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.
Japan is OVER the West interfering with their video games, anime and manga. The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has proposed a new rule where the West can't interfere "in the content of creative works." If Japan is getting sick of this, does that partly explain why Square-Enix is tossing its California employees overboard? Possibly...
In Disney’s live-action adaptation of the beloved Oscar®-nominated animated adventure, Moana (Catherine Lagaʻaia) answers the Ocean’s call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with the infamous demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people. The film is directed by Emmy® and Tony Award® winner Thomas Kail (“Hamilton”); produced by Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Beau Flynn, Hiram Garcia and Lin-Manuel Miranda; and executive produced by Thomas Kail, Scott Sheldon, Charles Newirth and Auliʻi Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the animated features “Moana” and “Moana 2.” Audiences can experience the brilliant cinematic sights, sounds and songs of “Moana” in U.S. theaters on July 10, 2026.
In the near future, astronaut Ryland Grace wakes from a coma afflicted with amnesia. He gradually remembers that he was sent to the Tau Ceti solar system, 12 light-years from Earth, to find a means of reversing a solar dimming event that could cause the extinction of humanity.
Agnès, Juliette and Carmen’s neighbour, writes children’s storybooks that take place in a fantasy world, The Kingdom of the Winds. The intrepid sisters discover a passageway between their world and this extraordinary universe. Once on the other side, the girls take on the appearance of cats and discover Sirocco, a terrifying character who can control the wind.
Amid the buzz of lightsabers, camera flashes, and fans in full costume, a lone Jedi walked among thousands attending the 2025 New York Comic Con. From stormtroopers and Mandalorian's to comic book legends and celebrity panels that drew crowds like gravity wells, the Force was strong across every aisle. The air shimmered with creativity—cosplayers striking poses, artists sketching dreams, and fans uniting over stories that spanned galaxies and generations. In that moment, Comic Con wasn’t just an event—it was a living, breathing saga, where every fan, like our Jedi, became part of the legend.
2026 is shaping up to be an insane year for anime — from mind-bending thrillers and emotional romances to epic fantasy sagas and manhwa adaptations that could rival Solo Leveling. In this video, we’re counting down the Top 10 New Anime of 2026. Completely new titles, no sequels, no remakes, just pure fresh hype. From the brutal beauty of Sekiro: No Defeat and the magical charm of Witch Hat Atelier to the dark fantasy chaos of Sentenced to Be a Hero and the long-awaited adaptation of Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint — these are the shows that could define the year.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is an animated film based on the world of Super Mario Bros., and follows The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which was released in 2023 and earned more than $1.3 billion worldwide. Both the 2023 film and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie are produced by Chris Meledandri of Illumination and Shigeru Miyamoto of Nintendo. The film will be co-financed by Universal Pictures and Nintendo and will be released worldwide by Universal Pictures. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is directed by returning filmmakers Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, from a screenplay by returning screenwriter Matthew Fogel, with Brian Tyler returning to compose the score.
A man claiming to be from the future takes the patrons of an iconic Los Angeles diner hostage in search of unlikely recruits in a quest to save the world. Directed by: Gore Verbinski. Starring: Sam Rockwell, Haley Lu Richardson, Michael Peña, Zazie Beetz, Asim Chandhry, Tom Taylor, Juno Temple.
In a kingdom torn by fear and corruption, a shepherd boy is called to stand against a giant and the darkness behind him. With nothing but faith, courage, and a sling, he defies an empire and awakens the heart of a nation. From the quiet hills of Bethlehem to the roar of the battlefield, his journey will shape kings, test hearts, and reveal that the greatest strength is found in trust, not power.
A magical and beautifully animated journey through time, Arco is a dazzling adventure about a 10-year-old boy from a peaceful, distant future who accidentally travels back to the year 2075 and discovers a world in peril. As Arco develops a charming and touching friendship with a young girl named Iris, they band together and along with her trusted robot caretaker Mikki, set out on a quest to get Arco home, while the two children may also be the only ones who can save our planet.
A wondrous odyssey filled with hope and optimism for our future, Arco is an enchanting fable from breakout filmmaker Ugo Bienvenu, produced by Remembers’ Bienvenu and Felix de Givry, and mountainA’s Natalie Portman and Sophie Mas.
The voice cast includes Will Ferrell, America Ferrera, Flea, Natalie Portman, Mark Ruffalo, and Andy Samberg.
