Sunrise’s 50th anniversary project, the all-new Soukou Kihei Votoms: Gray Witch (Armored Trooper Votoms: Gray Witch), is set to open in theaters nationwide on November 20, 2026. The film has revealed a stellar cast lineup, including Miki Shinichirou, Kaji Yuuki, Nakamura Yuuichi, Sugita Tomokazu, Sakurai Takahiro, and Uesaka Sumire, along with a 30-second trailer.
About the Film
The original Soukou Kihei Votoms TV series aired in 1983, created and directed by Takahashi Ryousuke and produced by Sunrise. Its world view made a huge impact, and the series has remained a cornerstone of mecha anime for over 40 years, with sequels and plastic model kits continuing to excite fans.
For Gray Witch, Oshii Mamoru—the director who stunned the world with Ghost in the Shell—takes the helm. The story is set during the final stages of the hundred-year war in the Astragius Galaxy, focusing on soldiers who pilot humanoid weapons called ATs (Armored Troopers), specifically the Scope Dog, and are treated as expendable resources.
Previously announced cast members include Sawashiro Miyuki as Ash Vamps, “the soldier who always survives,” and Andou Mafumi as Maki Stauffenberg, “the woman who pursues the mystery.” Now, the main characters surrounding them have been revealed.
New Cast Revealed
The Vamps Platoon, fighting alongside Ash Vamps, includes:
- Fritz Gelsdorf: Nakamura Yuuichi
- Brunhild Müller: Tsuruoka Satoshi
- Adrian Daisler: Sugita Tomokazu
- Matt Hummels: Miyake Kenta
Among Maki Stauffenberg’s subordinates:
- Alix Barak: Miki Shinichirou
- Ignis Schweinsteiger: Kaji Yuuki
Other roles include:
- Soltig Van Gunnar (base commander): Chafurin
- Vid Hildebrandt (military police captain): Ootsuka Houchuu
- Meteusz Julian Podolski (Hildebrandt’s adjutant): Ono Daisuke
- Weissweiler (maintenance company): Sugou Takayuki
- Oliver (maintenance company): Sakurai Takahiro
- Maintenance Girl: Uesaka Sumire
Cast Comments
The cast members have shared their enthusiasm for the project.
Miki Shinichirou (Alix Barak)
“I’m participating in a new work of a series I watched in my youth. And the director is Oshii-san… It’s sure to be a wonderful work.”
Kaji Yuuki (Ignis Schweinsteiger)
“I never imagined there would be a world line where I could participate in the famous ‘Votoms’ series, and as a cast member of a theatrical work directed by Oshii Mamoru. I’m filled with awe and honor. I was conscious of the role the character demanded and gave my all. When Oshii-san recognized me, he said ‘It fits perfectly’ about the role of Schweini. What kind of person is he? Please look forward to the release (laughs).”
Nakamura Yuuichi (Fritz Gelsdorf)
“When I watched the recording footage, I felt something odd… As I watched, I noticed the unique tempo. The pauses in dialogue, the camera positions, the atmosphere. Yes, it’s the same feeling I had when I first watched ‘Ghost in the Shell’. That strong individuality I also felt when participating in ‘Tachiguishi Retsuden’ is fully expressed in the ‘Votoms’ field. Please come to the theater and feel the suffocating smell of blood and gunpowder.”
Tsuruoka Satoshi (Brunhild Müller)
“I had time to reconsider what life means as I saw them assigned to a motley punishment unit, riding Armored Troopers just to survive. Please see their vividly depicted lives in the theater.”
Sugita Tomokazu (Adrian Daisler)
“I never thought the day would come when I’d play a scumbag. We are comrades bound by bonds. One for all, all for one. Don’t lie. Dark eyes distorted by suspicion sneer. You too. You too. You too. Everyone might be thinking ‘die for me’. I won’t ask for your cooperation.”
Miyake Kenta (Matt Hummels)
“Long ago, I stayed up all night watching the TV series ‘Soukou Kihei Votoms’ on LD at a good senior’s house and was thrilled. Now, after all this time, I never imagined I’d appear in Votoms, and especially in a Votoms directed by the revered Oshii Mamoru. I feel a sense of destiny, as if it’s the will of the Wise Man.”
