Introduction
Armored Trooper Votoms is back!
A new Votoms novel series by Ryosuke Takahashi has begun!
Published on Dengeki Hobby Web, August 2020. See the original post here.
This year, 10 years after the OVA Armored Trooper Votoms Phantom Arc (6 episodes) was released in 2010, a new work by Ryosuke Takahashi is now being serialized as a novel. The story is a sequel to Phantom Arc, after Chirico escapes into space with his successor, “God’s Child,” entrusted to him by Wiseman. What awaits Chirico and the infant?
In addition, we have received a comment from Mr. Takahashi on the start of the serialization of the novel.
I will make God’s Child into a novel
In my 50 years of being involved in animation, I’ve often been asked, “How was it? Were you happy?” Well, I guess that means I’m getting older. Many things cross my mind, but generally I answer, “Yes, I was happy.”
I’m also asked, “Did you have any hard times?” I don’t think there were enough to put into words. But the question, “What specifically was good, or made you happy?” is one I can’t answer clearly.
As a creator, I’m really happy to communicate with people who have seen my work. Back then there were many letters, then direct exchanges at various events. It’s rare, but I’m really happy to have a conversation with a few words at a signing event. Sometimes a question or a request pops up.
In the case of Votoms, it’s, “What happens to the child of God after Phantom Arc?”
“Is Chirico really going to raise him? Chirico promised, didn’t he?”
“What about Fyana? She drifted off into the universe in a capsule, but is she alive or dead?”
“What about Chirico and Fyana raising the child together? I hope that happens.”
And I think, “Wow!” For a creator, the voice of the fans is the voice of God. What should I do? How many years have I been thinking, “I have to do something”?
Not only the fans, but also the staff continues to attack: “What are you going to do? Please do it properly.”
Chirico may have promised, but I promised, too. “I will settle the matter! Even if it won’t be on film, I will do something about it.” Then, without a moment’s hesitation, I said, “I’ll make it into a novel! If it’s a novel, I can start right away!”
“Right away!?” What a thing to say. Even if I cried out, “I’m the one who has to write it!” the answer is, “It’s a promise, isn’t it? You can’t not do it.”
Arrangements were made quickly. (Come on, this is a big deal!) Regardless of my inner impatience, I puffed out my chest and said, “Chirico and I are both men of our word.” I was proud of myself, but I wondered if it would turn out all right.
The novel Armored Trooper Votoms God’s Child will debut on September 25, 2020 and be updated twice a month on Web Newtype and Dengeki Hobby Web on the 10th and 25th of each month.
Armored Trooper Votoms, Phantom Arc synopsis
Vanilla and Coconna met Chirico in Woodo and they started working together. However, afterward, Chirico walked away from his friends. A few years later, Vanilla and Coconna celebrate their silver wedding anniversary. At Goto’s suggestion, they embark on a trip down memory lane after 30 years in hopes of reuniting with Chirico.
In Woodo and Kummen, they feel Chirico’s shadow in each town they visit. Finally, they are reunited with him opn Sunsa, but an unidentified energy sends Chirico and his friends to the end of the galaxy, a place called “Horse’s Mouth,” where the people of the extinct planet Quent now live.
Chirico and his friends arrive at the village of Lu Shako at the bottom of a valley, where a baby is born. To judge if the baby is a “child of God” according to the law, Chirico is asked to escort the baby to the temple of Gomol. On the way, Chirico and Lu Shako are attacked, and fall into an underground tree beneath Gomol temple.
They are also attacked by a mysterious creature that suddenly appears and steals the baby. He is saved by a child named Juno, who says that she was once dropped into this place as a candidate for the Child of God.
Meanwhile, in the Tower of Gomol, the Pope of the Marteal Order, Montewels, desires to become the guardian of the God’s Child. He meets with Wiseman, the god of the old world, who has restored himself over time. However, Montewels is rejected by Wiseman, who has appointed Chirico as the guardian, and dies. Chirico then confronts Wiseman again.
At the end of the battle with Wiseman, an unknown force sends Chirico and the baby to the edge of the universe.
