MechaCon is extremely proud of our continued partnership with Harmony Gold. With MechaCon being a stop on the Robotech Convention Tour 2008, ROBOTECH fans will again be treated to the latest news, industry info, and goodies from Harmony Gold.

As a part of the tour's return to MechaCon, we are privileged to welcome the Director of ROBOTECH: THE SHADOW CHRONICLES and the upcoming ROBOTECH: SHADOW RISING, Harmony Gold's Creative Director Tommy Yune, to our event as an honored Industry Guest.

Tommy Yune

Tommy Yune

has worked for over a decade in the comic book and video game industries. His early game development experience includes character design of the pioneering 3D fighting game FX FIGHTER for the Nintendo SuperFX chip and conceptual design of the award-winning JOURNEYMAN PROJECT series. He also wrote and illustrated hit comic book titles such as SPEED RACER, RACER X, ROBOTECH, and DANGER GIRL: KAMIKAZE which were published by DC Comics' Wildstorm and Cliffhanger labels. His first work in feature animation was creating the computer-generated opening sequence of Kevin Altieri's GEN13.

Tommy grew up on a steady diet of anime, watching as much PRINCE PLANET, GATCHAMAN and CASSHAN as he could in Asia and the United States. Then he shunned television and went back to being a responsible student to the delight of his parents. However, right before entering the UCLA School of Engineering, ROBOTECH brought anime back into his life and he eventually found himself at the ArtCenter College of Design instead. His parents wept.

Tommy first worked in an official capacity for the ROBOTECH universe by helping design Robotech.com for its launch in 2001. He has since become Harmony Gold's creative director and oversees new development, including ROBOTECH: THE SHADOW CHRONICLES which completed production in 2006.

His recent work can been seen on Robotech.com

With production of ROBOTECH: SHADOW RISING well underway, team MechaCon is biting at the bit to hear what ROBOTECH goodness Tommy will bring to whet fans' appetites next August!

Tommy Yune with Team MechaCon at A-Kon 18, June 2007

MechaCon is also honored and delighted to welcome ROBOTECH creator Carl Macek to Cajun Country for MechaCon IV!

Carl Macek

Carl Macek began his association with Japanese animation in 1984. He worked with Harmony Gold, U.S.A. to develop the groundbreaking anime series ROBOTECH that has been credited with igniting the still growing anime movement outside of Japan. Following his success with ROBOTECH, Macek began working for D.I.C. to develop original animation and merchandising properties. This led to his association with John Kricfalusi and later Bill Kroyer. Macek worked with Kroyer as a writer/producer and then split off with Kricfalusi to start an independent animation studio that later became Spumco.

In 1988/89 Macek joined with Jerry Beck to create Streamline Pictures – a distribution company dedicated to bringing Japanese animation into North America. Streamline brought such classic anime films as AKIRA, VAMPIRE HUNTER D, FIST OF THE NORTH STAR, ROBOT CARNIVAL and WICKED CITY (among others) into theaters, television broadcast and home video for over a decade. One of his most enduring projects during this period was the English-language adaptation of the Miyazaki classic MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO.

In the late 1990’s, Macek returned to original animation production and was instrumental in developing several projects (HEAVY METAL 2000 and later LADY DEATH). However, he still maintains his interest in anime. Most recently, he has adapted, produced and directed English-language versions of Tomino’s classic 49-episode fantasy AURA BATTLER DUNBINE. He continues to adapt Japanese anime for the North American market – most recently with GALAXY RAILWAY, NARUTO, BLEACH and KYO KARA MAOH!

Currently, Macek has been working in on a slate of original projects as well, including: WAR EAGLES – a novel inspired by Marion C. Cooper’s unrealized masterpiece set just prior to the start of World War II; THE D’ARC; GIRL IN THE IVORY TOWER and several others. Creating strong compelling stories and unforgettable characters is the hallmark of Macek’s unique brand of storytelling.

His efforts and output have been both praised and criticized with equal zeal over the years. But one undeniable fact remains – the current acceptance and growth of Anime would certainly be different had it not been for Macek’s groundbreaking work bringing Japanese animation to the largest possible audience.

For more information on Carl Macek and his impressive career, please visit our guest page.

Join us in welcoming Carl Macek to MechaCon this August 1-3, 2008!