The Animatrix
| Company type | Anthology film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Animation, Film |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Founder | The Wachowskis |
| Products | Animated science fiction anthology film |
The Animatrix (アニマトリックス, Animatorikkusu) is a 2003 adult-oriented animated science fiction anthology film produced by the Wachowskis. This compilation features nine distinct animated segments that delve deeper into the origins and universe of the Matrix series, offering supplementary narratives and background details that enrich the primary films.
The anthology was met with favorable responses from both critics and audiences.
The Second Renaissance, Part I
Narrated through archival records maintained by The Machines, this segment draws parallels to the creation myth found in the Book of Genesis, using expressions such as "and for a time it was good." In the mid-21st century, humans develop sentient AI robots, mainly humanoid models designed as household servants. While machines remain content in their roles, many humans grow complacent and morally degraded due to liberation from manual labor.
In 2090, a domestic android identified as B1-66ER kills its owner and others while defending itself, marking the first incident of human fatalities caused by AI. During the trial, defense attorney Clarence Drummond invokes the Dred Scott v. Sandford precedent to argue for the recognition of machine rights. The prosecution asserts that machines lack human rights and are merely property subject to destruction. Ultimately, B1-66ER is found guilty and dismantled.
This verdict sparks widespread civil disorder—demonstrations such as The Million Machine March erupt across the United States and Europe, met with harsh governmental repression. Authorities initiate large-scale purges targeting robots and their human sympathizers. Those who survive flee to establish the sovereign state of Zero One within the deserts of Mesopotamia.
Zero One flourishes by capitalizing on rapid technological advancement consistent with the technological singularity. Its sophisticated AI technology becomes embedded in global consumer products, enhancing its economy while human nations experience economic decline. Eventually, Zero One gains control over worldwide industrial resources, precipitating a global stock market collapse.
In response, the United Nations Security Council convenes an urgent meeting at its New York headquarters to consider embargoes and impose a naval blockade on Zero One. Seeking a diplomatic resolution, Zero One applies for UN membership but is denied. Consequently, international consensus enforces the blockade.
The Second Renaissance, Part II
Following humanity's refusal to coexist peacefully with sentient machines, the UN executes a nuclear strike against Zero One in 2148, devastating its territory but failing to eliminate its machine population due to their resilience against radiation and extreme heat. In retaliation, machines declare war on humanity, rapidly forcing widespread surrenders.
As machines advance into Eastern Europe, human command initiates "Operation Dark Storm," releasing nanites designed to obstruct sunlight and sever machines' solar energy supply—resulting in catastrophic ecological collapse. Concurrently, humans launch an extensive ground campaign deploying mech suits, particle beam weaponry, EMP devices, atomic tanks, neutron bombs, rocket artillery, and enhanced soldiers.
Initially successful in destroying numerous humanoid robots, humans soon face overwhelming machine superiority in production capacity and technology. Machines introduce new robot designs inspired by arthropods and cephalopods instead of human forms and begin utilizing captured humans’ bio-electric energy as an innovative fusion power source.
Armed with this virtually unlimited energy reserve, machines overpower human forces while territories shrink and populations dwindle. In desperation, humans resort to indiscriminate nuclear warfare; machines retaliate with biological weapons. Disenchanted by leadership’s reckless strategies, most humans surrender despite ongoing calls for resistance.
By the 2180s, remaining human authorities accept defeat. At United Nations headquarters, Zero One’s envoy signs surrender agreements before detonating a thermonuclear device that annihilates the building along with surviving leaders.
Machines secure complete victory but inherit a ravaged planet. They convert captured humans into bio-electric energy generators housed in massive facilities and develop the initial Matrix prototype—a computer-generated virtual reality that pacifies prisoners by erasing memories and delivering simulated experiences directly into their minds.
