Next Club Meeting: December 14, 2024, 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, such as live-action films, comics, music, art, and other weird things to enjoy and contemplate.

Thursday, November 30, 2017

"There was an idea…" Infinity War Trailer

AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR
Moviegoers first learned about the Infinity Stones in the first “Guardians of the Galaxy”. There hasn’t been an official plot released for the movie “Infinity War”, but it is based on the six-issue comic series “The Infinity War”, which came out in 1992 written by Jim Starlin with art by Ron Lim, Ian Laughlin, Al Milgrom, Jack Morelli and Christie Scheele.

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

‘Star Wars’ Revolt!

EA’s day of reckoning is here after ‘Star Wars’ game uproar, $3 billion in stock value wiped out
[Source: cnbc] Electronic Arts' shareholders are running for the hills this month and for good reason. The company's profitable business model is now at risk after angry gamers revolted over its aggressive in-game moneymaking strategy in "Star Wars Battlefront II." EA's stock is down 8.5 percent month to date through Tuesday compared with the S&P 500's 2 percent gain, wiping out $3.1 billion of shareholder value. Its competitors Take-Two and Activision Blizzard shares are up 5 percent and 0.7 percent respectively during the same time period. After EA gave a December quarter sales forecast slightly below Wall Street estimates on Oct. 31, some analysts suspected it was due to the "Stars Wars" title. The shares ... 

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

The Big Unfriendly Giant


G  D  A  N  S  K
Gdansk is the first in a series of medieval giants. Inspired by the artwork of Jakub Różalski. Here is a short clip.

Monday, November 27, 2017

Drac's Back For More Action!

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA III
"Monster Vacation"
The new family gathers all their friends for a Monster Vacation together on a cruise ship, or like Drac would say, "Its a hotel on water."

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Lots of Bull to this Bull Story...


F E R D I N A N D
After Ferdinand, a bull with a big heart, is mistaken for a dangerous beast, he is captured and torn from his home. Determined to return to his family, he rallies a misfit team on the ultimate adventure.

Saturday, November 25, 2017

Star Wars Forces of Destiny: Volume 2


FORCES of DESTINY
Focusing on female characters across multiple eras and installments of the franchise, the series explores how each character's decisions affect her destiny.

Friday, November 24, 2017

A Rick and Morty Short Story


Things to be Thankful For on 'Rick and Morty'
Enjoy these warm and squishy moments as we explore all that Mr. Poopybutthole has to be thankful for.

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

John Lasseter’s Leave of Absence At Disney/Pixar

Pixar's John Lasseter taking a six-month leave of absence amid reports of inappropriate behavior
[Source: Yahoo!News] John Lasseter, the architect of Pixar and Disney’s juggernaut animation operations, is taking a leave of absence from his post effective immediately. He holds the title Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, and Principal Creative Advisor for Walt Disney Imagineering. 
In a memo to staffers this morning obtained by Deadline, Lasseter wrote he was taking a six-month sabbatical after admitting to “missteps,” and apologizing “to anyone who has ever been on the receiving end of an unwanted hug or any other gesture they felt crossed the line in any way, shape, or form.” (Read the full memo below.)

The news comes amid a wave of allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault in Hollywood, which began with exposes of Harvey Weinstein in the New York Times and New Yorker early last month and has spread far and wide.

“We are committed to maintaining an environment in which all employees are respected and empowered to do their best work,” a Disney spokesperson said in a statement. “We appreciate John’s candor and sincere apology and fully support his sabbatical.”

The Hawaiian-shirt wearing Lasseter is a larger-than-life figure on the Disney lot as the acknowledged creative force behind Pixar and as the visionary who helped revitalize the once-struggling Walt Disney Animation Studios. Many view him as a successor to Walt Disney himself — someone with a childlike sensibility and a passion for animation and the theme parks. (He has creative oversight of all films and associated projects from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios and Disneytoon Studios along with the Imagineering group.)

But Lasseter’s name also has been mentioned in the context of inappropriate or uninvited behavior.