NEON will release the film on November 14, 2025 for an awards-qualifying theatrical run before opening wide in 2026.
Set 200 years after the events of the GODHUNTERS D&D Campaign, when divine techniques can be duplicated and mass-produced by the world’s largest corporations, and gods have been hunted to extinction, BULLETHUNTERS follows the story of those who dare to enter the Bullet Hole: the largest labyrinth in history. As corporations and individuals from across the globe race to claim the last god’s technique, the Bullethunt begins.
Van is a teenage tooth fairy with a rebellious streak who wishes to explore life beyond the boundaries of his secluded civilisation and rigid traditions. When he encounters Rupee, the world’s cutest troll, and Gemma, a daring goblin girl with a knack for science, the three tiny creatures embark on an adventure to unite their separate kingdoms while avoiding malicious encroaching spiders.
Star Blazers (1979): 10 Wild Facts You Didn't Know!
Before Gundam… before Robotech… there was Star Blazers (1979) — the space epic that taught a generation that cartoons could tell real stories. 🚀✨
In this video, we reveal 10 wild facts about the show that changed anime history — from how it smuggled mature war themes into U.S. television, to the secrets behind the Argo (a.k.a. Space Battleship Yamato) and its unforgettable crew.
Discover how Star Blazers broke every rule of Saturday-morning TV — continuity, death, honor, and cosmic redemption — all wrapped in a heroic mission to save humanity.
The ZQN virus from I Am a Hero is no ordinary pathogen. Unlike the classic zombies we've seen in movie like Resident Evil or The Walking Dead, ZQN-infected beings are grotesque, unpredictable, and terrifying—capable of mutating, adapting, and acting as a hive mind.
Japan has been getting hit by censorship from Payment Processors and Western Companies for years now. With Japanese Politicians that were fighting for creative freedom and freedom of expression now elected recently. A new policy has been introduced in the government to protect artists and creators from interference aka censorship. This is a massive win for Japan and everyone that loves the culture.
Jade gets the surprise of her life when the adult version of herself arrives from the future! Jade is informed by her counterpart that she is here because one day, Shendu's son, Drago, will conjure an army of Dragons and take over Section 13. The adult Jade knows the only way to save the future is to change the past - which she plans to do by destroying the magic Dragon Teeth that Drago will need in order to revive his father and usher in the Age of the Dragons. But standing in her way is Drago, who has followed her to the past and is determined she not succeed.
Dive into the animated pilot episode of SPACE KING 1, featuring a reclaimer squad on a perilous mission. Their search for a powerful artifact takes unexpected turns, encountering an alien queen with surprising demands. Prepare for explosive action and humorous dialogue in this intergalactic adventure.
Better Not Be Stingy or Your Nightmares Will Come True!!!
HALLOWEENINJAPAN!
Did you know that Halloween is a recent celebration in Japan? How did Halloween come to Japan and how does it affect your favorite anime? Lets find out as Robyn explores the history of Halloween and how the Japanese celebrate this spooky time of year!
Explore the dark secrets hidden within a family in this chilling animated horror short. A child discovers unsettling messages and disturbing drawings, leading to a terrifying nocturnal encounter. The unsettling atmosphere and unsettling imagery promise a truly frightening experience.
Tron: Uprising was sleek, smart, and visually groundbreaking. It was a continuation of the Tron universe that gave fans everywhere exactly what they wanted. Unlike Disney's Tron: Legacy, this animated series actually put Tron himself back at the center of the story, while also pushing the limits of animation and storytelling. And yet… somehow, almost no one remembers it.
The aliens crash-landed on an unknown planet. One of them was killed, while the other had his face skin peeled off and was forced to wear a deer's head as part of a baptismal ritual. As a result, he was allowed to live in the village. Tasked with the responsibility of transporting "corpses" to the "purification river." Deer embarked on a bizarre journey with a mountain monk called Oni. It is said that if the Mountain God grants permission, it will breathe again. They discovered a critically wounded young Japanese soldier in the snowy mountains. He was possessed by "authority" and heading towards his own destruction. To save the young man, they encountered a sudden appearance in the mountains, a "Mountain Cat Clinic" run by a cat doctor. However, instead of being saved, the young soldier became a test subject...