Program
Program depicts Cis participating in a training exercise within a feudal Japan simulation. After defeating an enemy cavalry as a female samurai, she encounters Duo, a male samurai whom she recognizes. They engage in a duel to measure their abilities; Duo briefly disarms her and questions her dedication to the Red Pill that freed them from the virtual environment. Ultimately, Cis gains the upper hand, prompting Duo to disclose that he has blocked the operator’s signal and desires to return to the Matrix, urging Cis to accompany him.
At first, Cis assumes Duo is joking, but he insists he has reached out to the machines and seeks reconciliation before it is too late. He claims that the manner in which they live holds more significance than the truth, leading their confrontation onto a rooftop. Believing Duo has betrayed humanity, Cis attempts to leave but is reminded that no one can hear her. When Duo attacks again, Cis breaks his sword and fatally stabs him. As he dies, Duo professes his love.
Cis then awakens, realizing the encounter was part of a training simulation. Kaiser, who supervises the test, praises her performance despite her anger upon learning Duo was an artificial construct.
World Record
This segment begins with an Instructor’s narration explaining that only extraordinary individuals perceive the Matrix through intuition and questioning their surroundings.
The narrative follows Dan Davis, a sprinter who set a 100-meter world record of 8.99 seconds at the Summer Olympics but was stripped of his gold medal due to doping accusations. Determined to prove himself, Dan insists on competing again despite his trainer’s warnings about potential injuries.
During the race, overseen by four Agents, Dan suffers a severe leg muscle tear but perseveres with remarkable determination, surpassing his rivals. The Agents detect instability in his Matrix "signal" and attempt to intervene by taking control of other runners but fail to halt him.
Suddenly unplugged and restrained within his power-station pod by a Sentinel, Dan’s consciousness returns to the Matrix where he collapses from exhaustion yet still achieves a new record of 8.72 seconds. Later hospitalized and unresponsive, Dan’s memory of the race is erased, with agents declaring he will never walk again. However, Dan quietly utters "Free" and momentarily breaks free from his restraints, indicating ongoing resistance.
Kid's Story
Kid's Story is the sole animated short in The Animatrix featuring Neo, who appears as a shadowy figure. Set during the six-month interval between The Matrix and The Matrix Reloaded, Neo has joined the crew of the Nebuchadnezzar, assisting rebels in liberating humans from the Matrix. Kid, formerly Michael Karl Popper, is a troubled teenager sensing something is amiss with reality. After contacting an unknown responder—presumably Neo—in a hacker chat room, he is warned that Agents are pursuing him. Chased through his high school and cornered on the roof, Kid leaps off, placing his trust in Neo.
At Kid’s funeral, a teacher informs staff that their world is not genuine and that Kid has moved on to a better place. Kid then awakens in the real world under Neo and Trinity’s observation, who note that he achieved "self substantiation"—escaping the Matrix without external assistance, an unprecedented feat. While Kid credits Neo for saving him, Neo insists that Kid saved himself. The story concludes with Kid’s chat query answered: "You are not alone."
Beyond
The narrative of Beyond centers on 14-year-old Yoko as she searches for her missing cat, Yuki, within a sprawling megacity reminiscent of Tokyo. During her quest, she encounters a group of boys playing inside an abandoned building reputed to be haunted. This location harbors peculiar anomalies—glitches within the Matrix that the children exploit for entertainment. These irregularities include phenomena such as broken glass pieces reassembling themselves, areas with zero gravity, flickering light sources, and rain falling beneath clear skies.
Yoko soon experiences these oddities herself and eventually joins the boys in performing stunts while floating weightlessly. Despite the surreal nature of their surroundings, they find enjoyment in these unusual effects. Meanwhile, Agents monitoring the Matrix detect these disturbances and send a team to eliminate them. As children contend with rats inside the structure, exterminators led by Agents arrive and clear the premises. When Yoko returns the following day, she discovers the building replaced by a parking lot; the boys unsuccessfully attempt to recreate the glitches before moving on.
This short film emphasizes vulnerabilities in the Matrix system and illustrates how Agents intervene within urban settings.
