View source for Robotech

{{short description|American-Japanese science fiction media franchise}}
{{About|the franchise|other uses|Robotech (disambiguation)}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox media franchise
|image          = RobotechTitle1985.jpg
|imagesize      = <!--Numbers only; do not enter "px"-->
|caption        = Title screen from the 1985 television broadcast
|creator        =
|owner          = [[Harmony Gold USA]]
|origin         = [[Robotech (TV series)|''Robotech'']] (1985)
|books          = {{Plainlist|
* ''Robotech Art 1'' (1986)
* ''Robotech Art 2'' (1987)
* ''Robotech Art 3: The Sentinels'' (1988)
* ''The Art of Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles'' (2007)
}}
|novels         =
[[Robotech (novels)|''Robotech'' novels]]
|short_stories  =
|comics         =
[[Robotech (comics)|''Robotech'' comics]]
|graphic_novels =
|strips         =
|magazines      =
|films          = {{Plainlist|
* {{nowrap|''[[Robotech (TV series)#Codename: Robotech|Codename: Robotech]]'' ({{circa}} 1985)}}
* {{nowrap|''[[Robotech: The Movie]]'' (1986)}}
* {{nowrap|''[[Robotech II: The Sentinels]]'' (1988)}}
* {{nowrap|''[[Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles]]'' (2006)}}
* {{nowrap|''[[Robotech: Love Live Alive]]'' (2013)}}
}}
|shorts         =
|tv             =
|atv            =
[[Robotech (TV series)|''Robotech'']] (1985)
* {{nowrap|''Robotech: The Macross Saga''}}
* {{nowrap|''Robotech: The Masters''}}
* {{nowrap|''Robotech: The New Generation''}}
|tv_specials    =
|tv_films       =
|dtv            =
|plays          =
|musicals       =
|games          = ''[[Robotech Collectible Card Game]]''
|rpgs           = [[Robotech (role-playing game)|''Robotech'' role-playing games]]
|vgs            = {{Plainlist|
* ''[[Robotech: Crystal Dreams]]'' (cancelled)
* ''[[Robotech: Battlecry]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Robotech: The Macross Saga]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Robotech: Invasion]]'' (2004)
* ''[[Robotech: The New Generation]]'' (2007)
}}
|radio          =
|soundtracks    =
|music          = [[Robotech music|''Robotech'' music]]
|toys           = {{ubl|''[[Robotech Defenders]]''|''[[Robotech Robolinks]]''}}
|attractions    =
|otherlabel1    =
|otherdata1     =
|otherlabel2    =
|otherdata2     =
|otherlabel3    =
|otherdata3     =
|website        =
|footnotes      = <table><tr><td>{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}
}}

'''''Robotech''''' is an American-Japanese [[science fiction]] [[Media franchise|franchise]] that began with an 85-episode [[anime]] television series produced by [[Harmony Gold USA]] in association with [[Tatsunoko Production]]; it was first released in the [[United States]] in 1985.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Erickson |first1=Hal |title=Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 |date=2005 |edition=2nd |publisher=McFarland & Co |isbn=978-1476665993 |pages=671–674}}</ref>

The show was adapted from three original and distinct, though visually similar, Japanese anime television series (''[[Super Dimension Fortress Macross]]'', ''[[Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross]]'', and ''[[Genesis Climber MOSPEADA]]'') to make a series suitable for syndication.<ref>{{cite news|title=The 'Robotech' master|work=San Francisco Chronicle|date=2010-05-06|url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/The-Robotech-master-2480888.php|access-date=2010-10-25|first=Jeff|last=Yang|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20101026164309/http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-05-06/entertainment/20888023_1_carl-macek-animation-stop-motion|archive-date=2010-10-26}}</ref>
[[File:U.N. Spacy Roundel.svg|thumb|right|200px|U.N. Spacy Roundel]]
In the series, ''Robotechnology'' refers to the scientific advances discovered in an [[SDF-1 Macross|alien starship]] that crashed on a South Pacific island.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://uk.anime.ign.com/articles/847/847799p1.html|title= The Past, Present and Future of Macross|access-date= 2010-04-20|work= [[IGN]]|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100725224848/http://uk.anime.ign.com/articles/847/847799p1.html|archive-date= 2010-07-25}}</ref> With this technology, Earth developed robotic technologies, such as transformable [[mecha]], to fight three successive extraterrestrial invasions.<ref>{{cite news|title=An Introduction to Robotech|work=Robotech.com|url=http://www.robotech.com/infopedia/intro/|access-date=2008-09-01|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914105444/http://www.robotech.com/infopedia/intro/|archive-date=2008-09-14}}</ref>

==Name origin==
Prior to the release of the TV series, the name ''Robotech'' was used by [[Scale model|model kit]] manufacturer [[Revell]] on their ''[[Robotech Defenders]]'' line in the mid-1980s. The line consisted of [[mecha]] model kits imported from Japan and featured in anime titles such as ''[[Super Dimension Fortress Macross]]'' (1982), ''[[Super Dimension Century Orguss]]'' (1983), and ''[[Fang of the Sun Dougram]]'' (1981). The kits were originally intended to be a marketing tie-in to a similarly named [[Robotech (comics)#DC Comics (1984)|comic book series]] by [[DC Comics]], which ran for only two issues.<ref name="Robotech Defenders">{{cite web|url=http://www.karridian.net/robotech_defenders.html|title=Robotech Defenders|website=www.karridian.net|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717020833/http://www.karridian.net/robotech_defenders.html|archive-date=2011-07-17}}</ref>

At the same time, Harmony Gold licensed the ''Macross'' TV series for [[direct-to-video]] distribution in 1984, but their merchandising plans were compromised by Revell's prior distribution of the ''Macross'' kits. In the end, both parties signed a co-licensing agreement and the ''Robotech'' name was adopted for the TV syndication of ''Macross'' combined with ''[[Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross]]'' (1984) and ''[[Genesis Climber MOSPEADA]]'' (1983).<ref name="Robotech Defenders"/>

==Fictional chronology==
The ''Robotech'' chronology, according to Harmony Gold, is illustrated below:

{|
|- style="background-color:#D0D0D0"
!Timeline
! colspan="2" | Generation / Saga (release date)
|-
|1999 (2009) – 2014
|(1)
|''Robotech: The Macross Saga'' (1985)
|-
|2022
|
|''Robotech II: The Sentinels''* (1987)
|-
|2027
|
|''Robotech: The Movie''* (1986)
|-
|2029–2030
|(2)
|''Robotech: The Masters'' (1985)
|-
|2031 (2042) – 2044
|(3)
|''Robotech: The New Generation'' (1985)
|-
|2044–
|
|''Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles'' (2006)
|}

<nowiki>*</nowiki> Asterisked works are now considered '[[Expanded Universe|secondary continuity]]'—that is, that their events exist in the continuity of ''Robotech'', but 'don't count' when conflicts arise with the primary continuity that comprises the three-part ''Robotech'' TV series and 2006's ''[[Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles]]''.