In 2080, the proportion of children in Japan’s population will be just 0.1%. The youngest members of this shrinking society are guarded like treasures. Fourteen-year-old Kazushige Sanda leads a sheltered life – at least until his classmate Shiori Fuyumura asks him to admit one thing: That he is Santa Claus reborn. He should use his superpowers to help her find her missing best friend. All he has to do is put on a red sweater to transform into his true form. Kazushige initially thinks it’s a bad joke, until Shiori Fuyumura pulls out a knife. Because blood also dyes clothes red…
Set in the future on a deadly remote planet, “Badlands” follows a young Predator outcast (played by newcomer Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) who finds an unlikely ally in Thia (Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Elle Fanning) as he embarks on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary. Produced by John Davis, Dan Trachtenberg, Marc Toberoff, Ben Rosenblatt and Brent O’Connor.
Experience the film only in theaters and IMAX November 7.
Pop culture has hit a low where even the most hardcore geeks don't even care enough to get angry about their favorite franchises anymore. And that's the TRUE death. Star Wars, Marvel, Doctor Who, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, comics and more -- so many legacy IP are now in the "apathy" stage and there may never be any coming back from that.
As a child, Tanzaburo Tojima was an ardent fan of the Kamen Rider show and aspired to not just emulate Kamen Rider, but to actually become one. Despite realizing the show is fictional and that Kamen Rider and the villain organization Shocker doesn't exist, Tojima continues his physical training in seclusion, but ends up as single, 40 year old construction worker. However, Tojima learns of a recent crime wave where criminals are acting like Shocker, once more reviving his desire to become Kamen Rider.
The best of the Shibuya Incident arc combines with the debut of the first two episodes of Season 3's Culling Game arc in this exclusive theatrical event! Coming to North America exclusively in movie theatres starting December 5.
A veil abruptly descends over the busy Shibuya area amid the bustling Halloween crowds, trapping countless civilians inside. Satoru Gojo, the strongest jujutsu sorcerer, steps into the chaos. But lying in wait are curse users and spirits scheming to seal him away. Yuji Itadori, accompanied by his classmates and other top-tier jujutsu sorcerers, enters the fray in an unprecedented clash of curses — the Shibuya Incident. In the aftermath, ten colonies across Japan are transformed into dens of curses in a plan orchestrated by Noritoshi Kamo, the most wicked sorcerer in history. As the deadly Culling Game starts, Special Grade sorcerer Yuta Okkotsu is assigned to carry out Yuji’s execution for his perceived crimes. The desperate confrontation between Satoru Gojo’s two beloved students comes to the big screen with an early preview. Be the first to experience Yuji and Yuta’s fateful battle with the hotly anticipated kickoff to Season 3 in theatres nationwide.
Our canine hero, Indy, finds himself on a new adventure with his human owner—and best friend—Todd, leaving city life for a long-vacant family home in the country. From the start, two things are abundantly clear: Indy is wary of the creepy old house, and his affection for Todd is unwavering. After moving in, Indy is immediately vexed by empty corners, tracks an invisible presence only he can see, perceives phantasmagoric warnings from a long-dead dog, and is haunted by visions of the previous occupant’s grim death. When Todd begins succumbing to the dark forces swirling around the house, Indy must battle a malevolence intent on dragging his beloved Todd into the afterlife. Good Boy is produced by Ben Leonberg and Kari Fischer. It is written by Alex Cannon and Ben Leonberg.
Opens in North American theaters on October 3, 2025
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...
Virgin Punk: Clockwork Girl Conditions for Receiving Bounty:
Bring the brain of a wanted criminal possessing illegal Somadea to authorities. Whether the target is alive or dead… is irrelevant.
The year is 2099. Humanity has advanced, overcoming all injuries and illnesses with the development of the Medical Android Technology “Somadea.” However, along with the development of Somadea, crimes misusing said technology have rapidly increased. Somadea grants physical abilities far superior to those of normal flesh and blood, and by illegally modifying it, Somadea can be misused for criminal purposes. To deal with these Somadea crimes, the government established the Bounty Hunter System. Civilians registered as bounty hunters are permitted to kill illegal Somadea users designated as wanted criminals by the police. In return, they are rewarded with large amounts of bounty money. In this unforgiving world, Ubu Kamigori makes a living hunting down criminals as a bounty hunter. But one day, when she returns home from a job, she finds the man with whom she has a sordid history waiting there – Mr. Elegance. And so, her destiny begins to unravel. A tale woven by mechanical girls and the smell of gunpowder smoke, this suspenseful action begins!
