Dana Sterling
Encyclopedia
- This article is about the character from RobotechRobotechRobotech is an 85-episode science fiction anime adaptation produced by Harmony Gold USA in association with Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd. and first released in the United States in 1985...
. See Jeanne Fránçaix for the original inspiration for this character in Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross.
Dana Sterling is a fictional character
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from the Robotech
Robotech
Robotech is an 85-episode science fiction anime adaptation produced by Harmony Gold USA in association with Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd. and first released in the United States in 1985...
anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
television series. The character was adapted from the originally unrelated characters Komilia Maria Fallyna Jenius in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross
The Super Dimension Fortress Macross
is an anime television series. According to story creator Shoji Kawamori, it depicts "a love triangle against the backdrop of great battles" during the first Human-alien war....
and Jeanne Francaix in Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross. Dana is the daughter of Max Sterling
Max Sterling
Maximillian Sterling, voiced by Cam Clarke , is one of the fictional characters in the Robotech anime television series. He is a young fighter pilot assigned to Rick Hunter's various commands along with Ben Dixon...
and Miriya Parina Sterling
Miriya Parina Sterling
Miriya Parina Sterling, voiced by Edie Mirman, is one of the fictional characters in the anime television series Robotech. She is the self-styled "finest combat pilot in all the Zentraedi forces." She is distinguished by her slim figure, green eyes and her long green hair.-First Robotech War:Miriya...
, heroes of the First Robotech War, and the sister of Maia Sterling. Dana's mother, Miriya, is a former Zentraedi warrior who, after being micronized in order to infiltrate the SDF-1 and kill Max, who fell in love with her, the two were quickly married. Dana was born in New Macross City in October 2012 in the aftermath of the First Robotech War which saw most of the Earth's surface reduced to ashes. Dana is the first child born from a Human/Zentraedi union and is considered, like her parents' marriage, a symbol of, and a hope for, peace between the two races. At only age 17, Dana would follow in her parents footsteps and take leading role in the defence of Earth from alien forces that seek its destruction.
First Robotech War
In the first Robotech Saga, Dana appears as a baby with seagreen coloured hair similar to that of her parents, Max SterlingMax Sterling
Maximillian Sterling, voiced by Cam Clarke , is one of the fictional characters in the Robotech anime television series. He is a young fighter pilot assigned to Rick Hunter's various commands along with Ben Dixon...
and Miriya Parina Sterling
Miriya Parina Sterling
Miriya Parina Sterling, voiced by Edie Mirman, is one of the fictional characters in the anime television series Robotech. She is the self-styled "finest combat pilot in all the Zentraedi forces." She is distinguished by her slim figure, green eyes and her long green hair.-First Robotech War:Miriya...
. Miriya, a former Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
warrior who had known nothing but war for almost her entire life, never believed that she could feel such love towards anyone or anything before she gave birth to Dana. Miriya views it as a miracle that she and Max could create "such innocent loveliness" or that she could ever create a life inside her own body. Miriya feels as much love for Dana as any human mother could and views her daughter as "a treasure more precious than any the universe could offer". Max, now age 22, becomes a proud and happy father, despite Dana's playfulness with his hair and her midnight feedings. The Sterlings look forward to raising Dana in a peaceful world, although events would soon transpire that would force the Sterlings into battle again to protect their planet and Dana.
Dana is first seen in episode 28, "Reconstruction Blues", just a few months after she is born. Lisa Hayes
Lisa Hayes
Lisa Hayes is one of the fictional characters in the first Robotech anime television series. She is known as Misa Hayase in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, the series which was adapted into the first saga of Robotech.- Biography :...
, while contemplating the love triangle between Lynn Minmay, Rick Hunter
Rick Hunter
Rick Hunter, voiced by veteran voice actor Tony Oliver, is one of the fictional characters in the Robotech anime television series. He begins the series as a naive and headstrong nineteen-year-old civilian pilot, having flown for his father "Pops" Hunter's world-class flying circus...
and herself, looks across the street and takes a sharp breath as she spots Max and Miriya walking together, pushing a baby carriage. The Sterlings stop for a moment and Max proudly smiles as he reaches into the carriage and lifts little Dana into his arms while Miriya watches with joy. Max then makes a funny face and Dana smilies in response. Lisa thinks to herself "they look so happy, I can just imagine how it must be" and momentarily, in Lisa's mind, Max wears Rick's face and Miriya wears Lisa's. Lisa envies Max and Miriya for their happy marriage and for having such a beautiful daughter. Claudia Grant
Claudia Grant
Claudia Grant is a fictional character from Robotech, specifically the part of the anime series known as Macross .Born in 1983, Claudia is distinguished by her blue eyes and short dark brown hair...
, whose lover Roy Fokker
Roy Focker
is a fictional character from the Japanese anime science fiction series Macross and the prequel OVA Macross Zero...
was killed in the war, also envies them, as she never got the chance to have a child of her own with Roy. Dana is considered a symbol of new life on Earth that slowly emerges following the massive devastation of the First Robotech War.
