Next Club Meeting:August 15, 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.
(Warning: This video contains some flashing images.)
Experience Vi's journey in the final chapter of Arcane when ACT 1 drops on November 9th, Act 2 drops on November 16th and Act 3 drops on November 23rd only on Netflix.
Arcane is an adult animated steampunk action-adventure television series created by Christian Linke and Alex Yee. It was produced by the French animation studio Fortiche under the supervision of Riot Games, and distributed by Netflix. Set in Riot's League of Legends universe, it primarily focuses on sisters Vi and Jinx.
DAN DA DAN: FIRST ENCOUNTER in theatres starting September 13! See the first 3 episodes on the big screen with special bonus content! DAN DA DAN follows Momo, a high school girl from a family of spirit mediums, and her classmate Okarun, an occult freak. The two of them start talking after Momo rescues Okarun from getting bullied. However, an argument ensues between them – Momo believes in ghosts but denies aliens, and Okarun believes in aliens but denies ghosts. To make the mutual deniers believe in each other, Momo goes to an abandoned hospital known for its UFO sightings, and Okarun goes to a tunnel that is said to be haunted. In each place, they encounter overwhelming paranormal activity that transcends comprehension. Amid these predicaments, Momo awakens her hidden power and Okarun gains the power of a curse to challenge the paranormal forces! Their fateful love begins as well!?
Based on the popular manga by Yukinobu Tatsu, DAN DA DAN is an electrifying, action-packed love letter to sci-fi and horror with the heart of a ruthlessly funny teen rom-com. The directorial debut from Fuga Yamashiro is the latest series from cutting-edge animation studio Science SARU (The Colors Within, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off) with pulse-pounding original music from kensuke ushio (Chainsaw Man).
Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft is an upcoming American animated action adventure anime television series based on the Tomb Raider video game series by Crystal Dynamics, starring Hayley Atwell as the voice of Lara Croft. The series is set in the same continuity as the video game reboot trilogy that started in 2013, and takes place after the events of the 2018 game Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Tasha Huo serves as showrunner with Legendary Television and DJ2 Entertainment producing. The series is animated by Powerhouse Animation Studios in Austin, Texas.
Ranma Saotome and Akane Tendo's parents have arranged for them to get married. However, there's a problem: whenever Ranma is splashed with cold water, he turns into a girl! The stage is set for a slapstick martial arts rom-com filled with quirky characters!
"Ranma1/2" starts streaming October 5, only on Netflix.
Step into the world of The Herculoids, a reimagining of the classic 1967 Hanna-Barbera cartoon in the stunning style of 1950’s Super Panavision 70. Known for their heroic battles and unforgettable adventures, Zok and the rest of the Herculoids leap from Saturday morning nostalgia into a dark fantasy realm like never before. This AI film, crafted with Midjourney and Runway AI, brings the iconic characters of this beloved cartoon to life in a way you've never seen, blending the vintage allure of classic cartoons with the cutting-edge visuals of AI technology. Imagine He-Man and the Masters of the Universe colliding with the surreal and expansive vistas of Super Panavision 70, creating an epic, cinematic experience that feels like an AI movie straight from the golden era of 1950s cinema. Whether you're a fan of Cartoon Network classics or crave the nostalgic pull of 90s Saturday morning cartoons, this AI trailer captures the magic of The Herculoids in a whole new dimension. Relive the iconic battles against monstrous foes in breathtaking, widescreen glory as the team defends their world in a style that merges vintage flair with a dark fantasy twist. Prepare for a journey that combines the adventurous spirit of He-Man and the thrilling escapades of The Herculoids in a beautifully rendered Super Panavision AI masterpiece. It's a throwback to classic animation that will make you feel the rush of nostalgia, reinvented for a new generation with the power of AI and the artistry of Midjourney. Dive into the fantastical, the heroic, and the epic all over again with this dark, nostalgic tribute to the Saturday mornings of old.
Absolutely stunning Transformers 40th Anniversary video from Studio Trigger and Bump of Chicken. There's a lot of history in here, can you spot your favorite series?
A king and his queen in a small Viking village want to get married. This angers the gods, and their wrath falls upon them at their wedding that causes Sigrid, who is the bride to be (as well as a child of giants) to go on a quest for revenge. She enlists an unusual cast of characters, and they come together to form a band whose mission is to find the god that killed her family and take her revenge.
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.
