Next Club Meeting:October 17, 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.
The year is U.C.0105, twelve years after Char's Rebellion. "Mafty" has begun resisting the Federation government's tyrannical rule by assassinating its high-ranking officials. Its leader is actually Hathaway Noa , the son of Bright Noa, who fought in the One Year War alongside Amuro Ray. A girl named Gigi Andalusia, who displays uncanny powers, has reminded Hathaway of a past trauma. Though he is bewildered by her words, he prepares to carry out an air raid on the Adelaide conference, determined to fulfill Mafty's goals and lay his own past to rest.
Haunted by past trauma, Hathaway is drawn to the mysterious girl Gigi Andalucia, whose strange powers stir memories within him. While swayed by her cryptic words, he continues preparing for Mafty’s mission — the attack on the Adelaide Conference. Meanwhile, Kenneth Sleg of the Federation Forces prepares a defense operation for the Adelaide Conference and a plan to eliminate Mafty, when he is approached by Handley Yoxon of the Criminal Police Organization with a secret proposal. As Hathaway and Kenneth pursue their respective goals, Gigi also sets off for Hong Kong to fulfill her own role.
The series is set in an alternate version of the Universal Century timeline, which diverges from the original Mobile Suit Gundam series' continuity, as Char Aznable steals the RX-78-2 White Gundam alongside the White Base. Char becomes the pilot of the Gundam instead of Amuro Ray, renaming it the "Red Gundam". This drastically changes the outcome of the One Year War between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon, culminating with Zeon's victory. However, Char and the Red Gundam disappear after this in a phenomenon called Zeknova, prompting a search by Zeon. Some characters in the series who died in the original Universal Century timeline, such as Challia Bull and Kycilia Zabi, survive in this divergent timeline.
Five years after the Principality of Zeon won the One Year War, Amate Yuzuriha, a high school student living on the space colony "Side 6", crosses paths with Nyaan, a war refugee. Her encounter with Nyaan leads her to get involved in an incident when both the Principality of Zeon and the Space Police are pursuing the missing Red Gundam after it re-emerges 5-years after disappearing. To catch the Red Gundam, Zeon sends out Xavier Olivette in the gMS-Ω GQuuuuuuX, a prototype Gundam meant for Newtype pilots. However, while trying to capture the Red Gundam, Xavier crashes into the space colony and is ejected from the GQuuuuuuX. Amate jumps into the cockpit of the GQuuuuuuX, steals it, and subsequently defeats the Police Force, allowing the Red Gundam to escape. The GQuuuuuuX is taken by the Pomeranians, an underground team of mechanics participating in Clan Battles, a series of illegal and high-stakes Mobile Suit dueling matches. After meeting the Red Gundam's pilot, Shuji, Amate chooses to join him in Clan Battles with the Pomeranians, fighting alongside him in the GQuuuuuuX.
Coming exclusive to Prime Video in over 240 countries and regions.
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!
Henry Cavill has signed onto a new heroic lead. Not as the famed Man Of Steel, but as the lead for Amazon MGM Studios’ ‘Voltron.’ Based on the Japanese adapted 1980s series ‘Voltron: Defender of the Universe’, the new film is sure to bring the mechanized magic to new audiences.
Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance (機動戦士ガンダム 復讐のレクイエム, Kidō Senshi Gandamu Fukushū no Rekuiemu, "Mobile Suit Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance") is an upcoming Japanese English-language original net animation series co-produced by Bandai Namco Filmworks and SAFEHOUSE. Part of the Gundam franchise, it is the second production to be done entirely in computer animation since Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO and the first series animated using Epic Games' Unreal Engine 5. It is directed by Erasmus Brosdau and both written and co-executive produced by Gavin Hignight, with mechanical designs by Kimitoshi Yamane.
To be streamed on Netflix on October 17, 2024.
Taking place during the late stages of the One Year War, it follows Iria Sorari, a Principality of Zeon pilot under the "Red Wolves" division, who is tasked with defending the European front against the Earth Federation Forces' efforts on reclaiming the area.
Two "Hero" puppets from 1989's "ROBOTJOX" at Propstore
Fifty years after a nuclear holocaust, mankind is decimated and the surviving nations—the American western-influenced Market and the Soviet-Russian-influenced Confederation—have agreed to outlaw traditional open war. In their place, disputes are settled with gladiator-style matches between giant robots operated by pilots called "robot jox" who are contracted to fight ten matches. The Confederation champion is Alexander, who has killed his last nine opponents thanks in part to a spy in the Market leaking information to the Confederation. The Market's champion, Achilles has won nine fights and will fight his final match against Alexander for the territory of Alaska. Achilles is supported by robot designer "Doc" Matsumoto and strategist Tex Conway, the only jox to win all ten of his contract fights.