Dana plays an important role in episode 30, Viva Miriya, when Max and Miriya are asked by Admiral Gloval to bring Dana along on a mission into deep space to capture the last remaining Zentraedi Satellite factory in June 2013. As Dana is only eight months old, a specially designed "cradle pod", with a heavily-padded interior, is installed on the bottom of Miriya's veritech fighter in order to safely transport Dana into space. For the mission, Dana is also given her own tiny white and pink Dr. Denton
Dr. Denton
Dr. Denton or Dr. Denton's is a well-known American brand of blanket sleepers, formerly manufactured by the Dr. Denton Sleeping Garment Mills of Centreville, Michigan...
's spacesuit with a white helmet and tinted face shield. Although Dana travels the long distance from Earth to Breetai
Breetai
In the fictional Robotech universe, Commander Breetai is second in command of all Zentraedi forces, after Supreme Commander Dolza himself. Breetai was one of the original creations of the Robotech Masters, and has lived for over 500,000 years. Breetai has shown himself, a true military genius, time...
's ship alone in the cradle pod, she proves that she has already inherited her parents' strength and resilience. As Max lifts her out of the pod following their arrival on Breetai
Breetai
In the fictional Robotech universe, Commander Breetai is second in command of all Zentraedi forces, after Supreme Commander Dolza himself. Breetai was one of the original creations of the Robotech Masters, and has lived for over 500,000 years. Breetai has shown himself, a true military genius, time...
's ship, Dana, looking like "a tiny wiggling astronaut" in her spacesuit, smiles and coos as she playfully wiggles in his arms. Max smiles and hugs her to himself before saying to Miriya "Safe and sound!" while assisting Dana with a wave. Later, as Dana calmly sleeps in Miriya's arms, Miriya smiles and says to her husband: "Oh Max, look. She's so peaceful."
Initially, the Sterlings are unclear as to why Admiral Gloval wanted them to bring Dana along on such a dangerous mission. However, the strategy soon becomes clear and, despite the danger to themselves and their child, Max and Miriya agree to go ahead with the plan. After arriving in space near the factory, Max and Miriya take off in their veritech fighters and blast their way into the enemy command ship. Zentraedi soldiers surround the fighter and Commander Reno, the leader of the remaining hostile Zentraedi forces, orders them to surrender. However, Miriya, after identifying herself as a former Zentraedi warrior, calmly reaches down into her cockpit and proudly lifts little Dana, cradled in her arms and wearing the same Dr. Denton
Dr. Denton
Dr. Denton or Dr. Denton's is a well-known American brand of blanket sleepers, formerly manufactured by the Dr. Denton Sleeping Garment Mills of Centreville, Michigan...
s spacesuit, into view. The enemy Zentraedi, who have had no exposure to human culture and have never seen a baby before, recoil in shock and fear. One of the Zentraedi soldiers, with a look of terror on his face, shouts "By the foul moons, that thing is deformed!" Dana coos as she brings her tiny gloved hands to her helmet's face shield in an effort to rub her eyes, promoting another Zentraedi to shout "It moves!" Miriya, smiling, explains that "In the micronian [human] language, this is what is called an infant; actually created inside my own body. But by both of us", indicating towards Max. Mirya declares that Dana is a symbol of protoculture and love and lifts Dana above her head in full view of all the Zentraedi in the area. The Zentraedi, especially Commander Reno, become terrified of Dana as they conclude that she is a mutation who is contagious. Filled with fear, the Zentraedi soldiers drop their weapons and abandon their posts, throwing the command ship into chaos and causing disorder throughout the enemy fleet. The Sterlings' diversion gives the United Earth Forces (UEF) and the Zentraedi that have allied with them under Breetai
Breetai
In the fictional Robotech universe, Commander Breetai is second in command of all Zentraedi forces, after Supreme Commander Dolza himself. Breetai was one of the original creations of the Robotech Masters, and has lived for over 500,000 years. Breetai has shown himself, a true military genius, time...
time to cripple the enemy fleet and seize the factory. In the subsequent battle, Miriya pilots her veritech while holding Dana in her lap. Dana, unaware of any of the danger, waves her arms joyously at the fiery explosions going off around her, while Miriya clutches her tightly to herself.
Dana is seen briefly again towards the end of episode 35 when she is approximately 14 months old. As Max and Miriya stand on their balcony watching the SDF-1
SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
lit up with Christmas lights, Max lifts Dana, who is initially startled, onto his shoulder. Max subsequently grumbles after Dana starts pulling on his hair while giggling.
Appearance in the Sentinels
Dana is briefly seen as a child in Robotech II: The SentinelsRobotech II: The Sentinels
Robotech II: The Sentinels was an attempt by Harmony Gold USA to continue the original 1985 Robotech television series. Only three episodes were ultimately animated before the project was canceled in 1986, and a feature-length film was released from footage taken from the completed episodes...
