The Armored Trooper Votoms franchise is preparing for its return with a new two-part film project, Sōkō Kihei Votoms Haiiro no Hexe (Armored Trooper Votoms: Die Graue Hexe). A newly released trailer provides a first look at the production, confirming that Miyuki Sawashiro will voice the notorious AT pilot Ash Vamps, while Mabuki Andou joins the cast as Maki Stauffenberg, an officer tasked with investigating Ash’s past.
The project boasts a high-profile production team led by director Mamoru Oshii, with original franchise creator Ryōsuke Takahashi overseeing the films. The creative roster includes industry veterans such as composer Kenji Kawai, who reunites with Oshii for the project, and mechanical designers Shinobu Tsuneki and Yoshiro Sōno. The expansive voice cast also features Shinichirō Miki, Yūki Kaji, Yūichi Nakamura, Tomokazu Sugita, and several other prominent industry names.
This project represents the first major expansion for the Votoms universe since 2011’s Alone Again. The 1983 original series remains a cornerstone of the 'real robot' genre, celebrated for its grounded, gritty depiction of mecha combat and the high mortality rates associated with the VOTOMS units. With the original series seeing a North American Blu-ray release via Maiden Japan as recently as 2020, interest in the franchise's legacy remains strong as it transitions into this new cinematic venture.
