The Gray Witch characters and cast
Maki Stauffenberg
Voice: Mabuki Ando
A Captain in the 808th Independent Propaganda Company. She is assigned to the Valkyria II forward base with her subordinates by high command to cover the battlefield. However, her true objective is to investigate the “undying soldier” known as Ash Vamps. In pursuit of the truth on the battlefield, she joins the Vamps Platoon as an AT pilot herself on their perilous forced-drop missions.
CAST COMMENT
“Life is a disposable commodity.“ What cruel and sad words. The battle scenes that unfold naturally on the battlefield, where every human emotion is stripped away, are not only incredibly horrifying, but also deeply moving, as if you can hear the many cries of anguish. I surrendered myself to the world of Armored Trooper Votoms, as depicted by director Mamoru Oshii, and tackled the challenge using my imagination to the fullest. Please experience it in theaters!
Ash Vamps
Voice: Miyuki Sawashiro
A Staff Sergeant in the 601st Fallschirmjäger (Paratrooper) Battalion. An A.T. pilot belonging to the 3rd Company, a penal unit. She is feared and known as “The Witch” because she always returns alive, no matter how grueling the mission. Her unit is called the “Vamps Platoon” due to the absence of a formal platoon leader and is composed entirely of problem soldiers.
CAST COMMENT
I’ve never seen a character like this before. I have no idea if I can play it, but I’ve been called upon. On the day of recording for my first Oshii film, I entered the studio, clutching a lot of “what if”s, starting with, “What if he’s a scary person?” Now, those worries I brought back are making a racket. But even more so, the audacity of being a fan and simply looking forward to the finished product is becoming clearer.
Fritz Gersdorff
Voice: Yuichi Nakamura
A Private First Class in the “Vamps Platoon.” He was transferred to the penal unit after causing numerous issues in other units. Though he has a surly and violent temperament, he possesses exceptional aptitude for piloting A.T.s.
CAST COMMENT
When I received the video footage for recording and started watching it, I thought, “huh? Something’s off…“ After a while, I noticed a unique sense of pacing. The atmosphere I felt in the dialogue, the pauses between scenes, the camera angles; that’s it! It’s the same feeling I had when I first watched Ghost in the Shell. That intense individuality, which I also felt when I participated in Oshi’s live-action film Tachiguishi Retsuden, was fully expressed in the field of Votoms. I urge you to experience the suffocating smell of blood and gunpowder in the theater.
Ignis Schweinsteiger
Voice: Yuki Kaji
A Corporal in the 808th Independent Propaganda Company. Originally from a different unit, he was assigned to Maki’s team for this mission. His nickname is “Schweini.”
CAST COMMENT
I never imagined that I would be able to participate in the masterpiece Armored Trooper Votoms series. And even more so, as a cast member in the theatrical film directed by Mamoru Oshii. I am filled with both awe and honor. I focused above all on fulfilling the role required of the character and gave it my all. As soon as director Oshii saw me, he said, “your perfect for the role of Schweini.” What kind of person is he? Please look forward to the release.
Matt Hummels
Voice: Kenta Miyake
A Private First Class in the “Vamps Platoon.” A pilot of a fire-support type A.T. Despite fighting valiantly in various locations, he was assigned to a penal unit as a special exception, at his own strong insistence, following a specific incident.
CAST COMMENT
Back in the day, I used to stay up all night, watching the Votoms TV series on laserdisc at a friend’s house, and I was completely engrossed in it. As time passed, I never imagined that I would end up appearing in Votoms, especially in a story directed my beloved Mamoru Oshii. I feel such a sense of destiny about this that I can’t help but wonder if it is “Wiseman’s Will.”
Alix Barrack
Voice: Shinichiro Miki
A Sergeant in the 808th Independent Propaganda Company. A direct subordinate of Maki who has served alongside her on numerous battlefields. He accompanies her on this mission as well.
CAST COMMENT
I’m thrilled to be able to participate in a new installment of a work. I watched when I was younger. And the director is Mr. Oshii…I’m sure it will turn out to be wonderful.
Adrian Deissler
Voice: Tomokazu Sugita
Private, “Vamps Platoon.” A soldier with high aptitude for piloting A.T.s and a recipient of numerous military honors. However, he was assigned to the penal unit due to an act of insubordination in his past.