. As children, Dana and Bowie Grant (who is a nephew of Claudia Grant
Claudia Grant
Claudia Grant is a fictional character from Robotech, specifically the part of the anime series known as Macross .Born in 1983, Claudia is distinguished by her blue eyes and short dark brown hair...
) have already become best friends, despite Dana's teasing of him. Dana also sports a very blond hair colour, in sharp contrast to the seagreen hair (similar to that of her parents) that she had as an infant. On the day before the SDF-3 launches, Dana serves as a flower girl at the wedding of Rick Hunter
Rick Hunter
Rick Hunter, voiced by veteran voice actor Tony Oliver, is one of the fictional characters in the Robotech anime television series. He begins the series as a naive and headstrong nineteen-year-old civilian pilot, having flown for his father "Pops" Hunter's world-class flying circus...
and Lisa Hayes
Lisa Hayes
Lisa Hayes is one of the fictional characters in the first Robotech anime television series. She is known as Misa Hayase in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, the series which was adapted into the first saga of Robotech.- Biography :...
.
Dana remained on Earth when Max and Mirya joined the Robotech Expeditionary Forces
Robotech Armed Forces
The Robotech Armed Forces are the fictional military force depicted in Robotech.After the events of The Macross Saga the Robotech Expeditionary Force is formed and leaves Earth to hunt for the Robotech Masters; returning during the 2030s and 2040s to battle the Invid.-Robotech Defense Force:...
(REF) aboard the SDF-3 in 2022. Although the Sterlings hoped that the mission would be over quickly, events would keep the SDF-3 away from Earth for the rest of Dana's childhood.
It is not stated in the television series why Max and Miriya left Dana behind, since other families had brought their children with them and many children were born during the mission. However, the decanonized Jack McKinney
Jack McKinney (writer)
Jack McKinney was a pseudonym used by American authors James Luceno and Brian Daley before the latter's death.As well as adapting Robotech into novel form, they were also responsible for the Sentinels series which continued to expand the Robotech Universe...
novel "The Devil's Hand" (book 13 of the Robotech series) states that Dana, as the only child of a Human-Zentraedi union (who had been studied, tested, and evaluated since birth), she was judged by Professor Lazlo Zand as too valuable to risk going with the REF. Max and Miriya were very reluctant to leave their only child, who was barely 10 years old (or 7 in the novel) behind but ultimately accepted this decision. Dana's childhood friend, Bowie Grant, for health reasons, was also unable to join his parents, Vince Grant and Dr. Jean Grant, on the mission.
Both Dana and Bowie were left under the care of their godparents, Major General Rolf Emerson and his wife Laura. Dana and Bowie subsequently grew up as near siblings, but without their parents. In the Robotech novels, Dana is depicted as missing her parents considerably and longing for their return.
Age and Date of Birth in the original and rebooted timelines
In the original Robotech timeline (on which the Sentinels and the Jack McKinneyJack McKinney
Jack McKinney may refer to:*Jack McKinney , pseudonym used by James Luceno and Brian Daley*Jack McKinney , former basketball coach*Jack McKinney , Irish professional footballer....
novels were based), Dana was born in 2013 and the SDF-3 departed in 2020, meaning that Dana was aged 7 years at the time. However, in the rebooted Robotech timeline, Dana was born in October 2012 and the SDF-3 departed in December 2022, making her 10 years old at the time. (according to the website Robotech.com).
Second Robotech War
It is during the second Robotech Saga that Dana, now an adult with blonde hair (which she wears in a globe-shape with a black hairpin on the left side) becomes the main character and the catalyst for much of the action that takes place in the Second Robotech War. In 2029, just before the arrival of the Robotech Masters in Earth orbit, Dana, now 17 years old, graduates from the United Earth Forces Military academy along with childhood friend Bowie Grant and is placed with the 15th tactical armored squadron of the Army of the Southern CrossArmy of the Southern Cross
The Army of the Southern Cross is a fictional military organization in the Robotech universe. In the series´ second part, "The Robotech Masters", the ASC is the force tasked with defending Earth from the Robotech Masters, who came to retrieve the Protoculture Factory, following the failure of the...
, an elite military unit within the United Earth Forces (UEF).
Initially, Dana and Bowie are under the command of Sean Phillips. However, after Sean is demoted for flirting with an admiral's daughter, Dana was promoted to Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
and takes command of the 15th. Among those under Dana's command, in addition to Bowie, are Louie Nichols and Angelo Dante. Nichols proves himself as expert with tech gadgets and computers. Dante views Dana as an overconfident teenager and Dana must repeatedly prove to him that she is a competent leader. Dana also struggles to prove that her promotion was not given to her simply because her parents are war heroes. In addition, the fact that Dana is half-Zentraedi is not held in high regard by many humans who still harbor grudges due to the Zentraedi holocaust that decimated the planet 18 years ago. Dana clashes with Marie Crystal, a squadron leader within the Tactical Armored Space Corps and Nova Satori, an officer in the military police.
