It has been announced that a completely new entry in the ‘Armored Trooper Votoms’ anime series, titled ‘Armored Trooper Votoms: The Gray Witch (Hexe),’ will be produced as a two-part theatrical release. The first part will premiere in theaters on November 20, 2026. Along with the announcement, a trailer, teaser visual, and scene photos have been revealed. It was also confirmed that Takahashi Ryousuke (note: the first character of his name is the ‘ladder’ variant of ‘taka’), the original creator and director of ‘Armored Trooper Votoms,’ will participate as supervisor, and comments have arrived from Oshii Mamoru, who is handling this work, and Takahashi himself.
Scene photo from ‘Armored Trooper Votoms: The Gray Witch (Hexe)’
The ‘Armored Trooper Votoms’ series is a real robot anime produced by Sunrise with original story and direction by Takahashi Ryousuke. Starting with the TV series broadcast from 1983 to 1984, it has been expanded through OVAs, spin-offs, theatrical films, event screenings, book adaptations, and more, beloved for over 40 years.
‘Armored Trooper Votoms: The Gray Witch (Hexe)’ is being produced as a 50th anniversary work for Sunrise, in line with the ‘Sunrise 50th Anniversary Project’ that commemorates the 50th anniversary of the ‘Sunrise’ brand, which centers on animation produced by Bandai Namco Filmworks’ in-house studio ‘SUNRISE Studios.’
Scene photo from ‘Armored Trooper Votoms: The Gray Witch (Hexe)’
As a ‘Votoms’ anime series entry, this is the first completely new work in 15 years, since the OVA ‘Armored Trooper Votoms: Alone Again’ which was screened as the third installment of ‘Votoms Festival’ in 2011. Under director Oshii Mamoru, the work realizes a powerful collaboration with Sunrise handling animation production and Production I.G providing production cooperation.
From this work, a trailer using the latest animation footage has been revealed. It shows a Scopedog racing through battle, and the figure of a ‘witch’ appearing meaningfully. The teaser visual released at the same time depicts a new Scopedog.
Furthermore, it was revealed that Takahashi, the original creator and director of ‘Armored Trooper Votoms,’ will participate as supervisor. The mechanical design lineup includes Tsuneki Yukinobu (of ‘Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These’ etc.) and Sono Yoshihiro, who illustrated the manga ‘Armored Trooper Votoms AT Stories.’ Music will be handled by Kawai Kenji, who has collaborated with Oshii Mamoru on many works. Comments were also received from director Oshii and Takahashi.
Scene photo from ‘Armored Trooper Votoms: The Gray Witch (Hexe)’
Comments
Director: Oshii Mamoru
I’ve been a huge fan of the original Votoms. It’s a work I’ve always admired, hoping to one day create something like Votoms. Some might suspect I’d put a standing soba shop in Votoms, but I’m being serious. I’m seriously making a war action piece.
Original Creator & Supervisor: Takahashi Ryousuke
Films have a director-specific ‘touch,’ and I myself am a fan of the ‘Oshii touch.’ With him taking on ‘Votoms’ this time, I look forward to seeing the directorial ‘touch’ of visual artist Oshii Mamoru.
* The first character of ‘Takahashi Ryousuke’ is the ‘ladder’ variant of ‘taka.’
Movie Ticket Information
- Release Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
- Price: 3,800 yen (tax included)
- Specs: ‘Armored Trooper Votoms: The Gray Witch’ Part 1 & Part 2 [Movie Ticket Card 2-Part Set] (Size 120mm x 70mm)
- Sales Locations:
- Shizuoka Hobby Show (Bandai Namco Filmworks booth in South Exhibition Hall) – [Sale times: May 16 (Sat) 9:00–17:00, May 17 (Sun) 9:00–16:00]
- Major ticket sales site (online) – [Sales start May 16 (Sat) 9:00]
- MOVIE WALKER STORE (online) – [Sales start May 16 (Sat) 9:00]
Merchandise Information
BANDAI SPIRITS
“HG Scopedog Gray Witch [Desert Color] (tentative)” – Release planned for fall 2026.
* Prototype to be displayed at Shizuoka Hobby Show.
BANDAI SPIRITS
From the completed figure brand “TAMASHII NATIONS”:
“HI-METAL R Scopedog Gray Witch [Desert Color] (tentative)” – Product planning in progress!
* Prototype to be displayed at Shizuoka Hobby Show.
MegaHouse
New collectible kit series “VA-KIT PLATOON (V-KIT Platoon) Armored Trooper Votoms Gray Witch” begins!
A partially colored plastic kit series in collectible 8cm height.
* Reference exhibit planned at Shizuoka Hobby Show venue.
Work Information
| Title | Armored Trooper Votoms: The Gray Witch (Hexe) |
| Release Info | Part 1: November 20, 2026 (Fri) | Part 2: To be announced |
| Distribution | Bandai Namco Filmworks |
| Director | Oshii Mamoru |
| Original Creator & Supervisor | Takahashi Ryousuke (note: ‘taka’ is ladder variant) |
| Original Mechanical Design | Ohkawara Kunio |
| Mechanical Design | Tsuneki Yukinobu, Sono Yoshihiro |
| Music | Kawai Kenji |
| Production | Sunrise |
| Production Cooperation | Production I.G |
| Copyright | © SUNRISE |
(Nakase Koutarou)
