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.

Sunday, May 31, 2015

BB-8 Cosplay!

[Source: Yahoo!TV] One of the biggest hits of the “The Force Awakens” so far has been BB-8…formerly known as the “Soccer Ball Droid.” There’s just something about this tiny white-and-orange robot that gives people the same reaction normally reserved for kittens and babies.

Inevitably, someone was going to cosplay as BB-8. We just didn’t know it would be this soon or this good.
Redditor One_Horny_Narwhal — sigh — posted this photo of themselves from a recent Wizard World Comic-Con in full BB-8 regalia. Apparently they created the costume making plaster casts around different sized balloons. Once the plaster hardened, the balloons were popped and pourable insulation foam was added to the inside of the casts for support. BB-8’s symbols were cut from vinyl and the eye piece is just an acrylic dome with window tint.

These simple materials add up to one amazing cosplay!

Saturday, May 30, 2015

Pics From STAR WARS Disney Infinity Game

STAR WARS Disney Infinity Game
New Assets and Information Released For Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition’s Star Wars™: Twilight of the Republic Play Set Avalanche Software and Ninja Theory Partner to Deliver Star Wars™ Gameplay Experience That Brings Lightsaber™ Duels to a New Level 
Coming This Fall
BURBANK, Calif. – (May 26, 2014) Disney Interactive today released new assets and information for Star Wars™: Twilight of the Republic, one of the three Star Wars™ Play Sets to be released for Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition this year.  Developed by Ninja Theory, in partnership with Avalanche Software, the game is set to deliver an authentic family-friendly Star Wars game experience with enhanced combat system.  

Set during the latter years of the Clone Wars, players will travel to four locations and explore open worlds of Tatooine and Coruscant, battle droids in Geonosis and partake in an epic boss battle in Naboo. Along the way, players will use the Force™ and master their Lightsaber™ skills as they fight alongside Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda to save the Republic and defeat the Separatists. 

Each Jedi character is given specialized Force combat abilities and Force finishing moves, as well as unique Lightsaber forms with powerful combo attacks. As Jedi Master Yoda, for example, players will leap into action with his agile and acrobatic prowess. Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano uses her lightning-fast dual Lightsabers to carve up Battledroids, while Darth Maul uses his double-bladed Lightsaber and power in the dark side of the Force in a death-defying duel against the Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi.

The Star Wars™: Twilight of the Republic Play Set is included in the Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Starter Pack available this fall for $64.99, which also includes the Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Base, Ahsoka Tano and Anakin Skywalker character figures, and a web code card that unlocks content for PC and mobile devices. The game is rated E10+ by the ESRB and will be available this fall. 

Two additional Star Wars Play Sets will be available for Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition this holiday, including Star Wars™: Rise Against the Empire and Star Wars™: The Force Awakens. In addition, players will be able to unlock the ability for all Star Wars characters to play inside all of the Star Wars Play Sets, as well as in the newly enhanced Toy Box, along with all characters previously released for Disney Infinity. 
 
 
 

Friday, May 29, 2015

Hideaki Anno warns about the decline of anime

Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno warns about the rapid decline of Japanese animation
[Source: blastr.com] Neon Genesis Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno had some grim predictions concerning the future of the Japanese animation industry, basically saying their days are numbered. [Insert sounds of doom]

In a recent interview with Russian news agency RIA Novosti (via EvaGeeks), Anno said the animation industry as we currently know it will end in the next five to 20 years! Now, that’s pretty scary news. Anno said: "Japanese animation is in decline. It’s already peaked." But after the death of anime — at least in the way, shape or form we know it — things will hopefully get a little better. "After it does collapse, there will probably be a new resurgence," Anno said. But will people go with the flow and wait for that resurgence? That’s Hideaki Anno's BIG QUESTION.