As Achilles gets the upper hand in the match, Alexander launches a rocket fist at him. The projectile goes out of control and heads toward the bleachers. Achilles intercepts the projectile but his robot takes the full force of the impact and is knocked into the crowd, killing over 300 people. The referees declare the match a draw and order a rematch, but Achilles, shaken by what happened, declares this was his contractual tenth match and announces his retirement. He goes to live with his brother Philip and his family, and finds he is publicly branded a traitor and a coward. Meanwhile, a new jox is chosen to face Alexander, a genetically engineered "gen jox" named Athena, who is the first female jox. Worried for Athena and attracted to her, Achilles returns to the Market and agrees to fight Alexander again, infuriating Athena.
As Achilles' robot is rebuilt, Matsumoto refuses to divulge any knowledge of its new weapons so it cannot be leaked by the spy, and Conway confides in Achilles he believes Matsumoto is the spy. Conway confronts Matsumoto in his office. Matsumoto reveals he has analyzed Conway's final fight and deduced that the "lucky" laser hit Conway claims allowed him to defeat a clearly superior opponent was in fact deliberately aimed; Matsumoto accuses Conway of being a Confederation agent. Conway confesses and shoots Matsumoto, who secretly records the deed as part of the mission briefing. Conway informs the Market leadership that Matsumoto was the spy. On the day of the fight Athena drugs Achilles and steals his jox suit to commandeer the robot. Unable to stop the fight once she takes the field, the Market decides to support her. While watching Matsumoto's briefing on the robot's new weaponry, the footage of Conway killing Matsumoto is played and Conway jumps down the robot's elevator shaft to his death. Alexander takes the field against Athena. Athena takes the early advantage, but Alexander overpowers her and incapacitates the robot. The fight is declared in Alexander's favor and referees order him to stand down. Achilles arrives on the field and takes over the robot from Athena while Alexander smashes the referee hovercraft; the two jox stand to continue the fight. Both robots take to the air and a short space battle ensues. Alexander critically damages Achilles' robot, forcing him to crash land and flee for cover to the arm of Alexander's robot Athena sliced off earlier in the fight. Achilles hotwires the arm to launch its fist at Alexander, destroying his robot. Alexander emerges from the wreckage and the two battle with poles before Achilles finally convinces Alexander a match does not have to end with the death of a jock. Alexander throws down his weapon, and they salute each other with the jox's traditional "crash and burn" fist bump.
In the year Universal Century 0079, a state of war began when the Principality of Zeon declared its independence from the Earth Federation government. In the war's opening stages, the Zeon forces maintained an advantage thanks to the effectiveness of their new weapon, the mobile suit. However, they lacked the fighting strength to fully conquer Earth, and the war became a stalemate.
Eleven months after the outbreak of war, a base in Zeon-occupied Eastern Europe is captured by the Federation Forces. A Zeon composite battalion is sent to recapture the base, and among its members are Solari and her Red Wolf Squadron, a mobile suit team that has only just arrived from space...
Streams worldwide in Fall 2024, only on Netflix!
This all-new original animation composed of six 30-minute episodes focusing on the European front of the One Year War, which was the setting of the first Gundam series, "Mobile Suit Gundam." Produced in collaboration with SAFEHOUSE using Unreal Engine 5, the series is written by Gavin Hignight, who wrote the animated series "Tekken: Bloodline" and "Transformers: Cyberverse," as well as the video game "Marvel's Spider-Man," and is directed by Erasmus Brosdau, who has also worked on the animated series "Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness" and the video games "Star Citizen," "Ryse: Son of Rome" and the "Crysis" series.
Fang of the Sun Dougram (太陽の牙ダグラム, Taiyō no Kiba Daguramu) is a 75-episode anime television series, created by Ryosuke Takahashi and Sunrise, and aired in Japan from October 23, 1981 to March 25, 1983 on TV Tokyo.
Dougram is also a fantastic Battletech anime. Not only were half of the original mechs licensed from the show, but the politics and grit of the setting really has a lot in common with Battletech. This could easily be set on any periphery world during the succession wars
The series begins in a desert on the colony planet Deloyer, where the remains of a destroyed robot are resting as a red-haired woman is standing in front of it. The woman hallucinates what appears to be a group of armed soldiers alongside the robot in a non-destroyed state. A man named Rocky appears, leading to the woman running into his embrace where she cries tears of joy. After this, the series flashes back to an earlier time, in order to explain the circumstances leading up to the first episode.