Get ready to experience Space Ghost like never before in this AI-generated dark fantasy movie trailer, crafted in stunning 1950's Super Panavision 70 style. Dive into the epic reimagining of the classic Hanna-Barbera hero as you've never seen him before! From the cosmic battles against Zorak and other iconic villains to the mysterious depths of space, this trailer captures the gritty, cinematic feel of a lost 80s fantasy film. Watch as Space Ghost takes flight in his Phantom Cruiser, confronting the darkest corners of the galaxy in an all-new AI-driven interpretation. Rediscover the history of Space Ghost, the hero who once captivated audiences on Space Ghost Coast to Coast and Adult Swim. This trailer combines elements of retro sci-fi, dark fantasy, and cutting-edge AI technology to bring you a visually stunning homage to a classic icon. Join us on a nostalgic journey that blends the best of Cartoon Network's legacy with the timeless allure of Super Panavision!
When a young rabbit named Fiver (Richard Briers) has a prophetic vision that the end of his warren is near, he persuades seven other rabbits to leave with him in search of a new home. Several obstacles impede their progress, including predators, a rat-filled cemetery and a speeding river. Upon arriving at their final destination, a hill dubbed Watership Down, the rabbits find that their journey is still far from over. Realistically drawn, this British animated film carries an emotional weight.
Newly restored in 4K by the BFI and Silver Salt Restoration, with the characters and colours sparkling as never before, Watership Down will return to cinemas in the UK and Ireland from 25 October 2024 before it arrives on Limited Edition UHD and Blu-ray on 11 November. The restoration has its world premiere at the 68th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express, returning us to the group of rabbits who undertake a perilous journey to find their utopia.
In
Lapine language mythology, the world was created by the god Frith. All
animals were grass eaters, living harmoniously. The rabbits multiplied,
and their appetite led to a food shortage. Frith ordered the rabbit
prince, El-Ahrairah, to control his people, but was scoffed at. In
retaliation, Frith gave special gifts to every animal, making some into
predators to hunt the rabbits. Satisfied that El-Ahrairah had learned
his lesson, Frith gave rabbits the gifts of speed and cunning.
In
the present, in a warren near Sandleford, a rabbit seer named Fiver has
an apocalyptic vision when he and his older brother Hazel come across a
signboard; it says a residential development is coming, but they cannot
read it. The two beg the chief rabbit to order an evacuation; the chief
dismisses them, and orders Captain Holly, the head of the warren's
Owsla police force, to stop those trying to leave. Fiver and Hazel
manage to escape with six other rabbits named Bigwig, Blackberry,
Pipkin, Dandelion, Silver, and Violet.
They
journey through the woods, avoiding several dangerous situations; until
Violet – the group's only doe – is killed by a hawk. The others
eventually meet a rabbit named Cowslip, who invites them to his warren,
where a farmer leaves Cowslip's group ample vegetables. They are
grateful, but Fiver leaves when he senses something unsettling in the
atmosphere. Bigwig follows, berating Fiver for causing tension. When a
snare catches Bigwig, Bigwig's friends manage to free him, and Fiver
realizes that the farmer is protecting and feeding Cowslip's warren so
that he can snare rabbits for his own meals. The group returns to its
journey.
The
rabbits discover Nuthanger Farm, which contains a hutch of domesticated
does. Before they can free the females, the farm cat and dog chase them
away. Later, they are found by Captain Holly, who recounts the
destruction of Sandleford by humans as well as an encounter with vicious
rabbits called the "Efrafans". Fiver finally finds the hill he
envisioned, Watership Down, where the group settles in with Hazel as
their new chief.
They
soon befriend an injured black-headed seagull named Kehaar, who flies
out in search of does. That night, the rabbits return to Nuthanger Farm
to attempt to free the does, but Hazel's leg is shot and the rest are
forced to retreat. Fiver follows a vision of the mythical Black Rabbit
to his injured brother. Kehaar returns and, while pecking out buckshot
from Hazel's leg with his beak, reports of the many does at the
overcrowded Efrafa warren. Captain Holly describes it as a dangerous
totalitarian state, but Hazel feels they must go there. Bigwig
infiltrates the warren and is made an Owsla officer by their cruel
chief, General Woundwort. Bigwig recruits several potential escapees to
his cause, including Blackavar and Hyzenthlay. With Kehaar's help, the
escapees use a boat to float down the river. That night, Kehaar leaves
for his homeland, but promises to return in winter.