What's important to note here is that the death of the anime isn’t actually a full-on "the-end-as-we-know-it" type of scenario, because Japan will continue to produce and have animation. Anno said: "I don’t think animation will vanish, but perhaps there might not be the conditions that have existed up until now that have led to the creation of interesting films."
This collapse may mark the end of Japan’s dominance, but the genre will live on in other Asian countries. Anno points out that these particular markets are getting richer, and they will produce anime for their own audiences. As for Japan, there will be less money to spend on animation, which'll be a factor in this decline and death. Anno also says that there are fewer and fewer animators in Japan, and that will bring about another negative impact.

"Japan will just no longer be the center of world animation," Anno said. "Maybe in five years, Taiwan will be such a center." Anno went on to explain that he saw that Taiwanese animators had passion and energy in spades. By contrast, Anno says Japanese animation is "moving by inertia."

The Neon Genesis Evangelion creator added that he believes Japanese animation needs to adapt to new and modern working methods, and that includes computer graphics. The goal is to learn to make interesting anime with new tools, in a brand-new environment. Anno firmly believes that the current working conditions and business model are not sustainable, and if things don’t change, the decline of anime in Japan will be inevitable.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Boruto: Naruto the Movie

Boruto: Naruto the Movie
[Source: blastr.com] The character designs for Boruto, Sarada and Mitsuki as well as the first plot details for Boruto: Naruto the Movie have been revealed in the newest issue of Weekly Shonen Jump.
Boruto and Sarada both appeared at the end of Naruto (the manga) and will be voiced by Yuko Sanpei and Kokoro Kikuchi, respectively. Junko Takeuchi will return to play Naruto Uzumaki, and Noriaki Sugiyama will return as Sasuke Uchiha. As for Mitsuki, the character was not in the Naruto manga but appears in the miniseries Naruto: The Seventh Hokage and its sequel, The Scarlet Spring. Below's the film’s first plot summary, but be aware that there are SPOILERS concerning the ending of the original Naruto manga:
Boruto is the son of the 7th Hokage Naruto who completely rejects his father. Behind this, he has feelings of wanting to surpass Naruto, who is respected as a hero. He ends up meeting his father's friend Sasuke, and requests to become... his apprentice!? The curtain rises on the story of the new generation written by Masashi Kishimoto!
Naruto manga creator Masashi Kishimoto is penning the original story and script, and does the character designs. He is also the chief production supervisor. Hiroyuki Yamashita (Ninja: Naruto the Movie animation director) is helming the movie. Ukyō Kodachi (Chaos Dragon, Neppu Kairiku Bushi Road) is co-writing the script with Kishimoto.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Anime Central 2015 - Masquerade

anime  central  2015

M A S Q U E R A D E
Coverage of the Anime Central 2015 Cosplay Masquerade.

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

DC's Legends of Tomorrow

Legends of Tomorrow
When heroes alone are not enough… the world needs legends. Having seen the future, one he will desperately try to prevent from happening, time-traveling rogue Rip Hunter is tasked with assembling a disparate group of both heroes and villains to confront an unstoppable threat — one in which not only is the planet at stake, but all of time itself. Can this ragtag team defeat an immortal threat unlike anything they have ever known?

DC’S LEGENDS OF TOMORROW stars Victor Garber (“The Flash,” “Alias”); Brandon Routh (“Arrow,” “Superman Returns”); Arthur Darvill (“Doctor Who”); Caity Lotz (“Arrow”); Ciarra Renee (“Pippin”); Franz Drameh (“Edge of Tomorrow”); with Dominic Purcell (“The Flash,” “Prison Break”); and Wentworth Miller (“The Flash,” “Prison Break”). Based on the characters from DC Comics, DC’S LEGENDS OF TOMORROW is from Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television, with executive producers Greg Berlanti (“Arrow,” “The Flash,” upcoming “Pan”), Marc Guggenheim (“Arrow,” “Eli Stone,” “Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters”), Andrew Kreisberg (“Arrow,” “The Flash,” “Eli Stone,” “Warehouse 13”) and Sarah Schechter (“Arrow,” “The Flash,” upcoming “Pan”).