Gregarious and outgoing, Dana proves to be a brilliant tactical leader during the Second Robotech War against the Robotech Masters but she is troubled, because she is half alien, over the fact that the enemy she is killing could be her own relatives (even though it is soon established that the forces of the Masters are not Zentraedi). Because of this, she has several clashes with supreme commander Anatole Leonard over his bigoted treatment of captured bioroid pilots. Leonard seems to tolerate her because of her relationship to Chief of Staff Rolf Emerson. Dana repeatedly demonstrates her skill as a pilot and leader throughout the Second Robotech War and never turns down an opportunity to prove herself and she eventually earns the respect of her squad as well as Nova and Marie. When Bowie is captured by the Masters, Dana leads her squad in an unauthorized mission to rescue him. The mission proves successful and although Dana fears she will be thrown in the prison, she is instead praised by her superiors who marvel at the fact that she was able to rescue Bowie with such a small force against the Masters' superior technology and numbers. In only a short time, Dana, in recognition of her military prowess, is promoted to First Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
. As the war rages on and the Southern Cross and UEF take greater and greater casualties, Dana continues to led her squadron into battle with incredible skill, even as the situation grows more and more dire.
Dana would lead the 15th squadron on several dangerous missions, including an attack against and infiltration of the Masters' mothership. During the mission, two of Dana's subordinates, Simon and Jordan, are killed in the line of duty. Dana also faces a challenge after Bowie falls in love with Musica, a clone who shares his love of music. Dana and Bowie smuggle her out of the mothership and back to earth but her presence soon becomes known to the authorities. Dana then tries to protect them both from Nova Satori, who wants both of them arrested. Dana always presents a positive outlook, even in the worst of times, to help rally those under her command.
Dana is attracted to Zor Prime
Zor Prime
Zor Prime is a fictional alien character from the Robotech universe, mapped onto the human character Seifriet Weiße from the Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross source material.-Fictional character biography:...
(a captured Bioroid pilot and a clone of Zor, the Tirolian who discovered Protoculture) who was attached to the 15th squadron and helped him regain his memory. Zor Prime
Zor Prime
Zor Prime is a fictional alien character from the Robotech universe, mapped onto the human character Seifriet Weiße from the Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross source material.-Fictional character biography:...
, although initially withdrawn, slowly regains his memory and grows closer to Dana. At one point, Dana asks Zor out on a date, although their potential romance is hampered by Zor's unfamiliarity with human culture and the ongoing battle against the Masters. Eventually, Zor and Dana launch a plan to infiltrate the Masters's mothership and kill the Command Triumvirate. Zor becomes obsessed with revenge against the Masters for their abuse of protoculture.
During the final battle with the Robotech Masters
Robotech Masters
-Robotech:In the fictional Robotech universe, the Robotech Masters are a species of humanoidswho mostly appear as triumvirates, native to Tirol, a moon of the planet Fantoma. According to the Jack McKinney novelizations , a Tirolian scientist named Zor discovered the Invid homeworld, and the...
, Dana accidentally touches the terminals of a protoculture chamber and the surge awakens racial memories inside her. Through a waking dream, she meets a young girl, the younger sister she had yet to meet but had been born in deep space during the SDF-3's mission. (This sister was named Aurora in the decanonized Jack McKinney
Jack McKinney (writer)
Jack McKinney was a pseudonym used by American authors James Luceno and Brian Daley before the latter's death.As well as adapting Robotech into novel form, they were also responsible for the Sentinels series which continued to expand the Robotech Universe...
novels. Maia Sterling appears to replace Aurora in the retconned timeline and is a major character in the movie Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles
Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles
Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles is the 2006 animated sequel to the 1985 Robotech television series. It was released on DVD on February 6, 2007.- Plot :...
). During the vision, Dana briefly sees her parents for the first time in seven years. Dana begs for them not to leave her again, but she is pulled back to reality, and the war that is still ongoing.
After killing the last member of the Masters' Command Triumvirate, Zor kisses Dana (for the first time) before pushing her into an escape pod and jettisoning her back to Earth. Zor then sacrifices himself by piloting the Masters' command ship in a suicide run to destroy the Earth mounds where the ruins of the SDF-1
SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
's protoculture matrix were located as they had mutated and began to attract the Invid
Invid (Robotech)
The Invid are a fictional alien race in the Robotech storyline. They appear in the New Generation portion of the series, which uses the animation of the unrelated Japanese series Genesis Climber MOSPEADA, so their on-screen behavior and appearance matches the antagonists of that series, called the...
Sensor Nebula. Unfortunately, the explosion he creates only spread the spores throughout the planet causing Earth to become a fertile greenhouse for the Invid flower of life. Dana, and the survivors of the 15th Squadron, can only watch helplessly as the spores are spread by the wind across the planet. The arrival of the Invid was a certainty now and their chances of winning were non-existent as the United Earth Forces and the Robotech Masters had exhausted themselves.
Third Robotech War
Zor PrimeZor Prime
Zor Prime is a fictional alien character from the Robotech universe, mapped onto the human character Seifriet Weiße from the Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross source material.-Fictional character biography:...
