Next Club Meeting: April 20, 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.

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Let's Go Into That Creepy Ol' House For No Reason!

STRANGER THINGS
S e a s o n  F o u r

The upcoming fourth season of the American science fiction horror drama television series Stranger Things, titled Stranger Things 4, is scheduled to be released worldwide exclusively via Netflix’s streaming service in 2022. The fourth season has continued to be produced by the show's creators the Duffer Brothers, along with Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen, and Iain Paterson. The show's main cast will continue to consist of Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, Priah Ferguson, and Cara Buono, with Brett Gelman promoted to series regular. Jamie Campbell Bower, Eduardo Franco, and Joseph Quinn were newly added to the main cast for this season.

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Celebrating 50 Years of Lupin with Part 6!

LUPIN III: PART 6
2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the animated series, and thus Lupin is at it again! The new LUPIN THE 3rd PART 6 series is set to unfold with the theme of “mystery” with Lupin and the gang thrown into the modern age. What could be their next target?

Monday, September 27, 2021

Watch the Live-Action Intro for COWBOY BEBOP

COWBOY BEBOP
Live-Action Intro
COWBOY BEBOP is an action-packed space Western about three bounty hunters, aka “cowboys,” all trying to outrun the past. As different as they are deadly, Spike Spiegel (John Cho), Jet Black (Mustafa Shakir), and Faye Valentine (Daniella Pineda) form a scrappy, snarky crew ready to hunt down the solar system’s most dangerous criminals — for the right price. But they can only kick and quip their way out of so many scuffles before their pasts finally catch up with them. 
Based on the beloved anime series, COWBOY BEBOP is executive produced by André Nemec, Jeff Pinkner, Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg of Midnight Radio, Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements of Tomorrow Studios, Makoto Asanuma, Shin Sasaki and Masayuki Ozaki of Sunrise Inc., Tim Coddington, Tetsu Fujimura, Michael Katleman, Matthew Weinberg, and Christopher Yost. Nemec serves as showrunner. Original anime series director Shinichirō Watanabe is a consultant on the series, and original composer Yoko Kanno returns for the live-action adaptation. The series also stars Alex Hassell and Elena Satine. Watch Cowboy Bebop, a live-action series, only on Netflix: 
It’s time to blow this scene. Who’s in? Cowboy Bebop arrives Nov. 19.

Sunday, September 26, 2021

We Tried To Fight Gal Gadot, but...

RED NOTICE
An Interpol-issued Red Notice is a global alert to hunt and capture the world’s most wanted. But when a daring heist brings together the FBI’s top profiler (Johnson) and two rival criminals (Gadot, Reynolds), there’s no telling what will happen.
Watch RED NOTICE, on Netflix November 12

Saturday, September 25, 2021

Neil Gaiman's ‘The Sandman’ now on Netflix

THE  SANDMAN
The Lord of Dreams has been summoned, and captured, by mortal men. Once free from his captivity, this eternal ruler of Dreams will realize that his troubles are only just beginning. The Sandman is a Netflix series based on the groundbreaking comic book series created for DC by Neil Gaiman. The series is Executive Produced by Neil Gaiman, Allan Heinberg, & David S. Goyer.
[Source: Variety] Thirty-two years after DC Comics published the first issue of “The Sandman,” Neil Gaiman’s phantasmagoric dive into the world of dreams, Netflix unveiled the first look at its highly anticipated live-action adaptation on Saturday.

Stars Tom Sturridge — who plays Morpheus, a.k.a. Dream, the titular ruler of Dreaming — and Kirby Howell-Baptiste — who plays Death, Dream’s chic and easygoing sister — revealed the first look during Tudum, Netflix’s global virtual fan event.

Executive produced by Gaiman, David S. Goyer, and showrunner Allan Heinberg (“The Catch,” “Scandal”), “The Sandman” is updating Gaiman’s graphic novel by setting it in the present day, rather than in the late 1980s (as Audible’s ongoing audiobook adaptation of “The Sandman” is doing). The story follows Morpheus after he’s escaped 105 years of imprisonment on Earth by occultist Roderick Burgess (Charles Dance) who, when attempting to capture Death in 1912, captured Dream instead. Upon his escape, Dream must reclaim the three totems of his power — his pouch of sand, his helm (which looks like an elaborate gas mask), and a ruby — before he can reconstitute and rebuild the dilapidated Dreaming world.

Given the vast, intricate narrative and visual complexities of “The Sandman,” the title has vexed would be filmmakers from adapting it as feature film. Most recently, Joseph Gordon-Levitt was attached to star and direct, but left over creative differences. Ultimately, Netflix picked up “The Sandman” as a TV series, which Warner Bros. Television and DC Entertainment are producing.