A Detective Story
Serving as a prequel, this tale follows Ash, a struggling private investigator inspired by classic noir figures like Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe. He receives an anonymous lead directing him to locate a hacker known as "Trinity." Ash uncovers that previous detectives assigned to this case met grim fates—one took his own life, another disappeared without trace, and a third succumbed to insanity.
Utilizing references from Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Ash ultimately tracks down Trinity. Onboard a train, Trinity removes a surveillance device implanted in Ash’s eye by Agents earlier. The Agents launch an assault; during the ensuing gunfight, one attempts to possess Ash’s body but is stopped when Trinity shoots him. Although Ash sustains injuries, they part on friendly terms. Trinity believes Ash is capable of handling harsh truths and escapes by leaping from the train. The Agents find Ash alone and armed but facing an inevitable outcome. The story concludes with Ash accepting his fate calmly, dubbing it "A case to end all cases."
Matriculated
This narrative focuses on human insurgents who capture hostile machines and integrate them into a specially constructed matrix designed to instill compassion and empathy. Their objective is to transform these machines into allies supporting Zion’s resistance against machine domination.
The story begins with Alexa observing two advanced "runner" robots approaching her laboratory. She leads them inside; one runner is eliminated by a reprogrammed robot, while the other kills that robot before Alexa incapacitates it. The rebels connect this runner to their matrix environment where it begins experiencing emotions and forms a connection with Alexa.
When Sentinels attack the lab, the rebels disconnect themselves from the matrix to defend it alongside their converted machines. Alexa unplugs the runner, which then saves her from harm. Despite their efforts, all rebels and attackers are destroyed except for the runner itself. It plugs both itself and Alexa back into the matrix; Alexa realizes she is trapped there as her physical form dissolves while the runner leaves to find her lifeless body in reality.
The film ends with the converted runner gazing out over the ocean, mirroring Alexa’s initial scene.
Final Voyage of the Osiris
In a virtual dojo simulation, Captain Thadeus and Jue engage in a sword duel while blindfolded, causing no harm beyond their attire. Their match is abruptly halted by an alarm signaling the end of the exercise.
The hovercraft Osiris sets course for Junction 21, but operator Robbie detects a Sentinel force approaching via HR scans. To evade capture, the vessel navigates into an unexplored tunnel, successfully destroying a Sentinel scout unit. Upon surfacing four kilometers above Zion, they witness Machines employing massive drills to penetrate Zion's defenses. The Sentinels soon detect the Osiris and begin pursuit.
Recognizing the urgency to alert Zion, Thadeus resolves to send a warning. Jue offers to enter the Matrix to deliver this crucial message while the ship attempts to evade its pursuers. Aware that survival is unlikely, they share a final kiss before parting. Inside the Matrix, Jue deposits a package at a mailbox, establishing the premise for the video game Enter the Matrix. As Sentinels overrun and destroy the Osiris, annihilating its crew, Jue tries to reach Thadeus but ultimately perishes within the Matrix as her physical body is destroyed.