's death takes a heavy emotional toll on Dana as she had fallen in love with him. In addition, Rolf Emerson, Dana's godfather, is also killed in the final battle against the Robotech Masters. This, combined with the massive devastation and loss of life caused by the Second Robotech War, to be followed by only more devastation when the Invid invade less than a year later, causes Dana to become somber and pessimistic and a pale shadow of her former cheerful self.
It is believed that she and other survivors of the 15th squadron joined in the hopeless fight against the Invid invasion in 2031. Subsequently, it is believed that Dana joined the underground resistance against the Invid occupation. However, the exact sequence of events remains unclear:
- In the comic Robotech: Love and War, Dana, Bowie Grant and Angelo Dante (and possibly other survivors of the 15th squadron) are briefly seen taking off in Jonathan Wolfe's spaceship with the intent of contacting the Robotech Expeditionary ForcesRobotech Armed ForcesThe Robotech Armed Forces are the fictional military force depicted in Robotech.After the events of The Macross Saga the Robotech Expeditionary Force is formed and leaves Earth to hunt for the Robotech Masters; returning during the 2030s and 2040s to battle the Invid.-Robotech Defense Force:...
in 2031, apparently just as the Invid invasion begins. - In the decanonized Jack McKinneyJack McKinney (writer)Jack McKinney was a pseudonym used by American authors James Luceno and Brian Daley before the latter's death.As well as adapting Robotech into novel form, they were also responsible for the Sentinels series which continued to expand the Robotech Universe...
novel "Rubicon" (book 17 of the Robotech series), Dana, Louie Nichols, Bowie Grant, Angelo Dante, Sean Phillips, Marie Crystal, Musica and Allegra acquire Jonathan Wolfe's ship, travel to Tirol, and meet up with the Robotech Expeditionary ForcesRobotech Armed ForcesThe Robotech Armed Forces are the fictional military force depicted in Robotech.After the events of The Macross Saga the Robotech Expeditionary Force is formed and leaves Earth to hunt for the Robotech Masters; returning during the 2030s and 2040s to battle the Invid.-Robotech Defense Force:...
in 2033. - In the Wildstorm comic, Robotech: Prelude to the Shadow ChroniclesRobotech: Prelude to the Shadow ChroniclesRobotech: Prelude to the Shadow Chronicles is a five-part comic book mini-series written by Tommy Yune along with the Waltrip brothers, who were previously the art-and-writing team of the Robotech II: The Sentinels comic series. It was published under DC Comics' Wildstorm imprint...
, at least Dana and Louie Nichols reach Space Station Liberty.
During her brief appearance in the Prelude comic, a still subdued Dana reacts strangely when she meets Tirolian Scientist (and Sentinels member) Rem onboard Space Station Liberty. Her mostly non-verbal behavior indicated that she recognized him, but this is only because, like Zor Prime
Zor Prime
Zor Prime is a fictional alien character from the Robotech universe, mapped onto the human character Seifriet Weiße from the Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross source material.-Fictional character biography:...
, Rem is another clone of Zor. When Rem asks if Dana and him have met before, Dana simply states "In another lifetime." It is also apparent, again through non-verbal behavior, that there is friction between Dana and her younger sister Maia Sterling, who was born in space during the REF's 22-year mission. When Dana and Maia meet, they simply stare at each other for a long moment until Dana walks away, without speaking a word, with a sad look on her face. The reason for the tension between the two sisters is unknown. One explanation is that Miriya died during Maia's birth (this explanation would also explain why there is no mention of Miriya in the Prelude comic.) Another is that Dana is angry over the fact that, after being left behind on Earth to endure a difficult childhood, her parents then had another daughter and in her mind, she had been "replaced" by Maia. Dana is not seen in the movie Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles
Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles
Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles is the 2006 animated sequel to the 1985 Robotech television series. It was released on DVD on February 6, 2007.- Plot :...
and her fate is presently unknown.
Extraordinary Birth
In the decanonized book "Force of Arms" (book 5 of the series) by Jack McKinneyJack McKinney
Jack McKinney may refer to:*Jack McKinney , pseudonym used by James Luceno and Brian Daley*Jack McKinney , former basketball coach*Jack McKinney , Irish professional footballer....
, Miriya giving birth to Dana is all the more extraordinary because nobody could quite figure out how Max and Miriya had been able to conceive a child since no Zentraedi male-female reproduction had ever been recorded. Explanations that scientists provided were that Miriya's consumption of human-style food (as opposed to antiseptic rations of the Zentraedi) and her exposure to human emotions had caused subtle biochemical changes. Some even wondered if Dana was actually Max and Miriya's child but, as proved by exhaustive tests, Dana was indisputably their child. To Lisa Hayes
Lisa Hayes
Lisa Hayes is one of the fictional characters in the first Robotech anime television series. She is known as Misa Hayase in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, the series which was adapted into the first saga of Robotech.- Biography :...
