==

===Theatrical===

''Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles'' premiered at the Cannes Film Market on May 22, 2006, in the Grey One Theatre to an audience of distribution representatives.<ref>{{cite web |author=Kevin McKeever |date=May 22, 2006 |title=Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles comes to Cannes! |url=http://robotech.com/news/viewarticle.php?id=272 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060623202522/http://robotech.com/news/viewarticle.php?id=272 |work=Robotech.com|archive-date=June 23, 2006 }}</ref> Its first screening to the public was on August 12, 2006, at MechaCon 2.0 in Lafayette, Louisiana in where all proceeds went to relief for those who suffered from [[Hurricane Katrina]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 25, 2006 |title=Robotech.com - The Official Robotech Web Site! |url=http://robotech.com/news/viewarticle.php?id=275 |access-date=April 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060625055830/http://robotech.com/news/viewarticle.php?id=275 |archive-date=June 25, 2006 }}</ref> Afterwards, a number of independent film festivals screened the film during the following summer and fall.<ref>{{cite web |author=Kevin McKeever |date=May 27, 2006 |title=Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles hits the Festivals! |url=http://robotech.com/news/viewarticle.php?id=274 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061115073645/http://www.robotech.com/news/viewarticle.php?id=274 |work=Robotech.com|archive-date=November 15, 2006 }}</ref> It was awarded Best Animated Sci-Fi Feature at the [[International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://horrorscifi.com/06awards.htm | title='06 Awards | work=[[International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival]] | date=October 19, 2007 | access-date=December 22, 2006 | archive-date=February 22, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070222030829/http://horrorscifi.com/06awards.htm | url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Home video===

Despite being completed in January 2006, the film had yet to find a distributor for over six months. According to an editor of the anime magazine ''[[Protoculture Addicts]]'' when answering a fan's letter asking about it, they claimed to know of at least one company who wanted to distribute it, however Harmony Gold USA wanted "too much money for it.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2006 |title=Protoculture Addicts #88}}</ref>"

Harmony Gold USA announced a deal with [[FUNimation Entertaiment|Funimation Entertainment]] to release the film at the 2006 [[San Diego Comic-Con]] and shortly afterwards announced a release date for November 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 26, 2006 |title=Robotech.com - The Official Robotech Web Site! |url=http://www.robotech.com/news/viewarticle.php?id=281 |access-date=April 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060826130855/http://www.robotech.com/news/viewarticle.php?id=281 |archive-date=August 26, 2006 }}</ref> This release date was quickly pushed back in August 2006, citing Funimation's desire for a limited theatrical run prior to the DVD release, as well as to give the DVD a better window for placement on [[Big-box store|big box store]] shelves.

Harmony Gold USA and Funimation Entertainment finally released ''Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles'' on DVD on February 6, 2007.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.theshadowchronicles.com/info.php?id=synopsis | title=1-disc Standard Edition | work=TheShadowChronicles.com | access-date=November 28, 2007 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://archive.today/20070208004331/http://www.theshadowchronicles.com/info.php?id=synopsis | archive-date=February 8, 2007 }}</ref> A 2-disc collector's edition with additional features was announced by FUNimation at [[Anime Expo]] 2007 and released on DVD November 20, 2007.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2007/anime-expo/funimation | title = Anime Expo 2007: Funimation Entertainment | author=Bamboo Dong | access-date=July 6, 2007 | date=July 1, 2007 | work=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> The [[Blu-ray]] version was released on September 4, 2008. It is currently available for streaming on [[Crunchyroll]] in the US.

[[Madman Entertainment]] in [[Australia]] was the first international distributor to license and release ''Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles''. The film was released on Region 4 DVD on March 14, 2007.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.madman.com.au/actions/catalogue.do?releaseId=7300&method=view | title=Robotech: Shadow Chronicles | work=Madman Entertainment | access-date=November 28, 2007}}</ref>

[[Revelation Films]] released the film in the [[United Kingdom]] on July 23, 2007.

