Ep 1. The Return - Joining Forces

The X-Men Anime Series season 1 episode 1, titled "The Return - Joining Forces," is the beginning of a new chapter in the beloved comic book franchise. Directed by Fuminori Kizaki, the episode was written by Warren Ellis and produced by Madhouse Studios.

The episode begins with a montage of scenes from previous X-Men films and comics, reminding viewers of the iconic mutant superhero team's origins and early adventures. We then see a mysterious figure hovering above the city, observing the chaos below.

Cut to a scene of Jean Grey and Wolverine in a plane, discussing their recent mission in Africa. We learn that Professor X has requested their presence at his school for gifted mutants, located in Westchester County, New York. They are greeted by Storm, who explains that the professor has been absent for some time, and that she and the other X-Men have been holding down the fort in his absence.

Soon after their arrival, a group of robotic Sentinels attacks the school in an attempt to capture mutants. The X-Men spring into action, but are quickly overwhelmed by the advanced machines. Just as it seems that all hope is lost, the mysterious figure from the opening scene appears and single-handedly destroys the Sentinels. He introduces himself as Kikyo Mikage, a former ally of Professor X who has returned to help in his absence.

The rest of the episode follows the X-Men as they try to uncover the reason for Professor X's disappearance and deal with a new threat to mutantkind. Along the way, we are introduced to several new characters, including Armor, a young mutant with the ability to generate a protective exoskeleton; Hisako Ichiki, her real name, and others.

The animation in this episode is top-notch, with Madhouse Studios delivering their signature style of fluid, kinetic action scenes and detailed character designs. The voice acting is also impressive, with recognizable actors like Steve Blum (Wolverine) and Danielle Nicolet (Storm) bringing their A-game to their respective roles.

Overall, "The Return - Joining Forces" sets the tone for what promises to be an exciting and action-packed season of X-Men adventures. The episode does a great job of introducing new characters and plot threads while also paying homage to the series' rich history. Fans of the X-Men will not be disappointed.