In 2002, with the publication of the [[WildStorm]] (DC) comics, Harmony Gold officially decided to [[Retroactive continuity|retcon]] the ''Robotech'' Universe. The following ''Robotech'' material is now relegated to the status of secondary continuity:

* ''[[Robotech II: The Sentinels|The Sentinels]]'' in all its incarnations.
* ''[[Robotech: The Movie]]''
* [[Robotech (comics)|''Robotech'' comics]] published by [[Comico: The Comic Company|Comico]], Eternity, Academy, [[Antarctic Press]] and Titan Comics.
*[[Robotech (role-playing game)|''Robotech'' RPGs]] published by [[Palladium Books]].
* [[Robotech (novels)|''Robotech'' novels]] written by [[Jack McKinney (writer)|Jack McKinney]], most notably ''The End of the Circle''.

While these materials are not precisely 'retired' or 'removed' from the continuity, their events are subject to critical review, and are strictly subordinate to the 'official' events of the 85-episode animated series.

==Television and film==

===The original television series===
{{Main|Robotech (TV series){{!}}''Robotech'' (TV series)}}

''Robotech'' (1985) is an original story adapted with edited content and revised dialogue from the animation of three different [[mecha]] anime series:
#''[[Super Dimension Fortress Macross]]'' (1982–1983)
#''[[Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross]]'' (1984)
#''[[Genesis Climber MOSPEADA]]'' (1983–1984)<ref>(NOTE: ''[[Super Dimension Century Orguss]]'' was originally planned to be used as the third "season" after ''Macross'' & ''Southern Cross''. However, that plan was scrapped due to right issues, which resulted in its replacement by ''MOSPEADA''.)</ref>

Harmony Gold's cited reasoning for combining these unrelated series was its decision to market ''Macross'' for American weekday syndication television, which required a minimum of 65 episodes at the time (thirteen weeks at five episodes per week).<ref>Fredale, Jennifer Ph.D. (2008) "The rhetorics of context: An ethics of belonging" ''University of Arizona''</ref> ''Macross'' and the two other series each had fewer episodes than required, since they originally aired in Japan as weekly series. On some television stations, the syndicated run was preceded by the broadcast premiere of ''[[Codename: Robotech]]'', a feature-length pilot.

This combination resulted in a storyline that spans three generations, as mankind must fight three destructive 'Robotech Wars' in succession with various invading forces, each of which is motivated in one way or another by a desire for a powerful energy source called 'protoculture'. While each of the three animated series used for its footage informs its content, the Robotech storyline is distinct and separate from each of them.

*The First Robotech War (''The Macross Saga'') concerns humanity's discovery of a crashed alien ship and subsequent battle against a race of giant warriors called the Zentraedi, who have been sent to retrieve the ship for reasons unknown. In the course of this chapter, Earth is nearly annihilated, the Zentraedi are defeated, and humans gain knowledge of the energy source called protoculture. Humanity also learns of the Robotech Masters whose galactic empire the Zentraedi protected and patrolled.
* The Second Robotech War (''The Masters'') focuses on the arrival in Earth orbit of the Robotech Masters, who have come seeking what turns out to be the sole means in the universe of producing protoculture. Through a combination of mistrust and arrogance, their attempts at retrieving this meet with opposition from the humans and unleash a war that leaves the Masters defeated and Earth awash in the spores of a plant called the Flower of Life—the source of protoculture and a beacon to the mysterious Invid who scour the galaxy for its presence.
* The Third Robotech War (''The New Generation'') begins with the arrival on Earth of the Invid, who are lured by the Flower of Life and rapidly conquer the planet. References in the previous two chapters explain to viewers that many of the heroes of the First Robotech War had left Earth to seek out the Robotech Masters on a preemptive mission, and it is this Robotech Expeditionary Force that sends missions back from across the galaxy to attempt a liberation of their homeworld. The storyline follows one group of freedom fighters as they work their way towards the final battle with the Invid.

===''Robotech: The Movie''===
{{Main|Robotech: The Movie{{!}}''Robotech: The Movie''}}
''Robotech: The Movie'', also called ''Robotech: The Untold Story'', is a feature film and was the first new ''Robotech'' adventure created after the premiere of the original series. It uses footage from the ''[[Megazone 23]] – Part 1'' OVA ([[original video animation]]; made-for-video animated feature) combined with scenes from "Southern Cross" and additional original animation produced for the film.

The original plan for the film was to have it set during the Macross Saga, parallel to the SDF-1's return to Earth from Pluto. The film would also have served as a prequel to the Sentinels, as both projects were initially meant to share many characters. Harmony Gold producer [[Carl Macek]] worked with the OVA's original creators to make the story and the new ending work. The film had to be changed again after the distributor of the film, [[The Cannon Group, Inc.|Cannon Films]], saw an incomplete rough cut of the film and were upset by it. They ordered Macek to remove multiple scenes from the film and to add more violence (most of the scenes removed were scenes setting up characters and showing female characters interacting). Macek reluctantly did what they ordered, and created a new script and rough edit for the film in less than 24 hours. When the distributors saw Macek act out the new film, they were much more pleased with the new cut.<ref name="Macek, Carl: Robo-con 1995">Macek, Carl: Robo-con 1995</ref> The opening night in [[Texas]] received a positive response, but Cannon Films pulled out after noting that most attendants were adults; the bulk of the scheduled advertising for the series was targeted to children. The film had limited success in [[Argentina]] and [[Belgium]].{{citation needed|date=March 2015}}

In 2011, A&E Home Video released, as a part of their ''Robotech: The Complete Series'' collection, a 29-minute version of ''Robotech: The Movie'' containing only footage used from "Southern Cross". There was no attempt to remaster the footage.<ref>''Robotech: 20 Disc-set'', Harmony Gold USA, 2014. DVD.</ref>

===''Robotech II: The Sentinels''===
{{Main|Robotech II: The Sentinels{{!}}''Robotech II: The Sentinels''}}
This aborted American-produced series would have followed the continuing adventures of Rick and Lisa Hunter and the Robotech Expedition during the events of ''The Masters'' and ''The New Generation''. The feature-length pilot is composed of the first three (and only) episodes that were produced. ''The Sentinels'' featured characters from all three ''Robotech'' sagas and introduced the [[SDF-3 Pioneer|SDF-3]] along with an overview of their new mission. The series was planned to have a total of 65 episodes.<ref name="Macek Training">{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/anncast/2010-01-14|title=Macek Training|access-date=2010-01-25|work=Anime News Network|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100118061342/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/anncast/2010-01-14|archive-date=2010-01-18}}</ref>

In ''Robotech Art 3: The Sentinels'', Carl Macek blamed the cancellation of the series on the crash of the Yen/Dollar [[exchange rate]],<ref>In June 1985, the Yen/US dollar exchange rate was 250-1. By early 1986, the rate had dropped to 200-1. By the end of 1986, the rate had dropped to 160-1. By the end of 1987, the rate had further dropped to 120-1{{citation needed|date=February 2016}}</ref> which caused toy partner [[Matchbox (brand)|Matchbox]] to withdraw from the project. [[Harmony Gold USA|Harmony Gold]] lacked the funds to produce the series on its own, and production ceased after only three episodes.

