FUNimation Ent. announced that it has acquired rights to the feature film ROBOTECH: THE SHADOW CHRONICLES from Harmony Gold. In the agreement, FUNimation acquired home video, broadcast and theatrical rights.
"ROBOTECH is the series that introduced an entire generation to anime," said Gen Fukunaga, president/ceo of FUNimation. "It captured fans with its tremendous storylines and great storytelling. The ROBOTECH series also ended on a cliffhanger that left fans waiting for 20 years. FUNimation is very excited to be part of the team that will bring expectant fans the ending they have been waiting for in ROBOTECH: THE SHADOW CHRONICLES."
"While I watched over ROBOTECH for the past 20 years, we were met with boundless enthusiasm from fans and companies alike," explained Frank Agrama, exec producer/ceo of Harmony Gold. "ROBOTECH has a timeless quality that will live on forever. Then when I met this enthusiastic leader named Gen from FUNimation, I knew he had the right energy to help us take it 20 more years into the future."
In ROBOTECH: THE SHADOW CHRONICLES, a heroic cast of returning characters, led by Scott Bernard and Vince Grant, fight to end a decades-long struggle against an enigmatic alien race known as the Invid. However, the mysterious disappearance of the legendary Admiral Hunter will unfold in a treacherous mystery that could tear apart the young heroes and threaten their very survival.
Tommy Yune, director of ROBOTECH: THE SHADOW CHRONICLES, explains, "Beneath the mesmerizing science fiction and anime world of ROBOTECH, lies a palette of endearing characters that have become a part of the lives of countless fans. We couldn't leave their story unfinished. It's about time for ROBOTECH to open this new chapter and more."
Featuring the voices of Mark Hamill (STAR WARS) and Chase Masterson (STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE), the animation combines CG graphics with 2D anime characters. The musical score was performed by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. FUNimation plans to release the ROBOTECH: THE SHADOW CHRONICLES DVD on Nov. 21, 2006.
Harmony Gold has been active in the production, acquisition and distribution of programming worldwide since its inception in 1983. Visit harmonygold.com or robotech.com for additional information.
FUNimation Ent., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corp., is the leading company for home video sales of Japanese animation in the U.S. The company's most recent initiative is the FUNimation Channel, a new, 24-hour digital network featuring programming from the top anime brands in the U.S. FUNimation has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands, and manages a full spectrum of rights for most of its brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, Internet, and home video sales and distribution. For more information, visit www.funimation.com .
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
