Wednesday, April 25, 2012

WIN A RARE ROBOTECH POSTER


From the Robotech Facebook Page 
We found some very rare Robotech posters from DC Comics (pictured). We'll select a pair of fans who "like" us here on our official Facebook page or "follow" our Twitter news page on May 4th to get one! Fans who follow us at both websites can double their chances.

THE SCI-FI JANITORS LOVE THEM SOME ROBOTECH

Friday, April 20, 2012

ROBOTECH ON MTV'S BATTLE ARENA OTAKU


MTV has a feature called "Battle Arena Otaku Fight" and right now they're taking votes between Black Butler and Robotech! 



Thursday, April 19, 2012

NEW ROBOTECH COFFEE MUGS ARE AVAILABLE

Robotech.com is reporting that the  SDF-3 mugs have finally arrived!  Along with the SDF-3 mugs  come newly redesigned SDF-1 mugs featuring the silhouette of the SDF-1!

SDF-3 Cappucino Mug

SDF-1 Coffee Mug Redesign


SDF-3 Coffee Mug 

SDF-1 Latte/Soup Mug Redesign

 

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

ROBOTECH "IT'S YOU" EP NOW IN STOCK IN THE ROBOTECH.COM STORE



The Robotech.com  website is now reporting that the new It's You EP is now in stock, featuring the hot musical stylings of your favorite Robotech singer, George Sullivan!

This limited-edition compact disc EP contains a selection of rare new musical tracks, some never before released on any soundtrack album, in a special preview of the next major compilation in production.

This disc contains the following tracks:

01 - "Introduction only"
02 - It's You slower introduction
03 - "All the way through"
04 - It's You (Minmei version)
05 - "Nice ... here we go"
06 - It's You faster introduction
07 - It's You (instrumental version)
08 - "That's it"
09 - It's You (George Sullivan version)
10 - It's You (piano solo, take 1)
11 - It's You (piano solo, take 2)
12 - It's You (piano accompaniment, take 1)
13 - It's You (piano accompaniment, take 2)
14 - "Take one"
15 - We Will Win (demo version)
16 - Macross Anthem (vocal version)


AKIRA CREATOR TALKS ABOUT THE STATE OF THE ANIME INDUSTRY

Anime News Network has posted comments by anime and manga creator, Katsuhiro Otomo, on the state of the anime industry. Here is what he said.
I don't think the Japanese anime industry is in a particularly good state now. You have to take last year's earthquake into consideration. The proper budgets needed to bring animation to cinemas just aren't available at the moment. More time needs to pass, or perhaps collaboration with animation houses overseas is the answer. I can't see it happening yet. I think we need some more time.
He is absolutely correct, the 2011 earthquake, 2008 Financial Crisis and the falling US Dollar are having a tremendous impact on how anime is produced and distributed.


Tuesday, April 10, 2012

MEGASCIFI.COM Q&A WITH ROBOTECH COMIC WRITER BILL SPANGLER


MegaSciFi.com has posted a very informative Q&A with Robotech Comic Writer Bill Spangler. Here is a very brief excerpt.

What led to you working for Eternity/Malibu, the Robotech comics publisher at the time you wrote your first Robotech comic book, The Malcontent Uprisings?

BILL: Eternity/Malibu was the first company I worked for. I had sold two series to them, Bloodwing and The Argonauts, when they announced they would be doing The Sentinels comic. I was a relative newbie, as far as anime was concerned. But I knew and liked Robotech, so I called the Malibu offices to see if they had chosen a creative team. They had, but Chris Ulm, the editor, asked me if I wanted to develop something around the Malcontent Uprisings period.
If you are into the Robotech comics of the 1990's this is a must read interview.

Monday, April 9, 2012

WIN A ADV MACROSS DVD BOX SET!


The next drawing in the Robotech Social Media Giveaway is going old school, as fans who "like" us here on our official Facebook page or "follow" our Twitter news page have a chance to win the very first DVD volume of the original Japanese version of Macross from ADV! Fans who follow us at both websites can double their chances!

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

CORD CUTTERS NUMBER OVER 2.6 MILLION



From TheWrap.com

Netflix and Hulu are convincing millions of cable subscribers to cut the cord and dive into video streaming. 

That's the conclusion of a new report released this week by the Convergence Consulting Group, which finds that 2.65 million Americans canceled cable between 2008-2011 in favor of lower-cost internet subscription services or video platforms.

The Canadian research firm estimates that 112,000 U.S. and Canadian subscribers were added to the cable rolls in 2011. That represents a more than 50 percent drop from the 272,000 who signed up for the service in 2010. 

On top of that news comes this from DHD

Moguls will need a stiff drink nearby when they read Morgan Stanley analyst Benjamin Swinburne’s bracing report today about the state of the home video business — and Hollywood studios. He says that film operations at Universal, Disney, Paramount, Fox, and Warner Bros are worth about $19.3B, down from $40.2B in 2007. And a big reason for the 52% drop is that studios’ annual home video profits from each TV household fell to $100 last year from $127 in 2007 — and will continue to slide to $93 in 2015.
[snip]
Meanwhile, DVD sales are falling much faster than Blu-ray disc sales are growing. And overseas opportunities aren’t sufficient to change the story given “lower studio settlement rates for international box office, a minor international home video market and rising film costs.”
It is going to get worse before it gets better. 
  
 

Monday, April 2, 2012

LATEST ROBOTECH SOCIAL MEDIA GIVEAWAY WINNERS ANNOUNCED


Congratulations to Rodney Stausbaugh of Port Clinton and Tony Vidaurri Frausto of Paso Robles, who have each been selected to receive Robotech: The New Generation DVD sets from A&E. Followers of our Facebook and Twitter pages can check back again next week when we announce another new giveaway item for our next drawing!

NEW ROBOTECH EP AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

The new Robotech: It's You EP features never-before-released music tracks, including the George Sullivan version of It's You, the 1984 Macross Anthem, exclusive studio outtakes, and more!



Sunday, April 1, 2012

YET MORE NEW ROBOTECH ARTWORK APPEARS


MICHAEL UNDERWOOD TO RESIGN AS ANIME EXPO ENTERTAINMENT DIRECTOR



Just saw this news on Michael Underwood's Facebook page. Here is his letter he posted in full.

An open letter to my friends and partners both at Anime Expo, Other Anime cons and within the Anime Industry.

As of about 5 minutes ago, I have tendered my two week notice of resignation from my position as Executive Director of Entertainment Group for Anime Expo / SPJA.

My last day of work in this position will be on April 14th, 2012.

It is my intention for the remaining two weeks to help wrap up any projects or contracts that I am working on for this year’s Anime Expo and transition ownership of them to Marc Perez, our CEO(marc.perez@spja.org), and or Kathy Moran, our Division Manager of Programming and Guest Relations Divisions (kathymoran@spja.org).

Should you wish to contact anyone at Anime Expo regarding Programming matters please write to Programming@anime-expo.org. For any future Guest Relations inquiries please write to GR@anime-expo.org.

While my decision to depart is not an easy one, I wanted to let you all know it has truly been my pleasure and honor to work with each of you. Some of you I have known for a great many years, others only met recently, over the years I have considered myself blessed to have had the opportunity to work with you all and wish you nothing but success.

Should you wish to keep in contact with me beyond April 14th, 2012 you are always welcome to email my personal email address or hear on Facebook .

Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I would like this transition to proceed as smoothly as possible so this year can continue to be a success.

Warm regards always,

Michael G. Underwood

Executive Director
Entertainment Group
Anime Expo / SPJA
 Having worked with Michael in the past I want to wish him the best of luck in any and all endeavors he wishes to pursue.