''Robotech II: The Sentinels'' was released on VHS by [[Palladium Books]].<ref>''Robotech II: The Sentinels''. Paldium, 1988. Videocassette.</ref> In 2011, a "remastered" version was released on the A&E DVD set, ''Robotech: The Complete Original Series'' [[DVD-Video|DVD]]. This version has opening titles resembling those found on the "Robotech Remastered" DVDs, as well as a new ending with text explaining the fate of the SDF-3. Also, all of the flashback footage used from "The Macross Saga" has been removed, including the re-used footage from the episode "Wedding Bells".<ref>''Robotech: The Complete Original Series'' DVD. A&E, 2011.</ref>

===''Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles''===
{{Main|Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles{{!}}''Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles''}}
In 2002, [[Tommy Yune]] announced development of a new animated sequel. Originally announced as a television series with a planned 2004 release date, the project was revealed at [[Anime Expo]] 2004 as a feature-length film titled ''Robotech: Shadow Force''. The storyline overlaps with and continues from the unresolved ending of the original series. The title of the [[story arc]] was soon changed to ''[[Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles]]''. The first trailers with finished animation were shown at Anime Expo and [[San Diego Comic-Con|Comic-Con International]] in 2005. It was not until February 2006, when Kevin McKeever, operations coordinator at Harmony Gold, [https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/article.php?id=8344 was able to confirm] that the pilot movie had been completed. After a series of delays, [[Funimation|FUNimation Entertainment]] was finally announced as the home video, broadcast, and theatrical distributor at the 2006 Comic-Con International in San Diego with the possibility of producing further sequels. Harmony Gold premiered the movie at various film festivals in 2006, and it was first seen by a public audience at [[MechaCon]] on August 9, 2006, where it was showcased as a charity screening to help raise funds for the ongoing [[Hurricane Katrina]] and [[Hurricane Rita]] recovery effort. A limited theatrical run followed in January 2007, and the film was released on DVD on February 6, 2007.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.robotech.com/community/forum/read.php?id=1656430&forumid=31 | title = The Shadow Chronicles DVD in stores from Funimation on Feb. 6, 2007 | access-date = 2007-02-17 | date = 2006-11-20 | work = Robotech.com Forum | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071108092453/http://www.robotech.com/community/forum/read.php?id=1656430&forumid=31 | archive-date = 2007-11-08 }}</ref> A two-disc collector's edition was released in November 2007.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2007/anime-expo/funimation | title = Anime Expo 2007: Funimation Entertainment | access-date = 2007-07-06 | date = 2007-07-01 | work = Anime News Network | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070704162200/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2007/anime-expo/funimation | archive-date = 2007-07-04 }}</ref>

===''Robotech: Love Live Alive''===
{{Main|Robotech: Love Live Alive{{!}}''Robotech: Love Live Alive''}}
First revealed in late 2011 in the final minutes of ''Carl Macek's Robotech Universe'', a documentary on the making of ''Robotech'' dedicated to the then-recent passing of Macek, ''Love Live Alive'' is an adaptation of the 1985 ''Genesis Climber Mospeada'' OVA, ''[[Genesis Climber MOSPEADA#Love Live Alive|Love Live Alive]]'', incorporating some brand-new animation. The film was released on DVD on July 23, 2013, by [[Lionsgate Home Entertainment]] in North America.<ref>{{cite web|author=Lionsgate|url=http://www.robotech.com/news/viewarticle.php?id=488|title=Press Release: Robotech 2-Movie Collection|publisher=Robotech.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430044440/http://www.robotech.com/news/viewarticle.php?id=488|archive-date=2013-04-30}}</ref>

==Other television and film productions==

===''Robotech Wars''===
This promotional VHS tape created by [[Matchbox (brand)|Matchbox]] was included with their ''Robotech Wars'' playset. This video includes two episodes cobbled together from clips of ''The Macross Saga''. Titled "To the End of the Universe" and "Battle Royale", these episodes contain no new footage, and are not meant to follow any continuity established in the TV series.<ref>''Robotech Wars.'' Matchbox, 1986. Videocassette.</ref>

===''Robotech III'', ''Robotech IV'' and ''Robotech V''===
{{confusing|section|date=February 2016}}

During the production of ''Robotech II: The Sentinels'', Carl Macek had already begun to plot out 13 weeks of a third series title ''Robotech III: The Odyssey'', which would have raised the total number or Robotech episodes 215 had both series been produced. He envisioned two additional series (''Robotech IV'' and ''Robotech V'') to bring the total number of episodes to around 300, one to air every weekday for over a year.<ref>{{Citation |last=Chris Meadows |title=Space Station Libery Podcast - Carl Macek Interview 4/14/2007 |date=2007-04-14 |url=http://archive.org/details/Carl-Macek-full-interview_04-14-2007 |access-date=2024-04-20}}</ref>

For ''Robotech III: The Odyssey,'' Macek stated that his plans were to create a time-travel loop, allowing the last episode of ''The Odyssey'' to lead directly into the first episode of ''The Macross Saga.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-09-29 |title=An Interview with Carl Macek - Creator of Robotech |url=http://www.nabiki.com/sstalker/macekinterview.asp |access-date=2024-04-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929202625/http://www.nabiki.com/sstalker/macekinterview.asp |archive-date=2007-09-29 }}</ref> This particular plot detail was eventually adapted into the Robotech novel ''The End of the Circle'' by [[Jack McKinney (writer)|Jack McKinney]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2001-06-02 |title=-- R O B O T E C H . C O M -- |url=http://www.robotech.com/news/viewarticle.php?id=22 |access-date=2024-04-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010602201627/http://www.robotech.com/news/viewarticle.php?id=22 |archive-date=2001-06-02 }}</ref>

In 1986, fan publication ''Macross Life'' published an interview with Harmony Gold executive Richard Firth who first mentioned the ''Robotech IV'' and ''Robotech V'' series plans.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HARMONY GOLD INTERVIEW (Macross Life, May 1986) - The Old School Otaku Lounge |url=https://www.oldschoolotaku.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=524 |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=www.oldschoolotaku.com}}</ref>  Firth said the story would be about a retired Commodore character from ''The Macross Saga'' telling a story via flashback, but  Macek later refuted that plot detail in a 2007 interview. Macek stated that while he was hoping to do up to five series, nothing was ever written for the final two.

===''Robotech 3000''===
{{Main|Robotech 3000{{!}}''Robotech 3000''}}
Macek attempted another sequel with the development of ''[[Robotech 3000]]''. This all-CGI series would have been set a millennium in the future of the ''Robotech'' universe and feature none of the old series' characters. In the three-minute trailer, an expedition is sent to check on a non-responsive mining outpost and is attacked by "infected" Veritech mecha. The idea was abandoned midway into production after negative reception within the company, negative fan reactions at the [[FanimeCon]] anime convention in 2000, and financial difficulties within [[Netter Digital]] who was animating the show. During a 2000 San Diego Comic-Con panel, Macek announced the series was would be re-conceptualized as a traditional, hand-drawn animated series, however that idea was ''abandoned'' sometime prior to 2002 in favor of development of what would become ''Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles''.  The trailer was hosted on the official ''Robotech'' website, and was included in the 2007 release of the ''Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles'' 2-disc collector's DVD, along with behind-the-scenes motion capture footage.

