Next Club Meeting: September 20, 2025, 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.

Tuesday, September 23, 2025

SOMEHOW the Razorcrest returned...

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu
Take a look at the Official Trailer for Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, the theatrical continuation of the Disney+ series The Mandalorian distributed by Lucasfilm. Fans will embark on a brand-new journey with Din Djarin and Grogu with Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, in theaters in May 2026. 
In theaters in May 2026
The movie stars Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver, Jeremy Allen White, and more. The film is directed by Jon Favreau and written by Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, and George Lucas. 

Monday, September 22, 2025

Thunderbirds Celebrating it's 60th Anniversary...

Thunderbirds Returns to Cinemas in Spectacular 4K!
60 years after its TV debut, Thunderbirds is back on the big screen. This September, experience Trapped in the Sky and Terror in New York City as you’ve never seen them before — beautifully restored in 4K and showing in 150+ UK cinemas. 
Relive the action, share the magic, and be part of a 
landmark celebration of Gerry Anderson’s timeless classic.

Sunday, September 21, 2025

As Summer Ends, My Memories of Magic Fade...

The Boy and the Witch
Cast:Aki Toyosaki / Sora Amamiya
Artist:Kohana Lam / MINA
Director:Tumori Arato
Production:Independent animation team "Studio Harutonari"
This is a beautiful, touching, poignant story... which is surprising how all of that fit into just 16 minutes. Could not hold the tears back. Everything mulled so nicely, from the voicing and the swooping melodies, to the dreamlike paint palette that feels like something we have all seen, if not "felt". Really nice! Loved it. Not saying that it is the best anything ever, though it kind of is for what it is. Feels like this was a small scale production and it proves that one can make something amazing with limited possibilities/resources.

Saturday, September 20, 2025

Everyone’s after his chainsaw heart...

Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc
Following his victory over Katana Man and his Yakuza, Denji awakens from the same cryptic dream in which Pochita warns him to never open the door he's standing behind, no matter what. Before he can comprehend Pochita's words, Denji is suddenly uppercutted by Power, who is revealed to have drank too much blood from her battle with the Yakuza's zombies. Makima sends Power to have her blood drained and decides to pair Denji with the Shark Fiend Beam. Seeing that Denji is annoyed by Beam's enthusiastic demeanor, Makima proposes a date with him for the following day. The two spend their date together by having a non-stop movie marathon until midnight. During one of the movies, Denji notices Makima tearing up over an emotional scene, a rare moment of vulnerability from the emotionless woman. Afterward, Denji asks Makima if he does have a heart, to which she confirms it by checking his pulse, leaving him in good spirits.
Exclusively in movie theatres October 24
While patrolling in the daytime, Denji finds himself running into a telephone booth to avoid getting drenched by the sudden rain. At the same time, a purple-haired girl named Reze approaches Denji inside the telephone booth. Wanting to impress Reze, Denji decides to perform a magic trick by pulling out a flower from his mouth, having obtained it earlier from a charity event. Reze thanks Denji for the flower and asks him to come visit her at the café she works at. Reze returns to the café and readies herself to work, only to find Denji already seated at one of the tables. From there, Denji tries the bitter taste of coffee for the first time, while Reze promptly introduces herself after learning his name.

Over time, Denji and Reze begin spending more time together as he starts visiting her more often. Meanwhile, Aki Hayakawa and the Angel Devil are partnered together as buddies, but the two are unable to get along initially due to their differing views on handling their duties. While grabbing lunch, Reze learns that Denji has never gone to school and asks him to explore a nearby school with her at night. Unbeknownst to the two, a serial killer working with the Typhoon Devil plans on targeting Reze to lure Denji out for his heart. Inside an undisclosed school, Reze guides Denji through the hallways and teaches him simple subjects such as grammar and mathematics. She also expresses concern upon learning how Denji lives out his life working under Public Safety. The two decide to go swimming in the school’s pool, where Reze helps Denji learn how to swim. Afterward, Denji and Reze rest in the classroom as it begins to rain.

