by Jon Miguel
What is the Animatrix, besides the latest installment of the Matrix story introduced to the world by the, now famous, Wachowski brothers. A short animated film created by Mahiro Maeda is named “Second Renaissance Part 1” is available at www.theanimatrix.com for download or streaming media. The film was released in February of 2003 and the second part of “Second Renaissance” will follow in May of 2003. Not to worry, though, because the next installment of animated series elating the Matrix story called, “Program” will be released in March. All of the animated shorts will be drawn in the vastly popular old style look most closely resembling that of “Akira” and around that time period of anime. Most of the shorts are not even in the hands of the Wachowski brothers, but by many other directors such as Mahiro Maeda and the popular Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop series). These series serve as background information that the Matrix movie does not show, nor will in the upcoming Matrix : Reloaded and Matrix : Revolutions movies due this summer and fall.

In my own opinion, I must say that “Second Renaissance Part 1” blew me away. Not only was it visually interesting to watch, but the information given by the film made me look at the Matrix story in general through a new light. Anyone even remotely interested in the Matrix movies ought to go to the site and check out what the site has to offer in terms of the animated films not only to find out the story behind the Matrix, but also because it is totally free. Amazingly enough, they will be releasing these animated films free of charge. Now, there are supposed to be nine films in total, six of which I heard to be free and the last three to be released on the collection DVD of the Animatrix. Now, this could happen, or they could release the whole thing on the website, we will just have to see what happens. In any event, I urge everyone to go to the site [ www.theanimatrix.com ] or [ www.intothematrix.com ] to watch these free films free of charge while they are available most especially if you are a fan of the Matrix or anime in general.