===''Robotech: Mars Force''===
In October 2004, veteran animation writer and producer [[Greg Weisman]] revealed that he developed an animated spin-off series titled ''Robotech: Mars Force''.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.s8.org/gargoyles/askgreg/search.php?qid=7908 | title = Gerald Smith writes... | access-date = 2015-12-08 | date = October 2004 | work = Gargoyles Fan Forum | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151210201446/http://www.s8.org/gargoyles/askgreg/search.php?qid=7908 | archive-date = 2015-12-10 }}</ref> When asked about the project, Weisman said that he was under a non-disclosure agreement with Harmony Gold and was only allowed to mention that he developed the series.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://s8.org/gargoyles/askgreg/archives.php?lid=36&PHPSESSID=s12eregpb7de77p2b79luah687&qid=8569 | title = Gerald Smith writes... | access-date = 2015-12-08 | date = 2004-12-04 | work = Gargoyles Fan Forum | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151210192557/http://s8.org/gargoyles/askgreg/archives.php?lid=36&PHPSESSID=s12eregpb7de77p2b79luah687&qid=8569 | archive-date = 2015-12-10 }}</ref>

In 2006, Harmony Gold Creative Director Tommy Yune elaborated on the project in the Space Station Liberty Podcast, saying that Mars Force was a series geared at younger audiences, following the children of the Robotech Expeditionary Force.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=5988&pageNumber=11&pageSize=15 | title = Space Station Liberty | access-date = 2015-12-08 | date = 2006 | work = Space Station Liberty podcast | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151208145915/http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=5988&pageNumber=11&pageSize=15 | archive-date = 2015-12-08 }}</ref> A similar plot would later be used for the canceled 2014 spin-off, ''Robotech Academy''.

===''Robotech UN Public Service Announcement''===
A sixty-second public service announcement for the 60th anniversary of the [[United Nations]], featuring Scott Bernard and Ariel, was animated during the production of ''The Shadow Chronicles''. Although it did not use the original voice actors and the dialogue was somewhat out-of-character, it nonetheless marked the first fully completed ''Robotech'' footage in many years.<ref>''Robotech UN Public Service Announcement''. Harmony Gold USA, 2005.</ref>

===''Robotech: Shadow Rising''===
On July 27, 2007, at their Comic-Con International panel, Harmony Gold and Yune unveiled the second entry of the ''Shadow Chronicles'' production, titled ''Robotech: Shadow Rising'' and was to be a co-production with [[Funimation|FUNimation Entertainment]]. Pre-production reportedly began in February 2007 and a projected release date of sometime in 2009 was originally expected.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-07-27/harmony-gold-starts-shadow-chronicles-sequel | title = Comic-Con International 2007: Harmony Gold/Tommy Yune Panel | access-date = 2007-07-27 | date = 2007-07-27 | work = Anime News Network | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080114045927/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-07-27/harmony-gold-starts-shadow-chronicles-sequel | archive-date = 2008-01-14 }}</ref> In 2009 Harmony Gold revealed that production had not moved forward since the summer of 2007, due to the announced development deal of a live-action film deal with [[Warner Bros.]] in September 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-11-05 |title=Harmony Gold USA - Anime Expo 2009 - Anime News Network |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2009/anime-expo/harmony-gold-usa |access-date=2024-04-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105165008/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2009/anime-expo/harmony-gold-usa |archive-date=2012-11-05 }}</ref>

At Comic-Con 2012, Tommy Yune announced that ''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=2024-04-18 |via=www.youtube.com}}</ref> 

Harmony Gold's trademark of the term "Shadow Rising" was filed in 2007, extended in 2010, but abandoned since 2011.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.trademarkia.com/shadow-rising-77258278.html | title = Abandoned Shadow Rising Trademark | work = Trademarkia | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151208134510/http://www.trademarkia.com/shadow-rising-77258278.html | archive-date = 2015-12-08 }}</ref>

===''Robotech Academy''===
On July 5, 2014, Harmony Gold started a [[Kickstarter]] project for ''Robotech Academy'', which Macek had developed before he died. The goal of this project was to raise US$500,000 to produce a new 24-minute pilot episode. The [[crowdfunding]] project was to have closed on August 9, 2014;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1381502542/robotech-academy |title=''Robotech Academy'' |author=[[Harmony Gold USA]] |date=4 July 2014 |publisher=[[Kickstarter]] |access-date=2014-07-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705045843/https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1381502542/robotech-academy |archive-date=2014-07-05 }}</ref> however, on August 2, the project was canceled with a pledge level of US$194,574, or 39% of its target.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kicktraq.com/projects/1381502542/robotech-academy/ |title=''Robotech Academy'' |publisher=Kicktraq |access-date=2014-08-03 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727160920/http://www.kicktraq.com/projects/1381502542/robotech-academy/ |archive-date=2014-07-27 }}</ref> Harmony Gold, however, announced that further plans to fund the project were being explored.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1381502542/robotech-academy/posts/937314 |title=UPDATE #30: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT |author=[[Harmony Gold USA]] |publisher=[[Kickstarter]] |date=2014-08-03 |access-date=2014-08-03 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812122004/https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1381502542/robotech-academy/posts/937314 |archive-date=2014-08-12 }}</ref> At the 2014 Long Beach Comic Con, it was announced that the producers at Harmony Gold were in talks with at least one [[new media]] network on the prospect of producing the show.<ref>Robotech Panel. Long Beach Comic Con, Long Beach, California. 14 Oct. 2014.</ref> As of December 7, 2015, the project remains abandoned.

===Unofficial and parody productions===
In the 1990s, [[J-List|Seishun Shitemasu]], an anime [[fandub]]bing group, produced the parodies ''Robotech III: Not Necessarily the Sentinels'' and ''Robotech IV: Khyron's Counterattack'', using footage from, respectively, ''[[Gunbuster]]'' and ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack|Gundam: Char's Counterattack]]'', continuing the tradition of the original Robotech's adaptation of unrelated anime series into a single continuity.

On July 2, 2010, Ecuadorian animator Patricio "Pat" Mosquera uploaded to YouTube a teaser for ''Robotech Skull Knights''. On August 17, 2010, second teaser revealed Rick Hunter standing in front of an image of the VF-4 shown in the final episodes of the original series. ''Robotech Skull Knights'' has not been released yet.<ref>{{cite web|author=Patricio Mosquera|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFvCJy5g2Vw|title=Robotech: Skull / Knights| website=[[YouTube]] | date=2 July 2010 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510090320/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFvCJy5g2Vw|archive-date=2016-05-10}}</ref> In July 2013, Patricio Mosquera was included as an animation director in the staff list in the [[IMDb]] page of ''Love Live Alive''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4746236/|title=Patricio Mosquera|publisher=IMDb|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904014542/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4746236/|archive-date=2015-09-04}}</ref>

On December 31, 2012, Cesar Turturro uploaded to [[YouTube]] an [[Argentina|Argentine]] [[Fan labor|fan trailer]] for ''Robotech Valkyrie Project''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Cesar Turturro|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fp8hhXaMfQ|title=Robotech Valkyrie Project| website=[[YouTube]] |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624122713/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fp8hhXaMfQ|archive-date=2016-06-24}}</ref> In December 2013 the first episode was uploaded to YouTube, and in January 2014, the second episode was also uploaded. The series was cancelled after Harmony Gold issued a "cease and desist" letter to the producers. The team was, however, hired to do the CGI effects for ''Robotech: Academy''.

===Proposed live-action film===
Attempts at producing a live-action ''Robotech'' have been [[development hell|in development for an extended time]], with numerous writers, directors, and actors attached at various times and the film rights changing between studios.

