Armored Trooper Votoms Returns as “The Gray Witch” Movies Announced by Sunrise and Production I.G
Bandai Namco Filmworks and the legendary studio Sunrise have officially revealed that the long-running Armored Trooper Votoms franchise is returning with a brand new theatrical project titled “Armored Trooper Votoms: The Gray Witch”.
This ambitious production will be released as a two-part film series and serves as a centerpiece for the “Sunrise 50th Anniversary Project” celebrating half a century of the iconic anime studio.
The Armored Trooper Votoms series is a defining pillar of the real-robot genre and has spent over 40 years entertaining mecha fans since its original television debut in 1983.
This new duology marks the first completely original entry in the franchise since the 2011 release of the “Armored Trooper Votoms: The Prowling Assist” OVA.
Acclaimed filmmaker Mamoru Oshii is taking the helm as the director of the films, bringing his unique cinematic vision to the gritty world originally created by Ryosuke Takahashi.
Ryosuke Takahashi will remain deeply involved in the production of these new movies by serving as a supervisor to ensure the story stays true to the spirit of the series.
The new films will be created thanks to a powerful creative collaboration between Sunrise and the renowned animation house Production I.G.
Kenji Kawai is handling the musical composition, continuing a storied partnership with Oshii that has spanned decades.
Shinobu Tsuneki and Yoshihiro Sono are leading the mechanical design for the project, introducing a fresh look for the iconic Scopedog units featured in the new teaser trailer.
Director Oshii shared his personal excitement for the project by noting that he has been a massive fan of the series since its inception and has always wanted to create a work within the Votoms universe.
He reassured long-time followers that he is taking a very serious approach to the war action elements and the mechanical realism the franchise is known for.
Takahashi expressed his own enthusiasm for the partnership, stating that he is a fan of Oshii’s distinct directorial “touch” and looks forward to seeing how it transforms his mecha world.
The newly released teaser footage showcases a Scopedog unit navigating a desert battlefield alongside brief, enigmatic glimpses of the titular “Gray Witch.”
Bandai has revealed that they are developing new figures and models to celebrate the film’s arrival via their “Bandai Hobby” label as well as via the “MegaHouse” brand, which is owned by the company.
The currently announced figures are:
- “HG Scopedog The Gray Witch [Desert Color] (Provisional Name)”
- “HI-METAL R Scopedog The Gray Witch [Desert Color] (Provisional Name)”
- “VA-KIT PLATOON Armored Trooper Votoms: The Gray Witch”
Each of these detailed collectibles is designed to represent the updated desert-themed aesthetic seen in the latest promotional imagery.
Mecha fans can expect to see early prototypes of these items on display during the general public days of the Shizuoka Hobby Show.
A special set of “Muviticket cards” that feature the new teaser visual will also go on sale for fans looking to see the film in Japanese theatres.
The “Armored Trooper Votoms: The Gray Witch Part 1 and Part 2 Muviticket Card Set” is priced at 3,800 yen (approx. $24 USD / £19 GBP) and provides admission for both theatrical entries.
These large-format cards will be sold on-site at the 64th Shizuoka Hobby Show on May 16 and 17, while also being available through the Major and MOVIE WALKER STORE websites.
The first part of “Armored Trooper Votoms: The Gray Witch” will officially launch in Japanese theaters on Friday, November 20, 2026 and the first trailer is now available to watch online:
A release window for the second installment of the theatrical duology will be shared by the production team at a later date.
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