Next Club Meeting:June 20, 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.
Inspired by Osamu Tezuka's classic "Princess Knight," THE RIBBON HERO follows Sapphire as she overcomes loss and trauma to protect those she holds dear. Brought to life by a powerhouse team of creators, this new anime film arrives August 8, 2026, only on Netflix.
A Japanese high school student’s emotional anti-immigration speech is spreading widely online as concerns about national identity grow. At a rally, the teen broke down in tears while shouting into a microphone, “Take our country back.” The clip of her trembling, emotional remarks quickly gained traction across social media in Japan. She argued that Japan has long been a single-ethnicity society and warned that this could change if current trends continue. Drawing comparisons to Europe, she cautioned about potential cultural erosion and increasing public safety concerns. Her repeated line, “It’s frightening,” resonated with supporters worried about the country’s future identity. The crowd echoed her sentiments, chanting and urging leaders to halt further immigration.
The gentle romance between two contrasting worlds blossoms into a new season. The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity 2: Intertwined Paths brings back Rintaro (Kôki Uchiyama) and Kaoruko (Honoka Inoue) as they enter their crucial final year of high school. While the invisible wall between the elite Kikyo Girls' School and the rough Chidori High has begun to crack thanks to their earnest bond, the looming pressure of graduation threatens to pull them in different directions.
Now facing the heavy expectations of adulthood, the couple finds their relationship tested by reality. Kaoruko is pressured by her strict academy and family to pursue an elite university far from home, while Rintaro struggles to figure out a future where he can proudly stand by her side. To complicate matters, a rigid new school board director arrives, determined to enforce a strict separation between the two schools and stamp out any mingling between the students.
Navigating these turbulent times won't be easy. Supported by their loyal friends (including Yoshinori Nakayama), Rintaro and Kaoruko must prove that their connection is more than just a fleeting high school romance. They organize a joint cultural festival against the administration's wishes, fighting to show everyone that judging people by their school crests or academic standing is a thing of the past.
Filled with heartwarming moments, emotional growth, and the pure, earnest love that fans adore, this touching sequel elevates the beloved story to new heights. The prejudices of the past are fading, the future is waiting, and Rintaro and Kaoruko are ready to show the world that a fragile flower can bloom beautifully, no matter where it is planted.
'Mars: Beyond 2100' is a roughly 22-minute AI-generated anime short film that was released on X (formerly Twitter) around May 17, 2026 (local time).
The director is Aiden Guo (@aidenguoai). He is a professional animator who has worked on commercial anime such as 'ONE PIECE' episode 1024 and 'Dandadan' episode 4, and is planning the 'Mars Series.' The producer is Jason W.
The voice actors are human Japanese cast members (Penya Beatrice Hoshino: @jiena_gaim, Yuan Shuai: @Teru_Ikuta, etc.), and the sound mixing is also professionally done, but most of the visuals and animation were generated using AI tools.
The award-winning comic about wine that has been a hit not just all over Asia but also in France! Learn about legendary bottles as well as affordable secrets while enjoying a page-turner that’s not about superheroes but people with jobs to keep. When world-renowned wine critic Kanzaki passes away, his will reveals that his fortune of a wine collection isn’t bequeathed as a matter of course to his only son, who in a snub went to work sales at a beer company. To come into the inheritance, Shizuku must identify—in competition with a stellar young critic—twelve heaven-sent wines whose impressions the will describes in flowing terms …
The Cat and the Dragon is a fantasy tale that delves into the mysterious bond between a dragon, a cat, and a human raised by a cat. Written by Amara and illustrated by Mai Okuma, the novel is published by Takarajimasha, alongside a comic adaptation by Izumi Sasaki. Both the novel and its comic version are currently in development, with total circulation exceeding 1.2 million copies.
Kill la Kill returns with a high energy continuation as Ryuko Matoi, Mako Mankanshoku, and Satsuki Kiryuin face a dangerous new uprising connected to the remnants of REVOCS. The new threat introduces Neo Fibers capable of merging with advanced technology and weaponry, creating enemies far more unpredictable than before. According to sources, the sequel pushes the franchise into a darker and more futuristic conflict while maintaining its signature over the top action style. Ryuko Matoi must now confront Ketsugen, a powerful synthetic battle suit designed to challenge humanity’s resistance on an entirely new level. Fans are especially excited to see how Ryuko adapts without Senketsu while Satsuki and Mako continue supporting the fight against the growing chaos. According to sources, the continuation promises explosive animation, emotional character moments, and the intense combat sequences that made the original series iconic.
Only one Cat girl can save them by... helping the villains?
Two unlikely companions embark on a high-stakes recon mission across various game worlds. As they navigate the rules of different realms and encounter diverse inhabitants, they must grapple with the destructive consequences of their actions and the existential threat posed by a mysterious, encroaching force from the Gameverse.
Star WarsHas Lost a Legend: Marcia Lucas Dies at 80
Today, Star Wars fans around the world are mourning the loss of Marcia Lucas, the Academy Award-winning editor whose work helped shape the original Star Wars into one of the most beloved films in cinematic history.
While George Lucas is rightly celebrated as the creator of Star Wars, Marcia Lucas played a critical role behind the scenes during the creation of the Original Trilogy. Her contributions to the editing of Star Wars (1977) helped bring the story, emotion, and pacing that captivated audiences and launched a cultural phenomenon that continues nearly 50 years later.
In this video, Coach reflects on Marcia Lucas's legacy, her contributions to Star Wars, her Academy Award-winning career, and why so many fans consider her one of the unsung heroes behind the galaxy far, far away.
Join us as we remember a woman whose influence can still be felt every time the opening crawl begins.
When Nao Kanzaki receives a strange letter and a suitcase containing 100 million yen, she learns that she has been selected to participate in the LIAR GAME. In this high-stakes psychological battle, lies, deception, and betrayal reign supreme. Naïve and honest, Nao turns to Shinichi Akiyama, a brilliant former con artist, to survive the twisted game. In a game built on lies, can honesty prevail?
The Pokémon Fossil Museum officially opened yesterday in Chicago at the Field Museum!
The one-of-a-kind experience combines the worlds of Pokémon and paleontology, allowing visitors to compare Fossil Pokémon like Tyrantrum and Archeops with real fossils, including SUE the T. Rex.
You can explore models of fan-favorite Pokémon, real fossil excavation and preparation tools, exhibition soundscapes, and illustrations of actual Field Museum scientists featured throughout the experience.
This is the exhibition’s North American debut right here in Chicago. It will run through April 11, 2027. A special exhibition ticket is required that needs to be purchased in advance as demand is high.
