Next Club Meeting:November 21, 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.
Dissatisfied with current academic research, a student at Hogwarts seeks answers in the restricted library. This journey leads to an unexpected late-night encounter with a peer at the Mirror of Erised, revealing complex dynamics and hidden desires within the school.
Academy Award–nominated filmmaker Greta Gerwig brings C. S. Lewis’ beloved story The Magician’s Nephew to the screen for the first time in a sweeping adventure that invites dreamers of all ages to experience the creation of Narnia.
The Exiled Heavy Knight Knows How to Game the System
Born into a prestigious family of master swordsmen, Elymas Edvaughn’s future shatters when he awakens the so-called “defective” Heavy Knight class. Disowned and cast out, he regains memories of another life—and realizes this world mirrors a VR game he once mastered. Armed with knowledge no one else possesses, he sets out to rewrite his fate and prove the strength of the “weakest” class.
As an indie hit that became a legendary sensation, surpassing 1 million copies in its commercial edition in Japan, this new monumental “isekai” finally gets a TV adaptation!
In the city-state of Orichalconia, a world where alchemy and magic are deeply rooted in the lives of the people, the reincarnated Paracelsus ekes out a living as an alchemist while hiding his “cheat skills”.
However, his life changes dramatically one day after he enters into a contract with a shaman slave-girl, Nora, and later meets Coco, an elf who has lost all four limbs and five senses.
To save Coco, what began as a rescue attempt in a small workshop gradually escalates into a battle involving alchemy and sorcery, space and even the gods themselves—
The curtain now rises on this story, filled to the brim with “everything fantasy”!
Interview "The Fake Alchemist" Jirō Sugiura & Umemaru
Based on the original novel "MAJO TO RYOKEN" by Rainy Kamitsuki, published by Shogakukan Inc. Original character designs by LAM
The dark fantasy novel "MAJO TO RYOKEN" by Rainy Kamitsuki, originally published under Shogakukan’s Gagaga Bunko imprint, is officially getting an anime adaptation. The series is directed by Takanori Tsujimoto, whose works span both live-action and animation, including the live-action Ultraman series and the animated feature film HYPNOSISMIC -Division Rap Battle-. Character designs are by Kengo Saito, who has contributed to numerous acclaimed productions at Yostar Pictures.
Produced by the rising animation studio TriF Studio, the series promises stunning visuals and intense action.
Dead. Resurrected. Forgotten. Iarumas has no memory of who he was, only a deadly dungeon to explore. With a lone survivor named Garbage at his side, he dives deeper in search of the truth.
From Kumo Kagyu (Goblin Slayer) and so-bin (Overlord), comes a brand-new dark fantasy set in the legendary world of Wizardry. Coming in 2027.
The official release date announcement trailer for the upcoming Witch on the Holy Night anime movie, adapted from TYPE-MOON's visual novel and animated by ufotable.
After her baby brother is abducted by a murder of crows, headstrong teenager Prue McKeel launches a desperate rescue mission into the Impassable Wilderness—an enchanted forest hidden just beyond Portland, Oregon. Joined by her hapless but loyal classmate Curtis Mehlberg, Prue navigates a world of talking animals, bandits, and powerful figures driven by grief and ambition. As the pair is drawn into a conflict threatening the balance of the forest itself, Prue must discover strength and belief she never knew she possessed. If she hopes to save her brother and protect Wildwood’s fragile future, she will have to risk everything. From Oscar-nominated and BAFTA-winning LAIKA, Wildwood is a sweeping adventure about love, sacrifice, and the magic that reveals itself when we dare to look beyond the familiar.
Once upon a time, a mermaid princess named Lara fell in love with a human prince. To be with him, she used a witch’s potion to become human—but the magic came at a cost: If she failed to find true love, she would vanish into sea foam forever. Now, 200 years later, Lara awakens in Lake Biwa with one final chance at life and love.
Inspired by Osamu Tezuka's classic "Princess Knight," THE RIBBON HERO follows Sapphire, the princess of the fallen kingdom of Silverland, who becomes determined to defend her new home of Goldland and its citizens from the calamity that claimed her former homeland. Brought to life by a powerhouse team of creators, this new anime film arrives August 8, 2026, only on Netflix.
“Hexed” is an all-new magical coming-of-age saga releasing in theaters November 25. The original animated film is Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 65th animated feature.
Joining previously announced voice cast members Hailee Steinfeld and Rashida Jones are seven-time Emmy Award® winner Tracey Ullman (“The Tracey Ullman Show,” “Tracey Takes On…,” “Bullets Over Broadway,” “Robin Hood: Men in Tights”), who voices the enchanted feather quill pen Ms. Quill, and Stephen Fry (“Gosford Park,” “Wilde,” “Jeeves and Wooster,” “V for Vendetta,” “The Hobbit” trilogy) as the magical journal Elias Quire.
The new trailer introduces the impulsive and unconventional teenage girl Billie (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld) and her cautious mother, Alice (voiced by Rashida Jones). When Billie accidentally unleashes secret magical abilities, she’s hurtled out of suburbia and into a magical realm called Hexe, where she’s greeted by Ms. Quill (voiced by Tracey Ullman) and Elias Quire (voiced by Stephen Fry). As Billie’s spectacle-filled journey unfolds, she uncovers family mysteries that could change the magical world of witches forever.
