January 2004 News
Robotech Remastered: Extended Edition DVDs
January 7, 2004 - The Robotech Remastered: Extended Edition DVDs are an interesting creation at attempting to remaster the Robotech TV series. They attempted to re-edit the newer remastered Japanese footage back into the Robotech format while leaving in as much additional footage they could. This means there are now extended scenes of violence and nudity that was not seen in Robotech in 1985. The company created new saga-based opening and ending sequences. There was also the attempt to remaster the Robotech audio track, which wasn't actually possible. ADV Films basically overlap the original Robotech audio with new overpowering and underpowering sound effects. These effects are in 5.1 aren't the greatest. I have heard that the video quality at times suffer from pixelization that didn't exist in the release of the remastered Japanese footage too. Harmony Gold also put a timestamp onto one or two New Generation episodes that didn't exist previously to officialize their 2044 date.

In conclusion, these remastered DVDs are not how Robotech was back in 1985. The extended scenes feel forced into the show and the overlapping sound effects aren't good. If you saw the original TV version of Robotech, these differences are going to stand out. If you don't remember most of those details, you likely won't notice now. I will always prefer the original Robotech DVD release that preserves the way Robotech was back in 1985. This is just like the Star Wars Special Edition. So, if you feel strongly about the 1985 version, don't get these.
Source: Harmony Gold, Robotech.com, Remastered DVDs.


June 2004 News
Robotech on Late Night with Conan O'Brien
June 12, 2004 - As unbelievable as it may sound, Robotech actually got to be a part of one of Conan O'Brien's many skits. Late Night with Conan O'Brien is one NBC's late night comedy talk shows that is aired after Jay Leno. Robotech got to be a part of a recurring skit called Pierre Bernard's "Recliner of Rage". Pierre is the graphic designer of Conan's show and has his own skit where he complains about important issues. Robotech happened to be one of those this time. I have created a transcript of what he said exactly and you can view it here: Pierre Bernard's Rage about Robotech

As we can see, Pierre is a bit of a Robotech fan and displays his confusion about Harmony Gold's ability to allow A.D. Vision Films to publish Robotech in many editions of the same episodes as well as the remastered edition. Its important to realize that Pierre is wrong about the DVD company going out of business, because ADV has been and will always be in business for a long period of time. It's also important to take notice that Pierre doesn't realize that Southern Cross (Robotech Masters) and The New Generation are very much a part of the same Robotech saga and comes after The Macross Saga. We all hope that he and anyone else that are confused, will quickly learn these facts. However, Pierre being confused about Robotech at all, is all too common for newer Robotech fans.

This skit, even that he is misinformed, is very important for fans. It's pretty surprising for the show to even talk about Robotech. It goes to show that maybe Robotech is being re-noticed by the mainstream once again. Long Live Robotech!
Source: Late Night with Conan O'Brien


July 2004 News
New Information about the new Robotech Anime!!!!
July 3, 2004 - After a very long time, Harmony Gold has finally told the world what their new Robotech anime series will be named and the plot. The new series is called "Robotech: Shadow Force" which takes place after The New Generation saga. The plot, as written on Harmony Gold's Robotech page states:

"With the unexpected conclusion to the war with the Invid, the people of Earth are finally liberated and an expedition prepares to search for Admiral Hunter's missing fleet. However, another mystery unfolds as a deadly new adversary threatens to test the limits of the Expeditionary Force's use of Shadow Technology..."
Source: Harmony Gold's Robotech.com


October 2004 News
New Updates about the new Robotech Shadow Series!
October 26, 2004 - After waiting a while to make sure, there's some new interesting details. The new Robotech TV Series will be named Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles. The title "Robotech: Shadow Force" will actually be the name of a feature-length pilot to the new TV series.  Feature-length does mean a hour and a half to a two hour long movie, but it will either be released on DVD or become a TV movie. There are no plans to put it in theatres. This new project will include some of the Robotech characters from the original sagas. Robotech: Shadow Force will be released in 2005.
Source: Harmony Gold's Robotech.com