When introducing the first look at the series, Gaiman said the “decades-long gestation” for the series was “a bit of a blessing,” allowing him to ensure the series was “true to the comics.”

“What astounded me through this process was how often it felt like I was walking around inside the comics,” Gaiman said. “Everything from the sense to the costumes to the effects felt it had been plucked from my imagination.”

Gaiman then turned things over to Sturridge, who introduced himself as “beyond anything else as a supreme fun of Sandman.” The actor then debuted a first look at one of the opening sequences from the show, when Burgess captures Dream. You can watch it below.


Along with the first look video, Howell-Baptiste pointed fans to character posters for Dream, Death and their third sibling, Desire (Mason Alexander Park). You can see them below.



Other characters on “Sandman” will include:

Lucifer (Gwendoline Christie), the androgynous ruler of Hell, who attempts to keep Dream from reclaiming one of his totems. A version of the same character headlined the popular series “Lucifer,” starring Tom Ellis, which just premiered its final season on Netflix.

John Dee, a.k.a. Doctor Destiny (David Thewlis), an Arkham Asylum inmate who comes into possession of Dream’s ruby.

The Corinthian (Boyd Holbrook), one of Dream’s nightmares who has two small mouths where his eyes should be, usually covered with sunglasses.

Lucienne (Vivienne Acheampong), the librarian of the world of Dreaming (and has been gender swapped from Lucien in the comics).

Cain (Sanjeev Bhaskar) and Abel (Asim Chaudhry), the sons of Adam and Eve and, respectively, the first murderer and the first murder victim, who now live in Dreaming and are locked into an unending loop recreating Cain’s murder of Abel.

Friday, September 24, 2021

Trailer for Netflix's 'KATE'

 K A T E 
After she’s poisoned, a ruthless criminal operative has less than 24 hours to exact revenge on her enemies and in the process forms an unexpected bond with the daughter of one of her past victims.
There’s no time for mercy.
Watch the Trailer for KATE

Thursday, September 23, 2021

Return to Pandora in a New 3D Game

AVATAR: Frontiers of Pandora
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is an upcoming open-world, first-person, action adventure video game based on James Cameron's Avatar film series. The game is being developed by Massive Entertainment and will be published by Ubisoft on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Amazon Luna and Google Stadia in 2022. Players take control of the Na’vi and embark on a journey across the Western Frontier, a never before seen region of Pandora, and must push back the forces of the RDA, who seek to threaten it.

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Anime Viewing Schedule for September 25, 2021


 A N I M A T R I X   N E T W O R K
Saturday, September 25, 2021
Fountaindale Public Library
VIEWING SCHEDULE
          11:15 - 12:05   Jujutsu Kaisen 12-13
          12:05 - 12:55   Seirei Gensouki: Spirit Chronicles 2-3
          12:55 - 1:30     Club Meeting
          1:30 - 2:20       Kemono Jihen 11-12 [end]
          2:20 - 3:10       Attack on Titan: Final Season 11-12
          3:10 - 4:50       Legend of Hei [Movie]

"We have the POWER!"
 
Fountaindale Public Library
300 W. Briarcliff Road
Bolingbrook, IL 60440

Meeting Room A, First Floor 
Effective August 30, 2021, face masks
are REQUIRED inside the library due to
the state of Illinois mask mandate.

From 11:15 AM to 5:00 PM


All anime presented are fan-subtitled unless otherwise noted.
 
Don't miss the exciting anime series: Kemono Jihen and Mushoku Tensei
* ANIME DESCRIPTIONS ARE BELOW *

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Star Wars: Hunters

STAR WARS: HUNTERS
Landing onto Nintendo Switch in 2022!
Welcome to The Arena, where the stakes are high, and the excitement is even higher. Watch as Hunters go head-to-head in an all-out, adrenaline-fueled battle. Which team will emerge victorious? Join the greatest Hunters from the Star Wars galaxy in grand arenas inspired by iconic Star Wars locales. Use skill and tactics, mix and match teams to find winning strategies, customize your Hunters, and engage in thrilling third-person cross-play battles.

Monday, September 20, 2021

Next Club Meeting is September 25, 2021

A N I M A T R I X   N E T W O R K
"This gate leads into an Anime Club. We must be cautious... uh."

M O N T H L Y   M E E T I N G

Fountaindale Public Library
300 W. Briarcliff Road
Bolingbrook, IL  60440
Meeting Room A (1st Floor)
Saturday, September 25, 2021
11:15 AM - 5:00 PM
PLEASE READ
 
We will be in the large MEETING ROOM A on the
First Floor. The maximum number of people
allowed in the room is TEN, so please 
arrive early to claim your seat. 
 
In accordance with the CDC and state of Illinois guidance, if you are fully vaccinated, face coverings are optional.  
 
THANK YOU!