Some time prior to February 2006, the company Kickstart Entertainment (founded by ''Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles'' and ''Robotech 3000'' producer Jason Netter) featured a graphic on their website stating that a live-action Robotech movie was in development with [[Chuck Russell|Chuck Russel]] attached to write and direct. While never formally announced by Harmony Gold, Kickstart Entertainment's announcement of this project was reported by [[Anime News Network]] on February 27, 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-10-17 |title=Robotech Live-Action? - Anime News Network |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-02-27/robotech-live-action |access-date=2024-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017191304/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-02-27/robotech-live-action |archive-date=2007-10-17 }}</ref> Anime News Network's article was updated on March 1, 2006 saying that this announcement had been removed.

====Warner Bros.====
On September 7, 2007, ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' announced that Warner Bros. had acquired the film rights to ''Robotech'', with [[Tobey Maguire]] producing and pursuing the lead role.<ref name="HR">{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i1f2de64a1d24bd55d67832dedc4bd442 |title=Maguire, WB attack the big screen with 'Robotech' |access-date=2007-09-12 |date=2007-09-07 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |url-status=dead |first=Borys |last=Kit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070910185747/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i1f2de64a1d24bd55d67832dedc4bd442 |archive-date=September 10, 2007 }}</ref> A Harmony Gold representative stated that the company had been approached by WB and would have "a say" in the film's creative direction.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-5988/TS-43975.mp3 |title=Live-Action Movie Talk with Kevin McKeever |date=2007-09-09 |last=Meadows |first=Chris |access-date=2007-09-12 |format=mp3 |work=talkshoe.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926015309/http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-5988/TS-43975.mp3 |archive-date=2007-09-26 }}</ref> Though [[S. Craig Zahler]] was initially announced to be writing the script,<ref name="HR"/> many other writers would be attached to the project across the following years: [[Lawrence Kasdan]] in June 2008,<ref>{{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905201721/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ia3b683089f36e7ebb3a620eb11dacda3|archive-date=September 5, 2008|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ia3b683089f36e7ebb3a620eb11dacda3|title=Lawrence Kasdan to pen 'Robotech' | work=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Borys|last=Kit|date=2008-06-15|access-date=2015-11-15}}{{Subscription required}}</ref> [[Alfred Gough]] and [[Miles Millar]] in November 2008,<ref>[https://www.cinemablend.com/new/Spider-Man-Writers-Hired-For-Robotech-10902.html Spider-Man & Smallville Writers for Robotech] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815194918/http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Spider-Man-Writers-Hired-For-Robotech-10902.html |date=2011-08-15 }}, CinemaBlend.com</ref> [[Tom Rob Smith]] in June 2009,<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-06-24/proposed-robotech-film-reportedly-gets-another-new-writer | title = Proposed Robotech Film Reportedly Gets Another New Writer | date = 2009-06-24 | work = Anime News Network | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090627042227/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-06-24/proposed-robotech-film-reportedly-gets-another-new-writer | archive-date = 2009-06-27 }}</ref> and [[Michael B. Gordon]] in February 2015.<ref name="deadline">{{cite magazine|url=https://deadline.com/2015/02/robotech-movie-hollywood-gang-1201364914/|title=Robotech Movie Back With Hollywood Gang, '300' Scribe Michael Gordon|magazine=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|date=February 4, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150720231142/http://deadline.com/2015/02/robotech-movie-hollywood-gang-1201364914/|archive-date=July 20, 2015}}</ref> A screenplay draft from March 2008 demonstrated a plot very loosely based on the ''Macross Saga'' portion of ''Robotech''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2021-06-08 |title=Screenplay Review – Robotech |url=https://scriptshadow.net/screenplay-review-robotech/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=ScriptShadow |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Nic Mathieu]] had been announced as director in early 2013.<ref>{{cite news| title= Warner Bros. Chooses 'Robotech' Director (Exclusive)| last= Borys| first= Kit| work= The Hollywood Reporter| url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/warner-bros-chooses-robotech-director-415144| date= January 24, 2013| access-date= September 21, 2013| url-status= live| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130904213405/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/warner-bros-chooses-robotech-director-415144| archive-date= September 4, 2013}}</ref>

====Sony====
On March 25, 2015, the ''Robotech'' franchise was acquired by [[Sony Pictures Studios|Sony Pictures]];<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://variety.com/2015/film/news/robotech-movie-sony-tv-series-anime-1201460191/|title = Sony Takes Over 'Robotech,' Plans Film Franchise|last = Lang|first = Brent|date = March 25, 2015|work = Variety|access-date = March 25, 2015|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150326024528/https://variety.com/2015/film/news/robotech-movie-sony-tv-series-anime-1201460191/|archive-date = March 26, 2015}}</ref> on July 3, 2015, Harmony Gold clarified that Sony has the rights to release the film worldwide with the exception of Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wftahWdR6d4&t=280|title=AX 2015 ROBOTECH PANEL PART 2 OF 2|last=RobotechX|date=4 July 2015|via=YouTube|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314101058/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wftahWdR6d4&t=280|archive-date=14 March 2016}}</ref> Sony featured a sizzle reel at [[CinemaCon]] 2016 with Robotech among its upcoming slate of films, which included a very brief title card.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Orange |first=B. Alan |date=2016-04-13 |title=Spider-Man & Ghostbusters Headline Sony CinemaCon 2016 Presentation |url=https://movieweb.com/cinemacon-2016-sony-presentation-spider-man-ghostbusters/ |access-date=2025-04-25 |website=MovieWeb |language=en}}</ref> After Harmony Gold and [[Big West Frontier|Big West]] reached an agreement which was signed on March 1, 2021 regarding to the ''Macross'' and ''Robotech'' franchises, announced on April 8, 2021, Big West officially affirmed as part of the deal that they will not take any opposition on Harmony Gold's upcoming live action adaptation of ''Robotech''. Both Harmony Gold and Big West will cooperate on future projects for the foreseeable future.<ref>{{cite web|title=After Decades Of Conflict, We're Finally Getting Official Macross Releases In The West|url=https://kotaku.com/after-decades-of-conflict-were-finally-getting-officia-1846647624|access-date=9 April 2021|date=8 April 2021|website=[[Kotaku]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Macross Sequels and Films To Be Released Worldwide by Big West and Harmony Gold|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/macross-sequels-and-films-to-be-released-worldwide-by-big-west-and-harmony-gold-exclusive/|access-date=9 April 2021|date=8 April 2021|website=[[Den of Geek]]}}</ref>