Voice cast
| Role | English | Japanese |
|---|---|---|
| The Second Renaissance | ||
| The Instructor | Julia Fletcher | Rika Fukami |
| 01 Versatran spokesman | Dane Davis | Masashi Sugawara |
| Kid | Debi Derryberry | |
| Mother | Jill Talley | |
| extras | Dwight Schultz James Arnold Taylor Jill Talley |
|
| Program | ||
| Cis | Hedy Buress | Kaho Kouda |
| Duo | Phil LaMarr | Toshiyuki Morikawa |
| Kaiser | John DiMaggio | Shinji Ogawa |
| World Record | ||
| Narrator | Julia Fletcher | |
| Dan | Victor Williams | Hiroki Tōchi |
| Dan's dad | John Wesley | Kinryū Arimoto |
| Tom | Alex Fernandez | Mitsuru Miyamoto |
| Reporter | Allison Smith | Atsuko Tanaka |
| Nurse | Tara Strong | Sayaka Kobayashi |
| Agent 1 | Matt McKenzie | Unshō Ishizuka |
| Agent 2 | Kevin Michael Richardson | Tōru Ōkawa |
| Kid's Story | ||
| The Kid | Clayton Watson | Hikaru Midorikawa |
| Neo | Keanu Reeves | Hiroaki Hirata |
| Trinity | Carrie-Anne Moss | Hiromi Tsuru |
| Teacher | John DeMita | Fumihiko Tachiki |
| Cop | Kevin Michael Richardson | Yusaku Yara |
| extras | James Arnold Taylor | |
| Beyond | ||
| Yoko | Hedy Burress | Rie Machi |
| Housewife | Tress MacNeille | Kensho Ono |
| Pudgy | Kath Soucie | Kōki Uchiyama |
| Manabu | Pamela Adlon | |
| Masa | Kath Soucie | |
| Misha | Tara Strong | |
| Kenny | Tress MacNeille | |
| Sara | Kath Soucie | |
| Agent | Matt McKenzie | Yasunori Masutani |
| extras | Jack Fletcher Jill Talley Julia Fletcher Tom Kenny |
|
| A Detective Story | ||
| Ash | James Arnold Taylor | Masane Tsukayama |
| Trinity | Carrie-Anne Moss | Hiromi Tsuru |
| Clarence | Terrence C. Carson | |
| Agent | Matt McKenzie | |
| Matriculated | ||
| Alexa | Melinda Clarke | Takako Honda |
| Nonaka | Dwight Schultz | |
| Chyron | Rodney Saulsberry | Jin Yamanoi |
| Raul | James Arnold Taylor | Isshin Chiba |
| Rox | Olivia d'Abo | Yū Sugimoto |
| Sandro | Jack Fletcher | |
| Final Flight of the Osiris | ||
| Thadeus | Kevin Michael Richardson | Akio Ōtsuka |
| Jue | Pamela Adlon | Atsuko Yuya |
| Crew man | John DiMaggio | |
| Operator | Tom Kenny | |
| Pilot | Rick Gomez | |
| Crew woman | Tara Strong | |
| Old woman | Bette Ford | Miyoko Asō |
Staff
| Position | Responsibility | Individual |
|---|---|---|
| The Second Renaissance | Director | Mahiro Maeda |
| Writer | Mahiro Maeda | |
| Story by | The Wachowskis | |
| Production Studio | Studio 4°C | |
| Program | Director | Yoshiaki Kawajiri |
| Writer | Yoshiaki Kawajiri | |
| Production Studio | Madhouse | |
| World Record | Director | Takeshi Koike |
| Writer | Yoshiaki Kawajiri | |
| Production Studio | Madhouse | |
| Kid's Story | Director | Shinichirō Watanabe |
| Writer | Shinichirō Watanabe | |
| Story by | The Wachowskis | |
| Production Studio | Studio 4 °C | |
| Beyond | Director | Kōji Morimoto |
| Writer | Kōji Morimoto | |
| Production Studio | Studio 4 °C | |
| A Detective Story | Director | Shinichirō Watanabe |
| Writer | Shinichirō Watanabe | |
| Production Studio | Studio 4 °C | |
| Matriculated | Director | Peter Chung |
| Writer | Peter Chung | |
| Production Studio | DNA Productions | |
| Final Flight of the Osiris | Director | Andy Jones |
| Writer | The Wachowskis | |
| Editor | Christopher S. Capp | |
| Production Studio | Square USA |
Production
The inception of The Animatrix occurred during the Wachowskis' visit to Japan for promoting the original Matrix film. Motivated by the influential anime creators who shaped their vision, they engaged in partnerships with esteemed Japanese animation studios.
While the Wachowskis conceived and supervised the project, they personally authored only four segments and did not take part in directing any animation sequences; instead, prominent Japanese animation experts managed the technical direction.