One woman who worked with Lasseter described him as a very tactile person who expresses himself in weird, uncomfortable ways. Many published profiles of the bearish animator note that he’s known for his hugs — though he’s known for embracing women for awkwardly long periods of time.

“He was like a creepy, geeky uncle who was inappropriate,” said the woman, who requested anonymity.

Female executives at the Emeryville studio also practice a defensive maneuver that’s known as the “head turn.” When Lasseter reaches in for an uninvited kiss, you turn your head so he plants a kiss on your cheek, instead.

Lasseter, who founded Pixar with Ed Catmull, directed the Pixar-launching Toy Story in 1995 which earned a Special Achievement Oscar, and he has executive produced all Pixar features since 2001’s Monsters, Inc. The studio has won eight Oscars and its films have earned more than $10 billion in global box office. He also directed A Bug’s Life, Toy Story 2, Cars and Cars 2.

Today’s news comes as Pixar’s latest tentpole, Coco, readies to hit theaters tomorrow for the long Thanksgiving Day weekend.

Here’s the full memo:
I have always wanted our animation studios to be places where creators can explore their vision with the support and collaboration of other gifted animators and storytellers. This kind of creative culture takes constant vigilance to maintain. It’s built on trust and respect, and it becomes fragile if any members of the team don’t feel valued. As a leader, it’s my responsibility to ensure that doesn’t happen; and I now believe I have been falling short in this regard.
I’ve recently had a number of difficult conversations that have been very painful for me. It’s never easy to face your missteps, but it’s the only way to learn from them. As a result, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the leader I am today compared to the mentor, advocate and champion I want to be. It’s been brought to my attention that I have made some of you feel disrespected or uncomfortable. That was never my intent. Collectively, you mean the world to me, and I deeply apologize if I have let you down. I especially want to apologize to anyone who has ever been on the receiving end of an unwanted hug or any other gesture they felt crossed the line in any way, shape, or form. No matter how benign my intent, everyone has the right to set their own boundaries and have them respected.
In my conversations with Disney, we are united in our commitment to always treat any concerns you have with the seriousness they deserve, and to address them in an appropriate manner. We also share a desire to reinforce the vibrant, respectful culture that has been the foundation of our studios’ success since the beginning. And we agree the first step in that direction is for me to take some time away to reflect on how to move forward from here. As hard as it is for me to step away from a job I am so passionate about and a team I hold in the highest regard, not just as artists but as people, I know it’s the best thing for all of us right now. My hope is that a six-month sabbatical will give me the opportunity to start taking better care of myself, to recharge and be inspired, and ultimately return with the insight and perspective I need to be the leader you deserve.
I’m immensely proud of this team, and I know you will continue to wow the world in my absence. I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and look forward to working together again in the new year.

John

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

The Deadpool Sequel Gets a Teaser


D E A D P O O L   2
After surviving a near fatal bovine attack, a disfigured cafeteria chef (Wade Wilson) struggles to fulfill his dream of becoming Mayberry’s hottest bartender while also learning to cope with his lost sense of taste. Searching to regain his spice for life, as well as a flux capacitor, Wade must battle ninjas, the yakuza, and a pack of sexually aggressive canines, as he journeys around the world to discover the importance of family, friendship, and flavor – finding a new taste for adventure and earning the coveted coffee mug title of World’s Best Lover. In Theaters June 1, 2018

Monday, November 20, 2017

The Incredibles Return!


Pixar just dropped their first teaser for “The Incredibles 2”!

Sunday, November 19, 2017

Video Game Rampage Comes to Life


R  A  M  P  A  G  E
Primatologist Davis Okoye (Dwayne Johnson), a man who keeps people at a distance, shares an unshakable bond with George, the extraordinarily intelligent, silverback gorilla who has been in his care since birth. But a rogue genetic experiment gone awry mutates this gentle ape into a raging creature of enormous size. To make matters worse, it’s soon discovered there are other similarly altered animals. As these newly created alpha predators tear across North America, destroying everything in their path, Okoye teams with a discredited genetic engineer to secure an antidote, fighting his way through an ever-changing battlefield, not only to halt a global catastrophe but to save the fearsome creature that was once his friend.