For the Sony production, [[James Wan]] was announced in 2015 to direct a script written with [[Kurt Johnstad]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/james-wan-closes-deals-direct-799686|title=James Wan Closes Deals to Direct 'Aquaman' and 'Robotech'|work=The Hollywood Reporter|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=June 3, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702112034/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/james-wan-closes-deals-direct-799686|archive-date=July 2, 2015}}</ref> [[Andy Muschietti]] took over the project in 2017 after Wan dropped out to direct ''[[Aquaman (film)|Aquaman]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/robotech-movie-director-andy-muschietti-direct-1021744|title='It' Director Andy Muschietti to Tackle 'Robotech' for Sony (Exclusive)|work=The Hollywood Reporter|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=July 17, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719160432/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/robotech-movie-director-andy-muschietti-direct-1021744|archive-date=July 19, 2017}}</ref> with [[Jason Fuchs]] writing the screenplay from scratch.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://deadline.com/2017/09/robotech-movie-jason-fuchs-writer-wonder-woman-1202168300/|title='Wonder Woman's Jason Fuchs To Write 'Robotech' For Sony|magazine=Deadline|last=Patten|first=Dominic|date=September 12, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914035226/https://deadline.com/2017/09/robotech-movie-jason-fuchs-writer-wonder-woman-1202168300/|archive-date=September 14, 2017}}</ref> On April 27, 2022, it was reported that ''[[Hawkeye (miniseries)|Hawkeye]]'' producer and director [[Rhys Thomas (director)|Rhys Thomas]] will be directing the film, with duo [[Art Marcum and Matt Holloway]] writing.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Egan |first1=Toussaint |title=Sony nabs Hawkeye director to helm a live-action Robotech movie |url=https://www.polygon.com/23044564/robotech-movie-director-rhys-thomas-hawkeye |website=Polygon |date=27 April 2022}}</ref>

In June 2023, artist Col Price posted images on both social media and his official ArtStation page of concept art he was hired to create for the film.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Cole |date=2023-06-14 |title=ArtStation - robotech : part one |url=https://www.artstation.com/artwork/OGPg3b }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Cole |date=2023-06-14 |title=ArtStation - robotech: part two |url=https://www.artstation.com/artwork/vDm04A }}</ref> While only citing "a few years ago" as the time frame of which they were made, Price's images depict an adaptation of ''The Macross Saga''.

In June 2024, co-owner of the company ''In Development'' Ross Olivey posted to LinkedIn that the film was still in development with Sony Pictures Entertainment and its subsidiary [[Columbia Pictures]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Does anyone here remember ROBOTECH? I asked our studio the same question… {{!}} Ross Olivey |url=https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ross-olivey_does-anyone-here-remember-robotech-i-asked-activity-7204069046269423616-ZmCZ |access-date=2025-04-25 |website=www.linkedin.com |language=en}}</ref> Olivey gave no details of the work his company provided, other than having created a presentation deck capturing Rhys Thomas' vision for the film and having worked for producer Michelle Stockwell of Thomas' production company.

==Other media==
At the time of its broadcast, Harmony Gold also launched ''Robotech'' through a popular line of comics to be followed by novels, role-playing games, toys, and other consumer products. With the cancellation of ''Robotech II: The Sentinels'', many of these licensed products were discontinued, and led to a drought of ''Robotech'' product through much of the 1990s, except for publishers who continued ''The Sentinels'' storyline in print.

===Art books===
In 1986, [[Starblaze Graphics]] published ''Robotech Art 1'', a reference book containing artwork, Japanese production designs, and episode guides from the original television series. This was followed by ''Robotech Art 2'', which was largely a collection of art by various American artists and fans. In 1988, Carl Macek collected much of the unused designs from ''Robotech II: The Sentinels'' into ''Robotech Art 3: The Sentinels'', which also included his story outline for the rest of the unfinished series, with an explanation behind its cancellation. In 2007, Stone Bridge Press published ''The Art of Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles''.

===Comics===
{{Main|Robotech (comics){{!}}''Robotech'' (comics)}}

''Robotech'' comics were first published in 1984 with DC Comics' short-lived ''Robotech Defenders'' and Comico's adaptation of the first episode of the Japanese version of ''Macross''. However, the first adaptation of the ''Robotech'' television series did not arrive until 1985 with Comico's ''Robotech: The Macross Saga'' Number 2, which continued from the first ''Macross'' issue.

The various comic publishers include:

* [[Comico: The Comic Company|Comico]] (1984–1989)
* [[Eternity Comics]] (1988–1994)
* Academy Comics (1994–1996)
* [[Antarctic Press]] (1997–1998)
* [[Wildstorm]] (DC) (2002–2005)
* [[Dynamite Entertainment]] (2013–2015)
* [[Titan Comics]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://titan-comics.com/c/998-robotech/|title=Robotech @ Titan Comics|website=titan-comics.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804052906/https://titan-comics.com/c/998-robotech/|archive-date=2017-08-04}}</ref> (2017–present)

===Collectible card game===
{{Main|Robotech Collectible Card Game{{!}}''Robotech Collectible Card Game''}}

The first ''Robotech'' [[collectible card game]] was released in 2006 by Hero Factory, which had previously produced ''Robotech'' trading cards.

===Music and soundtracks===
{{Main|Robotech music{{!}}''Robotech'' music}}

Various ''Robotech'' soundtracks have been released on [[Phonograph record|records]], [[Cassette tape|cassettes]], and [[compact disc]]s since 1988.

* [[Robotech music#Robotech: BGM Collection, Vol.1|''Robotech'': BGM Collection, Vol.1]] (1988)
* [[Robotech music#Robotech: Perfect Collection|''Robotech'': Perfect Collection]] (1988)
* [[Robotech music#Robotech: Perfect Soundtrack Album|''Robotech'': Perfect Soundtrack Album]] (1996)
* [[Robotech music#Robotech: Battlecry Soundtrack|''Robotech'': Battlecry Soundtrack]] (2002)
* [[Robotech music#Robotech: Invasion Soundtrack|''Robotech'': Invasion Soundtrack]] (2004)
* [[Robotech music#Robotech: 20th Anniversary Soundtrack|''Robotech'': 20th Anniversary Soundtrack]] (2005)
* [[Robotech music#Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles Soundtrack|''Robotech'': The Shadow Chronicles Soundtrack]] (2007)
* [[Robotech music#Robotech: 30th Anniversary Soundtrack|''Robotech'': 30th Anniversary Soundtrack]] (2015)

===Novelizations===
{{Main|Robotech (novels){{!}}''Robotech'' (novels)}}

Since 1987, ''Robotech'' was adapted into novel form by "[[Jack McKinney (writer)|Jack McKinney]]", a pseudonym for the team of [[James Luceno]] and [[Brian Daley]], a pair of writers who had been working with Macek since they had collaborated on the animated series ''[[Galaxy Rangers]]''. Using fictitious [[epigraph (literature)|epigraph]]s in the style of ''[[Dune (novel)|Dune]]'', McKinney's novels fleshed out the chronology (including adapting the incomplete ''Sentinels'' source material) in far greater detail than the original animation. Many ''Robotech'' fans consider the McKinney series to be an unofficial canon of its own, despite notable divergences in the writing from Harmony Gold's current official animation-based canon. Despite no longer being considered core-continuity by Harmony Gold, the novels have been recently re-issued by [[Del Rey Books]] as Omnibus compilations.

===Role-playing games===
{{Main|Robotech (role-playing game){{!}}''Robotech'' (role-playing game)}}

In 1986, [[Palladium Books]] published a [[role-playing game]] based on the ''Robotech'' series, including several books covering the ''Sentinels'' portion of the storyline. The original ''Robotech'' RPG line went out of print as of June 30, 2001, but Harmony Gold and Palladium Books signed an agreement in 2007 to produce a new line of Robotech RPG books, beginning with a book covering and promoting the feature-length film ''The Shadow Chronicles''.<ref>Palladium Books issued a 2007 press release discussing this new contract: [http://www.palladiumbooks.com/press/press2007-09.html press release] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911210531/http://www.palladiumbooks.com/press/press2007-09.html |date=2007-09-11 }}</ref> The ''[[Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles Role-Playing Game]]'' sourcebook first book was released on March 21, 2008, followed by sourcebooks covering the Macross, Masters, and New Generation chapters of Robotech (redrafted to reflect the Harmony Gold canon). Other sourcebooks and supplements are reflected in the Palladium Books production pipeline.

