Two titans
of animation and a legendary director come together to revive a classic. Bandai
Namco Filmworks announced Thursday that Sunrise and Production
I.G studios are collaborating to produce a new anime in the franchise
titled Soko Kihei Votoms Haiiro no Hexe (Armored Trooper
Votoms: The Grey Witch).
The most
shocking news is that Mamoru Oshii, the acclaimed director known
for his unique vision in science fiction, will be in charge of directing. This
project is being carried out in commemoration of Sunrise's 50th
anniversary.
The
original franchise was created and directed by Ryosuke Takahashi in 1983.
It is considered an iconic work of the "Real Robot" subgenre,
pioneered by Mobile Suit Gundam, characterized by mass-produced
military machines and crude plots about the bitter costs of war.
The
original story is set during a centuries-old war between the Confederacy of
Gilgamesh and the Balarant Union. In this scenario, VOTOMS (Vertical
One-man Tank for Offense & Maneuvers) dominate the battlefield; They are
powerful but extremely vulnerable machines, known both for their firepower and
the high mortality rate of their pilots.
A
historic franchise
Over the
decades, the series has inspired numerous spin-offs and OVAs, including The
Last Red Shoulder, Pailsen Files, and Armor Hunter
Mellowlink. The last animated entry in the franchise to date had been Armored
Trooper Votoms: Alone Again, released in 2011.
