In an unexpected alignment of major theatrical mecha releases, Toei Animation and Sunrise have announced a joint promotional campaign uniting Expelled from Paradise: Heart's Resonance (Rakuen Tsuihou: Kokoro no Resonance) and Armored Trooper Votoms: The Gray Witch (Soukou Kihei Votoms: Haiiro no Majo). With their theatrical bows scheduled just one week apart in November 2026, the two projects have debuted a joint visual featuring the Arhan and Scopedog standing back-to-back.
Mecha Legacies Intersect
The collaboration highlights two distinct eras and philosophies of Japanese sci-fi animation. Seiji Mizushima returns to direct Expelled from Paradise: Heart's Resonance alongside writer Gen Urobuchi (Nitroplus) and character designer Masatsugu Saito, picking up from their seminal 2014 full-3DCG feature. Premiering on November 13, 2026, the new sequel reunites composer NARASAKI and voice actor Rie Kugimiya alongside new cast additions including Ayane Sakura and Saori Hayami.
Meanwhile, Armored Trooper Votoms: The Gray Witch arrives on November 20, 2026, helmed by legendary director Mamoru Oshii. Produced by Sunrise in collaboration with Production I.G, the project marks a historic return to Takahashi's real-robot universe with character designs from Tetsuya Nishio, Koji Morimoto, and original mech concepts by Kunio Okawara. The story follows Ash (voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro), a formidable soldier known as the "Witch," alongside Maki (voiced by Mabu Ando) in a grueling battlefield narrative scored by Kenji Kawai.
Theater and Retail Campaign
To celebrate the dual launches, life-size promotional standees featuring both the Scopedog and Arhan mechs will roll out across 30 nationwide locations in Japan starting October 29. The campaign includes 26 major theatrical venues—such as Shinjuku Wald 9, Grand Cinema Sunshine Ikebukuro, and T-Joy Umeda—alongside four flagship Animate stores in Ikebukuro, Machida, Shibuya, and Niigata.
Production Overview
- Rakuen Tsuihou: Kokoro no Resonance — Release: Nov 13, 2026 | Studio: Toei Animation | Director: Seiji Mizushima | Script: Gen Urobuchi
- Soukou Kihei Votoms: Haiiro no Majo — Release: Nov 20, 2026 | Studio: Sunrise / Production I.G | Director & Script: Mamoru Oshii | Music: Kenji Kawai