On April 18, 2013, Palladium started a campaign on the crowdfunding site [[Kickstarter]] for a tabletop miniatures game based on the Robotech RPG called "Robotech: RPG Tactics". The miniatures are being produced by Ninja Division (combining sculpting talents from Soda Pop Miniatures and Cipher Studios), and will feature multi part plastic miniatures that can be posed during assembly. The campaign reached its goal in 3 hours, and was initially scheduled to release in December 2013, but delays have persisted into 2018.

In May 2019, under licensing from Harmony Gold and Strange Machine Games, Battlefield Press International produced a game book for the new Savage Worlds Adventure Edition.

===Toys===
[[Action figure]]s in the {{convert|3.75|in|mm|adj=on}} size of the three ''Robotech'' generations were initially released in 1985 by [[Matchbox (brand)|Matchbox]] toy company, but then reissued in 1992 by [[Harmony Gold USA|Harmony Gold]] (Lunk and Corg were only released by Matchbox and Lynn Minmei was only released by Harmony Gold). Each included a weapon and helmet where appropriate. Matchbox also released {{convert|6|in|mm|adj=on|spell=in}} figures of [[Macross|Zentraedi]] characters from the first generation. These figures were supposed to represent the size difference between the Humans and the giant Zentraedi forces, but to be correct these figures would have to have been made about {{convert|20|in|mm}} tall. None of the larger figures came with weapons but the Armored Zentraedi came with a removable helmet.

Also many toys depicting the vehicles and [[mecha]] from the series were released by Matchbox in 1985, Harmony Gold in 1992 and [[Playmates Toys]] in 1994 (under the [[Exosquad#Production|Exosquad]] line). There were major differences in packaging, toy stickers and colors between the different releases. The vehicles were designed to be used only with the 3¾-inch figures. The [[SDF-1 Macross|SDF-1 Playset]] was only released under the Matchbox line in the 1980s and could be used with both the 3¾- and six-inch figures.

Harmony Gold and Matchbox were unable to sell the 1/55 VF-1 Valkyrie toy originally sold in Japan by [[Takatoku Toys]] due to [[Hasbro]] licensing it as [[Jetfire]] in the [[Transformers (toy line)|Transformers]] toy line. Because of this, they settled with manufacturing a non-transformable Veritech Fighter that could fit any of the 3¾-inch action figures, as well as importing the transformable [[super deformed]] Veritech Fighters (originally manufactured in Japan by [[Bandai]] as ''Macross'' VF-1 Valkyrie "Joke machines").

Since the late 1990s, there has been a resurgence of ''Robotech''-related toys. In 2001, [[Toynami]] released the ''Robotech Masterpiece Collection'' line, featuring replicas of the Veritech Fighters of ''The Macross Saga''. Since then, Toynami has become the exclusive toy manufacturer of the ''Robotech'' franchise—having covered mecha from ''The Macross Saga'', ''The New Generation'' and ''The Shadow Chronicles''.

===Video games===
''Robotech'' spawned five video game licenses, of which the most recent three were released:

* ''[[Robotech: Crystal Dreams]]'' was a cancelled release for the [[Nintendo 64]] game system. It was initially being developed by [[GameTek]], but in 1997 [[Ocean Software]] purchased the rights to the game and took over as both developer and publisher.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Letters |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=37 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=January 1998 |pages=171–2}}</ref> The game would have taken place during the period between the [[SDF-1 Macross|SDF-1]]'s destruction and the launch of the SDF-3. The game had a Zentraedi invasion during what was scripted in the series as a period of peace.
* ''[[Robotech: Battlecry]]'' (2002) for the [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], [[PlayStation 2]], and [[GameCube]]. The gameplay takes place in the Macross era, and features a storyline running exactly concurrent with that era's historical events. Multiplayer support is limited to one-on-one. Several of the voice actors from the original series, including Tony Oliver, Melanie MacQueen, Dan Woren, and Cam Clarke, reprised their original roles, or voiced new characters in this game. The game was a relative success, even though many fans complained of the over-cartoonified look of the game.
* ''[[Robotech: The Macross Saga]]'' (2002) for the [[Game Boy Advance]], a side-[[scrolling shooter]] that resembles the Japanese [[Super Famicom]] game ''[[Macross: Scrambled Valkyrie]]''.
* ''[[Robotech: Invasion]]'' (2004) for the Microsoft [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] and the Sony [[PlayStation 2]]. First-/third-person shooter. The gameplay covers the ''New Generation'' part of the story, with support for single player missions and multiplayer online matches. Features Cyclones, transformable body armor/motorcycles. As with ''Battlecry'', several of the original voice actors reprised their roles. Unlike ''Battlecry'', it is not backwards compatible with the [[Xbox 360]].
* ''[[Robotech: The New Generation]]'' (2007) for [[mobile phone]]s. A top-down [[scrolling shooter]] that covers the ''New Generation'' part of the story, leading up to the ''[[Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles|Shadow Chronicles]]''. The player can play as one of three characters (Scott, Rook and Rand), each with their own special weapons. The player also has the ability to change into "Battloid Mode" through the collection of Protoculture. ''Robotech: The New Generation'' features famous music from the TV series, as well as the most evil of all the villains.
*''Robotech: The Macross Saga HD Edition'' (2021) for the [[Nintendo Switch]]. A remake of ''[[Robotech: The Macross Saga]]'' (2002) for the [[Game Boy Advance]] with new 3D models, dynamic lighting, enhanced effects, and high-definition backgrounds. As of March 2021, this title has only been made available on the Nintendo eShop in the Australia region.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-01|title=GBA game Robotech: The Macross Saga sees surprise return on Switch with new HD Edition|url=https://nintendoeverything.com/gba-game-robotech-the-macross-saga-sees-surprise-return-on-switch-with-new-hd-edition/|access-date=2021-03-01|website=Nintendo Everything|language=en}}</ref>

==Reception of adaptation==
''Robotech'' is often a polarizing subject amongst anime fans.<ref name="What's getting made">{{cite web
|url= http://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2009/1/4/movies/2931245&sec=movies
|title= What's getting made|access-date=2015-05-01 |work= Malaysia Star }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/467855/to_the_stars_and_beyond_a_tribute_to_carl_macek.html|title= To the stars and beyond: a tribute to Carl Macek|access-date= 2010-04-20|work= Den of Geek|url-status= live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100526025731/http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/467855/to_the_stars_and_beyond_a_tribute_to_carl_macek.html|archive-date= 2010-05-26}}</ref> Some critics look down upon the show for its [[Editing of anime in American distribution|extensive edits]] to the source material (Westernizing character names, editing for content and chiefly, forging a connection between previously unrelated series),<ref name="Macek Training"/><ref name="What's getting made"/> while supporters of the adaptation have pointed out that the weaving of three unrelated series into a contiguous whole necessarily required reworking, and that it helped to maintain a slow but continuous rise in the consumption of anime in the US.<ref>{{cite news|title=Robotech - Protoculture Collection|work=[[DVD Talk]]|url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/18747/robotech-protoculture-collection/|access-date=2009-09-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626121428/http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/18747/robotech-protoculture-collection/|archive-date=2009-06-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.cartoonbrew.com/anime/carl-macek-1951-2010.html|title= Carl Macek (1951-2010)|access-date= 2010-04-19|work= [[Cartoon Brew]]|date= 24 July 2006|url-status= live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100421060625/http://www.cartoonbrew.com/anime/carl-macek-1951-2010.html|archive-date= 2010-04-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2010/04/american-anime-pioneer-carl-macek-passes-away/|title= American anime pioneer Carl Macek passes away|access-date= 2010-04-20|work= [[Comic Book Resources]]|url-status= live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100421023638/http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2010/04/american-anime-pioneer-carl-macek-passes-away/|archive-date= 2010-04-21}}</ref>

