We’ve known for years that Marvel was producing anime series in conjunction with anime studio, Madhouse. The original pitch was for four Marvel anime series, and so far we’ve gotten looks at both the Iron Man and Wolverine anime series. Today we get a look at the third project form Marvel/Madhouse: X-Men.
The X-Men anime is written by famed English comic book writer/creator Warren Ellis, and borrows story elements from famed Scottish comic book writer Grant Morrison’s early 2000s story arch for New X-Men, as well as Joss Whedon’s mid-2000s run on Astonishing X-Men.
For those who don’t like anime, you’ll be pleased to hear that this X-Men anime series (unlike the Wolverine anime) seems to be staying fairly true to the source material. Cyclops, Professor X, Beast, Storm and Wolverine all pretty much look like recognizable versions of themselves – albeit “animeted” – which, if you think about it, isn’t too far from what a lot of American superhero cartoons are doing today (see: Wolverine and the X-Men).
Here’s the official story for the X-Men anime:
The series, which debuts April 1 on Japan’s Animax television network, is set a year after the death of Jean Grey as the disbanded X-Men are summoned by Charles Xavier to find the abducted Hisako Ichiki (aka Armor) and confront the U-Men, the mutant organ-stealing cult.
Fans of the X-Men books in the 2000s era will remember the U-Men from Morrison’s story arch and Hisako Ichiki from Whedon’s run. Personally I like that they went with Hisako for this series – her ability (to manifest “pscionic body armor”) makes her a Wolverine sidekick whose mutant power is actually formidable (sorry Kitty Pryde and Jubilee). Seeing her in action onscreen should be cool.
Here is the trailer for the X-Men anime series – sorry, it’s not in English yet:
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Finally, some screenshots and concept art from the series:
For a full gallery of pics in higher resolution, head over to Marvel.com.
The X-Men Anime series will premiere on April 1st over in Japan. If you’re hoping to see the Marvel Anime series over here in the U.S., G4 will be premiering them this summer – Iron Man and Wolverine first, with X-Men and Blade coming later. We’ll keep you updated.
Source: Marvel.com
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Looks very good.
When I first heard of this a few weeks back, I posted it on a messageboard.
No one knew who Hisako was.
I got some info on her and I like her.
Looks better than X:FC.
I saw all three trailers a couple of weeks ago (for X-Men, Iron Man and Wolverine) The take on Iron Man & Wolverine in particular raised a lot of questions -but I suppose I’ll wait for your thread on those trailers to make my comments on. I also read too that there is a Blade anime which should be truly awesome.
First of all I love anime and when the animation is good backed up with a coherent storyline (re late 80s and 90s throughout) the end product can be awesome. Madhouse themselves generated classics such as Wicked City, Cyber City Oedo 808 & Ninja Scroll.
But I have mixed feelings on this X-Men interpretation. When its in full motion it looks great which is what you’d expect. It’s the characters look, especially Cyclops, the skin tight jacket trouser look doesn’t work, why is Wolverine taller? Not feeling Storm’s costume either.
The X-men animated series of the 90s was one of the best and most faithful adaptations ever and I would have much preferred the anime to be much closer in spirit to that version, rather than the mediocre X-Men Evolution series which it looks like they drawn their inspiraion from. (I believe there was an earlier anime version that stuck more to the original costumes.
I appreciate that Madhouse would to go in their own direction, but it would have been so much cooler if they stayed truer to the comics. Imagine say the Fatal Attractions storyline displayed in full anime.
What I think we really need to see is some of this treatment for the DC continuity. A Superman of indeed Justice League anime by Madhouse would be incredible, if done right of course.
Modern Anime is a perfect fit for X-Men, all style no substance!
wait, Where’s Jean Grey?
Read the article:
The series, which debuts April 1 on Japan’s Animax television network, is set a year after the death of Jean Grey as the disbanded X-Men are summoned by Charles Xavier to find the abducted Hisako Ichiki (aka Armor) and confront the U-Men, the mutant organ-stealing cult
Ya know what? That looks really cool.
ya think this will have any connection to the wolverine anime? and does anyone knowwhen the wolverine and iron man animes will be out in english?
it all looks good. except for cyclops, who has clearly come out of the closet…
Yeah but…Kitty and Jubes are MORE THAN formidable. Jubilee’s power is pretty frickin spectacular.
really cause she hasnt had powers for a while now and in fact she is a vampire now
I know all of that, but her classic powers are what’s in question here. From the era when she was Wolverine’s sidekick, in a way.
Hisako Ichiki looks almost identical to Hyuuga Hinata from Naruto.
anybody know if these japanese series are one offs or if there’ll be a second season?
Cyclops gets no love. Why is that? He looks like a total gay emo dude. And for crying out loud stop it with the tall Wolverine please. The character is short for a reason. Wolverines are small but very vicious.
I like Storm’s look. Cyclops looks kinda gay. Like for two seconds I was hoping he was really Jean with a short haircut. In any case, I’d give this a look, but I’m not all that trilled by an X-Men anime. I love me a good anime, but for X-men I need something more Americanized. In my opinion it just looks better.
I’ve waited for this since the anime X-men intro from the American series back in the days. Japanese animators are far more advanced than American cartoons just wish they’d chill out on so much dialog, that’s what made the Ironman and Wolverine anime’s boring as all hell.
cyclops must fry his hair alot
for his safety he should avoid Hairspray
also please give us Gambit
Not bad, at first I thought this was just about Marvels Knights X-Men, but I was way off.
Please keep us updated!
Oh look its got that distinct anime style; it looks awful!
The fact that are referencing Morrison & Whedon’s runs on X-Men = WIN.
I hear Emma Frost is in the anime as well. In any case, this looks to be better than Iron Man & Wolverine.
Just watched the first episode (subbed). I gotta say, MADHOUSE’s take on the X-Men is damn amazing! The voice cast took some time getting used to, and the first ep’s all about setting up the premise, Cyclops was being the local emo pretty boy in the beginning and Storm felt a bit too “fan-service,” but overall I felt MADHOUSE nailed the X-men vibe (same one I got from Wolverine and the X-men…which was fantastic). Looking forward to the 2nd ep next week!
Yup, so far, I’m impressed. Looking forward to more!
Oh ho Storm’s hot.
This looks great but I’m kinda pissed Nightcrawler’s not there…..or Rogue
Cyclops looks very gay! Skin tight clothes… hell no!
Where is the phoenix(Jean gray)
Storm is a classy character please try a more elegant costume!
Wolverine is 5feet 5inches please stick with that!
great post. you can watch the full episodes of marvel animations like xmen, wolverine, iron man and blade at marvelstream.us