Guangdong Qianhe Audio & Video released the single-disc Standard Edition in the [[People's Republic of China]] on August 20, 2007, and the 2-disc Collector's Edition on May 1, 2008.

Funimation announced in October 2019 that they have licensed the ''Robotech'' series, ''Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles'' and ''Robotech II: The Sentinels''. Funimation began streaming them on August 24, 2021.

==Music==
The musical score was composed by [[Scott Glasgow]], and was recorded with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. However, budgetary issues resulted in [[synthesizer|synthesized]] elements being mixed into a number of the cues, particularly four of the tracks in the film, and one of the tracks on the soundtrack CD ("Dogfight").<ref>{{cite web
| last = Jarry
| first = Jonathan
| title = Interview Robotech: The Glasgow Chronicles
| work = SoundtrackNet: The Art of Film and Television Music
| date = March 5, 2007
| url = http://www.soundtrack.net/features/article/?id=227
| access-date = March 6, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TS-10514.mp3 |title=Scott Glasgow Interview, Part 2|date=February 27, 2007 |last=Meadows |first=Chris |access-date=March 6, 2007 |format=mp3 |work=talkshoe.com}}</ref> [[Chase Masterson]] sang the parts for her robotic character Janice. [[Melissa Kaplan]], the lead singer of the band [[Universal Hall Pass]], vocalized some of the background music.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.robotech.com/community/forum/read.php?id=1518047&forumid=31 | title=I can't believe it!!!! new singer Melissa Kaplan | work=Robotech.com | date=March 3, 2006}}</ref>

==Reception==
''Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles'' has received mixed reception from fans and critics. Justin Sevakis of the [[Anime News Network]] gave it an overall rating of '''C-''', commenting that while the movie had good music, it suffered from mediocre animation, a clichéd story and a host of forgettable characters.<ref>[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/robotech-the-shadow-chronicles/dvd Anime News Network - Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles DVD Review]</ref> Slop Reilly of [[Ain't It Cool News]] gave it a 1 out of 5 stars, citing a poor screenplay, weak character development and unnatural character design and animation.<ref>[http://www.aintitcool.com/node/24157 Anime AICN - Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles Review]</ref> Tasha Robinson of the [[Sci Fi Channel (United States)|Sci Fi Channel]]'s ''Sci Fi Weekly'' gave it a '''B''',<ref>[http://www.scifi.com/sfw/anime/sfw15674.html Sci Fi Weekly - Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles Review]</ref> while Jeffrey Kauffman of DVDTalk recommended it.<ref>[http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/34684/robotech-the-shadow-chronicles-collectors-edition/ DVDTalk - Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles (Collector's Edition Blu-Ray) Review]</ref>

==Sequel==
On February 27, 2007, at the New York Comic Con, ''Shadow Chronicles'' director [[Tommy Yune]] said, "''Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles'' has been doing good business at retail, and we are currently in production on the sequel."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-02-23/robotech-the-shadow-chronicles-sequel-in-production | title=Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles Sequel in Production | work=[[Anime News Network]] | date=February 23, 2007}}</ref> Later that same day, Yune mentioned that the sequel would be a feature movie.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-02-27/robotech-the-shadow-chronicles-sequel-movie | title=Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles Sequel to be a Feature | work=[[Anime News Network]] | date=February 27, 2007}}</ref> The title of the sequel was revealed as ''Robotech: Shadow Rising'', and the film was expected to be released within two years of the time of the announcement, earliest.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-07-27/harmony-gold-starts-shadow-chronicles-sequel | title=Harmony Gold Starts Work on Shadow Chronicles Sequel | work=[[Anime News Network]] | date=July 27, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2007/comic-con-international/harmony-gold-usa | title=Comic-Con International 2007: Harmony Gold USA | author=Mikhail Koulikov | work=[[Anime News Network]] | date=July 27, 2007}}</ref> While the two-year date was stated by Yune to be possible, it was never intended to be an actual release date.