A tale woven by mechanical girls and the smell of gunpowder smoke, this suspenseful action begins! See VIRGIN PUNK Clockwork Girl across U.S. theaters nationwide this November 11th (Japanese audio with English Subs) and November 13th (English Dub)!
Yasuomi Umetsu is an incredibly talented writer, director, and character designer from Japan who has captivated fans from all over the world with his unique worlds from works such as KITE (1998) and MEZZO FORTE (2000), among others. In recent years, he has worked in multiple capacities, including directing the opening and ending sequences of various popular titles and working as an animator. This occasion marks his return as animation director, for the first time in 10 years, with the title VIRGIN PUNK.
Animation studio SHAFT joins forces with Director Yasuomi Umetsu to animate the visuals for this title. The studio has created and gifted the world with much-loved titles such as Puella Magi Madoka Magica and the Monogatari series.
VIRGIN PUNK is the progeny of Yasuomi Umetsu and SHAFT, an entirely original animation series created and planned by this talented team.
Yuya Takahashi, a screenwriter known for his work on the Kamen Rider series and drama Mountain Doctor, takes the reins of the script. Maximizing the unique animated expressions found in VIRGIN PUNK, he depicts the anguish experienced by Ubu, the story’s protagonist, who must live her life as a bounty hunter, painting a story of the intense characters that draw her in with their desires and chaos, interwoven into her life.
After invasion by unknown creature, Rita finds herself trapped in a time loop. Every time she dies, she wakes up again on the same morning. Determined to fight, she grows stronger with each loop - but the weight of endless death wears her down. Then she meets Keiji, who says, “When you die, I return, too...” Together, they begin to carve out a new future. “Escape it!?” “We have to give it a try!” But what awaits them is a cruel fate, they must choose the one who will survive… An action-fantasy sci-fi spectacle brought to life with STUDIO4℃’s stunning, dynamic visuals!
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Deathwatch In the shadowy world of espionage, Sam Fisher is a rumor and a legend.
Pulled back into action, he must help a new recruit unravel a global conspiracy.
From the creator of the "John Wick" franchise comes Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Deathwatch, only on Netflix on October 14th. Starring Liev Schreiber as Sam Fisher & Kirby Howell-Baptiste as new Splinter Cell agent Zinnia McKenna.
Here's THREE Possible Ways They May Bring Rey Back
Rumors broke out a few weeks ago, originally sourced from John Rocha and Josh at Den of Nerds, that Star Wars: Starfighter was going to feature Rey training a student in using the Force, presumably at some kind of Jedi school. My sources checked into this, and discovered three possible rumored scenarios for bringing her back, and surprise surprise, one of them involves screwing over Luke Skywalker! Again! Here's what I've heard, but take it all with a grain of salt!
A century before the events of "Game of Thrones", two unlikely heroes wandered Westeros… a young, naïve but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg. Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes, and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (2026) is the new fantasy series by Owen Harris, starring Peter Claffey, Dexter Sol Ansell and Finn Bennett.
Sora 2 is changing everything about AI video. The clips people are creating already look so realistic and creative that it feels like the future has arrived. From lifelike scenes that could pass for real footage to wild, imaginative ideas that only AI could generate, Sora 2 is showing just how far this technology can go. In this video we highlight some of the best Sora 2 videos so far. These examples capture the excitement, the humor, and the jaw-dropping quality of what is possible with the newest version of this AI tool. The details are sharper, the lighting feels real, and the motion looks smoother than ever. What makes Sora 2 even more interesting is how accessible it is. Anyone with a creative idea can produce video clips that once would have required expensive gear or years of editing skills. It is opening doors for countless creators while raising new questions about what the future of media will look like.
We are fans and make videos for fans, so our videos will always remain non-commercial and accessible to everyone. As a Patreon-Supporter, you will get a deeper insight into our work. We also make exclusive "Making-Of“ content or self-created assets available for our Patreon-Supporters.
AMAZON REMOVES ALL GUNS FROM THEIR JAMES BOND THUMBNAILS
Fans of the James Bond franchise were alarmed when Amazon got the rights to make more movies and shows, and it seems those fears were justified! Amazon has ALREADY gotten caught making changes, and these idiotic and insulting changes are a strong indication they're going to pull a Rings of Power on 007! Here's my reaction to this disgraceful development!