Efrafan
trackers eventually find Watership Down. Woundwort rejects Hazel's
offer of peace, and demands that all deserters must be turned over or
Watership Down will be wiped out. While the Watership rabbits barricade
their warren, Fiver slips into a trance, in which he envisions a dog
named Bob running loose in the woods. His mumblings give Hazel an idea;
he chews through the Nuthanger Farm watchdog's leash, and Blackberry,
Dandelion and Hyzenthlay bait the animal into following them to the
warren. Meanwhile, when the Efrafans break through the warren's
defences, Woundwort goes in alone; Blackavar attacks him but is easily
killed. Bigwig ambushes Woundwort and they fight to a standstill. When
Bob arrives and starts attacking the Efrafans, Woundwort abandons Bigwig
and emerges from the warren, refuses to flee and he stands his ground
until Bob notices him, and Woundwort fearlessly attacks Bob. However, no
trace of Woundwort is ever found, which leaves his fate a mystery.
Several
years later, an elderly Hazel is visited by the Black Rabbit, who
invites him to join his own Owsla, assuring him of Watership Down's
perpetual safety. Reassured, Hazel accepts and dies peacefully. His
spirit follows the visitor through the woodland and trees towards the
Sun, which metamorphoses into Frith, and the afterlife, as Frith's
parting advice to El-Ahrairah is heard once more.
What happens when the Merc with a Mouth steps into the enchanted forest? Discover the chaos as Deadpool takes on a mission from the Queen herself, but not everything is as it seems in this kingdom. Will Snow White's new world order prevail, or will Deadpool's unhinged antics save the day?
In 1914, on the eve of war, a fugitive prince and a girl in disguise meet aboard a bioengineered airship, the HMS Leviathan, and change the course of history.
Prince Aleksander, would-be heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battletorn war machine and a loyal crew of men. Deryn Sharp is a commoner, disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She's a brilliant airman. But her secret is in constant danger of being discovered. With World War I brewing, Alek and Deryn's paths cross in the most unexpected way…taking them on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure that will change both their lives forever.
Based on: Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld, Illustrated by Keith Thompson
Director: Christophe Ferreira
Music by: Nobuko Toda & Kazuma Jinnouchi (Suzume, Metal Gear Solid 4)
Original Songs by: Joe Hisaishi (Spirited Away, Castle in the Sky)
Produced by: Qubic Pictures (Eden, Star Wars: Visions)
Production: Orange (Trigun Stampede, BEASTARS, Land of the Lustrous)
Anime NYC is a massive anime convention held at the Javits Center in New York City. In 2024, Anime NYC has shattered their attendance last year welcoming over 102,000 fans to the big apple. Fans, content creators, photographers, and videographers all gather at this monumental event celebrating all things anime and geek culture. Anime NYC hosts tons of industry events and welcomes guests from all over the world. Here are highlights of what was seen that weekend in August!
"Noel, a young boy with a legendary hero known as the Overdeath as his grandpa. Admiring his grandpa, Noel aspires to become the strongest seeker, but his inherent support class, ""TALKER"" is considered the weakest. Despite his efforts to become a skilled seeker like his grandpa, Noel couldn't bridge the gap in talent. However, with his unparalleled resourcefulness, he discovers the path to become the strongest. Gathering allies, Noel forms the greatest clan, aiming to become its master. With cunning strategies, he bewilders his enemies and leads his comrades towards greater heights. The most notorious “TALKER” carves the path to supremacy, sparing no means to achieve it."
Legendary actor James Earl Jones, best known for his innumerable movie roles, including "Field of Dreams," "The Hunt for Red October," and lending his booming voice of the characters of Darth Vader in the "Star Wars" franchise and Mufasa in "The Lion King," has died at the age of 93.
Born in Arkabutla, Mississippi, in 1931, he had a stutter since childhood. Jones said that poetry and acting helped him overcome the challenges of his disability. A pre-med mjor in college, he served in the United States Army during the Korean War before pursuing a career in acting. His deep voice was praised as a "stirring basso profondo that has lent gravel and gravitas" to his projects. Jones made his Broadway debut in 1957 in Sunrise at Campobello (1957). He gained prominence for acting in numerous productions with Shakespeare in the Park including Othello, Hamet, Coriolanus, and King ear. Jones worked steadily in theater, winning the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his role as a boxer in The Great White Hope (1968), which he reprised in the 1970 film adaptation, earning him Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations.
Jones won his second Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his role as a working class father in August Wilson's Fences (1987). He was a Tony award nominee for his roles as the husband in Ernest Thompson's On Golden Pond (2005) about an aging couple, and as a former president in the Gore Vidal play The Best Man (2012). His other Broadway performances included Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2008), Driving Miss Daisy (2010–2011), You Can't Take It with You (2014), and The Gin Game (2015–2016). He received a Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2017.
