Armored Trooper Votoms: The Grey Witch – Mamoru Oshii Returns

The celebrated author of Ghost in the Shell returns with a new animated project rooted in the history of Japanese mecha: Armored Trooper Votoms: Die Graue Hexe (The Grey Witch). At the moment, it is not clear whether it will be a series or a film.

This anime marks the return of a classic in its genre, Armored Trooper Votoms, a series born in 1983 and remembered for its realistic and disillusioned approach to the giant robot genre, far from traditional heroism. A universe of dirty wars, worn-out soldiers, and heavy moral choices, perfectly compatible with the sensibility of Master Mamoru Oshii.

Military science fiction mecha anime returns

The project is part of the celebrations for Sunrise's 50th anniversary, the historic animation studio, while production is entrusted to Production I.G., a guarantee of ambition and quality. A first flash trailer and an official website are already active, but plot details remain deliberately vague: it is not yet clear whether it is a reboot, a continuation, or a standalone story set in the same universe.

Oshii's choice seems far from coincidental. After fundamental experiences like Patlabor, the director returns to mecha to use them not only as a visual spectacle but as a tool for political and philosophical reflection. While awaiting its release, there remains regret for the difficult availability of the original series on Home Video, with few foreign Blu-ray copies at exorbitant prices (even $600!). A situation that could change with the relaunch of the franchise.