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.
Racing against time, Kai must quickly find a way past the "wall" while Team Suma Garage attempts to deliver a heart for a life-saving transplant.
Kai is a "tagless" human girl born outside the technocracy of Tokyo city. She uses her hacking skills to forge a new life for herself, hiding within the city, but her attempt to make friends with a rich socialite, ends up with Kai on the bad end of a drug deal and the target of a relentless detective. Her only refuge is to join up with a group of rebels who work outside the "system." But she soon discovers that not everything in this utopian city is what it appears to be...
Tokyo Override is a Japanese original net animation (ONA) series produced by Netflix. Directed by Yusuke Fukada and Veerapatra Jinanavin, the series premiered on Netflix in November 2024. The show uniquely collaborated with Yamaha and Honda throughout the duration of the 3.5 year production, with this collaboration beginning during the show's unique worldbuilding phase during pre-production, led by world designer Laura Cechanowicz.
"There’s not a day in all the year But holds some hidden pleasure, And looking back, joys oft appear To brim the past’s wide measure. But blessings are like friends, I hold, Who love and labor near us. We ought to raise our notes of praise While living hearts can hear us."
Reviewing three episodes of 7 different anime from the year 1990, with notes for context. Inspired by Sean Seanson's Playstation games series, with 90s nostalgia flowing through the veins (or circuits?).
Come along as we tour Walt Disney Animation Studios guided by directors Dan Abraham and Trent Correy! We'll meet animators, explore decked out offices, go behind the scenes of your favorite movies (Encanto, Frozen, The Lion King, Zootopia, Moana) and MUCH MORE. Featuring Dan Abraham, Trent Correy, Mark Henn, Eric Goldberg, Jorge Ruiz, Darrin Butters, Joyce Tong & Brad Simonsen.
See what lies beyond with Disney’s MOANA 2, arriving only in theaters November 27!
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic animated musical “Moana 2” reunites Moana (voice of Cravalho) and Maui (voice of Johnson) three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced. Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller, and produced by Christina Chen and Yvett Merino, “Moana 2” features music by Grammy® winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa‘i, and three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina. Jared Bush and Miller are writing the film, which is executive produced by Jennifer Lee, Bush and Johnson.
The film also features returning stars Rachel House (Moana’s Grandma, Tala), Temuera Morrison (Moana’s father, Chief Tui) and Nicole Scherzinger (Moana’s mother, Sina), as well as the voices of Hualālai Chung, David Fane and Rose Matafeo as Moana’s new crew members Moni, Kele and Loto, respectively. Awhimai Fraser voices mysterious new character Matangi; Gerald Ramsey plays Moana’s ancestor, Tautai Vasa; and Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda lends her voice to Moana’s adoring and adorable little sister, Simea.
Disney invites you to return to the story that started it all
“Disney’s Snow White” is a live-action musical reimagining of the classic 1937 film. The magical music adventure journeys back to the timeless story with beloved characters Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, and Sneezy. “Disney’s Snow White” is directed by Marc Webb and produced by Marc Platt and Jared LeBoff, with Callum McDougall serving as executive producer, and features all-new original songs from Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
Experience Snow White, only in theaters March 21, 2025.
As her 16th birthday approaches, a not-so-average teen rediscovers the fiery powers she's long suppressed and is forced to face her demons — literally.
The Complete League of Legends Lore Timeline Explained
Welcome to the ultimate lore breakdown of Arcane and League of Legends! Set on the planet of Runeterra, the world where all League of Legends champions originate. In this video, I’ll take you through the entire timeline of League of Legends and Arcane, from the rise of the Shuriman Empire and Azir’s legendary reign, to the founding of the war-hungry nation of Noxus, and the mystical land of Ionia, where champions like Yasuo and Ahri hail from. We’ll explore the industrial evolution of Piltover and Zaun, uncovering how these twin cities came to be, while also recapping the explosive and emotional journey of Jinx and Vi in Arcane. Whether you’re a fan of League of Legends or new to the world of Runeterra, this comprehensive dive into its lore will leave you with a deeper understanding of this epic universe. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your favorite Arcane or League moments in the comments below! Let’s unravel the secrets of Runeterra together!
From three-time Oscar® nominee and Golden Globe winner Dean DeBlois, the creative visionary behind DreamWorks Animation’s acclaimed How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, comes a stunning live-action reimagining of the film that launched the beloved franchise.
On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup (Mason Thames; The Black Phone, For All Mankind) stands apart. The inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler, reprising his voice role from the animated franchise), Hiccup defies centuries of tradition when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society.