Jones made his film debut in Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove (1964). He received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Claudine (1974). Jones gained international fame for his voice role as Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise, beginning with the original 1977 film. Jones' other notable roles include parts in Conan the Barbarian (1982), Matewan (1987), Coming to America (1988), Field of Dreams (1989), The Hunt for Red October (1990), The Sandlot (1993), and The Lion King (1994). Jones reprised his roles in Star Wars media, The Lion King (2019), and Coming 2 America (2021).
On television, Jones won two Primetime Emmy Awards for his roles in TNT thriller film Heat Wave (1990) and the crime series Gabriel's Fire (1991). He was Emmy-nominated for East Side West Side (1963), By Dawn's Early Light (1990), Picket Fences (1994), Under One Roof (1995), Frasier (1997), and Everwood (2004). He also acted in Roots (1977), Jesus of Nazareth (1977), and Homicide: Life on the Street (1997).
In 1973, Jones played Hickey on Broadway at the Circle in the Square Theater in a revival of Eugene O'Neill's The Iceman Cometh. Jones played Lennie on Broadway in the 1974 Brooks Atkinson Theatre production of the adaptation of John Steinbeck's novella, Of Mice and Men, with Kevin Conway as George and Pamela Blair as Curley's wife. That same year he starred in the title role of William Shakespeare's King Lear opposite Paul Sorvino, René Auberjonois, and Raul Julia at the New York City Shakespeare Festival in Central Park.
In 1974, Jones co-starred with Diahann Carroll in the film Claudine, the story of a woman who raises her six children alone after two failed and two "almost" marriages. The film is a romantic comedy and drama, focusing on systemic racial disparities black families face. It was one of the first major films to tackle themes such as welfare, economic inequality, and the typical marriage of men and women in the African American community during the 1970s. Jones and Carroll received widespread critical acclaim and Golden Globe nominations for their performances. Carroll was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress.
In 1977, Jones made his debut in his iconic voiceover role as Darth Vader in George Lucas' space opera blockbuster film Star Wars: A New Hope, which he would reprise for the sequels The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983). Darth Vader was portrayed in costume by David Prowse in the film trilogy, with Jones dubbing Vader's dialogue in postproduction because Prowse's strong West Country accent was deemed unsuitable for the role by director George Lucas. At his own request, Jones was uncredited for the release of the first two Star Wars films, though he would be credited for the third film and eventually also for the first film's 1997 "Special Edition" re-release. As he explained in a 2008 interview:
"When Linda Blair did the girl in The Exorcist, they hired Mercedes McCambridge to do the voice of the devil coming out of her. And there was controversy as to whether Mercedes should get credit. I was one who thought no, she was just special effects. So when it came to Darth Vader, I said, no, I'm just special effects. But it became so identified that by the third one, I thought, OK I'll let them put my name on it."
In 1977, Jones also received a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Great American Documents. In late 1979, Jones appeared on the short-lived CBS police drama Paris. Jones also starred that year in the critically acclaimed TV mini-series sequel Roots: The Next Generations as the older version of author Alex Haley.
Jones died at his home in Pawling, New York, on September 9, 2024, at the age of 93. In a statement, CNN said that Jones "was the voice of CNN and our brand for many decades, uniquely conveying through speech instant authority, grace, and decorum. That remarkable voice is just one of many things the world will miss about James." Jones' alma mater, the University of Michigan, paid tribute to him by posting a "We Are Michigan" video narrated by Jones on X. The NAACP, SAG-AFTRA, and MLB also paid tribute to the actor. Numerous members of the entertainment industry paid tribute to the actor including Mark Hamill, Barry Jenkins, Ava DuVernay, Colman Domingo, Octavia Spencer, Jeffrey Wright, Kerry Washington, LeVar Burton, Disney CEO Bob Iger, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, and Lucasfilm founder George Lucas.
Hitpig! is an upcoming British animated adventure comedy film
directed by Cinzia Angelini and David Feiss. The film comes from an
original story by Berkeley Breathed, rooted from his 2008 children's
book Pete & Pickles. Breathed also wrote the screenplay alongside
Dave Rosenbaum and Tyler Werrin. Produced by Aniventure and animated by
Cinesite, the film features the voices of Jason Sudeikis, Lilly Singh,
Rainn Wilson, Anitta, RuPaul, Hannah Gadsby and Charlie Adler.