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Living in an Apartment in Tokyo


This is an inside look of a typical Japanese family's house in Tokyo, Japan. This is a very common home , but unlike many people who rent Tokyo Apartments, this is a rented House. The design of the Tokyo Home is very similar to other Japanese homes except maybe the basement and attic.

Friday, November 17, 2017

Nickelodeon's Arnold Returns

HEY, ARNOLD! THE JUNGLE MOVIE
Picking up where Hey Arnold! (1994) left off, this tells the story of what happened to Arnold's parents.

Thursday, November 16, 2017

Aardman Animation At the Dawn of Man

E a r L Y   M a n
Set at the dawn of time, when prehistoric creatures and woolly mammoths roamed the earth, Early Man tells the story of Dug, along with sidekick Hognob as they unite his tribe against a mighty enemy Lord Nooth and his Bronze Age City to save their home.

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Anime Viewing Schedule for November 18, 2017

A N I M A T R I X   N E T W O R K
Saturday, November 18, 2017
Wood Dale Public Library
"HAPPY THANKSGIVING!" 


Main Meeting Room, 10:15 am to 5:00 pm

10:15 - 11:05    Gamers! 9-10
11:05 - 11:55    Princess Principal 9-10
11:55 - 12:45    Saga of Tanya the Evil 7-8
12:45 - 1:35      Made in Abyss 7-8
1:35 - 2:05        Club Meeting / Announcements
2:05 - 2:30        Little Witch Academia (2017 TV series) ep 14
2:30 - 4:45        Blade of the Immortal (Live-Action Movie)

All anime presented are fan-subtitled unless otherwise noted.
 
Start watching the exciting anime series: Made in Abyss and Princess Principal!
ANIME DESCRIPTIONS ARE BELOW

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Next club meeting is November 18, 2017

 A N I M A T R I X   N E T W O R K
We're back in Wood Dale! Move along!

Wood Dale Public Library
520 N. Wood Dale Road
Wood Dale, IL  60191
Main Meeting Room
Saturday, November 18, 2017
10:15 AM - 5:00 PM
 

Our next club meeting will be at the Wood Dale Public Library
Main Meeting Room (on your far right as you enter the front doors), 
from 10:15 AM to 5:00 PM 
(until the library closes).

There is public transportation available. 
A Metra train-stop is located within walking distance. 

Please note: If you are driving, please park your car 
on the south side of the building (not the front) in order to 
make room for other library patrons.
 
A Viewing Schedule will be posted soon.
 
Hope to see you all there!

(Click below for maps

Monday, November 13, 2017

The Battle of the Century


ONE PUNCH MAN vs SUPERMAN
Yeah, it was bound to happen. The meeting of two of the most powerful beings on the planet. And the result is... cataclysmic.

Sunday, November 12, 2017

Batman Persues a Victorian Menace


BATMAN: GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT
The Dark Knight's Elseworlds tale gets the animated movie treatment. In an alternative Victorian Age Gotham City, Batman begins his war on crime while he investigates a new series of murders by Jack the Ripper. Coming to Blu-ray and Digital in 2018.

Saturday, November 11, 2017

When Perfect Strangers Meet Stranger Things


THINGS GET PERFECTLY STRANGE
The new season of 'Stranger Things' came out, and it's very popular. It's a great combination of new and classic. The show is full of references from the 80's and now Netflix is taking that one step further with a new spin-off series that teams the kids from Hawkins, Indiana with two beloved characters from the past named Larry and Balki.

