Renowned visionary Mamoru Oshii—the creative force behind masterpieces like Ghost in the Shell, Patlabor, and Avalon—is returning to the director’s chair with a brand-new project: Armored Trooper Votoms: Die Graue Hexe.
This upcoming two-part 2D animated feature plunges back into the gritty universe of the legendary Armored Trooper VOTOMS franchise. Originally launched by SUNRISE with a groundbreaking 52-episode run in 1983 and 1984, the mecha classic went on to inspire multiple OVAs and a feature film in 2009.
Half a Century of Animation History
Armored Trooper Votoms: Die Graue Hexe also serves as a major highlight of Sunrise’s 50th-anniversary celebrations. The studio is crafting the new anime with the collaborative support of Production I.G, with Part 1 slated to hit Japanese screens in late November.
A subsidiary of Bandai Namco, Sunrise has built an enviable legacy, having brought iconic titles such as Cowboy Bebop, Mobile Suit Gundam, City Hunter, and The Vision of Escaflowne to life.
While the original series took place in the aftermath of a century-long war between the Gilgamesh and Balarant nations, Oshii’s new story rewinds the clock. It unfolds just before the conclusion of this ambiguous conflict, following soldiers tasked with piloting notoriously lethal humanoid battle suits known as Armored Troopers.
The plot centers on Maki Stauffenberg, a military officer dispatched to the planet Valkyria II. His mission: investigate Ash Vamps, a hardened soldier who earned the moniker “The Witch” after surviving a series of brutally punishing military campaigns.
Tactical Mecha and High-Stakes Action
The newly released trailer showcases Oshii’s signature directorial style, immediately recognizable in its tense action choreography and signature integration of computer interfaces.
Fans will also be thrilled to hear a familiar sonic landscape, courtesy of composer Kenji Kawai.
At present, the only drawback is that the promotional footage is exclusively available in Japanese.
There is no official word yet on whether the two-part film will secure an international theatrical run, though the scale and tone of the narrative make it a prime candidate for the big screen.
Original Concepts: Hajime Yatate, Ryosuke Takahashi
Screenplay: Mamoru Oshii, Kei Yamamura
Original Character Designs: Kazuchika Kise
Character Designs: Tetsuya Nishio, Takashi Kojima, Shingo Ogiso