Malcontents on the Deloyer colony agitate for the independence of their world from the Earth Federation. In an unexpected coup, the elected Governor declares martial law and sets himself up as absolute dictator. With the approval of the Federation, he rules the planet with an iron fist. In reaction, a ragtag group (including the governor's estranged son) rises in open rebellion, using a powerful prototype Combat Armor: the Dougram. Their goal is the end of the dictatorship and total independence from the Federation's influence.
The story follows the actions of the guerilla freedom fighters known as "The Deloyer 7". The war is fought across the planet Deloyer as the Federation vigorously pursues the rebels. The series is noted for its realistic use of not just the combat armors and support vehicles, but also military tactics. The series also followed a wide range of characters and political intrigue, with many shady characters switching sides throughout the series.
Crinn Cashim is the show's main character. Son of Governor Donan Cashim, he becomes trained in piloting the Soltic Roundfacer by Jacky Zaltsev, a Federation Ace, because of his father's political connections. When his father appears to be overthrown by a coup led by Colonel Von Stein, he pilots a Roundfacer while Federation forces battle Garcia's forces. He is stunned to learn that his father has actually sided with Von Stein in a secret plan, and eventually becomes angry at his father's forces in how they deal with the rebellion following the coup. Following a meeting with Dr. David Samalin, who introduces him to a combat armor he has designed, the Dougram, Cashim and his friends form The Fang of the Sun and join the rebellion against the Federation.
The Elden Ring People made a Gundam Game... and NAILED IT
Let's check out something that is sure to be a treat to any Gundam Fan out there. Remember that little dev studio that made Darksouls, Sekiro, and Elden Ring? Yeah, FromSoftware, those are the folks. Well, it turns out, back in 2012, they released a Gundam game: Mobile Suit Gundam: Unicorn. Unfortunately, it never received an English release, but don't let that deter you. The game is VERY accessible and playable for those who don't read or speak Japanese. Sure, you may miss out on the story bits, but as long as you've watched the first three episodes of the show, you're good to go. Incredible visuals, sound, and game-play make the journey offered by this game one worth experiencing.
Gundam is one of the hardest anime franchises to get into. Between the universal century timeline, the non canon Gundam anime, and everything in-between, it can be difficult to know where to start your Gundam adventure. Let us help you out!
C.E. (Cosmic Era). An era in which there are human beings called Coordinators, born with superior physical and mental abilities thanks to genetic modification, and humans called Naturals who are born naturally. With their respective existence at stake, the ideological clash between Coordinators and Naturals escalated into war using armed force. Along the way, the Destiny Plan was proposed, which would forcibly assign a role to each individual and create a world free of competition. But amid the fighting, this Destiny Plan was rejected in order to protect humanity's aspirations and future freedom.
Returning to the action and spectacle that have captured moviegoers around the world, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will take audiences on a ‘90s globetrotting adventure and introduce the Maximals, Predacons, and Terrorcons to the existing battle on earth between Autobots and Decepticons. Directed by Steven Caple Jr. and starring Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback, the film arrives in theatres June 9, 2023.
Piloting Atlas Destroyer with Mei and Boy in tow, Hayley and Taylor continue their journey to Sydney, but first, they must get past a bloodthirsty cult.
The epic series conclusion! After Kaiju ravage Australia, two siblings pilot a Jaeger to search for their parents, encountering new creatures, seedy characters and chance allies. Coming to Netflix in 2022.
Sacks&Guns!! (サクガン!!, Sakugan!!) is an upcoming Japanese anime television series produced by Satelight. It is directed and written by Jun'ichi Wada, with character designs by Yūji Iwahara, and music by Tatsuya Kato.
It is an adaptation of the novel Sakugan Labyrinth Marker, written by Nekotarō Inui, which was submitted to Project Anima, a 2018 collaboration between DeNA, Sotsu, and Bunka Housou that accepted story submissions from the general public. Sakugan Labyrinth Marker was the runner-up in the "Science-Fiction/Robot" category.
The anime was originally scheduled to premiere in 2020, but was delayed to premiere in October 2021 on Tokyo MX, MBS, and BS11.
The opening theme song, "Kо̄kotsu Labyrinth" ("Enchanted Labyrinth"), will be performed by Masaaki Endoh, while the ending theme song, "Shine", will be performed by Thai YouTuber MindaRyn. Crunchyroll licensed the series.
A manga adaptation will begin serialization in Square Enix's Manga UP! website in Summer 2021.
