An actual legend. Probably going to be a film, would be shocked to see him work on a series at this point. I'm in.
Kougeru-Sama2026-01-15 06:02
Ya'll know he's been doing mostly TV stuff in recent years?
Zipurax2026-01-15 06:09
Funnily enough, he has been working exclusively on series this decade. He wrote and directed *Vlad Love* (2020-2021) and penned *Hikaru no Ou* (2023-2024), both under Production IG in some way.
But yeah, he's definitely more of a film guy.
Komorebi_LJP2026-01-16 01:29
and both disappointing. He needs a win
garfe2026-01-15 04:42
> Director is Mamoru Oshii
EXCUSE ME!????
ratherthanme2026-01-15 04:09
Hell yeah!
mr_beanoz2026-01-15 04:10
Sunrise x IG? I wonder what kind of show would we have. Would it be 2 cours?
frik10002026-01-15 04:16
[deleted]
Kougeru-Sama2026-01-15 06:03
"found"? It was on the announcement
VorlonEmperor2026-01-15 04:20
Awesome!
OrbitalCat-2026-01-15 04:20
And I bet this will come out before that Patlabor anime that was announced a decade ago lol
AwaySpell2026-01-15 05:24
Apparently that one is also coming out this year. A good year for mecha mayhaps.
RPO7772026-01-15 05:37
Whaaaaat seriously? I'm a huge fan of mangaka Yuuki Masami, been reading his latest series Shinkuro, Hashiru! (a super well researched biographic epic of a 15th century warlord) and it never ceases to amaze me how many genres the man writes in.
I really love the manga Patlabor so I've been looking forward to that if it was ever coming out.
Little-xim2026-01-15 06:14
Birdy the mighty got me into anime, crazy range he has in his works!
HowToGetName2026-01-15 23:37
[Announced for 2026 release back in September 2024.](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-09-19/patlabor-ezy-anime-project-unveils-visual-staff-2026-start/.215775)
RPO7772026-01-15 23:57
Thank you!!!!
HowToGetName2026-01-20 04:29
Update to this: [it's a 3 part movie.](https://x.com/i/status/2013446634403963195)
FlaviusVespasian2026-01-15 06:01
Don’t forget we’ve also got Gundam Hathaway 2 coming.
TheFoggyDew2026-01-15 07:24
The Rayearth reboot is supposed to be this year as well
turkeygiant2026-01-16 02:31
I'm excited for that, I love a good magitech mecha. I find that a lot of stuff that has recently tried fantasy armour tends to bend it back around toward generic sci-fi too much.
sagevallant2026-01-15 16:21
I need it to be in theaters but I can't see a listing anywhere.
FlaviusVespasian2026-01-15 16:39
It better hit theatres in Louisville. I don’t have Netflix.
Adm_Piett2026-01-15 21:49
A man can hope.
North5142026-01-15 04:21
You know I recently finished VOTOMS Finder, happy to think, that is another IP down, cause there is no way Votoms is getting more stuff....then this happens...
Not the first time, or even second time, this has happened to me lol.
Armored Trooper Votoms is my favorite mecha anime, however I would say the best stuff is the OG series, prequel content, and Mellowlink. Most of the post original show stuff were good however, not the same level of excellence I felt the OG series showed.
That said, with a director like Oshii.....you have my attention. Curious to see what the plot will be.
Galaxy40k2026-01-15 05:23
I only ever saw the original VOTOMS back when I had a HiDive subscription, never saw any of the sequels. But I always got that impression that this was a dead IP, I was so surprised to see this headline. And then such a heavy hitter director, insane
alteisen992026-01-15 16:50
it's weird because votoms is the one mecha show constantly getting model kits and toys even when there was no modern media other than the SRW apperarances
North5142026-01-16 02:03
A lot of the spinoffs/side stories like Origin of Ambition, Mellowlink and the Last Red Shoulder (should be watched in between arc 1 and 2 anyway) are worth watching. I also thought some of the modern stuff, including Case; Irvine were good too.
