Halo Anime Announced

Today, at the San Diego Comic-con, Microsoft will announce a series of Halo-inspired anime movies, according to the LA Times. Via production houses in Japan (who are handling the actual animation), Microsoft is producing seven short films under the “Halo Legends” banner, whilst Microsoft’s own creative staff are approving major visual and storytelling decisions.

The five production houses working on the films – Bones, Casio Entertainment, Production I.G., Studio4 C, and Toei Animation – will be familiar to fans of the genre. The short films will be previewed on Xbox Live this Autumn and then distributed on DVD, Blu-ray and other digital platforms in early 2010 via Warner Bros.  We understand the animators have almost free reign on the content and look of the shorts.

“I think the core ‘Halo’ fans will recognize key moments from the universe never shown in the game,” said Frank O’Connor, creative director of 343, Microsoft’s new internal division in charge of all things Halo. “They’re moments where people wanted more depth. That’s where this fits.”

Source: LA Times.