Set in a futuristic world, the film follows a grizzled porcine bounty hunter who accepts his next hit: Pickles, a naive, ebullient elephant who has escaped the clutches of an evil trillionaire. Though Hitpig initially sets out to capture the perky pachyderm, the unlikely pair find themselves on an unexpected adventure criss-crossing the globe that brings out the best in both of them.
Mechanical Arms is an original anime television series created and directed by Sae Okamoto. It was originally a Kickstarter-backed project launched by Okamoto in October 2016. The project met its goal and a 25-minute pilot was released on YouTube in May 2019. The series is set to premiere in October 2024.
Long ago, alien lifeforms came to Earth, fusing with people on the planet. Due to their appearance, they were dubbed "Mecha-ude," as when fused, they bore a striking resemblance to mechanized limbs. Through an involuntary partnership, average middle schooler Hikaru Amatsuga works alongside the Mecha-ude Arma, who is an extremely rare and special existence. To protect Arma, the resistance group ARMS assigns the dual Mecha-ude user Aki Murasame to follow him wherever he goes. However, she is also looking for a mysterious Snake-Type Mecha-ude wielder, who has put many of her comrades in a critical state. Behind the scenes, an organization known as the Kagami Group is searching for the mythical "Trigger Arm," a Mecha-ude said to grant unlimited power. When Aki's life is threatened by this group, Hikaru must team up with Arma to find the courage to fight back and, along the way, learn that his life will never be ordinary again.
Nagumo Keeichirou was a genius high-school detective. No case was complex enough for him. But what happens to genius detectives when they get older? Now 35, with bad hips, running a failing detective agency with no cases to solve and struggling to pay the rent, he's at a dead end. In comes a high school girl in his office who says she wants to work with him. With her help, will the out-of-touch, old-fashioned Nagumo get back the fire of his youth?
ARCANE - Season 2 "Time to turn things upside down."
The award-winning series returns for the final chapter
Arcane is an adult animated steampunk action-adventure television series created by Christian Linke and Alex Yee. It was produced by the French animation studio Fortiche under the supervision of Riot Games, and distributed by Netflix. Set in Riot's League of Legends universe, it primarily focuses on sisters Vi and Jinx. The series was announced at the League of Legends 10th anniversary celebration in 2019, and first released in November 2021. Following the conclusion of the first season, Riot Games and Netflix announced that a second and final season will be released in November 2024.
Dimensionals is an RPG that combines fast paced, action packed tactics with deep rogue-like replayability. Collect powerful heroes and fight epic bosses. Every run is unique, so equip your heroes carefully to pull off insane combos.
Dimensionals is a total reimagining of the rogue-like genre!
Build a party of three and combine hundreds of their unique skills to create insane combos. Fight through an epic story told in the style of voice acted comic book cutscenes. It’s up to you to save the multiverse and beat an army of totally evil bad guys!
Brace yourself for the ultimate Saturday Morning Cartoon adventure!
From the studio that brought you, Shelldon, Thailand's first globally successful animated series, comes Out of the Nest, an animated feature film of epic proportions. As one of only twelve animated films selected from 3,400 submissions for the "Annecy Selects" category at the world's most prestigious animation festival, the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2024, Out of the Nest is the pride of Thai creative talent.
Everything is at stake in the long-awaited Season Three of The Legend of Vox Machina. The Chroma Conclave’s path of destruction spreads like wildfire while the Cinder King hunts down Vox Machina. Our lovable band of misfits must rise above inner (and outer) demons to try and save their loved ones, Tal’Dorei, and all of Exandria.
“The canons of narrative in any medium cannot be wholly different; and the failure of poor films is often precisely in exaggeration, and in the intrusion of unwarranted matter owing to not perceiving where the core of the original lies.”- JRR Tolkien
Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 1 is a pathetic slog that completely ruins Sauron as a credible villain, soiling the character and dispelling ANY mystery or awe this once terrifying character ever had. And the rest of it sucks TOO! Here is my detailed analysis of WHY this show fails, and WHY there is no real hope that it can recover! (Note: This review has spoilers, but honestly who cares?)
Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League is an upcoming American-Japanese animated superhero film directed by Junpei Mizusaki and Shinji Takagi, written by Kazuki Nakashima, produced by Warner Bros., and animated by Kamikaze Douga and YamatoWorks, which features the DC Comics character Batman. It is the sequel to Batman Ninja (2018).