Subsequent announcements in mid-2008 made it clear that little-or-no progress had been made on the film, which was indefinitely postponed, pending developments with the live-action film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sdf5x.blogspot.com/2008/06/shadows-can-wait-apparently.html |title=Roboblog III Archives: The Shadows Can Wait, Apparently |publisher=Sdf5x.blogspot.com |date=March 6, 2008 |access-date=September 1, 2013}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|reason=See unreliable sources list on [[WP:KO/RS]]|date=November 2024}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.robotechx.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48:hg-postpones-shadow-rising-until-further-development-of-rlam&catid=26:news-general&Itemid=101 |title=HG Postpones Shadow Rising Until Further Development of RLAM |publisher=Robotechx.Com |date=June 2, 2008 |access-date=September 1, 2013}}</ref> At Anime Expo 2009, Kevin McKeever and Yune confirmed that ''Robotech: Shadow Rising'' had been put off indefinitely since [[Warner Bros. Pictures]] was actively developing a big-budget [[Robotech#Proposed live-action film|''Robotech'' live-action feature film]].<ref>[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2009/anime-expo/harmony-gold-usa Anime Expo 2009 - Harmony Gold USA] by Mikhail Koulikov, Anime News Network, July 5, 2009.</ref> Harmony Gold USA's 2009 San Diego Comic-Con panel revealed that production had not moved forward since the summer of 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 5, 2012 |title=Harmony Gold USA - Anime Expo 2009 - Anime News Network |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2009/anime-expo/harmony-gold-usa |access-date=April 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105165008/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2009/anime-expo/harmony-gold-usa |archive-date=November 5, 2012 }}</ref>

At a 2012 San Diego Comic-Con panel, Tommy Yune announced that ''[[Robotech: Love Live Alive|Love Live Alive]]'' would pave the way for ''Shadow Rising''<ref>Comic-con 2012 Robotech Panel</ref> and one year later announced at Anime Expo that they had resumed work on ''Shadow Rising.''<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwQWJn8LpSg |title=AX 2013 Robotech Panel Part 2 of 2 |language=en |access-date=April 18, 2024 |via=www.youtube.com}}</ref>

Harmony Gold USA filed a trademark for the film's title in 2007 and extended it in 2010, however this trademark was abandoned in 2011.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.trademarkia.com/shadow-rising-77258278.html | title = Abandoned Shadow Rising Trademark | work = Trademarkia}}</ref>

In July 2017, Kevin McKeever of Harmony Gold mentioned on the Robotech.com forums that ''Shadow Rising'', along with the planned spin-off ''Robotech: Academy,'' had not been cancelled. McKeever elaborated that the two projects would need involvement from [[Sony Pictures]] in order to move forward, due to them having taken over the development of the live-action film from Warner Bros.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Robotech / Forums / ROBOTECH ACADEMY - Plan B |url=https://robotech.com/forums/viewthread/2198810/P165#2206744 |access-date=June 27, 2024 |website=robotech.com}}</ref>

{{Portal|Film}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|http://www.theshadowchronicles.com/}}
*[http://www.robotech.com/ Robotech.com] - Harmony Gold's official ''Robotech'' website.
*{{IMDb title|0443771}}
*{{anime News Network|anime|5122}}

{{Robotech}}
{{DR Movie}}

[[Category:2006 American animated films]]
[[Category:Robotech|Shadow Chronicles]]
[[Category:DR Movie]]
[[Category:Funimation]]
[[Category:South Korean animated films]]
[[Category:2000s American animated films]]
[[Category:2000s English-language films]]
[[Category:2000s South Korean films]]
[[Category:Animated films set in the 2040s]]
[[Category:Films set in 2044]]

[[ja:ロボテック#Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles(2007)]]

Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles - Revision history

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