Next Club Meeting: January 17, 2026, at the Fountaindale Public Library in Bolingbrook from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

The Animatrix Network is an anime & manga fan club located in the Southwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. We usually meet on the third Saturday of each month (except when holidays or conventions coincide). The meetings are free and open to the public. Join us for a day filled with anime.

This site provides news, reviews, commentaries, and previews of the world of anime and everything it inspires in today's pop culture, such as live-action films, comics, music, art, and other weird things to enjoy and contemplate.

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

The humans had forgotten that a debt was owed...

W O O D N U T S
Sci-Fi Short Film (Cosmic Horror)
Desperate for credits, a punch-burn laborer joins a hazard crew harvesting psychoactive sap from the forests of Jatar. Seduced by whispers from the ancient trees, he’s lured into the deep woods and consumed by the forest’s memories, witnessing the terraforming of the planet at the hands of ancient humans, the rise of a paradise on a once barren world, and humanity’s ultimate destruction by the very ecosystem they engineered.

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

What the Rick & Morty Anime should have been...

Rick and Morty 90s Retro Anime Style
Forget what you know about Dimension C-137 and prepare for a blast from the past. This video teleports Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith back to the golden age of anime, reimagining their chaotic adventures as a lost sci-fi classic from the 1990s. Witness their interdimensional travels through a new lens: grainy film, vibrant neon-drenched colors, and the unmistakable hand-drawn aesthetic that defined a generation of animation. See Rick's cynical genius and Morty's signature panic, all presented with the dramatic flair and sharp character designs of a retro masterpiece. This is the interdimensional cable broadcast you wish you had in 1992.

Monday, January 5, 2026

A Luke Skywalker Fan Film...

STAR WARS
BEGGAR'S CANYON
Facing Darth Vader on Bespin, Luke Skywalker lost his hand, his lightsaber, and his innocence—learning the devastating truth about his father.

Haunted by those events and desperate for answers, Luke returns to Tatooine in search of ancient Jedi texts Yoda once mentioned—texts he believes will help him construct a new lightsaber and complete his training before facing Vader again.

The writings lead Luke on a dangerous journey close to home: a map to a Force “well,” a rare place where the Force gathers to protect objects of immense power. In this case, a long-hidden Kyber crystal—one Obi-Wan Kenobi secretly left behind for him.

To reach it, Luke must survive the treacherous Beggar’s Canyon—a labyrinth of deadly valleys, jagged formations, and sheer canyon walls deep within the Jundland Wastes. Once part of the legendary Boonta Eve Podracing Classic, the canyon now presents a different kind of trial.

Hunted by the dangers of the desert and forced to scale an immense canyon wall, Luke ventures toward a cave that holds not only the crystal he seeks—but truths about the Jedi, the Force, and himself.

Set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, Beggar’s Canyon is a Star Wars fan film exploring Luke Skywalker’s transformation into the Jedi Knight he must become.

(This is a non-commercial fan film made for creative and educational purposes. Star Wars and all related characters are the property of Lucasfilm Ltd.)

*This project makes use of AI tools as part of an experimental filmmaking process. It is not a replacement for artists, performers, or craftspeople, whose work and rights are deeply respected. This film exists in support of artists, not in opposition to them.

Sunday, January 4, 2026

Peaceful Living in an Anime World...

A Day in the Village
Life is a beautiful journey filled with simple joys and unforgettable adventures. 🌿 This animation takes you from the quiet charm of village life—morning walks through green fields, fresh groceries from the local market, and cooking warm homemade meals—to exciting moments of traveling to meet my best friend, where laughter and heartfelt memories make every trip special.

The adventure continues by the ocean’s edge, where the sound of waves and the golden glow of the sunset bring a sense of calm and wonder. We dive deep into the magical underwater world, exploring colorful coral reefs, swimming alongside fascinating sea creatures, and soaking in the serenity of the deep blue sea. After the dive, there’s nothing better than enjoying a plate of fresh, flavorful seafood while listening to the peaceful rhythm of the waves.