Squoghunter14922026-01-15 06:22
My condolences for having watched Votoms Finder. I think it was the only entry in the franchise I hated more than Shining Heresy.
North5142026-01-16 02:02
I thought it was okay....kinda like Shining Heresy. I never really hated anything in the Votoms franchise. It's still far from the original show, and standout OVAs.
BufalloCrapSmeller2026-01-15 04:21
Did not expect Votoms to have a new series coming out but I take it
monsieurvampy2026-01-15 04:22
Nice. Though I think I have one or two of the newer OVA's to finish.
Vaadwaur2026-01-15 04:22
Welp...certainly wasn't expecting this.
CosmicPenguin_OV1032026-01-15 04:24
>Mamoru Oshii
Maybe I really need to watch the original VOTOMS...had heard of many good things about this 1980s classic and given I am attached to excellent sci-fi anime like a magnet...
imaginary_num6er2026-01-15 04:24
Witch from Grey?
This-is_CMGRI2026-01-15 04:45
Chirico teaches Suletta and Chuchu how to fight in Scopedogs, finds out "wow they're good" and takes them in
Suletta's rig will have a pack of quadcopter drones, Chuchu's got an inconel cricket bat and a shotgun
InfamousEmpire2026-01-15 04:26
To quote, uh, myself from a couple hours ago when I saw the leaks
Though, in all seriousness, this is definitely a pretty odd one since none of the VOTOMS sequels were particularly great and it feels like its story is pretty thoroughly finished at this point, but at the same time Mamoru Oshii is my favorite director & everything he makes (even the misses like The Red Spectacles) is intensely fascinating, so I'm really curious where he'd go with the franchise.
Zipurax2026-01-15 06:13
>even the misses like The Red Spectacles
The Red Spectacles is awesome! First time I see someone disliking it!
InfamousEmpire2026-01-15 06:34
FWIW I have a lot of respect for that film, it’s really artistically bold & I like the way it explores the mind of a violent cop, plus I’ll always have a soft spot for how it specifically ties into Stray Dog, which by contrast is one of my favorite Oshii movies, but it didn’t really click for me on an emotional level and it’s overall the Oshii work I personally enjoyed the least. Though, to be fair, it also took me until second watch to really click with Jin-Roh, so maybe I’ll like Red Spectacles after another viewing as well.
greatistheworld2026-01-16 16:53
And check out the sequel StrayDog! It’s also weird but more digestible imo, the action in the opening/closing is much better, and serves as a showcase for some of Kenji Kawaii’s best music
Both are worth appreciating because they’re raw Oshii and you can see the sensibilities that inform his other work
InfamousEmpire2026-01-16 17:32
I’ve already seen Stray Dog lol. I do agree it’s great, though, definitely my favorite of the Kerberos saga films, and I’m glad to see someone else appreciating it in the wild :)
Zaygr2026-01-15 09:50
I love Armour Hunter Mellowlink. Even though it may lessen the image of the VOTOMS being taken out by infantry, it also heightens how terrifying they are to anyone outside one. It takes wits, tactics, a big armour-piercing weapon and a lot of luck to succeed the way Mellowlink does.
Mechanicle2026-01-15 15:10
If anything Mellowlink made the ATs a lot scarier than the original imo. They explode at the slightest breeze in the show, but in the Mellowlink OVA they require tactical thinking for infantry to reliably take them down. Mellowlink himself is always at a disadvantage whenever he’s against one.
The_Draigg2026-01-15 04:29
Mamoru Oshii is a great pick for VOTOMS, that man does great work at making more grounded mecha stories.
nezeta2026-01-15 04:34
The subtitle is literally "The Gray Witch", hinting at a female lead following the two most recent Gundam series.
This-is_CMGRI2026-01-15 04:46
Oh god imagine Suletta and Chuchu on those things
Maybe_this_time_fr2026-01-15 06:31
Gay waifu mech pilot is the meta now.