Monday, May 25, 2015

The Muppets Coming to ABC TV

T H E   M U P P E T S
The Muppets return to prime time with a contemporary, documentary-style show that, for the first time ever, will explore the Muppets’ personal lives and relationships, both at home and at work, as well as romances, break-ups, achievements, disappointments, wants and desires.

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Black Angel (1980 short film)

Rediscover this Empire Strikes Back 
theatrical companion short 'Black Angel'
Accompanied by an exclusive introduction from the director Roger Christian, the incredible fantasy short returns. It was first released in certain cinemas ahead of Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back in 1980. Lost for 35 years, it has been found and restored to its former glory.

Saturday, May 23, 2015

'Duet' - Short Film by Glen Keane

D   U   E   T
  • "Duet" Animated and Directed by legendary former Disney animator Glen Keane. Music by Scot Stafford.


Friday, May 22, 2015

Amazing Student Film Honors Miyazaki

Celles et Ceux des Cimes et Cieux
"Girls and Guys from Summits and Skies"
There's a beautiful animated short making the rounds—and knocking the socks off Studio Ghibli fans—and while it looks like it was made by a team of animators, it was created primarily by one person: a French art student named Gwenn Germaine.
 
Developed for a final project at the Parisian university Créapole, Celles et Ceux des Cimes et Cieux (aka "Girls and Guys from Summits and Skies") tells the story of a young man who lives in a giant tree and needs to find his way back home after he falls into the forest below. It's an obvious (and beautiful) love letter to legendary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, with homages to Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and even a cameo from a man who looks quite a bit like Miyazaki himself. Kudos to Germain—this is one hell of a final project.

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Anime Viewing Schedule for May 23, 2015

Saturday, May 23, 2015
Wood Dale Public Library
We've got the Highlights of
Anime Central  2015
"I'm here to destroy you... with cuteness!"
Anime Central Highlights @ 12:45 pm
Main Meeting Room, 10:15 am to 5:00 pm

10:15 - 10:40    Yoru no Yatterman 4-5
11:05 - 11:55    Blood Blockade Battlefront 3-4
11:55 - 12:45    Aldnoah Zero 17-18
12:45 - 1:25      Club Meeting / Announcements
1:25 - 2:15        Parasyte the maxim 14-15
2:15 - 3:05        Death Parade 6-7
3:05 - 3:55        Rage of Bahamut: Genesis 1-2
3:55 - 4:45        Zankyou no Terror 6-7
All anime presented are fan-subtitled unless otherwise noted.
 
Keep watching the exciting new anime series: Rage of Bahamut and Zankyou no Terror!
ANIME DESCRIPTIONS ARE BELOW

10:15 - 11:05     Yoru no Yatterman 4-5
Y a t t e r m a n   N i g h t
Plot Summary: [Source: Wikipedia] A long time ago, the Yattermen were heroes of justice who fought against the evil Doronbow Gang, exiling them and bringing peace to the Yatter Kingdom. Several generations later, however, the Yattermen have since become corrupt with power while everyone else has been forced to live in poverty and despair. After losing her mother to the Yattermen's selfishness, Leopard, a direct descendant of the gang's leader Doronjo, reforms the Doronbow Gang with Boyacky and Tonzra's descendants, Voltkatze and Elephantus, to rebel against the corrupt Yattermen.

11:05 - 11:55    Blood Blockade Battlefront 3-4
Blood Blockade Battlefront
Plot Summary: [Source: Wikipedia] It centers around the crime fighting organization "Libra" and their battles in Jerusalem's Lot, formerly known as New York City. Jerusalem's Lot was created in a single night when a portal to the "Beyond" opened, and now it is a paranormal melting pot of monsters, magic and the everyday mundane city life. It's up to Libra to prevent the horrors of this city from spreading to the outside world.  Leonard Watch is a young man whose special power, the "All Seeing Eyes" catches the attention of Libra.

