Yoshitaka Amano's long-gestating ZAN anime project has finally assembled its creative team, and it reads like a who's who of mecha anime history. The studio announced Thursday that the series will be directed by Masashi Ikeda and Tōru Yoshida, with Ryōsuke Takahashi (creator of Armored Trooper Votoms) handling scripts and Kunio Ōkawara designing the mecha.

This lineup represents decades of collaborative history. Takahashi, Ikeda, Yoshida, Moriyasu Taniguchi (chief animation director), and Ōkawara all worked together on Votoms, and have reunited for projects like Fang of the Sun Dougram and Blue Comet SPT Layzner throughout their careers. Ikeda brings credits from Mobile Suit Gundam Wing and Samurai Troopers, while Yoshida's résumé includes character animation direction on Mobile Suit Gundam Seed. Ōkawara has worked across multiple Gundam installments and other landmark mecha series.

Minoru Nishida rounds out the team as art director, with credits including The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love? and Thundercats.

Based on Amano's DEVA ZAN artwork, the project has had a complicated journey. Originally announced as an anime film in 2010—with Amano set to make his directorial debut—it was rebooted as a limited series in 2022. Production began after Amano established the Los Angeles-based Yoshitaka Amano Inc. on June 17.

The first trailer arrives July 3 at Anime Expo in Los Angeles, where Takahashi, Yoshida, and Taniguchi will appear. Jaymen Tokyo and Good Win are producing, with Mariko Suzuki, Hiroaki Ikegami, Kazuhiko Yusa, and Shin Koyamada credited as producers.

Beyond the anime, ZAN is expanding into blockchain gaming and NFT art, with Singaporean firm Trophee contributing to those elements. Dark Horse Comics and SOZO Comics are providing "special cooperation" on the project.

For longtime mecha fans, this reunion of veteran creators around a Yoshitaka Amano property represents a rare convergence of talent.