From cozy mornings in the countryside to thrilling dives into the ocean, this journey is all about finding beauty in every little moment—whether it’s cooking with love, sharing smiles with friends, or embracing the wonders of nature

Saturday, January 3, 2026

This Fan Film Gives New Hope to Dying Franchise...

STAR WARS
Vader BEATS the Millennium Falcon to Cloud City
What happened at Cloud City BEFORE the Millennium Falcon arrived?
While Han, Leia, and Chewie flee Hoth in the damaged Millennium Falcon, Darth Vader arrives at Cloud City first to set the ultimate trap. Watch as the Empire systematically takes over Bespin, Lando Calrissian is forced into an impossible choice, and Vader prepares to capture the rebels… and lure Luke Skywalker into his grasp. Set during The Empire Strikes Back, this Star Wars fan film explores these unseen events at Cloud City. 
🎥 Created by Lennard Smith

Friday, January 2, 2026

What were the Best Anime of the Past Year?

Top 10 Best Anime of 2025
2025 has been one of the strongest years for anime in recent memory — from mind-blowing action series and emotional masterpieces to new-gen hits redefining storytelling. In this video, we’re counting down the Top 10 Best Anime of 2025, ranking the shows that dominated fan discussions, broke streaming charts, and reminded us why we fell in love with anime in the first place.

Thursday, January 1, 2026

Happy New Year!



As we say good-bye to 2025
We welcome in 2026 and
Look forward to another
Journey of Anime Exploration!
WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST IN 2026
 


Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Life above the clouds...

Chasing Whales in the Sea of Clouds
It is a silent beacon in the sea of ​​clouds, guiding our eternal course.
Above the clouds, other than dangers there are also full of surprises. These surprises are the reason why we chose to wander above the clouds. Life above the skies are filled with uncertainties. It's always full of stimulation far beyond expectations. Once experienced with this kind of life, one wouldn't want to set their foot back on the ground.

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

"No Guts, No Glory..."

Tribute to Galaxy Rangers!
The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers is an American animated space Western television series created by Robert Mandell. It was broadcast in syndication between 1986 and 1989.

Monday, December 29, 2025

Based on true events...

1 1 REBELS
Amidst the Boshin War's brutal conflicts, a motley squad of criminals and samurai undertakes a desperate defense of a fortress, their stand triggered by clashing interests of the Shibata clan, the shogunate, and the new government.

Sunday, December 28, 2025

The Fateful Tale of Shinobi and Mononoke...

BLACK TORCH
Seventeen-year-old Jirou Azuma lives a quiet life with his grandfather, utilizing his supernatural ability to speak with animals to befriend and protect them. Both Jirou and his grandfather are descendants of a long-standing shinobi clan, training in combat to keep the art of battle alive within their family. Jirou's life is thrown into upheaval after rescuing a seemingly normal black cat, Ragou, only to discover that the cat is actually a mononoke—a demonic spirit that has long been at war with mankind. When a hostile mononoke comes looking for Ragou, Jirou uses his shinobi training to jump to the cat's defense, but immediately suffers a mortal wound.

Faced with the decision of whether or not to devour Jirou's fading energy and restore himself to full power, Ragou instead chooses to give his remaining energy to Jirou. Reviving the boy, the transfer also grants him great supernatural powers that complement his own shinobi fighting style. This act is witnessed by Ryousuke Shiba, an officer in the Bureau of Espionage whose job revolves around dispatching aggressive mononoke. Shiba extends Jirou and his grandfather an offer: to join the Bureau's new squad, Black Torch, and help them battle powerful mononoke who seek to devour innocent people.

Saturday, December 27, 2025

"We're going all the way, no matter what the cost..."

The Boys - Final Season
This is the teaser trailer for The Boys Season 5. It’s Homelander’s world, completely subject to his erratic, egomaniacal whims. Hughie, Mother’s Milk, and Frenchie are imprisoned in a “Freedom Camp.” Annie struggles to mount a resistance against the overwhelming Supe force. Kimiko is nowhere to be found. But when Butcher reappears, ready and willing to use a virus that will wipe all Supes off the map, he sets in motion a chain of events that will forever change the world and everyone in it. It’s the climax, people. 
Big stuff’s gonna happen April 8 on Prime