11:55 - 12:45     Aldnoah Zero (Episodes 17-18)
Aldnoah Zero
Plot Summary: [Source: Wikipedia] In 1972, an ancient alien hypergate was discovered on the surface of the moon. Using this technology, humanity began migrating to Mars and settling there. After settlers discovered additional advanced technology, the Vers Empire was founded, which claimed Mars and its secrets for themselves. Later, the Vers Empire declared war on Earth, and in 1999, a battle on the Moon's surface caused the hypergate to explode, shattering the Moon and scattering remnants into a debris belt around the planet. Cut off from Mars, the remnants of the Vers Empire established several massive orbital space stations within the debris belt and a ceasefire was established. 15 years later, in 2014, an attack on the Vers princess during a peace mission causes the Empire to launch a new attack on Earth, this time determined to conquer it once and for all.

12:45 - 1:25     Club Meeting / Announcements
Anime Central 2015 Highlights
  • Convention Coverage
  • Animation News from around the world
  • Cosplayers/Skits/Masquerade
  • Anime Music Videos
  • And other weird, interesting stuff...


1:25 - 2:15    Parasyte - the maxim (Episodes 14-15)
P a R a S y T e
Plot Summary: [Source: Wikipedia] Parasyte centers around a 17-year-old teen named Shinichi Izumi, who lives with his mother and father in a quiet neighborhood in Tokyo. One night, worm-like aliens called Parasites invade Earth, taking over the brains of human hosts by entering through their ears or noses. One Parasite attempts to crawl into Shinichi's ear while he sleeps, but fails as Shinichi is wearing headphones, and enters his body by burrowing into his arm instead. In the Japanese version, it takes over his right hand and is named Migi, after the Japanese word for 'right'; Tokyopop's version, in which the images are flipped horizontally, has the Parasite take over Shinichi's left hand and it is named Lefty. Because Shinichi was able to prevent Migi from travelling further up into his brain, both beings retain their separate intellect and personality. As the duo encounter other Parasites, they capitalize on their strange situation and gradually form a strong bond, working together to survive. This gives them an edge in battling other Parasites who frequently attack the pair upon realization that Shinichi's human brain is still intact. Shinichi feels compelled to fight other Parasites, who devour humans as food, while enlisting Migi's help.

2:15 - 3:05    Death Parade (Episodes 6-7)
D E A T H   P A R A D E
Plot Summary: [Source: Wikipedia] Somewhere there is a mysterious bar known as the Quindecim, where a lone bartender named Decim works. Whenever two people die at the exact time and emerge from the bar's elevators, those two must participate in a Death Game with their lives on the line, the results of which will reveal what secrets led them there and what their fate will be afterwards.

3:05 - 3:55    Rage of Bahamut: Genesis 1-2
Rage of Bahamut: Genesis
Plot Summary: [Source: Wikipedia] Mistarcia is a magical world where humans, gods, and demons mingle together. In the past, the black-and-silver winged Bahamut has threatened to destroy the land, but humans, gods, and demons overcame their differences to fight together and sealed its power. The key to that seal was split in two, one half given to the gods and the other to demons, so that they would never be united and Bahamut never released. Now, two thousand years later, the world is in an era of peace - until the day a woman steals the gods' half of the key. The hunt begins to find the thief and maintain the seal while others conspire to find the key, so as to release the fearsome Bahamut.

3:55 - 4:45    Zankyou no Terror 6-7
Z a n k y o u   no   T e r r o r
Plot Summary: [Source: Wikipedia] In an alternate iteration of the present, Tokyo has been hit by a terrorist attack that has devastated the city. The only evidence of the culprits is a cryptic video uploaded to the Internet, which sparks paranoia across Japan. Unbeknownst to the authorities is that the terrorist masterminds—who call themselves "Sphinx" (スピンクス Supinkusu)—are two teenaged boys who go by the names Nine and Twelve. Though they apparently should not exist, they have nonetheless decided to "wake up the world" with their heinous plans of destruction, with their fingers on the trigger.