With the fierce and ambitious Astrid (BAFTA nominee Nico Parker; Dumbo, The Last of Us) and the village’s quirky blacksmith Gobber (Nick Frost; Snow White and the Huntsman, Shaun of the Dead) by his side, Hiccup confronts a world torn by fear and misunderstanding. As an ancient threat emerges, endangering both Vikings and dragons, Hiccup’s friendship with Toothless becomes the key to forging a new future. Together, they must navigate the delicate path toward peace, soaring beyond the boundaries of their worlds and redefining what it means to be a hero and a leader.
The film also stars Julian Dennison (Deadpool 2), Gabriel Howell (Bodies), Bronwyn James (Wicked), Harry Trevaldwyn (Smothered), Ruth Codd (The Midnight Club), BAFTA nominee Peter Serafinowicz (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Murray McArthur (Game of Thrones). How to Train Your Dragon is written, produced and directed by DeBlois. It is also produced by three-time Oscar® nominee Marc Platt (Wicked, La La Land) and Emmy winner Adam Siegel (Drive, 2 Guns). How To Train Your Dragon is part of the Filmed For IMAX® Program, which offers filmmakers IMAX® technology to help them deliver the most immersive movie experience to audiences around the world.
Inspired by Cressida Cowell’s New York Times bestselling book series, DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon franchise has captivated global audiences, earning four Academy Award® nominations and grossing more than $1.6 billion at the global box-office. Now, through cutting-edge visual effects, DeBlois transforms his beloved animated saga into a breathtaking live-action spectacle, bringing the epic adventures of Hiccup and Toothless to life with jaw-dropping realism as they discover the true meaning of friendship, courage and destiny.
Secret Level features original stories set within the worlds of some of the most beloved video games. From the creative minds behind LOVE, DEATH + ROBOTS, each of the 15 episodes is a celebration of games and gamers. Games that inspired the 15 epic stories include Armored Core, Concord, Crossfire, Dungeons & Dragons, Exodus, Honor of Kings, Mega Man, New World: Aeternum, PAC-MAN, various PlayStation Studios games, Sifu, Spelunky, The Outer Worlds, Unreal Tournament and Warhammer 40,000. Secret Level will be available exclusively on Prime Video in over 240 countries and territories worldwide starting on December 10, with additional episodic drops until December 17.
Enter Secret Level, debuting December 10.
Secret Level showcases a star studded cast including Arnold Schwarzenegger (The Terminator Franchise), Kevin Hart (Jumanji), Keanu Reeves (John Wick), Temuera Morrison (The Book of Boba Fett, Chief of War), Ariana Greenblatt (Barbie), Heaven Hart, Emily Swallow (The Mandalorian), Gabriel Luna (The Last of Us, Terminator: Dark Fate), Ricky Whittle (American Gods, Land of Bad), Patrick Schwarzenegger (The White Lotus), Merle Dandridge (The Last of Us), Claudia Doumit (The Boys), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Lost, The Union), Clive Standen (Vikings, The Morning Show), Laura Bailey (The Legend of Vox Machina), and Michael Beach (The Perfect Couple, Tulsa King).
Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple) as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusualEveryone deserves the chance to fly. green skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart.
The two meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Glinda's unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power, while Elphaba's determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences on her future. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
The film also stars Oscar® winner Michelle Yeoh as Shiz University’s regal headmistress Madame Morrible; Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton, Fellow Travelers) as Fiyero, a roguish and carefree prince; Tony nominee Ethan Slater (Broadway’s Spongebob Squarepants, Fosse/Verdon) as Boq, an altruistic Munchkin student; Marissa Bode in her feature-film debut as Nessarose, Elphaba’s favored sister; and pop culture icon Jeff Goldblum as the legendary Wizard of Oz.
The cast of characters includes Pfannee and ShenShen, two conniving compatriots of Glinda played by Emmy nominee Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live) and Bronwyn James (Harlots), and a new character created for the film, Miss Coddle, played by Tony nominee Keala Settle (The Greatest Showman).
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights), Wicked is the first chapter of a two-part immersive, cultural celebration. Wicked Part Two is scheduled to arrive in theaters on November 26, 2025.
Wicked is produced by Marc Platt (La La Land, The Little Mermaid), whose films, television shows and stage productions have earned a combined 46 Oscar® nominations, 58 Emmy nominations and 36 Tony nominations, and by multiple Tony winner David Stone (Kimberly Akimbo, Next to Normal), with whom Platt produced the blockbuster Wicked stage musical. The executive producers are David Nicksay, Stephen Schwartz and Jared LeBoff.
