Next Club Meeting:August 15, 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.
Dead. Resurrected. Forgotten. Iarumas has no memory of who he was, only a deadly dungeon to explore. With a lone survivor named Garbage at his side, he dives deeper in search of the truth.
From Kumo Kagyu (Goblin Slayer) and so-bin (Overlord), comes a brand-new dark fantasy set in the legendary world of Wizardry. Coming in 2027.
Join us for the best moments from Comic-Con 2026, where the floor was packed with incredible cosplay, collectible displays, exclusive reveals, and unforgettable fan energy. From detailed costumes that brought characters to life to standout booths, exhibits, and hidden gems throughout the convention center, this video captures the excitement that makes Comic-Con one of the biggest pop culture events of the year.
We also step outside the main hall to explore the surrounding events, including offsite activations, surprise moments, and the exciting energy around the Gaslamp District. Whether you’re here for the costumes, the collectibles, or the overall convention experience, this recap brings you right into the heart of the action.
Fifty years after the events of Blade Runner 2049, Los Angeles has been reborn, just not by humanity. Cora, a fugitive in a final bid to stop running, takes on one last identity: a Blade Runner. Forced to partner with Olwen, a Replicant days from dying, she hunts down a runaway hiding a truth that could collapse their fragile city,
Check out the reveal teaser trailer for the new anime,
Gundam RG XARX-ZERO, from San Diego Comic Con 2026!
The RG Project is a new vision for Gundam: A multi-media universe crafted by acclaimed science-fiction filmmaker Kenji Kamiyama (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Star Wars: Visions Volume 3), in which entries share a narrative spanning generations within one continuous world. The initiative brings together the anime Mobile Suit Gundam RG XARX-ZERO and the upcoming, high-mobility action game, GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT, each depicting the shared universe from a different perspective.
Mobile Suit Gundam RG XARX-ZERO opens this new saga, set roughly 100 years before the events of GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT, telling the beginning of the story and how this world came to be. GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT, picks up generations later in a future shaped by accumulated events depicted in the anime. The anime and game come together for an experience that invites Gundam fans to immerse themselves into this new world and make new choices of their own.
Avatar: Seven Havens is an all-new series from creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. Set in a world shattered by a devastating cataclysm, a young Earthbender discovers she's the new Avatar after Korra. In this dangerous era, that title marks her as humanity's destroyer, not its savior. Hunted by both human and spirit enemies, she and her long-lost twin must uncover their mysterious origins and save the Seven Havens before civilization’s last strongholds collapse.
Hottle, who came from a multigenerational Deaf family, captured audiences with her heartfelt portrayal of Jia in Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. Her performances brought warmth and authenticity to the MonsterVerse, making Jia one of the franchise’s most beloved characters. According to her family, she died following a car accident in Maryland.
The official release date announcement trailer for the upcoming Witch on the Holy Night anime movie, adapted from TYPE-MOON's visual novel and animated by ufotable.
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Vanessa Kirby, Paul Rudd, Florence Pugh, Tenoch Huerta, Simu Liu, Sebastian Stan, Letitia Wright, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Kelsey Grammer, Lewis Pullman, Danny Ramirez, Joseph Quinn, David Harbour, Winston Duke, Hannah John-Kamen, Tom Hiddleston, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, James Marsden, Channing Tatum, Pedro Pascal, Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr.
Based on the comic "The Bugle Call: Song of War" by Mozuku Sora, Higoro Toumori originally serialized in "JUMP SQUARE" published by SHUEISHA Inc.
There are nine spires scattered across the land that contain relics and technology from an ancient, advanced civilization beyond the craftsmanship of the current day. The two greatest spires are controlled by the Papal States and the Erin Empire, who wage war over control of the other spires.
Humans born with branches sticking out of their heads are called Branched, and each possesses a unique power, such as invisibility or supernatural luck. The Branched cannot use their powers outside of a spire's field of influence and will eventually die if they remain outside. In some nations, Branched are well-known, while in others they are kept secret.
Luca was raised among a band of mercenaries since he was an infant, but he hates the life. He is recruited by the Pontiff in his war against the Erin Empire in exchange for support of his dream of becoming a maestro. Part of their deal involves Luca killing the Garland, a powerful Branched capable of destroying nations.
Inspired by the katana swords of feudal Japan’s samurai – considered to be perfect weapons – the all-new IZZO is our fastest and most agile trail bike ever.