Director Fawn Veerasunthorn said, “A wonderfully strange phenomenon is happening all around Billie, something she can’t explain. She's someone who has felt miscast in her own life, and it takes leaving her normal world behind and entering a hidden world of wild, unhinged magic to begin to understand herself.”
"Hexe is a place where Billie begins to feel seen for the first time in her life,” director Jason Hand said. “She embarks on a journey of self-discovery that reveals a powerful connection to magic, and in the process uncovers long-held secrets about her family.”
Disney’s “Hexed” is directed by Fawn Veerasunthorn and Jason Hand, co-directed by Josie Trinidad, and produced by Roy Conli and Yvett Merino. The film opens exclusively in theaters November 25, 2026.
Disney’s "Hexed" is only in theaters November 25, 2026
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.
In a world where sports and magic combine, farm boy Key discovers his ultra-powerful natural talent and learns he could be the legendary Dragon Striker. Set at Kal Asterock, an elite school for students who possess extraordinary abilities, Key joins goalkeeper Ssyelle on a scrappy new team to challenge the school champions. As he struggles with the raging dragon inside him and Ssyelle fights to hold her team together, they learn dark secrets of the past and uncover an ancient evil.
In a world where certain humans command mighty supernatural duos called Daemons, it is the birthright of "the children who sunder day and night"—twins Yuru and Asa—to rule over these powerful entities. Separated from a young age and unaware of the truth of their birth, brother and sister must fight to make their way back to each other, claim their birthright, and save the world...
Coco is a kind and daydreaming daughter of a dressmaker who aspires to become a witch; however because only innate magical users can practice and use magic, she has to give up on her dream. One day she meets a witch named Qifrey and after she witnesses how he uses magic (by drawing magical runes and using magical ink), Coco accidentally casts a spell that turns her mother to stone.
Coming APRIL 2026!
As Coco does not know which magic spell she cast and Qifrey is tracking the sinister coven that could be behind the incident, he takes Coco as his apprentice in order to undo the spell and allow her to fulfill her dream. As it is gradually revealed, the coven in question—the Brimmed Caps—have taken an extraordinary interest in Coco, hoping that she will help them revive the free use of magic, which was outlawed because of the atrocities committed with it in past times, with some of their repercussions still enduring in Coco's world. Because rune magic can be effectively made by everyone, the Assembly carefully watches over any abuse of it, even going so far as to erase the memories of any uninitiated (called "Outsiders") when they discover this secret. Thus, as Coco immerses herself into this new, wondrous world, a sinister plot begins to thicken around her.
Reclusive novelist Makio Koudai has always preferred the company of books—but when her sister and brother-in-law pass away, Makio unexpectedly becomes the guardian of her 15-year-old niece, Asa Takumi. As they navigate grief, clashing personalities, and the challenges of living together, the two slowly open their hearts to each other, discovering warmth, understanding, and the meaning of family.
In a world where heroism is a punishment, Xylo Forbartz, a condemned goddess killer, battles endless hordes of monstrous abominations as part of Penal Hero Unit 9004. Death is no escape, only a cycle of resurrection and relentless combat. But when Xylo encounters a mysterious new goddess, their unlikely alliance sparks a rebellion that could shatter the chains of eternal punishment.
Seventeen-year-old Jirou Azuma lives a quiet life with his grandfather, utilizing his supernatural ability to speak with animals to befriend and protect them. Both Jirou and his grandfather are descendants of a long-standing shinobi clan, training in combat to keep the art of battle alive within their family. Jirou's life is thrown into upheaval after rescuing a seemingly normal black cat, Ragou, only to discover that the cat is actually a mononoke—a demonic spirit that has long been at war with mankind. When a hostile mononoke comes looking for Ragou, Jirou uses his shinobi training to jump to the cat's defense, but immediately suffers a mortal wound.
Faced with the decision of whether or not to devour Jirou's fading energy and restore himself to full power, Ragou instead chooses to give his remaining energy to Jirou. Reviving the boy, the transfer also grants him great supernatural powers that complement his own shinobi fighting style. This act is witnessed by Ryousuke Shiba, an officer in the Bureau of Espionage whose job revolves around dispatching aggressive mononoke. Shiba extends Jirou and his grandfather an offer: to join the Bureau's new squad, Black Torch, and help them battle powerful mononoke who seek to devour innocent people.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is an upcoming American fantasy drama television series created by Ira Parker and George R. R. Martin. A prequel to Game of Thrones (2011–2019), it is set to be the third television series in Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire franchise and is an adaptation of the Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas. It stars Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan the Tall ("Dunk"), the titular hedge knight, and Dexter Sol Ansell as his squire Aegon Targaryen ("Egg").
The series is scheduled to premiere on January 18, 2026, on HBO and will consist of six episodes. In November 2025, ahead of the first season premiere, the series was renewed for a second season, which is expected to be released in 2027.
One man’s conversion ignites a civilization’s rebirth. A bard and a princess defy gods and destiny - igniting a legend from the ashes of Atlantis. The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin is a 7-part epic cinematic series premiering exclusively on DailyWire+ January 22, 2026. The legend begins.
All Access members watch Episodes 1 & 2 first, December 25th, 2025