SayuriUliana2026-01-15 11:38
Sunrise in their "Witches" phase with Witch from Mercury, Sorcery of Nymph Circe, and now The Gray Witch.
cosmiczar2026-01-15 15:27
> hinting at a female lead
I don't think the title is enough to conclude that. It could be anything, like a female villian or even a side character, like how Hathaway movie #2's title is about Gigi. Hell, it could even be the "name" of a Scopedog.
AstroRobo2026-01-15 18:09
Actually, that's the subtitle of the first volume of Record of Lodoss War.
Training_Bother_16632026-01-15 04:35
Directed by Mamoru Oshii 🔥🔥🔥
Nomar_952026-01-15 04:39
I'll take this as a sign to finally get around to the original.
ratherthanme2026-01-15 04:39
Scopedog, my beloved.
Quiddity1312026-01-15 04:48
Wow, big news! More Votoms, and Oshii involved! Wherever this 50 year anniversary thing is coming from though it makes no sense, Votoms premiered in 1983. That's 43 years ago. Unless they're announcing this 7 years early.
ETA: Sounds like a studio anniversary rather than a Votoms anniversary. OK, that makes more sense. If its a studio anniversary I've got to wonder if there's a Gundam announcement coming too.
Komorebi_LJP2026-01-16 01:35
Gundam is Sunrise, not Production I.G, who is doing this
Quiddity1312026-01-16 03:57
Hmm. So Sunrise/Bandai sold off Votoms at some point? As Sunrise is the studio that made it.
Komorebi_LJP2026-01-16 04:02
Seems to be a collab I guess based on both studio logo being featured here.
NighthawK19112026-01-15 04:56
Woah, that's a name I haven't seen for a while. Even then, when I first heard about it, it was already pretty old.
LightningZERO2026-01-15 05:23
A lot of witches from mecha series nowadays
penguintruth2026-01-15 05:24
Does Mamoru Oshii still have the juice? It's been decades since he directed anything worth watching.
starm4nn2026-01-15 08:34
Did you not like Fire Hunter?
Komorebi_LJP2026-01-16 01:30
production quality was so poor. I dont blame anyone for hopping off
i_pirate_sue_me2026-01-15 05:33
So we are getting a new Ghost in the shell series, a new Patlabor OVA series, a new Gundam movie and a new Mamuro Oshii project all this year
Interesting
Zipurax2026-01-15 06:19
>Directed by Mamoru Oshii
>2026
I don't even know what to say, but **HOLY SHIT** if this isn't the most unexpected news of the year!
Maybe_this_time_fr2026-01-15 06:29
Sunrise x Production IG? Oh yeah this gonna be lit.
Yesshua2026-01-15 06:31
Hang on... I watched 15-20 episodes of a retro anime that I think was this. It was about the highly competent mech pilot trapped in some sort of city and his 3 civilian buddies he was always a dick to and then they would always move mountains to help him anyway.
The A plot kicked in briefly when he tried to rescue a girl from a laboratory, but then it was right back to cool guy and the goober squad.
Is that the Votoms show we're talking about here?
To be clear I didn't hate that old show exactly, but it's pretty far removed from what I would expect to be popular today.
sonicstorm11142026-01-15 16:42
That sounds a lot like the first arc of VOTOMS, yeah.
Though in main guy's defense, I think the fact that his 3 buddies are so ride-and-die (and not just "his shady bookies") is supposed to be a twist for him and the audience; IIRC, he does get a lot friendlier with them from the second arc onwards.
war_against_destiny2026-01-15 06:36
The last one: The Pailsen Files was great too. If they reach that level with this one, i will be VERY happy. Great news either way.
Kassssler2026-01-15 06:41
Omg. This shit was my OG man. I watched the whole thing on Comcast on demand or some shit like 20 years ago.
Almost no one I've spoken to has ever heard of this one. Zombie anime committees with this and Psyren on the block.
Imitatia2026-01-15 07:01
The actual most op character in all of anime.
Puzzleheaded-Ant73672026-01-15 07:07
Any confirmation of date? from when it starts airing?
