Anime films being based on "Halo" videogames

Microsoft said Thursday that it is collaborating with Japanese anime studios to make short action films based on its blockbuster "Halo" videogame franchise.

A "Halo Legends" project is merging the science fiction shooter videogame with "a renowned set of storytellers" from hot anime studios in Japan to take the franchise "to a new level," according to Microsoft.

Halo was created exclusively for Microsoft's Xbox videogame consoles and has become the top-selling title for the platform.

The videogames center on the adventures of a super soldier called "Master Chief" who is defending mankind against an alien collective referred to as "The Covenant."

Anime pioneer Shinji Aramaki and "Ghost in the Shell" movies director Mamoru Oshii are among the anime icons shaping Halo Legends, which is being produced by Microsoft's 343 Industries.

Aramaki directed "Appleseed" and "Appleseed EX."

"Halo and its characters are a very natural fit for anime," said Aramaki, creative director for the Halo Legends project.

"As a fan of the Halo universe, it is an honor to work with Microsoft and my very talented peers from other studios to create this collection."

Halo Legends will be a compilation of short stories incorporating characters and themes from the videogame franchise, according to Microsoft.

Japanese studios involved with the anime project include creators of popular works such as "Fullmetal Alchemist" and "The Animatrix," according to the Redmond, Washington-based technology giant.

"The opportunity to work with talents such as Shinji Aramaki, Mamoru Oshii and others from some of the greatest anime studios is a very rare opportunity for Microsoft," said Halo franchise development director Frank O'Connor.

"We've seen the world through Master Chief's eyes, and we've experienced facets of the universe through a variety of literary prisms, but now we get to watch new tales unfold in really rich, visually dynamic ways."

Novels and comics based on Halo videogames have already been published.

Halo anime will premier on the Xbox Live online entertainment platform linked to the Microsoft consoles. The Halo Legends collection will be distributed by Warner Home Video, with release plans to be announced.

"The combination of the talent involved and the Halo brand ensure the collection is something consumers are really going to enjoy," said Amit Desai, vice president of Family, Animation and Partner Brands marketing at Warner.