Hope to see everyone there!

 
A Viewing Schedule will be posted soon.
 
Hope to see you all there!

(Click below for maps)

Sunday, September 19, 2021

Is the New CGI He-Man Better Than 'Revelations'?

This Complete Re-imagining of
He-Man is Surprisingly Good!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Netflix's new CGI He-Man and the Masters of the Universe animated series has VERY little to do with any previous incarnation of the show... but our first impression is actually pretty good. It was made clear it was a complete reboot, and Adam is NOT an idiot nor does he get killed off in the first episode. Kevin Smith's Revelation set the bar pretty low, but we'll take it.

But... it's actually Good!

Saturday, September 18, 2021

A Tale Dark & Grimm NEW Series Trailer

A Tale Dark & Grimm
Follow Hansel and Gretel as they walk out of their own story into a winding and wickedly witty tale full of strange — and scary — surprises. A Tale Dark & Grimm is available on Netflix 10/8!

Friday, September 17, 2021

Kaizoku Oujo「AMV」Hiding in the Blue

Kaizoku Oujo「AMV」Hiding in the Blue
Fena: Pirate Princess tells the tale of a young orphan girl, Fena Houtman, living in a fantastic alternate history version of the 18th century. Fena has been raised on an island where there is no hope of escaping the dark destiny forced upon her by her captors, to be used and discarded by the soldiers of the British Empire. But Fena is more than just another powerless orphan. When her mysterious past comes knocking, Fena will break the chains of her oppressors. Her goal: escape her captors, forge a new identity, and search for a place where she can truly belong and find out the true mystery behind the keyword: "Eden." It's the story of the adventure of a lifetime she and her crew of misfits and unlikely allies will have, in pursuit of her goals!

Thursday, September 16, 2021

It's The Croods TV Series

The Croods: Family Tree
DreamWorks announced a CGI animated series titled The Croods: Family Tree, based on The Croods: A New Age and will be streaming September 23rd on Hulu and Peacock. Tran reprises her role as Dawn, while A.J. Locascio reprises his role as Thunk from Dawn of the Croods. The new voice cast features, Amy Landecker as Ugga, Kiff VandenHeuvel as Grug, Ally Dixon as Eep, Artemis Pebdani as Gran, Darin Brooks as Guy, Matthew Waterson as Phil, and Amy Rosoff as Hope. Mark Banker (from Go Dog, Go!) and Todd Grimes (from The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants) serve as executive producers and showrunners for the series. 

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

There's Another New He-Man in the Neighborhood


 Watch the Video Clips of
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
In Eternia, the first planet of creation, a demonic tyrant rises: Skeletor. With dark armies at his command, Skeletor is on the march, hell-bent on capturing Eternia's kingdoms, and its ultimate prize Castle Grayskull, the ancient fortress of mystery said to contain the greatest power in the universe. It's up to He-Man, voiced by Yuri Lowenthal, and his brave squad of rookie heroes to stop Skeletor and restore the peace. Both sides come armed with enchanted Power Weapons transforming them into Masters of the Primal Powers of the Universe. It's Master vs. Dark Master, He-Man vs. Skeletor fighting for control of Eternia, Castle Grayskull, and the fate of us all. In the end, who will become Master of the Universe?

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Marvel Studios’ Hawkeye

⊕ hawkeye ⊕
This holiday season, the best gifts come with a bow.
Disney+ and Marvel Studios invite you on an unexpected holiday getaway, unwrapping a brand-new teaser trailer and poster today for “Hawkeye,” a new series set in post-blip New York City. Former Avenger Clint Barton has a seemingly simple mission: get back to his family for Christmas. Possible? Maybe with the help of Kate Bishop, a 22-year-old archer with dreams of becoming a Super Hero. The two are forced to work together when a presence from Barton’s past threatens to derail far more than the festive spirit.
Starring Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton/Hawkeye and Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop, “Hawkeye” also features Vera Farmiga, Fra Fee, Tony Dalton, Zahn McClarnon, Brian d’Arcy James and newcomer Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez. Helmed by Rhys Thomas and directing duo Bert and Bertie, “Hawkeye” debuts exclusively on Disney+ on November 24, 2021.

Monday, September 13, 2021

A Musical Adventure by Lin-Manuel Miranda

-- V     V   O --
A one-of-kind kinkajou (voiced by Lin-Manuel Miranda), embarks on an unforgettable, musical adventure to deliver a love song to Marta (voiced by Gloria Estefan) on behalf of his owner Andrés (Buena Vista Social Club’s Juan De Marcos). Now on NETFLIX.
The film features all-new original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, a score by Alex Lacamoire, and a screenplay by Quiara Alegría Hudes and director Kirk DeMicco (The Croods). Vivo is co-directed by Brandon Jeffords (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2) and voiced by Zoe Saldaña as an overprotective mother, newcomer Ynairaly Simo as her rebellious daughter Gabi, Michael Rooker as a villainous Everglades python, Katie Lowes, Olivia Trujillo & Lidya Jewett as a trio of well-meaning but overzealous scout troopers, Brian Tyree Henry & Nicole Byer as a pair of star-crossed spoonbills, and Leslie David Baker as a Florida bus driver.

