Armored Trooper VOTOMS: Brilliantly Shining Heresy

Armored Trooper VOTOMS: Brilliantly Shining Heresy, known in Japan as Kikō Ryōhei Mellowlink's successor, was released as a five-part original video animation series in 1994. It serves as a direct sequel to the original 1983 television series, picking up the narrative threads of protagonist Chirico Cuvie many years after the initial conflict. Created by Ryosuke Takahashi and produced by Sunrise, the project aimed to revisit the gritty, grounded realism that defined the original series while utilizing the higher animation fidelity afforded by the 1990s OVA format.

The series is noted for its return to the series' roots, focusing on the tactical deployment of Armored Troopers and a darker, more philosophical exploration of Chirico’s cursed destiny. The character and mechanical designs maintain the industrial, utilitarian aesthetic established by Norio Shioyama and Kunio Okawara, which had become iconic within the mecha genre. While it caters to a niche audience of long-term fans, the series is well-regarded for its atmospheric world-building and commitment to the somber tone that distinguished VOTOMS from more conventional superhero-style mecha anime.