CAST COMMENT
I never thought the day would come when I’d get to play the role of the lowest scum. We are comrades bound together by a strong bond. One for all, and all for one. Don’t lie. Dark eyes, twisted with suspicion, sneer. You too. You too. You too. Everyone might be thinking, “Die for me.” Thank you very much.
Brunhart Meuller
Voice: Satoshi Tsuruoka
Private, “Vamps Platoon.” He secured an exemption from a prison sentence by volunteering for the penal unit. A ruthless soldier.
CAST COMMENT
Seeing these men, who seemed to be assigned to a ragtag penal unit and piloting armored troopers simply to survive, gave me a chance to reconsider the meaning of life. Please go see their vividly portrayed lives in theaters.
Matteus Julian Podolski
Voice: Daisuke Ono
Military Police Second Lieutenant, 601st Fallschirmjäger Battalion. Hildebrandt’s adjutant. He is tasked with monitoring Maki and the others upon their arrival at the base.
CAST COMMENT
I am honored to be a part of Armored Trooper Votoms. I remember being captivated by the coolness of the A.T.s when I was a university student, and honing my weathering skills with a Scopedog model kit. It’s a work whose appeal becomes more apparent the older you get. A realistic, dark, and profound story. You are sure to be drawn in.
Vido Hildebrandt
Voice: Hochu Otsuka
Military Police Captain, 601st Fallschirmjäger Battalion. In charge of maintaining military discipline and conducting investigations at the base.
CAST COMMENT
I’ve long admired Armored Trooper Votoms, and my dream has finally come true. I’ll be participating! I’m very impressed. I was able to meet director Mamoru Oshii. Receiving direct acting guidance and being able to fully enjoy the spirit of Votoms made the entire recording session a truly wonderful experience.
Soltig van Gunnar
Voice: Chafurin
Colonel, 601st Fallschirmjäger Battalion. Commander of the frontline base on Valkyria II, the second planet of the Asgard star system.
CAST COMMENT
I am extremely happy to be able to participate in this completely new world of Votoms. I feel especially emotional about this, since I had a brief appearance in the original series with just a word or two when I was a newcomer. I intend to approach this with sincerity. Director Mamoru Oshii is someone everyone admires, and there isn’t a single anime fan who doesn’t know him. Personally, I was a huge fan of the Urusei Yatsura movie. In any case, I will be participating in the new Votoms with all my heart. Please enjoy the new world of Votoms, an anime with a deep, deep setting.
Maintenance Girl
Voice: Sumire Uesaka
A girl working in the maintenance company alongside Weissweiler.
CAST COMMENT
I will be appearing in The Gray Witch! I became fascinated with the A.T.s after watching Pailsen Files in high school, and Votoms has become my favorite anime of all time. To think that the day would come when I could be involved in such a work as a cast member…it’s an incredible feeling. The battlefield covered in mud and gunpowder smoke, the iron coffin carrying sick souls, lives bet on an equally merciless roulette…I’m truly savoring the happiness of being able to revel in that world!
Oliver
Voice: Takahiro Sakurai
Master Sergeant, 601st Fallschirmjäger Battalion. Assigned to the maintenance company and serves as Weissweiler’s adjutant.
CAST COMMENT
I never imagined that the day would come when I could appear in Mamoru Oshii’s Armored Trooper Votoms. This Gray Witch is sure to be a special film. I hope many people will come and see it.
Weissweiler
Voice: Takayuki Sugo
Special Duty Second Lieutenant, 601st Fallschirmjäger Battalion. A top-tier mechanic in the maintenance company who oversees the maintenance and management of the base’s A.T.s.
CAST COMMENT
I am honored to be able to participate in the world of Director Mamoru Oshii‘s work in the historic anime series Armored Trooper Votoms. Lieutenant Weissweiler is a man who rose through the ranks from the field. He can make his subordinates tense with just a single line of dialogue. Yet he is also understanding and has a hidden compassion. I tried to portray what is inside him with care. Please enjoy the latest chapter of Votoms, which has been created by the entire staff and cast working together.