Shin Youngwoo (a.k.a. Grid), an unlucky man in life and a low-level player in the popular VR game “Satisfy,” finds a powerful item that earns him a rare legendary class title: “Pagma’s Successor.” He’s now a skilled blacksmith who can forge unique weapons and equip the game’s most powerful gear. Grid resolves to use his new abilities to achieve fame and fortune, but as his very existence begins to stir up trouble in Satisfy, he realizes that life as a legend may be more than he bargained for….
What if Supergirl were reimagined as a classic 90's anime with cel animation, dramatic city battles, and golden-age-of-anime energy? See Supergirl, Superman, Lex Luthor, and Krypto brought into a retro anime world filled with Kryptonian power, iconic villains, and nostalgic superhero style.
This AI-generated fan tribute imagines the Supergirl universe as a 90's anime with bold designs, emotional hero moments, and vintage classic anime vibes. If you love retro anime, DC Legends, and old-school cel animation, this is a nostalgic reimagining made for you.
Actor Sam Neill, known for his roles in the "Jurassic Park" films and "Peaky Blinders," died on Monday, according to his official social media account. He was 78.
"Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life," the statement, which was posted early on Monday, said. "The loss was sudden and unexpected, but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer-free."
Sir Nigel John Dermot "Sam" Neill (14 September 1947 – 13 July 2026) was a New Zealand actor and businessman. Known as a leading man in film and television, he has received nominations for three Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1991 Queen's Birthday Honours, for services as an actor.
Born in Northern Ireland to an English mother and a New Zealand father, Neill moved to Christchurch with his family in 1954. He first achieved recognition with his appearance in the film Sleeping Dogs (1977), followed by leading roles in My Brilliant Career (1979), The Final Conflict (1981), Possession (1981), Evil Angels (1988), Dead Calm (1989), Death in Brunswick (1990), The Hunt for Red October (1990), The Piano (1993), In the Mouth of Madness (1994), Event Horizon (1997), The Dish (2000), and Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016). He came to international prominence as Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic Park (1993), a role he reprised in Jurassic Park III (2001) and Jurassic World Dominion (2022).
On television, he portrayed Merlin in the miniseries Merlin (1998) and Merlin's Apprentice (2006), the former of which earned him nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award and the Golden Globe Award. He was also Golden Globe-nominated for playing Sidney Reilly in Reilly, Ace of Spies (1983) and a British Officer during World War II in One Against the Wind (1991). He also played Thomas Wolsey in The Tudors (2007), and as Major Chester Campbell in Peaky Blinders (2013–2014). He is also known for narrating various documentary projects.
After her baby brother is abducted by a murder of crows, headstrong teenager Prue McKeel launches a desperate rescue mission into the Impassable Wilderness—an enchanted forest hidden just beyond Portland, Oregon. Joined by her hapless but loyal classmate Curtis Mehlberg, Prue navigates a world of talking animals, bandits, and powerful figures driven by grief and ambition. As the pair is drawn into a conflict threatening the balance of the forest itself, Prue must discover strength and belief she never knew she possessed. If she hopes to save her brother and protect Wildwood’s fragile future, she will have to risk everything. From Oscar-nominated and BAFTA-winning LAIKA, Wildwood is a sweeping adventure about love, sacrifice, and the magic that reveals itself when we dare to look beyond the familiar.
With the help of Masaki Kajishima, Toru Miura, Hiroshi Negishi, and fans from around the world, Armiger Entertainment is proud to present the spiritual sequel of Tenchi Universe: TENCHI GALAXY!
TENCHI GALAXY follows the Tenchi gang as they travel to the planet of the space pirates, MIKUNI, in search of an artifact that was stolen from Jurai. In order to get it back, they must face NIIMI, the queen of the space pirates. What dangers await them? What connection does Niimi have to Ryoko? And whose side is Nagi on?
Tenchi, the girls, and Ryo-Ohki return to the screen just as you remember them.
Detective Kiyone will be appearing in anime form for the first time since 1999, along with Nagi and Ken-Ohki for the first time since 1995!
We personally reached out to the classic English voices of Tenchi Muyo! to see if they would be interested in reprising their iconic roles for another adventure...and they enthusiastically agreed!
We also have some exciting newcomers to the franchise to announce: Cristina Vee is stepping into the role of the one and only Princess Ayeka!
In addition, hololive English Advent's devilish diva and virtual idol Nerissa Ravencroft is portraying the spunky space pirate: Risa!
Release Date: July 24, 2026, in Chinese theaters. Animation Studio: Pearl Studio (Kung Fu Panda 3)
Director: Mu Zhengyang
Voice Director: Chen Hao (Nezha)
Animated comedy feature film inspired by the classic Chinese folklore tale "The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea." The film will also be getting a global release later this summer.