Based on the bestselling novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked is adapted for the screen by the stage production’s book writer Winnie Holzman and by legendary Grammy and Oscar® winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz. The Broadway stage musical is produced by Universal Stage Productions, Marc Platt, the Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.
Marvel's Thunderbolts* movie is the first of two team-focused MCU films to release in 2025. It assembles characters from past MCU movies who haven't always been on the right side of history, gathering them together to operate in a team under the direction of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). When filming on the movie began, it was confirmed the title is Thunderbolts*, and Marvel chief Kevin Feige refused to explain the meaning of the asterisk.
Thunderbolts* releases on Friday, May 2, 2025, taking the MCU's typical early May release spot. The Thunderbolts team in Marvel's 2025 movie will be led by Bucky Barnes aka The Winter Soldier, played by Sebastian Stan. The other confirmed members of the Thunderbolts* movie cast include Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova aka Black Widow, Wyatt Russell as John Walker aka U.S. Agent, David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov aka Red Guardian, Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr aka Ghost, Olga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov aka Taskmaster.
Meg Raspberry, an apprentice witch who celebrated her 17th birthday.
She is a magical teacher and one of the best in the magical world.
Suddenly, she is told that she has only one year left to live.
Meg is cursed with the Death Declaration.
There is only one way to escape a death curse, by creating a "seed of life" that brings immortality to one person. And the material of the "Seed of Life" is made up of fragments of emotions called "Tears of Joy."
"So how many tears should I collect?"
"From a thousand people."
"……Uh, really?"
In this way, Meg is involved with various people to collect joyful tears.
Lucasfilm employees are unable to keep their mouths shut about politics, with their director of cinematography deleting his account after making comments about Trump voters being disgusting. Disney's handling of Star Wars has been criticized for bias and polarization, with Kathleen Kennedy pushing a female narrative in a way that screams patriarchy. The sequel trilogy failed to deliver on the promise of Han, Luke, and Leia together, with The Force Awakens attracting fans for that reason alone. The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett are the only successful Star Wars projects under Disney, while other shows have been met with low viewership and disgust. The sequel trilogy's failure is attributed to Disney's interference and Kathleen Kennedy's decisions, which have damaged the franchise and alienated a significant portion of the audience. The Star Wars franchise has lost its soul since being sold to corporations, with Disney's handling being particularly damaging, according to creator George Lucas.
Kathleen Kennedy announces a new Star Wars trilogy...
On November 7th, word broke that another Star Wars trilogy is in the works from filmmaker Simon Kinberg and of course, Lucasfilm studio chief Kathleen Kennedy. But is this one going to happen, or will it too go the way of the previously announced Star Wars trilogies from Rian Johnson and the Game of Thrones guys, that never happened? Is this another attempt by Kathleen Kennedy to have her contract extended, while she finds a way to leave with a "win"?
The Woke crowd has been in power for several years. Do not forget how they treated us. Do not let them off the hook. DEI has led many companies to financial ruin. The video game industry is crumbling from fans' rejection of wokeness in their games. Movie companies are suffering from the activism that has corrupted their stories, turning them into lectures of how bad you are for not supporting them. Americans have had enough! They have rejected wokeness and yearn for a return to "common sense."
"The Red Wave hit Kamala so hard that FEMA gave her $750."
- Best Online Comment
And the intolerant Left has gone into Meltdown mode. Jimmy Kimmel cries on air over Trump re-election, The View and CNN call for censorship of social media while claiming Trump will censor them, and Hollywood just loses its collective sh*t overall. It's going to be a LONG four years...
All episodes of Season 1 are now playing on Netflix and get ready for Season 2 dropping on November 9th!
Amidst the escalating unrest between the rich, utopian city of Piltover and the seedy, oppressed underbelly of Zaun, sisters Vi and Jinx find themselves embroiled in a developing conflict over clashing convictions and arcane technologies.
Arcane was released to widespread acclaim, with praise directed at its animation, story, worldbuilding, action sequences, characters, emotional weight, sound, and voice acting. Some have noted the series' appeal both to casual viewers who have never played League of Legends and to long-time fans of the game. It also set the record as Netflix's highest-rated series at the time within a week of its premiere, ranked first on the Netflix Top 10 Chart in 52 countries, and ranked second on the chart in the United States. Several critics and publications considered it one of the best video game adaptations ever made. In 2022, the series became the first streaming series to win a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program and won an Annie Award for Best General Audience Animated Television Broadcast Production.