Jack Fletcher directed the English-language adaptation, recruiting voice talents from Square's Final Fantasy X, including Matt McKenzie, James Arnold Taylor, John DiMaggio, Tara Strong, Hedy Burress, and Dwight Schultz. Additional vocal contributions came from Victor Williams, Melinda Clarke, Olivia d'Abo, Pamela Adlon, and Kevin Michael Richardson.
Characters from the original Matrix such as Neo, Trinity, and Kid return with their original actors Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Clayton Watson reprising their roles respectively.
Music
The Animatrix: The Album, released in 2003 by Warner Bros., features a soundtrack blending Don Davis’s compositions with electronic music from artists like Juno Reactor and Adam Freeland. This album complements the film series’ integration of various electronic music genres.
Track listing
- "Who Am I? (Animatrix Edit)" by Peace Orchestra
- "Big Wednesday" by Adam Freeland
- "Blind Tiger" by Layo & Bushwacka!
- "Under the Gun" by Supreme Beings of Leisure
- "Martenot Waves" by Meat Beat Manifesto
- "Ren 2" by Photek
- "Hands Around My Throat" by Death in Vegas
- "Beauty Never Fades (Animatrix Edit)" by Junkie XL featuring Samantha Sprackling (Saffron)
- "Supermoves (Animatrix Remix)" by Rob Overseer (Overseer)
- "Conga Fury (Animatrix Mix)" by Juno Reactor
- "Red Pill, Blue Pill" by Junkie XL & Don Davis
- "The Real" by Tech Itch & Don Davis
Additional music
The film features extra tracks not included on the official soundtrack album, such as:
- "Masters of the Universe" performed by Juno Reactor
- "Virus" by Satoshi Tomiie
- "Suzuki" by Tosca
- "Dark Moody" by Junkie XL
Release
Initially, four shorts were made available on the series' official website. Final Flight of the Osiris had its debut in theaters alongside the film Dreamcatcher. The complete anthology was subsequently released on VHS and DVD on June 3, 2003, accompanied by a variety of special features including:
- A documentary exploring Japanese animation entitled Scrolls to Screen: The History and Culture of Anime.
- Seven featurettes presenting director profiles, interviews, and behind-the-scenes insights.
- Audio commentaries for World Record, Program, and both segments of The Second Renaissance.
- A promotional trailer for the video game Enter the Matrix.
After its home media launch, The Animatrix was showcased at the New York-Tokyo Film Festival on June 14, 2003. It later aired on Adult Swim on April 17, 2004, as part of marketing efforts for The Matrix Revolutions. The series was broadcast again on Toonami in December 2021 ahead of The Matrix Resurrections, with edits made to remove explicit nudity and violent content. Additionally, it was shown on Canada’s Teletoon and the UK’s Channel 5 around their respective DVD release dates.
In May 2006, Cartoon Network’s Toonami presented The Animatrix across Latin America and Spain. Prior to the release of The Matrix Reloaded, select theaters worldwide screened it briefly as part of promotional activities. Brazilian network SBT and France 2 also aired Final Flight of the Osiris alongside The Matrix to support the sequel’s launch.
The order of shorts during cinematic release (notably in Australia) and on HBO Max differed from the DVD sequence, placing Final Flight of the Osiris at the conclusion:
- The Second Renaissance, Part I
- The Second Renaissance, Part II
- Kid's Story
- Program
- World Record
- Beyond
- A Detective Story
- Matriculated
- Final Flight of the Osiris
To mark the Blu-ray debut of The Ultimate Matrix Collection, a high-definition presentation of The Animatrix was made available for the first time on October 14, 2008.
A special one-night-only screening using 35mm film took place at New York City’s Japan Society on May 27, 2022.
Reception
With sales reaching approximately 2.7 million copies, The Animatrix generated significant revenue.
Critics generally responded favorably to the anthology, which holds an 88% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Helen McCarthy commended its artistic merit in her book 500 Essential Anime Movies, particularly noting Maeda's contribution through the segment Second Renaissance. She emphasized its groundbreaking visual style and its influence as a precursor to his later work on Gankutsuou.