Mamoru Oshii Returns: Trailer Released for Anime "Armored Trooper Votoms: Die Graue Hexe"

The iconic mecha franchise is brought back by a team led by the director of 1995's "Ghost in the Shell."

Sunrise has unveiled the full trailer for the anime "Armored Trooper Votoms: Die Graue Hexe," directed by Mamoru Oshii — the creator of the cult classic "Ghost in the Shell" from 1995. Along with the trailer, the creators released a new poster and revealed the cast.

The story unfolds at the end of the Hundred Years' War between Gilgamesh and Balarant. Officer Maki Stauffenberg arrives at a frontline base with a secret mission: she is tasked with investigating the past of the penal soldier Ash Wamps. Her comrades call the girl the Witch because she is the only one who returns alive even from the most hopeless operations. To uncover her secret, Maki joins Ash's squad and embarks on a mission deep within enemy territory.

Maki is voiced by Mabuki Ando, and Ash's voice is provided by Miyuki Sawashiro. The cast also includes Shinichiro Miki, Yuki Kaji, and Yuichi Nakamura.

Production is handled by Sunrise with the support of Production I.G. Mamoru Oshii brought in long-time collaborators for the project. Kazuchika Kise, who supervised the animation for "Ghost in the Shell" and "Innocence," prepared the initial character designs, which Tetsuya Nishio ("The Sky Crawlers," "Naruto") refined alongside Takashi Kojima and Shingo Ogiso. The music was composed by Kenji Kawai, who has collaborated with Oshii since "The Red Spectacles" and the first feature-length "Patlabor: The Movie."

"Armored Trooper Votoms: Die Graue Hexe" will be released as two feature films. The first part will premiere in Japanese cinemas on November 20, 2026; the release date for the second part has not yet been announced. The anime will be the franchise's first new project in 15 years.