RECAP: 40 FILMS IN ROBOTECH
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| 40 Films In Robotech logo designed by Chris Mich. Photo by Eugene Abano. |
As this blog nears its 15th Anniversary this Halloween, I thought it would be a great time to look back at our 2025 campaign and all the goodness a year focused on Robotech (1985) has brought me…and, hopefully, you as well.
Unlike our 2024 series, The Top 100 Henry Mancini Films, this 40 Films In Robotech series has a more niche audience. While a lot of anime fans may have heard of Robotech, few have seen it. And of the die-hard fans of Robotech – from the TV series, few movies, comics, novels and RPG game – I would venture to say a small portion of those fans would really be interested in classic films. The question then: why do a year-long series on classic films mentioned in Robotech?!
Hello, it’s me.
That is to say, I love Robotech. I love classic movies. And
last year, as I reread the Robotech novels and pondered how to celebrate this
40th Anniversary of the very first TV airing of Robotech, it hit me.
Start a list of all the films mentioned in the various media forms of Robotech
(60+) and then narrow it down to the most accessible and interesting titles:
forty films to honor the 40th Anniversary. Our 40 Films In Robotech
list, in its entirety, is available both on this blog and on Letterboxd.
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| Letterboxd is a great social media app for movie lovers. Check it out if you're not already on board. |
As I posted a new entry on an old film each week this year, I also sought opportunities beyond social media posts to promote the series. These opportunities arose – from a casual conversation in a store or movie theater – to a formal gallery exhibit or guest appearance on a fellow sci-fi fan’s podcast or livestream event. Here’s a few snapshots on how I was able to spread Robotech love and awareness this past year.
T.A.L.E.N.T. ART GALLERY
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| That’s me and (in the distance) my Robotech-loving son Henry. |
QVC’s employee group of artists – known as T.A.L.E.N.T. – asked me to be their Featured Artist for their Spring exhibit. What was initially planned as a limited run from May to July was extended to the end of August. And then the end of September. It was a great show featuring Spring/Summer artwork from various employees and a special section of the exhibit featuring various blog/vlog entries of mine and an interactive laptop station with free 40 FILMS IN ROBOTECH physical stickers, for those who wanted them.
STICKERS MAKE THE ROUNDS
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| Our 40 Films In Robotech stickers went international! |
40 Films in Robotech stickers were available, not only at QVC’s T.A.L.E.N.T. Art Gallery, but also at magna store Animotion and the comic book store Maroon Hornet to celebrate Robotech Day on March 4th. Two different designs of the sticker were available. The original orange design was worn proudly by a member of the Zimbabwe team in the international lacrosse games. See Luke Reimer’s post on Instagram for more…
SCRARIF PODCAST GUEST APPEARANCE
Once in a while, I wind up on podcasts and talk about this blog. These opportunities are even better when I get to hype up the current series I’m posting here on Digging Star Wars. Our friends at Scarif Podcast reached out to me to be on an episode to chat about Star Wars Fan Films. It was a lot of fun and a great discussion. Best of all, host Ro asked about the blog and what 40 Films In Robotech was all about. Here’s the episode…
PROPS FROM ROBOTECH NOVELS UNIVERSE
It’s always great when a fellow fansite gives you a thumbs up on your own work. Robotech Novels Universe, which has hosted the very best online Robotech celebrations this year, gave my blog and the 40 Films In Robotech a nice shoutout:
You can read more about it here.
REDBEARD ROBOTECH
Video artist Sean Redbeard returns for a second Digging Star Wars art video piece honoring the blog’s 40 Films In Robotech. It's wicked cool.
DSW RETURNS TO THE COLONIAL
That's right! I'm back, baby. I'll be introducing E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982), one of the 40 Films in Robotech, at The Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville on Saturday, October 18th at 7pm. I'll be sharing some rare facts about the films and, you guessed it, some Digging Star Wars stickers! See me on stage and the long-necked, heart-glowing Asogian on screen in the Colonial's White Rabbit Theatre. This is a movie that convinced "our culture to look at contact with beings from other worlds not as a potential doomsday scenario but as an exciting, wondrous opportunity" (Cinescape, 1997). It's also one of the 40 Films in Robotech since everybody's favorite troublemaker Annie dons an E.T. baseball cap through the entire third act of Robotech.
HALLOWEEN, TRICK-OR-TREAT, AND THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF DIGGING STAR WARS
At my house, I hand out cans of soda for Trick-or-Treats. And, per usual, we'll have a classic, harmless horror film showing on my nearby laptop. This year, we’ll be screening one of the 40 Films in Robotech - Attack of the 40-Foot Woman (1958). Here's a clip...
I may have another 40 Films In Robotech film event between now and New Year’s Eve. Keep checking back to see what Protoculture-fueled shenanigans I employ. Till then, thanks for reading.
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