The second and final season to be released between November 9 and 23
Taro Sakamoto used to be an unrivaled hitman, earning legendary status in the underworld, but one day, the unthinkable happened; Sakamoto fell in love. He started dating, retired, got married, and had a kid, growing overweight as a result. Though now working as a humble convenience store owner, the world of hitmen still follows him. Sakamoto, along with Shin, a young man with telepathy and employee at his small store, will protect his humble life and family, or die trying.
Covering Netflix One Piece Season 2 Trailer and Easter Eggs. One Piece Season 2 will adapt the Alabasta Saga. Baroque Works, Crocodile, Nico Robin, Vivi and a bunch of other new characters beginning with Captain Smoker and Loguetown. The season will start with Loguetown and end with Drum Island. And One Piece Season 3 will start with the Alabasta Arc pushing into Sky Islands. ONE PIECE is a legendary high-seas quest unlike any other. Luffy is a young adventurer who has longed for a life of freedom ever since he can remember. He sets off from his small village on a perilous journey to find the legendary fabled treasure, ONE PIECE, to become King of the Pirates. Major Characters in One Piece Season 1, Nami, Zoro, Usopp, Buggy The Clown, Red Shanks, Gol D. Roger and the One Piece Treasure. The Going Merry Ship and becoming the Straw Hat Pirates by the end of the season. Luffy and Red Shanks, the Devil Fruit Gum Gum Powers, the next Pirate King. Other major villains. The World Government, The Marines, The Four Emperors and the Seven Warlords.
Yuta Hibiki can’t remember who he is, and now he’s seeing and hearing things that others don’t! A voice from an old computer tells him to remember his calling, and he sees a massive, unmoving creature in the distance. Nothing’s making sense—until the behemoth springs to life! Suddenly, Yuta is pulled into the digital world, reappearing in the real one as the colossal hero — Gridman!
SKELETON CREW On December 3, a new Star Wars adventure awaits.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is an upcoming American science fiction television series created by Jon Watts and Christopher Ford for the streaming service Disney+. It is part of the Star Wars franchise, taking place in the same time frame as the series The Mandalorian and its interconnected spin-offs after the events of the film Return of the Jedi (1983). Skeleton Crew tells a coming-of-age story about four children who make a discovery on their home planet, get lost in the galaxy, and go on an adventure to get back home.
Jude Law stars in the series with Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Kyriana Kratter, Robert Timothy Smith, Tunde Adebimpe, Kerry Condon, and Nick Frost. Watts approached Lucasfilm about telling an Amblin Entertainment-style coming-of-age story set in the Star Wars universe, and he was developing the series with Ford by early 2022. It was officially announced that May at Star Wars Celebration,
with Law revealed to be starring. Filming began by September 2022 in
Los Angeles, and wrapped by late January 2023. The child actors in the
series were revealed in April 2023. Kathleen Kennedy, Jon Favreau, and Dave Filoni returned from The Mandalorian as additional executive producers.
Skeleton Crew is scheduled to premiere on Disney+ on December 3, 2024, and will consist of eight episodes.
On October 29th, Sony confirmed that Concord would be sunset forever, and Firewalk studios shut down, thus becoming the latest in a long string of DEI gone wrong horror stories, which also includes Disney, Marvel, Star Wars and so much more. But what is DEI, how does it connect to Stakeholder Capitalism as well as with ESG and its derivates, and why are these so bad for not just entertainment, but anything else they’re applied to? Let’s find out!
Based on the charming trilogy of children's books by beloved multi award-winning writer/director Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Love Actually, Yesterday), That Christmas follows a series of entwined tales about family and friends, love and loneliness, and Santa Claus making a big mistake, not to mention an enormous number of turkeys! This heartwarming comedy from Locksmith Animation marks Curtis’ first foray into animation, serving as the film’s writer and executive producer, and also the feature directorial debut of renowned animation veteran Simon Otto (Love, Death & Robots, How to Train Your Dragon films). Nicole P. Hearon (Moana, Frozen) and Adam Tandy (The Thick of It, Detectorists) are producers.
When a spell turns her parents into monsters, Princess Ellian embarks on an epic quest to reverse the curse before it's too late. This twist on happily ever after is directed by Vicky Jenson (SHREK) with original score from EGOT-winning composer Alan Menken (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST) and lyrics by Glenn Slater (TANGLED). A Netflix Film from Skydance Animation, SPELLBOUND boasts an all-star voice cast led by Rachel Zegler, John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Nathan Lane, Tituss Burgess, with Javier Bardem, and Nicole Kidman. Spellbound is written by Lauren Hynek & Elizabeth Martin, and Julia Miranda and produced by John Lasseter, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Bruce Anderson, and Linda Woolverton.