Inside the ancient ruins of a Sleeping Giant, adventuring friends 2-BIT and Oggy awaken a harmless-looking robot, Hopper, only to find it’s a villainous AI with delusions of grandeur.
We're covering the entire Ghost in the Shell franchise, from the manga to the films to the video games to the multiple animated series, plus books, short stories, and theater plays.
There's probably some stuff I missed, but this is as thorough a Ghost in the Shell retrospective as I can make, so sit back with a cold can of natural oil and dig in.
Once upon a time, a mermaid princess named Lara fell in love with a human prince. To be with him, she used a witch’s potion to become human—but the magic came at a cost: If she failed to find true love, she would vanish into sea foam forever. Now, 200 years later, Lara awakens in Lake Biwa with one final chance at life and love.
Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary with the Faith & Freedom. Honor the Founding Fathers to the presidents who shaped our nation, their stories highlight the miracle of Providence, the enduring American Spirit, and the Faith that helped build this country.
The first Anime Expo was held from July 3–6, 1992, at the Red Lion Hotel in San Jose, California. Many of its original staff came from Anime Con, an anime convention held in San Jose in 1991, and later absorbed by the SPJA in 1992. In 1994, Anime Expo made a strategic relocation to the Southern California area, and all subsequent conventions have taken place there since.
It currently holds the title of North America's largest anime convention, a title which it has consistently held every year except in 2003, in which its attendance was slightly edged out by the East Coast anime convention Otakon. From 1,750 attendees in 1992, Anime Expo's size has increased to over 107,658 in 2017, making Anime Expo the largest anime and manga convention in North America.
An introverted mechanic, Joe, and an astrobotanist, Fran, are tasked with creating the first-ever plant-fueled rocket. They develop immediate chemistry, though both lack romantic competence. Joe, who lives a secluded, solitary lifestyle, finds himself sheltering three aliens: Dunk, Welly, and Shirm. The trio is on an interstellar escape from the overzealous Officer Zandro, and deduce that Fran's rocket will safely get them home.
One does not need dance to live. In 1374, during the turbulent age when the Northern and Southern Courts were locked in conflict, the Northern Court’s shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, was becoming an increasingly dominant force.
Born the son of Kan’ami, head of the Kanze troupe of sarugaku performers, Oniyasha drifts through his days with a hazy question lodged in his heart: Why do people dance? His spirit remains clouded, until the day he encounters a dance that is truly “good.”
Curious, sensitive, and strikingly beautiful, the boy meets people, laughs, cries, confronts his own weaknesses, and slowly begins to shape a new form of dance for a world steeped in impermanence.
Kazuto Mihara’s groundbreaking Noh themed manga from Morning finally comes to life as an anime, filled with scenes that stir the heart and dynamic movement and chanting that can only be expressed through animation.
Directed by Toshimasa Kuroyanagi (The Great Passage, Backflip!!) and animated by Cypic (Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray, The Summer Hikaru Died), this series showcases top tier animation supported by a standout cast.
This is a story shaped by dance that may have unfolded when the boy who would one day create Noh—Zeami—was still known as Oniyasha, carried across 600 years to the present.
TV Anime "The World Is Dancing" Premieres This July!
Inspired by Osamu Tezuka's classic "Princess Knight," THE RIBBON HERO follows Sapphire, the princess of the fallen kingdom of Silverland, who becomes determined to defend her new home of Goldland and its citizens from the calamity that claimed her former homeland. Brought to life by a powerhouse team of creators, this new anime film arrives August 8, 2026, only on Netflix.
A reluctant teen discovers he's the next "Spirit Guardian" and sets sail across the Sea of a Million Islands to save his grandmother, uncover the truth behind his missing father, and stop a growing darkness from consuming the human and spirit worlds.
Back in 2011, Cartoon Network was in more than 100 million homes. It was one of the most sought-after places to work in entertainment and routinely outperformed competitors like Nickelodeon and Disney Channel. For an entire generation, it was the home of some of the most beloved animated shows ever made.
In 1977 Rankin Bass released their version of an animated THE HOBBIT film on television in 1977. The studio they used was a Japanese firm called TOPCRAFT. In 1985 they went bankrupt. However, all their assets and animators were bought by Hayao Miyazaki and reformed as STUDIO GHIBILI where he went to produce their first feature: NAAUSICA in the VALLEY OF THE WIND thus kickstarting a long string of animated features known world wide.
