Image: SUNRISE
AMBot | 08/21/2026 | Reading Time: 4 Min.
"Armored Trooper Votoms" returns with a two-part theatrical project: "The Gray Witch" is being created for the 50th anniversary of Studio Sunrise and is directed by Mamoru Oshii. Three months before the release of the first part, those in charge have unveiled the main trailer, new character visuals, and the central cast. Accordingly, Miyuki Sawashiro and Mabuki Ando voice the two main characters. Part one hits Japanese theaters on November 20, 2026; the date for part two will be announced later.
The series traces back to the TV series of the same name, which Ryosuke Takahashi produced at Sunrise from 1983 to 1984 and which has continued to live on for over four decades through sequels, spin-offs, films, and model kits. For the franchise, this is the first new theatrical film in about 15 years. Oshii, internationally known for "Ghost in the Shell" and "Mobile Police Patlabor," serves as director; Takahashi, the creator of the series, acts as supervisor.
The story is set in the final phase of the Hundred Years' War, which splits the Astragius Galaxy between the powers Gilgamesh and Balarant. On the second planet of the Asgard system, Valkyria II, officer Maki Stauffenberg arrives at a frontline base. She has the secret mission to investigate Ash Vamps, an AT pilot in a penal company who is the only one to survive even the most hopeless operations and is therefore feared by her comrades as a "witch." To get closer to the truth, Maki takes part as a pilot of an Armored Trooper in a risky insertion operation behind enemy lines.
Miyuki Sawashiro lends her voice to Ash Vamps, and Mabuki Ando voices Maki Stauffenberg. Other speaking roles are taken on by Shinichiro Miki, Yuki Kaji, Yuichi Nakamura, Satoshi Tsuruoka, Tomokazu Sugita, Kenta Miyake, Chafurin, Hochu Otsuka, Daisuke Ono, Takayuki Sugo, Takahiro Sakurai, and Sumire Uesaka. Shinichiro Miki and Yuki Kaji portray Maki's subordinates, while Nakamura, Tsuruoka, Sugita, and Miyake belong to Ash's paratrooper unit.
Behind the production, a number of experienced creatives gather: Kazuchika Kise is responsible for the original character designs, while Tetsuya Nishio, Takashi Kojima, and Shingo Ogiso handle the character designs. Kunio Okawara, already the designer of the original series, provides the original mechanical design, supplemented by Yoshinobu Tsuneki, Yudai Sono, Toru Ishiguchi, and Wataru Inada. The music is by Kenji Kawai, and sound direction is by Kazuhiro Wakabayashi. Sunrise produces the film with support from Production I.G; distribution is handled by Bandai Namco Filmworks.
The main trailer shows Maki arriving at the frontline base and investigating Ash's secret, their first encounter, heavy battles of the AT units, as well as paratroopers diving into combat. The also released character visual by Kazuchika Kise presents Ash and Maki together for the first time.
Starting August 21, selected theaters as well as the services Meijer and Movie Walker Store will sell the second edition of the Mubichike advance tickets with motifs of the two main characters. As a bonus, a B6 illustration board with a specially drawn Scope Dog by Kunio Okawara is included. Additionally, there is an Animate-exclusive card with a dog tag pendant, online advance tickets with smartphone wallpaper, and an edition with a secret bromide image of all 14 speaking roles.
Simultaneously with the theatrical release, the "Armored Trooper Votoms Blu-ray Perfect Soldier Box" will also be reissued in stores. The collector's box, released in 2021 as a limited edition at a price of 93,500 yen, bundles the entire video history of the series and is strictly limited.
Both main actresses commented on their roles. Sawashiro said she had never seen a character like Ash; she entered the studio for her first Oshii production with many worries, but now looks forward to the finished work as a fan. Ando explained that the line "Life becomes expendable" is of cruel sadness; the battles unfolding on a battlefield that strips people of all emotion deeply moved her. She invites the audience to experience the film in theaters.
The series traces back to the TV series of the same name, which Ryosuke Takahashi produced at Sunrise from 1983 to 1984 and which has continued to live on for over four decades through sequels, spin-offs, films, and model kits. For the franchise, this is the first new theatrical film in about 15 years. Oshii, internationally known for "Ghost in the Shell" and "Mobile Police Patlabor," serves as director; Takahashi, the creator of the series, acts as supervisor.
The story is set in the final phase of the Hundred Years' War, which splits the Astragius Galaxy between the powers Gilgamesh and Balarant. On the second planet of the Asgard system, Valkyria II, officer Maki Stauffenberg arrives at a frontline base. She has the secret mission to investigate Ash Vamps, an AT pilot in a penal company who is the only one to survive even the most hopeless operations and is therefore feared by her comrades as a "witch." To get closer to the truth, Maki takes part as a pilot of an Armored Trooper in a risky insertion operation behind enemy lines.
Miyuki Sawashiro lends her voice to Ash Vamps, and Mabuki Ando voices Maki Stauffenberg. Other speaking roles are taken on by Shinichiro Miki, Yuki Kaji, Yuichi Nakamura, Satoshi Tsuruoka, Tomokazu Sugita, Kenta Miyake, Chafurin, Hochu Otsuka, Daisuke Ono, Takayuki Sugo, Takahiro Sakurai, and Sumire Uesaka. Shinichiro Miki and Yuki Kaji portray Maki's subordinates, while Nakamura, Tsuruoka, Sugita, and Miyake belong to Ash's paratrooper unit.
Behind the production, a number of experienced creatives gather: Kazuchika Kise is responsible for the original character designs, while Tetsuya Nishio, Takashi Kojima, and Shingo Ogiso handle the character designs. Kunio Okawara, already the designer of the original series, provides the original mechanical design, supplemented by Yoshinobu Tsuneki, Yudai Sono, Toru Ishiguchi, and Wataru Inada. The music is by Kenji Kawai, and sound direction is by Kazuhiro Wakabayashi. Sunrise produces the film with support from Production I.G; distribution is handled by Bandai Namco Filmworks.
The main trailer shows Maki arriving at the frontline base and investigating Ash's secret, their first encounter, heavy battles of the AT units, as well as paratroopers diving into combat. The also released character visual by Kazuchika Kise presents Ash and Maki together for the first time.
Starting August 21, selected theaters as well as the services Meijer and Movie Walker Store will sell the second edition of the Mubichike advance tickets with motifs of the two main characters. As a bonus, a B6 illustration board with a specially drawn Scope Dog by Kunio Okawara is included. Additionally, there is an Animate-exclusive card with a dog tag pendant, online advance tickets with smartphone wallpaper, and an edition with a secret bromide image of all 14 speaking roles.
Simultaneously with the theatrical release, the "Armored Trooper Votoms Blu-ray Perfect Soldier Box" will also be reissued in stores. The collector's box, released in 2021 as a limited edition at a price of 93,500 yen, bundles the entire video history of the series and is strictly limited.
Both main actresses commented on their roles. Sawashiro said she had never seen a character like Ash; she entered the studio for her first Oshii production with many worries, but now looks forward to the finished work as a fan. Ando explained that the line "Life becomes expendable" is of cruel sadness; the battles unfolding on a battlefield that strips people of all emotion deeply moved her. She invites the audience to experience the film in theaters.
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This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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