, the only explanation that made sense (or mattered) was that Dana was the result of the love that Max and Miriya had for one another.
Difficult Childhood
In the decanonized book "Southern Cross" (book 7 of the series) by Jack McKinneyJack McKinney (writer)
Jack McKinney was a pseudonym used by American authors James Luceno and Brian Daley before the latter's death.As well as adapting Robotech into novel form, they were also responsible for the Sentinels series which continued to expand the Robotech Universe...
, Dana's childhood is depicted as being very difficult after her parents left with the REF mission in 2022. The Zentraedi holocaust of 2011 resulted in a deep hatred by humans that is still evident years later and as the only child of a Human-Zentraedi union, Dana was often teased and ridiculed by other children who called her "half-breed" (due to her mixed heritage), to which she would often respond verbally or with physical violence. All of the Zentraedi on Earth had left with the Robotech Expeditionary Force (REF), meaning that Dana was the only remaining person on Earth with any Zentraedi blood, and consequently, Dana felt very alone as she was often used as a scapegoat for those wishing to express their hatred of the Zentraedi. The only Zentraedi who had not left on the REF mission were former Zentraedi spies Rico, Konda, and Bron, who briefly cared for Dana, until all three died only a short time after her parents left. The book states that the three had "shown [Dana] such a happy family life, at least for a little while."
After Rico, Konda and Bron died, Dana's childhood became even more difficult. She and Bowie Grant (who also stayed behind while his parents left with the REF) spent considerable amounts of time in government youth shelters and schools since their godfather, General Emerson, was unable to have children with him due to his duties. Emerson had also divorced from his wife, and Dana often feels that both her parents and godparents had abandoned her - although Bowie Grant remained much closer to Emerson than Dana. When Dana eventually entered the academy, she was still taunted and rejected by many others due to her Zentraedi heritage, and she took revenge, often passive-aggressively, whenever she could to prove she was as strong as any of her adversaries.
The Robotech novels depict Dana as being very sad and somber, which is in sharp contrast to her happy, carefree and outgoing nature that is depicted in the television series. At one point in the novels, Dana feels so alone and sad that she wonders if her parents would have ever had her if they knew the pain and sadness that she was to endure.
Friendship with former Zentraedi spies Rico, Konda, and Bron
In the decanonized Jack McKinney novel "The Final Nightmare" (book 9), Dana, in a remark recorded by Nova Satori, provides more detail on her relationship with the three former Zentraedi spies Rico, Konda, and Bron. The three had fallen in love with bridge operators Vanessa Leeds, Kim Young, and Sammy PorterMacross operators
The Macross operators — Vanessa Laird, Kim Kabirov, and Shammy Milliome — were three minor fictional characters in the first Macross series...
, all of whom were killed in the final battle with the rebel Zentraedi under Khyron in 2014. The three, who never took new loves, became self-appointed godparents and helped to care for Dana after her parents left with the SDF-3, as they viewed her as the half-Zentraedi child they were never able to have. Dana stated that they were "kinder to me than anyone ever was" but that they became ill due to complications resulting from being micronized in the Protoculture chambers. Although there was a possible cure, it would only work on a full-size Zentraedi and the three chose to stay Human-size so they could look after Dana, and they died within a few weeks of each other. Dana credits them with helping her understand her Zentraedi heritage and realize that the Zentraedi are just as capable of love and kindness as humans. Dana states that she is proud of both her human and Zentraedi heritage, and proclaims "don't ever ask me if I'm ashamed of being half alien."
Relationship with Terry Weston
The EternityEternity
While in the popular mind, eternity often simply means existence for a limitless amount of time, many have used it to refer to a timeless existence altogether outside time. By contrast, infinite temporal existence is then called sempiternity. Something eternal exists outside time; by contrast,...
/Malibu Comic miniseries Cyberpirates depicts a 14-year old Dana as being a student at the Giles Academy, an allegedly exclusive school for the children of VIPs. In reality, Headmaster Dr. Henry Giles along with his assistant Dr. Joseph Petrie, were pawns of Commander Anatole Leonard and the school was set up to spy on influetial people who might be political enemies of Leonard, who was determined to consolidate his control over Earth. While investigating the death of a pilot flying an experimental Veritech, General Emerson investigates the Giles Academy and discovers an undercover project that was using the schools' children to telepathically hijack Veritechs. Emerson arranges for his agent Terry Weston (whose fiancee was the pilot killed) to be hired as an instructor at the academy, during which Weston becomes close to Dana, and she helps him investigate the school. It is suggested in the comic book art (but not explicitly mentioned) that Dana loses her virginity to Weston (who is age 25 at the time). Their friendship continues following the exposure of the Academy and they meet again soon after the end of the Second Robotech War.
The Robotech novel "Before the Invid Storm" (book 21 of the series) confirms that Weston and Dana did sleep together during the Giles Academy case, but it was due to Dana's wish that they do so. This caused a rift between Weston and Emerson due to Dana's youth, although it's not clear how Emerson found out. There was eventually a reconciliation between the two men before their deaths.