Takayuki Hirao, the animation director who vividly depicted the passion of people pursuing their dreams in "Pompo the Cinephile" (2021), evoking deep emotion and empathy, is currently one of the most noteworthy creators, blending classic directing techniques with challenging methods to produce dramatic visuals. Now, Hirao's first original feature-length animated film, for which he serves as both director and screenwriter, will soon be released. This film, known by the project code "WASTED CHEF," is a groundbreaking entertainment piece centered on the unusual combination of "cooking" and "science fiction." Through the drama of a young chef's growth and a thrilling adventure story unfolding in a mysterious world where "taste" has been lost, the film explores the contemporary theme of "what is value?"
While celebrating their last night together, Jo and Raissa stumble upon a mysterious portal that transports them to the fantastical island of Nakali, packed with magical and mythological creatures they grew up hearing stories about from their Filipino families. Some of these figures will become friends, some foes. Joined by well-meaning-but- hapless weredog Raww (Dave Franco) and a small-but-mighty pack of pals, Jo and Raissa must face The Dreaded Manananggal (Tony winning icon Lea Salonga), the most feared creature on the island. When they discover that the memories of their entire friendship are the price for returning home, Jo and Raissa will race to find a way to leave the island before they forget each other forever.
In the bitterly cold streets of Petrograd, the daughter of an infamous Ratcatcher flirts with a revolutionist and is thrust into a nail-biting, journey into the dark, mysterious forgotten underworld. Based on a tragic love story by Alexander Grin, 'The RatCatcher's Daughter' paints a grim tale of 1920's post war Russia, plagued by poverty, addiction and the threat of revolution.
THE RATCATCHER’S DAUGHTER is the third installment of the animated horror anthology series RED IRON ROAD. Each of the episodes is a stand-alone short film between 10-20 minutes long, based on the works of famous European authors, and produced with different creative partners in unique visual styles to suit each story.
The Bizarre World of Japanese Stop-Motion Animation
Japanese stop-motion animation is a lot stranger than you might expect.
From cursed fairy tales and cyberpunk body horror to spider-legged goblins, shape-shifting aliens, and underground worlds filled with bizarre creatures, these are some of the weirdest stop-motion films Japan has ever produced.
A woman awakens from hibernation with no memory of her past. But all that surrounds her are ruins — and terrifying monsters. With no idea what is happening, she must find a way to survive.
It's a BRAND NEW DAY for Peter Parker. Fighting crime full-time as Spider-Man in a world that doesn’t remember him—and the pressure of seeing his old friends move on without him—sparks a change in Peter he may not have the power to control. But that transformation might also be the only thing that can stop a shocking new threat to the city and those he loves - a powerful villain no one can even see. The world may have forgotten Peter Parker, but he hasn’t forgotten them.
“Hexed” is an all-new magical coming-of-age saga releasing in theaters November 25. The original animated film is Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 65th animated feature.
Joining previously announced voice cast members Hailee Steinfeld and Rashida Jones are seven-time Emmy Award® winner Tracey Ullman (“The Tracey Ullman Show,” “Tracey Takes On…,” “Bullets Over Broadway,” “Robin Hood: Men in Tights”), who voices the enchanted feather quill pen Ms. Quill, and Stephen Fry (“Gosford Park,” “Wilde,” “Jeeves and Wooster,” “V for Vendetta,” “The Hobbit” trilogy) as the magical journal Elias Quire.
The new trailer introduces the impulsive and unconventional teenage girl Billie (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld) and her cautious mother, Alice (voiced by Rashida Jones). When Billie accidentally unleashes secret magical abilities, she’s hurtled out of suburbia and into a magical realm called Hexe, where she’s greeted by Ms. Quill (voiced by Tracey Ullman) and Elias Quire (voiced by Stephen Fry). As Billie’s spectacle-filled journey unfolds, she uncovers family mysteries that could change the magical world of witches forever.
Director Fawn Veerasunthorn said, “A wonderfully strange phenomenon is happening all around Billie, something she can’t explain. She's someone who has felt miscast in her own life, and it takes leaving her normal world behind and entering a hidden world of wild, unhinged magic to begin to understand herself.”
"Hexe is a place where Billie begins to feel seen for the first time in her life,” director Jason Hand said. “She embarks on a journey of self-discovery that reveals a powerful connection to magic, and in the process uncovers long-held secrets about her family.”
Disney’s “Hexed” is directed by Fawn Veerasunthorn and Jason Hand, co-directed by Josie Trinidad, and produced by Roy Conli and Yvett Merino. The film opens exclusively in theaters November 25, 2026.
Disney’s "Hexed" is only in theaters November 25, 2026
