Anime Expo 2026 Welcomes Legendary Votoms Director Ryōsuke Takahashi and Master Animators
Mecha fans, mark your calendars! Some of the most established names in the anime world are preparing to descend upon Los Angeles this summer. Anime Expo (AX) has announced that for its 2026 event, it will host Ryōsuke Takahashi, the legendary director of the Armored Trooper Votoms series, alongside master animators Tōru Yoshida and Moriyasu Taniguchi. Taking place from July 2-5, this massive event promises a true feast of nostalgia for lovers of classic anime.
Ryōsuke Takahashi is considered one of the architects of the "real robot" genre in the anime industry. With the 1983 production Votoms, he revolutionized the genre by depicting giant robots not as superheroes, but as the grueling and expendable tools of war. Takahashi's career is not limited to this; he is at the forefront of those who shaped the evolution of the mecha genre with works such as Fang of the Sun Dougram and Blue Meteor SPT Layzner. He is known for his cold and strategic narrative style that treats robots as mere "machines."
The animators accompanying Takahashi have equally impressive backgrounds. Tōru Yoshida has served as a mecha animation director on many iconic productions, from the Mobile Suit Gundam series to Code Geass. Moriyasu Taniguchi is a legend who founded the Anime R studio and had a hand in both the character designs for Votoms and popular series like City Hunter and Samurai Champloo. The gathering of these three names offers an unmissable opportunity for those curious about the inner workings of anime history.
The timing of this visit is also quite significant. In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Sunrise studio, a new Votoms anime directed by Mamoru Oshii, titled VOTOMS: Die Graue Hexe (The Gray Witch), will meet audiences in 2026. The appearance of the original series' creative team at Anime Expo both increases excitement for the new project and serves as a tribute to the series' legacy. Fans will have the chance to hear behind-the-scenes stories of the series at panels and meet these legendary figures.
