Gamertell

Microsoft Studios and 343 Industries are taking the Halo universe one step further with a series of computer-generated and anime-styled new short films called Halo Legends. The stories will focus on the origins and history of the Halo universe as well as its characters.

Halo Legends comprises seven stories told throughout eight episodes and will be presented in a similar fashion to The Animatrix, in which each episode is created by a different team employing different styles of animation.

The creative team features an all star cast of anime directors and animators including Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell), Shinji Amaraki (Appleseed), Hideki Futurama (The Animatrix), Daisuke Nishio (Dragon Ball Z) and Koji Sawai (Ranma 1/2, Patlabor) among others. Five Japanese studios are in charge of production, including Bones, Casio Entertainment, Production I.G., Studio 4°C, and Toei Animation.

The first episode, “The Babysitter,” is available to Xbox 360 users via Halo Waypoint.

I saw it a couple of nights ago and I think it’s really good. It was created by Studio 4°C and it has an old school look that reminded me of the Macross series. Those not familiar with the series, or for that matter new to animation may not be blown away by this episode since it doesn’t employ the extreme action sequences and camera angles of more modern productions. Even so, I think it’s important to present different influences and styles of animation and a compilation like this one wouldn’t be complete without some old school stuff.

Halo Legends will be available starting on February 9, 2010. It comes in three different sets: as a single DVD, a special edition double DVD and in Blu-Ray. The individual chapters will also be available in digital, downloadable formats.

Read [Cinemablend]  Website [Halo Legends]