Series writer/actor [[Gregory Snegoff]] said in an interview on the now-defunct ''Shadow Chronicles News'' fansite that, "afterward, we received compliments from the Japanese who thought our dialogue and stories were better than the original," likely a reference to the creators of the latter two series, both of whom worked with the team on ''The Sentinels''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shadowchroniclesnews.com/snegoff2.html|title=Interview with Greg Snegoff|access-date=2010-02-11|work=Archive.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060103112520/http://www.shadowchroniclesnews.com/snegoff2.html|archive-date=2006-01-03|url-status=dead}}</ref> The producers of ''[[Megazone 23]] – Part 1'' were very happy with the original plans for ''[[Robotech: The Movie]]'' (where the incomplete film would have been added to the ''Robotech'' mythos to play part in ''The Sentinels'' storyline), and worked closely with Carl Macek to plan the new ending and animation.<ref name="Macek, Carl: Robo-con 1995"/> When the film reached a limited release, the new ending was released on a [[LaserDisc]] of ''Megazone 23'', with the title "Present For You."<ref>Megazone 23: Part One. Streamline Pictures, 1993. Laser Disc.</ref> However, ''Animag'' magazine (issue 11) and ''[[Animerica]]'' magazine (issue 9, volume 4) reports that the staff of ''[[Macross]]'' at [[Studio Nue]] and [[Artland (company)|Artland]], such as the original story creator and mecha designer [[Shōji Kawamori]] and chief director [[Noboru Ishiguro]], expressed their concern over the ''Robotech'' adaptation, and surprise at its differences.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://animeworldorder.blogspot.com/2008/05/bonus-interview-with-noboru-ishiguro.html | title = Interview with Noboru Ishiguro | access-date = 2008-10-10 | date = 2008-05-14 | url-status = live | archive-url = http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20081012231018/http://animeworldorder.blogspot.com/2008/05/bonus-interview-with-noboru-ishiguro.html | archive-date = 2008-10-12 }}</ref>

In 2009, ''[[IGN]]'' ranked ''Robotech'' as the 34th-greatest animated show of all time in their Top 100 list.<ref name="ign100">{{cite web |title=34, Robotech |url=https://www.ign.com/top/animated-tv-series/34.html |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=2009-01-24 |date=2009-01-23 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426012902/http://www.ign.com/top/animated-tv-series/34.html |archive-date=2014-04-26 }}</ref>

In a review of ''The Macross Saga'' for ''[[Neo (magazine)|NEO]]'', David West considered it a landmark in Japanese animation and an essential watch for fans of the mecha genre. He considered its take on human issues such as love and death to be fresh and enduring, and although he found the animation to be not as up to date as the story, he considers the show impressive despite its age.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=West|first=David|date=October 2021|editor-last=Cox|editor-first=Gemma|title=Anime Review: Robotech - The Macross Saga Part 1|magazine=[[Neo (magazine)|NEO]]|publisher=Uncooked Media|issue=212|page=74|issn=1744-9596}}</ref>

==Distribution==
{{further|Robotech (TV series)#Home media{{!}}''Robotech'' (TV series)#Home media}}
Following the original broadcast, the series enjoyed popularity on home video in [[VHS]] and [[DVD-Video|DVD]] formats from the following distributors:
*[[Lionsgate Home Entertainment|Family Home Entertainment]] (VHS, [[LaserDisc]]) (First six-tape run of ''The Macross Saga'' was heavily edited, with roughly 38 minutes of footage cut from each six-episode tape. The episode "Private Time" was almost entirely removed, with only a few minutes of the beginning and end being shown.)
* [[Palladium Books]] (VHS)
* [[Streamline Pictures]] (VHS, [[LaserDisc]])
* [[A.D. Vision|ADV Films]] (DVD Region 1 – North America) (original broadcast version and first printing of the remastered version)
*[[A&E Networks]] Home Entertainment (DVD Region 1 – North America)<ref>[http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Robotech-The-Complete-Original-Series/15699 TV Shows on DVD - ''Robotech: The Complete Original Series''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725060310/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Robotech-The-Complete-Original-Series/15699 |date=2011-07-25 }}</ref>
* [[Manga Entertainment]] (DVD Region 2 & Blu-ray Region B – UK) (ADV first print of the remastered version for DVD & Funimation print of the Blu-ray version)
* [[Madman Entertainment]] (DVD Region 4 – Australia)
*[[Funimation]] (DVD Region 1 & Blu-ray Region A – USA) (''Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles'') (first print, later re-released by A&E Entertainment, but has reverted to Funimation in October 2019 following the announcement which also includes the ''Robotech'' series and ''Robotech II: The Sentinels'')
*[[Crunchyroll]] (Blu-ray Region A – North America) (Blu-ray version of the show; Funimation rebranded as Crunchyroll not long after this release)
* [[Revelation Films]] (DVD Region 2 – UK) (''Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles'' and ''Love Live Alive'')
* Go Entertainment (DVD Region 2 – UK) (Region 2 version of A&E's box set)
*[[Beyond International|Beyond Home Entertainment]] (DVD Region 4 – Australia) (Region 4 version of A&E's Boxset)
* Guangdong Qianhe Audio & Video (DVD Region 6 – China) (''Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles'')

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite magazine |last= Segal|first=Danni|date= September 1989 |title= The World of Robotech|magazine= [[GM (magazine)|GM]]|volume=2|number= 1|pages= 58–62}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Robotech}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* [http://www.robotech.com/ ROBOTECH.COM] - Harmony Gold's official Robotech website.
* [http://www.robotech.com/infopedia/bibliography/ ROBOTECH Bibliography] - Comprehensive listings of books in and out of print.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070328054543/http://preludeto.theshadowchronicles.com/ ROBOTECH: Prelude to the Shadow Chronicles] - Official site of the new comic series.
* {{IMDb title|qid=Q7353404|id=tt0088595}}
* {{Anime News Network|anime|71||nopara}}
{{Portalbar|United States|Japan|Television|Film|Animation|Cartoon|Anime and manga|Comics|Books|Video games|Toys|1980s|1990s|2000s|2010s|2020s}}
{{Robotech}}
{{Macross series}}

[[Category:Robotech| ]]
[[Category:ADV Films]]
[[Category:Macross|*]]
[[Category:Mecha anime and manga]]
[[Category:Science fiction book series]]
[[Category:Toy mecha]]
[[Category:Transforming toy robots]]