Reze asks Denji whether he prefers to be the town mouse or country mouse, to which he chooses the town mouse, as he prefers food and fun over safety. Elsewhere, the Angel Devil informs Aki the origins of the fable and admits that he prefers being the country mouse to avoid being further involved in the city's dangers. Seeing that is what Denji prefers, Reze proposes to meet up again the next day at a festival to have more fun together. Denji complies and slowly realizes that he now has feelings for two women: Reze and Makima. As Reze heads to the restrooms in good spirits, a serial killer emerges from the shadows and chases her onto the school's balcony. Before the deranged figure can kill her, Reze swiftly disarms him and slowly strangles him to death. Getting back up, the unfettered Reze coldly tells the Typhoon Devil to dispose of the serial killer's corpse before heading back to check on Denji.

On the day of the festival, Denji and Reze spend time playing various games, eating food, and eventually watching the fireworks at a nearby fence. As the two enjoy the peaceful evening, Reze makes up her mind and asks Denji to run away together. Denji is initially confused but Reze tells him she loves him and promises to protect him from harm. Despite this, Denji turns down Reze's offer as he still wants to continue his job and visit her from time to time. Disappointed, Reze attacks Denji and prepares to take his heart out by force. Out of nowhere, Beam quickly grabs Denji and carries him to safety. Pulling the grenade pin on her neck, Reze transforms into her Bomb Hybrid form to give chase. Beam and Denji barely manage to evade her explosives as they arrive at Division 2's headquarters, where Aki and his old coworkers are spending time together. Beam frantically informs the Devil Hunters that the Bomb Devil is in alliance with the Gun Devil but cannot say anymore as he promised Makima. Not too long after, Reze arrives at the headquarters, ready to cause another massacre. Aki takes Denji to safety alongside the Angel Devil and Beam while Division 2 holds off Reze for the time being.

Reze manages to catch up to Aki's group after slaughtering Division 2, only to be stopped by Galgali and Kobeni. This diversion gives Denji enough time to recover and transform before confronting Reze directly. Before they fight, Denji expresses frustration that every woman he meets tries to kill him, wondering if any woman will see him for who he is. Reze tells Denji she does like him but Aki shoots down that claim. The two Hybrids engage in an explosive battle that ends with Reze overpowering Denji using her explosives to brutally subdue him. Before Reze can escape with Denji, Aki attacks her from behind to free Denji. Aki is soon joined by Galgali, forcing Reze to call in the Typhoon Devil, who immediately begins causing havoc and chaos throughout the city. After being rejuvenated once more with help from the Angel Devil and Beam, Denji devises a new strategy to counter Reze by using his chains to ride on Beam's shark form.

Denji and Beam ride back into the fray for their rematch against Reze and the Typhoon Devil. While Denji and Reze go all out against each other, the Typhoon Devil's swarming mass of flesh tears up the battlefield. The Angel Devil is nearly sucked into the Typhoon Devil's swirling body but Aki saves him, not wanting anyone else he cares about to die again. However, touching the Angel Devil reduces his lifespan by two months. Regardless, the Typhoon Devil meets its end by Denji, who ends up cornered by Reze after she takes Beam out of the fight. Knowing that she cannot use her powers underwater, Denji restrains Reze with his chains and throws the both of them into the ocean. The two reminisce about their time swimming together before losing consciousness. Denji and Reze eventually awaken on the beach, having been dragged out by Beam. Reze reveals that her feelings for him were nothing but a ruse, but Denji asks her to run away with him. Reze declines the offer but Denji promises to wait for her at the café at noon.

In the aftermath of Reze's attack, Kishibe tells Aki of an urban legend regarding the Soviet Union and reveals that Reze was one of the children experimented with by the Soviets to serve the government's needs. Elsewhere, Reze changes her mind regarding Denji's proposal to run away together and heads back to the café. Before she can reach Denji, Reze is intercepted by Makima, who is revealed to have watched her the entire time she was bonding with Denji. With help from the Angel Devil, Makima subdues Reze and seemingly kills her. As she loses consciousness, Reze recalls the reason she couldn't bring herself to kill Denji was because she empathizes with him for being unable to live a normal life. At the café, a depressed Denji realizes Reze never arrived and believes she stood him up. Power suddenly barges in and asks Denji if the flowers he has are for her. Denji doesn't respond as he bluntly devours the bouquet, much to Power's annoyance.