Skills as a fighter pilot
In the decanonized book "End of the Circle" (book 18 of the series) by Jack McKinney, Dana, as the offspring of the Max and Miriya Sterling, is considered one of the most dangerous and powerful Robotech warriors of all time. In the book, Dana's skills are directly compared to Robotech warriors of other generations when she is deceived by the Invid Regis and initiates personal combat with her father. The book seems to suggest that if Kazianna Hesh had not intervened Dana might even have bested him.Jeanne Fránçaix
Dana Sterling is adapted from the character Jeanne Fránçaix, of the anime Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross. She is voiced by Michie TomizawaMichie Tomizawa
is a Japanese voice actress born in Nagano and raised in Takasaki, Gunma. Her real name is .She is most known for the roles of Matsuzaka-Sensei , Linna Yamazaki , Rei Hino/Sailor Mars , Sumire Kanzaki , and Emi Ogasawara .Tomizawa retired from voice acting before getting married in 2002...
. Down-to-earth and happy-go-lucky, Jeanne, from the native planet of Liberté became the leader of the 15th Squad in the Southern Cross' A Tactics Armored Corps. Her disobedient behaviors often lead her to solitary confinement, often placed there by Lt. Lana Isavia (aka Nova Satori). Fortunately, she always manages to be let out when needed. Jeanne develops a romantic interest in Seifriet Weiße (aka Zor Prime
Zor Prime
Zor Prime is a fictional alien character from the Robotech universe, mapped onto the human character Seifriet Weiße from the Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross source material.-Fictional character biography:...
), but his reaction is one of puzzlement and disdain. Most of the series revolves around Jeanne's escapades with the 15th Squad, and her almost personal war with the invading Zor.
Other relatives
In the television episode "Triumvirate", Dana briefly mentions a younger brother that she left behind at home. Given the lack of any siblings other than Aurora (original continuity) and Maia (current continuity), most fans conclude that the writers of Sentinels and other continuing stories simply forgot about this mention and treat it as a script blooper. Other fans speculate that she could have been referring to Bowie with whom she practically grew up with and considered family. In actuality, this line was leftover from the original Japanese script where Jeanne did have a younger brother. Some clarification on this issue was given in an interview with Carl MacekCarl Macek
Carl F. Macek was an American writer and controversial anime pioneer and producer of the 1980s and 1990s.-Robotech and Harmony Gold USA:...
by Chris Meadows on the Space Station Liberty program on 4/14/07. Mr. Macek stated that Dana has both a brother and a sister. This was to be further developed in scripts for The Sentinels series. Because all the background details of the rebooted Robotech timeline are still being created, it remains to be seen if a younger brother still exists.
Deleted scene featuring baby Dana
In episode 30 of the original Japanese The Super Dimension Fortress MacrossThe Super Dimension Fortress Macross
is an anime television series. According to story creator Shoji Kawamori, it depicts "a love triangle against the backdrop of great battles" during the first Human-alien war....
, entitled Viva Maria, (or Viva Miriya in the English Robotech
Robotech
Robotech is an 85-episode science fiction anime adaptation produced by Harmony Gold USA in association with Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd. and first released in the United States in 1985...
), a scene occurs onboard Breetai's ship in which Hikaru Ichijyo
Hikaru Ichijyo
Hikaru Ichijyo is one of the main fictional characters of the Macross Japanese anime series. His voice actor was Arihiro Hase in the Original Japanese version and Vic Mignogna in the English dub by ADV Films in January 2006...
/Rick Hunter
Rick Hunter
Rick Hunter, voiced by veteran voice actor Tony Oliver, is one of the fictional characters in the Robotech anime television series. He begins the series as a naive and headstrong nineteen-year-old civilian pilot, having flown for his father "Pops" Hunter's world-class flying circus...
, Misa Hayase
Misa Hayase
is one of the central fictional characters of the Macross Japanese anime series. Her voice actress was Mika Doi in the original Japanese TV version, in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love? movie adaptation, and in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012 OVA...
/Lisa Hayes
Lisa Hayes
Lisa Hayes is one of the fictional characters in the first Robotech anime television series. She is known as Misa Hayase in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, the series which was adapted into the first saga of Robotech.- Biography :...
and Claudia LaSalle
Claudia LaSalle
is a fictional character in the Macross animated science fiction universe. She debuts in the first episode of the first series, The Super Dimension Fortress Macross...
/Claudia Grant
Claudia Grant
Claudia Grant is a fictional character from Robotech, specifically the part of the anime series known as Macross .Born in 1983, Claudia is distinguished by her blue eyes and short dark brown hair...
are sitting for drinks in Maximilian Jenius
Maximilian Jenius
' is a fictional character in the science fiction television series Macross, voiced by Shō Hayami. In the new English adaptation by ADV Films, he is voiced by Chris Patton.-Macross:...
