New Votoms Anime Films Arrive: Oshii, Takahashi Unite!
Get ready, mecha fans! The iconic Armored Trooper Votoms franchise is making a powerful return with two brand-new anime films. Titled Sōkō Kihei Votoms Haiiro no Hexe (Armored Trooper Votoms: Die Graue Hexe or The Grey Witch), these films promise to revive the gritty, real robot action Votoms is known for. With a dream team of creators at the helm, including original director Ryōsuke Takahashi and legendary director Mamoru Oshii, anticipation is soaring.
Votoms: The Grey Witch Premieres This November
Bandai Namco Filmworks has announced that the first of the two new Armored Trooper Votoms films will open on November 20. This marks a significant return for the series, with its last entry, Armored Trooper Votoms: Alone Again, having debuted in 2011. A teaser trailer and visual have already been revealed, hinting at the intense battles and deep storytelling that characterize Votoms. Prepare for a cinematic experience diving back into the conflict between the Gilgamesh Confederation and Balarant Union.
Visionary Team Behind the New Votoms Films
The creative talent behind Armored Trooper Votoms: Die Graue Hexe is exceptional. Ryōsuke Takahashi, the visionary creator and director of the original 1983 Armored Trooper Votoms anime, serves as the supervisor, ensuring the series' authentic spirit endures.
Mamoru Oshii, renowned for groundbreaking anime like Ghost in the Shell and Patlabor, takes the director's chair. Oshii, a self-proclaimed huge fan of the original Votoms, has called this a dream project. He’s committed to delivering a serious war action story, reassuring fans of his dedication.
Mechanical design is handled by Shinobu Tsuneki (The Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These) and Yoshiro Sono (Sōkō Kihei Votoms: AT Stories manga artist). Kenji Kawai, acclaimed composer who worked with Oshii on many projects, will score the music, enhancing the films' atmosphere.
Oshii's Vision Endorsed by Takahashi
Ryōsuke Takahashi expressed his excitement for Mamoru Oshii's involvement, appreciating how directors infuse their unique "touch" into films. As a fan of Oshii's style, Takahashi looks forward to seeing his directorial vision in this Votoms story. This collaboration between the original creator and a celebrated successor promises a faithful yet fresh take on the beloved franchise. Oshii’s commitment to a gritty war action story aligns perfectly with the core Votoms legacy.
Collectibles and Fan Engagement
To celebrate the upcoming films, exclusive merchandise will be available. A two-MoviTicket Card set goes on sale May 16 at the 64th Shizuoka Hobby Show and online.
Bandai Spirits will also offer new collectibles this fall. Fans can look forward to a High Grade Scopedog model kit in a Die Graue Hexe desert color scheme, along with a pre-assembled Hi-Meal R figure under the Tamashii Nations brand. Prototypes will be displayed at the Shizuoka Hobby Show, offering a first look at these exciting items for collectors.
The Real Robot Legacy of Votoms
Armored Trooper Votoms holds a significant place in anime history as an iconic entry in the "real robot" subgenre, pioneered by Mobile Suit Gundam. Unlike super robot shows, real robot anime portrays mecha as mass-produced military machines with practical limitations, focusing on gritty, grounded stories about war and its bitter costs.
The original 1983 anime is set during a century-long conflict between the Gilgamesh Confederation and the Balarant Union. The battlefield is dominated by VOTOMS (Vertical One-man Tank for Offense & Maneuvers), powerful yet vulnerable mecha. The protagonist, Chirico Cuvie, an elite Gilgamesh VOTOMS unit member, becomes entangled in a vast conspiracy, branded a traitor, and crosses paths with a mysterious woman. This established Votoms as a benchmark for mecha storytelling.
A Rich History of Votoms Spinoffs
The Armored Trooper Votoms series has inspired numerous spinoff anime, expanding its rich universe. These include Armored Trooper Votoms: The Last Red Shoulder, Armored Trooper Votoms: Big Battle, Armor Hunter Mellowlink, Armored Trooper Votoms: Red Shoulder Document - Roots of Treachery, Armored Trooper Votoms: Pailsen Files, Armored Trooper Votoms: The Heretic Saint, and Armored Trooper Votoms: Alone Again (2011). The enduring popularity showcases the depth of the Votoms world. Maiden Japan released the original 1983 anime on Blu-ray Disc in 2019 and 2020.
Prepare for Armored Trooper Votoms: The Grey Witch!
The return of Armored Trooper Votoms with two new films is an unmissable event. With original creator Ryōsuke Takahashi overseeing, and visionary Mamoru Oshii directing, alongside Kenji Kawai's compelling music, fans can anticipate a thrilling, serious war action story that honors the franchise's legacy while charting new territory. Mark your calendars for November 20 and prepare to dive back into the intense world of Armored Trooper Votoms: Die Graue Hexe! This is a powerful reaffirmation of real robot storytelling.