Friday, September 19, 2025

If you Fall Asleep, a Demon takes your Soul...

SOUL MART
WE'RE MAKING AN ACTUAL ANIME!! Huge shoutout to Kadokawa and GeeXPlus for helping make this dream come true! And yes, we're ALSO making a webcomic/manga! It'll be out sooner than the anime, but both will be out later this year! Shoutout to Storygrounds for helping to make that happen, as well!

Thursday, September 18, 2025

'Demon Slayer' Dominates above all others...

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle raked in $70 million on its opening weekend -- almost as much as Elio made during its entire run. We talk about the insane box office, and what this means for anime in the US.

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Anime Viewing Schedule for September 20, 2025...


 A N I M A T R I X   N E T W O R K
Saturday, September 20, 2025
Fountaindale Public Library
VIEWING SCHEDULE
          11:15 - 12:05   Apothecary Diaries - Season 2 eps 9-10
          12:05 - 12:55   M.S. Gundam GQuuuuuuX eps 11-12 [end]
          12:55 - 1:30     Club Meeting
          1:30 - 2:45       Lazarus eps 11-13 [end]
          2:45 - 3:35       The Super Cube eps 11-12 [end]
          3:354:00       To Be Hero X eps 8-9
          4:00 - 4:50       The Summer Hikaru Died 3-4
 
Time to Explore New Anime!
 
Fountaindale Public Library
300 W. Briarcliff Road
Bolingbrook, IL 60440 
Peggy J. Danhof Board Room
(Second Floor)
 
From 11:15 AM to 5:00 PM

All anime presented are fan-subtitled unless otherwise noted.
Don't miss these exciting anime series: Ranma 1/2 and Urusei Yatsura
* ANIME DESCRIPTIONS ARE BELOW *

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

This time Another shall wield the Sword...

The Witcher: Season 4
The Continent awaits. Here’s your exclusive first clip of Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher: Season 4. Returns October 30th, only on Netflix.

Monday, September 15, 2025

Vengeance has a name...

SISU 2: ROAD TO REVENGE
SISU: ROAD TO REVENGE is a wall-to-wall cinematic action event, a sequel to the original sleeper hit SISU. Returning to the house where his family was brutally murdered during the war, “the man who refuses to die” (Jorma Tommila) dismantles it, loads it on a truck, and is determined to rebuild it somewhere safe in their honor. When the Red Army commander who killed his family (Stephen Lang from Don’t Breathe) comes back hellbent on finishing the job, a relentless, eye-popping cross-country chase ensues - a fight to the death, full of clever, unbelievable action set pieces.
In movie theatres November 21

Sunday, September 14, 2025

Their Official Music Video...

P E R F U M E
Nebula Romance Part Two
New Album 'Nebula Romance Part Two' is available for streaming in full & the CD will be released on 9/17 (Wednesday)!

Saturday, September 13, 2025

The Next Club Meeting is September 20, 2025...

A N I M A T R I X   N E T W O R K
Something's coming your way!

M O N T H L Y   M E E T I N G
 
Fountaindale Public Library
300 W. Briarcliff Road
Bolingbrook, IL  60440
Peggy J. Danhof Board Room
 (2nd Floor)
Saturday, September 20, 2025
11:15 AM - 5:00 PM
 
We will be in the BOARD ROOM on the Second Floor.
 
Hope to see everyone there!

 
A Viewing Schedule will be posted soon.
 
(Click below for maps)

Friday, September 12, 2025

A Journey Through Time to Save Our Future...

A R C O
A magical and beautifully animated journey through time, Arco is a dazzling adventure about a 10-year-old boy from a peaceful, distant future who accidentally travels back to the year 2075 and discovers a world in peril. As Arco develops a charming and touching friendship with a young girl named Iris, they band together and along with her trusted robot caretaker Mikki, set out on a quest to get Arco home, while the two children may also be the only ones who can save our planet. A wondrous odyssey filled with hope and optimism for our future, Arco is an enchanting fable from breakout filmmaker Ugo Bienvenu, produced by Remembers’ Bienvenu and Felix de Givry, and mountainA’s Natalie Portman and Sophie Mas.
In Select Theaters November 14