Chafurin (Soltig Van Gunnar)
“I’m very happy to participate in a completely new Votoms world. When I was a newcomer, I had a small role in the old work, so I’m deeply moved. I want to approach this seriously. Oshii Mamoru, a director everyone admires, and I personally am a big fan of the theatrical ‘Urusei Yatsura’ (laughs). Anyway, I’ll participate in the new ‘Votoms’ with utmost seriousness. Please enjoy the deep, deeply set animation, the new world of ‘Votoms’.”
Ootsuka Houchuu (Vid Hildebrandt)
“I’ve long admired Votoms, and I’m truly grateful to participate. I’m so happy. Meeting Oshii Mamoru, receiving direct acting direction, and fully savoring the esprit of Votoms—everything was a happy recording session.”
Ono Daisuke (Meteusz Julian Podolski)
“I’m honored to participate in ‘Soukou Kihei Votoms’. I remember being fascinated by the coolness of ATs in college and honing my weathering skills on Scope Dog plastic models. The more you grow up, the more you appreciate this work. A realistic, dark, and heavy story. You’ll be drawn in for sure.”
Sugou Takayuki (Weissweiler)
“I’m honored to participate in Oshii Mamoru’s world in the historic anime series ‘Soukou Kihei Votoms’. Weissweiler is a special lieutenant who has worked his way up. He’s a man who makes his subordinates tense with a single word. Yet he also has tolerance and hidden compassion. I carefully portrayed what’s in Weissweiler’s heart. Please enjoy the latest chapter of ‘Votoms’ created by the staff and cast together.”
Sakurai Takahiro (Oliver)
“I never thought the day would come when I’d appear in Oshii Mamoru’s ‘Soukou Kihei Votoms’. This ‘Gray Witch’ is sure to be a special work. I want many people to see it.”
Uesaka Sumire (Maintenance Girl)
“I’m appearing in ‘Soukou Kihei Votoms: Gray Witch’…!!! When I watched ‘Pailsen Files’ in high school, I became obsessed with the charm of ATs, and ‘Votoms’ became my favorite anime of all time. To think I’d be involved as a cast member… It’s incredible. The muddy, smoky battlefield, the iron coffins carrying sick souls, the lives bet on an equally merciless roulette… Ah, I’m savoring the happiness of being intoxicated by that world!”
Product Information
Related products include the Soukou Kihei Votoms Blu-ray Perfect Soldier Box (limited production) at ¥72,245, and the MegaHouse VAKIT Platoon Soukou Kihei Votoms: Gray Witch BOX (ABS) at ¥11,880.
Staff and Cast
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Director | Oshii Mamoru |
| Original Work | Yadate Hajime, Takahashi Ryousuke |
| Screenplay | Oshii Mamoru, Yamamura Kei |
| Character Design (Original) | Kise Kazuchika |
| Character Design | Nishio Tetsuya, Kojima Takashi, Ogiso Shingo |
| Original Mechanical Design | Okawara Kunio |
| Mechanical Design | Tsuneki Shinosuke, Sono Yoshihiro, Ishikuchi Juu, Inada Wataru |
| Music | Kawai Kenji |
| Sound Director | Wakabayashi Kazuhiro |
| Planning/Production | Sunrise |
| Production Cooperation | Production I.G |
| Distribution | Bandai Namco Filmworks |
Cast:
- Ash Vamps: Sawashiro Miyuki
- Maki Stauffenberg: Andou Mafumi
- Alix Barak: Miki Shinichirou
- Ignis Schweinsteiger: Kaji Yuuki
- Fritz Gelsdorf: Nakamura Yuuichi
- Brunhild Müller: Tsuruoka Satoshi
- Adrian Daisler: Sugita Tomokazu
- Matt Hummels: Miyake Kenta
- Soltig Van Gunnar: Chafurin
- Vid Hildebrandt: Ootsuka Houchuu
- Meteusz Julian Podolski: Ono Daisuke
- Weissweiler: Sugou Takayuki
- Oliver: Sakurai Takahiro
- Maintenance Girl: Uesaka Sumire
Release: First film opens November 20, 2026 (Friday); second film to be announced later.
©SUNRISE