Friday, November 10, 2017

Brian Michael Bendis switches from Marvel to DC

A 20-year Marvel veteran switches sides
Brian Michael Bendis, a 20-year Marvel veteran, will join DC Comics, the publisher announced today. Not only will Bendis be writing DC Comics characters for nearly the first time, he’ll be writing them exclusively, breaking ties with Marvel Comics. So Bendis’ move is surprising: Usually, when DC or Marvel announce exclusivity agreements, they’re with writers and artists who have already been working with them off and on for a while, with a few successful home-publisher titles under their belts. Occasionally, DC or Marvel will exclusively sign new, up-and-coming talent. The announcement of a major company switch for a name as big as Bendis, who has virtually never written for DC before, is unusual.

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Mid-Season Finale for "Rebels"

STAR WARS: REBELS
"Rebel Assault", the final episode of 2017 and the winter finale of Rebels, promises to be a nail-biter as Hera leads the attack against Grand Admiral Thrawn. The big question is, who will make it out alive and who won't?

The episode airs Monday, November 13th at 9 pm ET/PT and then we'll have to wait until early 2018 for more -- but this season has certainly delivered, so you can bet the rest of the season is going to be epic. Especially when you consider how much Rebels has to do in these latest episodes.

During its four seasons, Rebels has connected with specific characters throughout the Star Wars saga; Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka Tano, Darth Maul, Vader just to name a few. Dantooine got a mention and the Rebels are currently on Yavin IV, two planets that get a mention in Star Wars: A New Hope. We've seen Saw Gerrera, but it was before he went to Jedha. Additionally, the battle of Scarif and the events of Rogue One haven't happened yet. But we know Hera, Chopper, and the Ghost were at the Battle of Scarif. 

Thanks to Rogue One, we know Hera and Chopper are alive, but there's no mention anywhere in the rest of the Saga of any other members of the Ghost crew, especially Kanan and Ezra. Somewhere between now and the end of the series, we'll learn what happens to each of these characters and hopefully have a good idea of where they're headed next.

It's very likely this episode will end on a cliffhanger, but that's one of the things that makes Star Wars so fun -- there's always more to the story.

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Hopping down the bunny trail this Spring!

P E T E R   R A B B I T
In Peter Rabbit, the mischievous and adventurous hero who has captivated generations of readers now takes on the starring role of his own contemporary comedy. In the film, Peter’s feud with Mr. McGregor (Domhnall Gleeson) escalates to greater heights than ever before as their fight to gain control of McGregor’s coveted vegetable garden and the affections of the warm-hearted animal lover who lives next door (Rose Byrne) extends to the Lake District and London. James Corden voices the character of Peter with playful spirit and wild charm, with Margot Robbie, Elizabeth Debicki, and Daisy Ridley performing the voice roles of the triplets, Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail.

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

No Place Like Gnome

Sherlock Gnomes (2018)
Garden gnomes, Gnomeo & Juliet, recruit renown detective, Sherlock Gnomes, to investigate the mysterious disappearance of other garden ornaments.

Monday, November 6, 2017

A Simon's Cat Special (Short Film)


"OFF TO THE VET"
After an unfortunate encounter in the garden, Simon’s Cat goes to great lengths to avoid an imminent visit to the vet. As always, the question remains - will his long-suffering owner Simon step up to the challenge?

Sunday, November 5, 2017

Winning Halloween STAR WARS Style

'Star Wars' speeders race through New York for epic Halloween stunt
STAR WARS Speeder Bikes Race in NYC
[Source: EW] If you live in New York City, you might’ve already seen one of the best DIY Halloween costumes this year. Jesse Wellens and Casey Neistat are the YouTube stunt makers behind that real world magic carpet and Silver Surfer costume. This time, they brought to life Star Wars speeders and pulled off a Stormtrooper chase on the streets of the Big Apple.

“Every year, Jesse and I usually do a video where we ride around the city doing something a little bit crazy. One year it was Aladdin, Silver Surfer, one year we snowboarded around the city. And this year, Jesse had a different idea,” Neistat says in a behind-the-scenes video documenting their project.

The stunt was filmed over the course of two days in the city, as the YouTuber explains, using decked out Super 73 bikes — the same ones he used for a Burning Man video. The bikes themselves were revamped in about three weeks with fiberglass shells, cardboard, engines, and additional accouterments. 