ImperialDane2026-01-15 07:46
Not the news i expected to wake up to this morning. But great news!
Glappiness2026-01-15 08:44
It's great that this series still continues!
zsmg2026-01-15 09:26
I said WTF out loud, can't wait.
Salty1452026-01-15 11:06
Excuse me WHAT?!
Carolinapanic2026-01-15 11:38
The visuals look insanely cool is it an Sci-fi anime? Looks sick.
_xXMockingBirdXx_2026-01-15 14:14
Now someone please do this for Zoids. It’s mech dinosaurs with such weird and cool lore, that’s like a winning combo already.
Shaoran102026-01-15 15:41
Interesting
Queue_Jumping_Quack2026-01-15 16:31
Whoa there... looks like I have to bump the original up on the "mecha" section of my PTW depending on when this comes out.
kjloltoborami2026-01-15 20:30
Cgi mecha? Not watching
DignityCancer2026-01-15 22:17
Damn im so excited! Long time votons fan since the original, it has been way too long!
HikkingOutpit2026-01-16 04:28
Hope this is a reboot that rewrites the second half of the story. [VOTOMS lost all its magic] >!after the Kunmen Jungle War arc. Fyana got turned into a useless load on the desert planet and then Chirico got revealed to have had literal plot armour all along in the final arc. Then they killed off Fyana in the sequels. C'mon man.!<
Commentaires
Director is Mamoru Oshii
Source
https://natalie.mu/comic/news/656206
https://x.com/votoms_gh/status/2011634596505665550
>Mamoru Oshii
This brings up some good memories
But yeah, he's definitely more of a film guy.
EXCUSE ME!????
I really love the manga Patlabor so I've been looking forward to that if it was ever coming out.
Not the first time, or even second time, this has happened to me lol.
Armored Trooper Votoms is my favorite mecha anime, however I would say the best stuff is the OG series, prequel content, and Mellowlink. Most of the post original show stuff were good however, not the same level of excellence I felt the OG series showed.
That said, with a director like Oshii.....you have my attention. Curious to see what the plot will be.
Maybe I really need to watch the original VOTOMS...had heard of many good things about this 1980s classic and given I am attached to excellent sci-fi anime like a magnet...
Suletta's rig will have a pack of quadcopter drones, Chuchu's got an inconel cricket bat and a shotgun
> New VOTOMS
I guess that'll be interesti-
> Directed by Mamoru Oshii
HOLY SHIT, LETS FUCKING GOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [](#GRANDHYPE)
Though, in all seriousness, this is definitely a pretty odd one since none of the VOTOMS sequels were particularly great and it feels like its story is pretty thoroughly finished at this point, but at the same time Mamoru Oshii is my favorite director & everything he makes (even the misses like The Red Spectacles) is intensely fascinating, so I'm really curious where he'd go with the franchise.
The Red Spectacles is awesome! First time I see someone disliking it!
Both are worth appreciating because they’re raw Oshii and you can see the sensibilities that inform his other work
I don't think the title is enough to conclude that. It could be anything, like a female villian or even a side character, like how Hathaway movie #2's title is about Gigi. Hell, it could even be the "name" of a Scopedog.
ETA: Sounds like a studio anniversary rather than a Votoms anniversary. OK, that makes more sense. If its a studio anniversary I've got to wonder if there's a Gundam announcement coming too.
Interesting
>2026
I don't even know what to say, but **HOLY SHIT** if this isn't the most unexpected news of the year!
The A plot kicked in briefly when he tried to rescue a girl from a laboratory, but then it was right back to cool guy and the goober squad.
Is that the Votoms show we're talking about here?
To be clear I didn't hate that old show exactly, but it's pretty far removed from what I would expect to be popular today.
Though in main guy's defense, I think the fact that his 3 buddies are so ride-and-die (and not just "his shady bookies") is supposed to be a twist for him and the audience; IIRC, he does get a lot friendlier with them from the second arc onwards.
Almost no one I've spoken to has ever heard of this one. Zombie anime committees with this and Psyren on the block.