/Max Sterling
Max Sterling
Maximillian Sterling, voiced by Cam Clarke , is one of the fictional characters in the Robotech anime television series. He is a young fighter pilot assigned to Rick Hunter's various commands along with Ben Dixon...
and Milia Fallyna Jenius
Milia Fallyna Jenius
is a fictional character in the Macross Japanese animated science fiction series, voiced by Eri Takeda. In the 2006 English adaptation by ADV Films she is voiced by Luci Christian.-Macross:...
/Miriya Parina Sterling
Miriya Parina Sterling
Miriya Parina Sterling, voiced by Edie Mirman, is one of the fictional characters in the anime television series Robotech. She is the self-styled "finest combat pilot in all the Zentraedi forces." She is distinguished by her slim figure, green eyes and her long green hair.-First Robotech War:Miriya...
's room. As everyone happily watches, Milia feeds baby Komilia/Dana her bottle.
Afterward, Milia smiles as she holds Komilia in her arms and gently tickles her; in response, Komilia laughs and coos as she playfully wiggles while reaching for Milia's face. Misa, after watching enviously, asks Milia if she could hold Komilia for a bit. Initially, Milia refuses and tells Misa "If you want to hold a baby, why not make one of your own? I made this one." to which Misa responds with a shocked expression. Max then tells Milia that she shouldn't talk like that and to let Misa hold Komilia. Milia then agrees and, to the shock of everyone (except Max), yells "Catch!" and throws Komilla across the table to Misa, who barely manages to catch her in time. Max, who is completely unfazed by what Milia has done, says not to worry since Komilia has "a strong skeleton."
As Misa harsly criticizes Milia (who states with little emotion that she can protect her own child) for throwing Komilia and taking her along at all on such a dangerous mission, Komilia playfully grabs a lock of Misa's hair, to which Misa, after an initial shock, smiles and laughs in response. Misa and Claudia then shift all their attention to Komilia, admiring her, arguing over who should hold her and making her laugh. Both find Komilia adorable and are amazed that she isn't shy at all around them. Misa in particular is overjoyed as she holds Komilia in her arms and lifts her up in the air. Meanwhile, Max whispers to Hikaru Ichijyo that Misa looks so happy holding Komilia and that she really loves babies. Max then suggests that Misa would be even happier if it was her own baby. He then adds, suggestively glancing at Ichijyo, that "Wouldn't you like to see her with a baby of her own? Right captain Ichijyo?" to which Ichiyo responds "Don't look at me like that."
By the end of the scene, everyone is laughing and nobody seems to show any further concern about Milia's actions (or Max's lack of concern) - or the serious danger that Komilia could be in due to Milia's severe misconceptions on how to handle a baby.
Later, Claudia tells Misa that "Seeing you holding Komilia...It suited you" to which Misa responds with a surprised expression. When Claudia is alone, she reflects on the death of her lover, Roy Focker
Roy Focker
is a fictional character from the Japanese anime science fiction series Macross and the prequel OVA Macross Zero...
/Roy Fokker, and says to herself, "Roy...I never got a chance to hold your baby."
This scene was almost completely deleted when the series was edited into the Robotech
Robotech
Robotech is an 85-episode science fiction anime adaptation produced by Harmony Gold USA in association with Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd. and first released in the United States in 1985...
saga, except for brief shots showing Dana sleeping in Miriya's arms and Max cleaning up some dishes. Tellingly, the apron
Apron
An apron is an outer protective garment that covers primarily the front of the body. It may be worn for hygienic reasons as well as in order to protect clothes from wear and tear. The apron is commonly part of the uniform of several work categories, including waitresses, nurses, and domestic...
which Max is seen wearing reads Max and Millia as opposed to the English version names Max and Miriya. The only dialogue in reference to this scene involves Lisa stating that she held Dana for the entire afternoon and that she didn't cry at all the entire time and Claudia stating that she envies the Sterlings for having such a beautiful little girl.
In book six of the Jack McKinney Robotech Novels, "Doomsday", there is a brief reference to this scene. As Rick, Lisa and Claudia are walking back from the party, Claudia says to Lisa "I don't think Miriya should have thrown Dana to you. She has to learn to be more careful!" Lisa then replies that "it's an adjustment for her. After all, her role model was probably the neighboring test tube" (a reference to the fact that Miriya is a Zentraedi who was artificially grown).
When ADV Films released an unedited English dub of the original Macross series in 2006, this scene was not deleted. However, Max's dialogue is changed slightly - instead of stating that Komilia has "a strong skeleton," he states that Komilia has "an amazingly strong skeleton."
This scene has become a topic of intense discussion and debate among Robotech fans as to why it was deleted and whether or not Milia/Miriya's actions were as dangerous to Komilia/Dana as they appear. Some fans believe the scene was deleted simply to allow for a clip of the Robotech Masters command triumvirate discussing their low protoculture levels in order to help lead into the Second Robotech saga (which in the original Japanese version, is a completely unrelated series). Other fans believe the scene was deleted because it could potentially give the impression to children that throwing a baby is far less dangerous than it is in real life.