Saturday, November 4, 2017

The Trollhunters Return!

TROLLHUNTERS SEASON TWO
[Source: Syfy] After the vile Angor Rot was taken down last season, Netflix will soon return to Arcadia and head into the Darklands for Season 2 of Dreamworks and Guillermo del Toro’s Trollhunters. And now there's a brand new trailer to get us even more excited!
 
Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia will venture deeper into the centuries-old clash between good (humans and trolls) and evil (trolls) as Jim Lake and his unexpected band of warriors face off against the terrifying trolls of the Darklands, who are not-so-terrifyingly called Gumm-Gumms. When the things in the shadows have glowing red eyes and way too many teeth, you need someone with that magic amulet on your side, though Jim might be a little too excited to go on another troll-hunting mission. Gnome Chomsky certainly isn’t.

The subterranean neon realm of these often grotesque creatures lights up once again with a new quest that takes Jim, Toby, Blinky, Claire, and Aaarrrggghh—who is totally not dead—into even scarier territory. Never mind other dark places when Arcadia itself is being wrecked by an evil army crawling up from the deep (though you have to admit their fluorescent armor is pretty badass). Someone has to stop the onslaught of destruction before it turns to more than just streetlights and parked cars getting smashed. It does help when one of your team members wields a portable warhammer and another has six eyes.

Anton Yelchin, who finished recording dialogue on the project before his tragic passing last year, returns as Jim, along with the voices of Kelsey Grammer, Ron Perlman, Charlie Saxton, Steven Yeun, Jonathan Hyde, Lexi Madrano, Amy Landecker, and Fred Tatasciore. It’s still rather strange to think that the former Frasier has now morphed into a hulking, blue, six-eyed troll. At least Blinky doesn’t bother with psychological advice.

You can stream all 13 episodes of Tales of Arcadia starting Dec. 15, which is a Friday, so you can binge-watch all night and sleep in.

Friday, November 3, 2017

Stranger Things Season One Recap Rap


Millie Bobby Brown raps a recap of Season 1 of Stranger Things on Jimmy Fallon's Show. Lyrics below: 

Let's go back to Indiana, circa Nineteen Eighty-Three 
Just four boys in the basement chillin' playin' D&D 
There was Lucas there was Willy Will and Dustin, there was Mike 
But one night Will goes missing while he’s riding on his bike – yikes! 

That's when they met me Elev 
I had no hair on my head 
I had been so close to dead 
Courtesy of Dr. Brenner who's huntin' me twenty-four sev 

Joyce was hanging Christmas lights in the web 
Started hearing something Willy had said 
This could be a message from the beyond 
What happened to Barb? She’s just gone in the Upside Down 

Hopper's on top of the case 
I'm throwing vans into space 
I'm lying down in a tank 
Trying my best to find Willy and Dustin's got pudding for days 

Demogorgon's getting' all in my way 
Blast him to pieces just like a grenade 
Will's now at home coughin' slugs in the sink 
What happened to me? I'm in the Upside Down 

What about now? The saga continues, tune in to see how Upside down. 
What about now? The saga continues, tune in to see how 

All I need is my Eggo waffles, I'm in love with those 
What I'm left with when I use my powers is a bloody nose 
Bad news when you see that bloody nose 
Bad news when you see that bloody nose

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Japanese Star Wars: The Last Jedi Trailer

STAR WARS: The Last Jedi
This Japanese trailer for the upcoming Star Wars movie has some interesting new footage. The film hits the big screens on December 15, 2017. Reserve your tickets now!


Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Trailer for Live-Action Fullmetal Alchemist


FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST MOVIE
Two brothers set out on a journey in order to take back everything they have lost. Fullmetal Alchemist is a legendary comic by Hiromu ARAKAWA that has sold over 70 million books worldwide. This emotional adventure finally gets a live-action version! An epic, highly-awaited fantasy action movie has begun to move!
"FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST" is in theaters December 1, 2017.