The long-running Armored Trooper Votoms franchise is getting a fresh addition with a new anime project titled Armored Trooper Votoms: The Grey Witch (Sōkō Kihei Votoms Haiiro no Hexe). The production is a collaboration between the renowned studios Production I.G and Sunrise. At the helm is the celebrated director Mamoru Oshii, best known for landmark works like Ghost in the Shell and Patlabor. The first teaser for the project has already been released and can be viewed here.
The upcoming anime will celebrate Sunrise’s 50th anniversary, a fitting milestone for a studio that helped define the mecha genre. Sunrise originally launched the Armored Trooper Votoms series back in April 1983. What began as a gritty, realistic take on robot warfare grew into a rich franchise spanning television series, OVAs, manga adaptations, and video games, leaving a lasting mark on Japanese science fiction and animation history.
The original Armored Trooper Votoms told the story of two rival interstellar powers locked in a brutal war fought with humanoid combat vehicles known as Armored Troopers. Unlike many other mecha series of its time, Votoms focused on realism, personal struggle, and the grim reality of war rather than glorifying heroism or futuristic technology. This grounded approach earned it a devoted fan base and critical acclaim.
Fans of classic anime have even more to look forward to this year, as the legendary Ghost in the Shell franchise will also receive a new animated adaptation. Studio Science SARU is developing a series inspired by the original manga, promising a fresh interpretation for modern audiences while honoring the legacy of Masamune Shirow’s groundbreaking cyberpunk world.