Now the Autobots must team up with the Maximals to confront the Decepticons, who have joined forces with the Predacons, in the race to find the missing AllSpark. However, the Predacons are in control of the Golden Disk, a mysterious artifact which has a personal connection to Megatron and gives him an untold advantage over his enemy, Optimus Prime. Which faction will triumph in the final battle that will decide the fate of Cybertron's future?
Hathaway Noa, still haunted by his past actions, joins a terrorist organization called Mufti and adopts the alias "Mufti Nabiyy Erin". Mufti is fighting a terrorist campaign against the Earth Federation government.
U.C. 0105, twelve years after the Second Neo Zeon War, the Earth Federation accepts the Republic of Zeon back in the fold. However, over the next few years, the Federation's greed and distrust of spacenoids leads them to form "Man Hunter" units to forcefully deport underprivileged or undesirable civilians around the world to the space colonies. A terrorist organization called Mafty is led by Bright Noah's son Hathaway Noa. Hathaway, who now goes by the name Mafty Navue Erin, is still haunted by his past actions regarding the death of Quess Paraya and reflecting upon the actions and beliefs of Char and Amuro. He started his terrorist actions against the Federation and its high officials as an act of revenge, using the new prototype unit, the RX-105 Ξ Gundam (Xi Gundam, "Ksi Gundam"). In response, Kenneth Sleg of the Earth Federation Space Forces assembles the Circe Unit, led by Lane Aim piloting the RX-104FF Penelope in order to stop Mafty.
The Decades Long Rights Battle Over ‘Macross’ And ‘Robotech’ Has Finally Been Resolved
By Ollie Barder
[Source: Forbes] In
a pretty astonishing turn of events, both Bigwest and Harmony Gold have
agreed to work together on the global distribution of the Macross and
Robotech franchises.
This has been one of the longest running legal battles in anime and I never thought I would see it resolved in my lifetime.
To
put it simply, Robotech was built from three disparate mecha anime;
Macross, Southern Cross and MOSPEADA. Tatsunoko Productions sold the
these rights to Harmony Gold, who then edited them together to create
Robotech.
The issue was that in the case of Macross, Tatsunoko
Productions was not the only owner of the property. The other party
involved was a Japanese company called Bigwest, that has in the years
since funded the creation of new installments in the Macross saga.
There
have been many legal battles about this issue of incomplete rights
ownership, but it looks like these have finally been worked out between
Bigwest and Harmony Gold.
While I thought this could be some kind
of delayed April Fool’s joke, both the original Macross and Robotech
sites have press statements to confirm this (here and here
respectively). I even checked with Shoji Kawamori’s team and they
confirmed this was actually real as well
Considering that the
bulk of the Macross saga has been landlocked to Japan, I am just glad
that both the work of Shoji Kawamori and Kazutaka Miyatake will finally
be made more widely available.
As to the details of what this agreement entails, this is what the official press statement has to say:
“Tokyo
based BIGWEST CO.,LTD. and Los Angeles based Harmony Gold U.S.A.
announced an agreement regarding the worldwide rights for the legendary
Macross and Robotech franchises. This expansive agreement signed by both
companies on March 1, 2021, ends two decades of disagreements and will
allow Bigwest and Harmony Gold to chart a new path that will unlock the
great potential of both the Macross and Robotech franchises worldwide.
The landmark agreement immediately permits worldwide distribution of
most of the Macross films and television sequels worldwide, and also
confirms that Bigwest will not oppose the Japanese release of an
anticipated upcoming live-action Robotech film. The agreement also
recognizes Harmony Gold’s longstanding exclusive license with Tatsunoko
for the use of the 41 Macross characters and mecha in the Robotech
television series and related merchandise throughout the world excluding
Japan. Moving forward, both parties will cooperate on distribution
regarding future Macross and Robotech projects for the benefit of both
franchises.”
Regarding the details of what Macross instalments
will be given a wider release remains to be seen. I have also reached
out to companies like Bandai Spirits to find out whether their extensive
toy and model kit lines for Macross will also be finally released
globally.
In any case, as a long-term fan of Macross, I can happily say that today is definitely a good day.
Iron Harvest is a real-time strategy dieselpunk-style video game, in development by King Art Games and published by Deep Silver. The game is planned to be released for Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on September 1, 2020. The game is set in the 1920+ alternate history universe created by the Polish artist Jakub Różalski, which was popularized by the board game Scythe. The 1920+ universe is inspired by the Polish–Soviet War of 1919-1920, and the game's theme has been described as "dieselpunk mecha". The story is focused on the conflict between three nations in Central and Eastern Europe — Polania, Rusviet and Saxony (based respectively on Poland, Soviet Union, and Germany) that occurs sometime in the 1920s, in the aftermath of World War I.