Sunday, September 12, 2021

'Rick & Morty' Live Action Teaser

Official Rick & Morty Live Action
"100th Anniversary of RickAndMorty.com" Teaser Trailer
Forget the comparisons, Doc Brown officially is Rick Sanchez. In last week's Rick & Morty season 5 finale, Adult Swim dropped a brief, but game-changing clip that introduced Back to the Future legend Christopher Lloyd and Knives Out alum Jaeden Martell as the live-action Rick & Morty.
 

Saturday, September 11, 2021

The Matrix Resurrections - Official Trailer

The MATRIX Resurrections
Prepare to go back to where it all started and return to the Matrix. Here's the first trailer for The Matrix Resurrections, starring Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Neil Patrick Harris. In this trailer we get a glimpse of Matrix's blue and red pills, learn that Neo is searching for the truth, and have plenty of action-heavy scenes to feast our eyes on. The Matrix Resurrections will be released in theaters and on HBO Max on December 22, 2021. 

Friday, September 10, 2021

Guns, Girls, and Goons!

Gunpowder Milkshake
In a flashback at a diner, 12-year-old Sam learns that her assassin mother, Scarlet, is skipping town after a job gone wrong. Armed men arrive to kill Scarlet, but she kills them and escapes, leaving an upset Sam behind. 
Fifteen years later, Sam works as an assassin for Nathan, HR for the same firm Scarlet worked for. Nathan gives Sam a new job, killing a man who stole money from The Firm and returning the money. Sam goes to a weapons armory disguised as a library to exchange her weapons for new ones. There, she meets Anna May, Madeline, and Florence - three former accomplices of Scarlet. They consider killing her for showing up unannounced, but change their minds when they learn her identity. They provide her with clean weapons for the job.

Sam infiltrates a hotel room to retrieve the stolen money and shoots the man responsible in the abdomen when he lunges for his ringing phone. Listening in on the call, it is revealed he stole the money to save his kidnapped young daughter and is to bring it to a nearby bowling alley to exchange for her. Sam takes him to a firm-affiliated private doctor for treatment and agrees to handle the exchange herself. Nathan learns of her plan and sends three henchmen to stop her and retrieve the money; Sam deals with them before continuing with her plan. Masked men give her the girl, Emily, before retreating with the money; Sam pursues them, but the men turn on one another, resulting in their deaths and the destruction of the stolen money.

Meanwhile, Nathan learns that one of the henchmen Sam killed in an earlier job was the son of Jim McAlister, the head of a powerful criminal empire. To avoid conflict, Nathan gives up Sam's information and location to be killed. Sam returns to the doctor to reunite Emily with her father, but they learn that he did not survive. Nathan's three henchmen are also at the doctor seeking treatment for their prior fight and they receive orders to kill her. The doctor injects Sam with a serum that renders her arms useless. Sam asks Emily to tape a knife and a gun to her hands and she uses them to fight and kill the three henchmen. More henchmen arrive, but Sam and Emily escape in Sam's car, with Emily steering and Sam working the pedals.

Sam receives a text from Nathan, giving her the address to a safe house where she can find supplies to help her escape. She and Emily travel there and run into Scarlet, who reveals she has been watching Sam from afar all these years. When henchmen arrive to kill Sam, Scarlet guides them through a hidden escape route. They manage to escape and return to the library, where the librarians angrily demand why Scarlet never tried to contact them when she disappeared. They are interrupted by arriving gunmen. Sam attempts to hold them off, but, after she is overpowered, Scarlet intervenes to save her. The librarians consider fleeing with Emily, but they decide to join the fight.

All the gunmen are killed except for Virgil, Jim McAlister's nephew, who kills Madeline and kidnaps Emily. Virgil calls Sam, who offers to turn herself in at the diner in exchange for Emily's freedom. Sam arrives to meet Jim McAlister who explains that his late son had four older sisters that Jim could not relate to as he does not understand women. Jim intends to torture Sam and make Emily watch, but Scarlet, Anna May, and Florence arrive with guns to free them. And all Hell breaks loose... again!

Thursday, September 9, 2021

Rick and Two Crows - Anime Opening

RICK and TWO CROWS
Here's the Opening for an Anime One-Shot called "Rick and Two Crows" in the Rick & Morty's Season 5 Episode 10 Finale entitled "Rickmurai Jack".