Gen:LOCK

gen:LOCK is an American animated series created by Gray Haddock, Rooster Teeth's head of animation, and produced by Rooster Teeth. Stylistically, gen:LOCK features an anime-inspired 3-D animation and is based around the "mecha" genre first popularized in Japanese anime.

The series was first announced with a brief teaser at RTX Austin 2018. After which, a full trailer was shown at New York ComicCon 2018. gen:Lock began streaming exclusively on Rooster Teeth's FIRST platform on January 26, 2019, with new episodes airing weekly until the final episode of season 1 aired on March 9, 2019.

The series premiered on Adult Swim's Toonami block on August 3, 2019, at 11:30 PM, and completed its run on September 21, 2019. A second season is currently in production and will premiere on HBO Max in the Fall of 2021.

Setting
In a dystopian future Earth, an international coalition known as "The Polity" fights a hostile, autocratic invading force known as "The Union". The series follows the gen:LOCK program and its members, who participate in the development and testing of an experimental technology which allows for individuals with unique mental make ups to have their minds uploaded to giant suits of mecha armor.

Plot
Earth’s last free society is on the losing side of a global war, and recruits a diverse team of young pilots to control the next generation of mecha—giant, weaponized robot bodies. These daring recruits will find, however, that their newfound abilities come at no small cost. As Chase leaves behind his life as a fighter pilot to become the first candidate for the program, he finds his endurance, as well as his very identity, will be tested beyond anything he ever imagined.

Characters
Julian Chase — Julian Chase, a Vanguard pilot and "All-American guy" from Brooklyn. After losing much of his body in the Battle of New York at the start of the war, Julian is recruited into the gen:Lock program and becomes the first successful Holon pilot. Because his physical body is confined to a preservation tank, he mostly interacts with others through holographic projections or his Holon. As the most experienced pilot, Julian helps Weller form the rest of the team and assumes a leadership role. Julian pilots a Holon with teal markings which is later equipped with thrusters, wings, and propellers mounted on its back, allowing for long-range flight. It is later upgraded with a sleeker and more aerodynamic design. In addition to a rifle for offense, it can launch two large rockets attached to the wings, and missile batteries in both of its forearms. Julian's call sign is "Chaser".

Cameron "Cammie" McCloud — Cammie McCloud, a Scottish hacker and the youngest gen:Lock recruit at 17 years old. Cammie uses a Holon with green markings and a set of flaps on her head that resemble rabbit ears Her Holon is also equipped with two drones that provide near perfect 360 degree awareness of her surroundings and aim assistance. It is equipped with two handguns, and can automatically dispense and position two handgun magazines to its back for quick reloading. Cammie later upgrades her Holon to look like a rabbit with hind-legs and rabbit-like ears that function like satellite dishes, allowing for long-range sensory capabilities. It is the shortest in comparison to the other Holons, but is shown to be the most agile. Cammie's Holon is outfitted with more useful and offensive weapons as the series progresses. Cammie's callsign is "Trixx".

Kazu Iida — Kazu Iida, a transfer from the Japanese military, where he was demoted from the rank of Sergeant to kitchen duty on grounds of insubordination. Kazu uses a Holon with red markings, equipped with dual katana-like swords, and benefits from additional armor in comparison to the other Holons. It is later outfitted with the most armor and is visibly the bulkiest in comparison to the other Holons. The shoulder armor is capable of unfolding to offer more protection to the upper body. Its dual swords are eventually replaced with a single hooked greatsword with a telescopic handle and blade for ease of storage, along with a compact shotgun to better complement his close quarter fighting style. Kazu exclusively speaks Japanese throughout the series, however all the other characters perfectly understand him and he likewise perfectly understands their English. Kazu's callsign is "Shogun".

Yasamin Madrani — Yasamin Madrani, an Iranian fighter pilot who defected from the Union after accidentally outing her parents as intellectuals, resulting in them being taken by the government. Wary of her intentions, The Polity held her in the Mesa Detention Center until Weller requested she be released to join the gen:Lock program after Julian, but before the rest of the team. Yasamin pilots a Holon with yellow markings equipped with wrist-mounted beam weapons and two submachine guns, later upgraded to a sleeker design with thrusters and a pair of collapsible wings, allowing for short-range flight capability. It is also later equipped with a pair of new submachine guns and beam weapons that can be fired from the her eyes and wrists. Yasamin's callsign is "Huma".

Valentina "Val" Romanyszyn — Val Romanyszyn, a former Russian covert agent disillusioned by years of fighting a losing war against the Union in Eastern Europe. Initially intent on abandoning the war to live a life of leisure, they are convinced to join Gen:Lock to continue helping people. Val/entina is genderfluid, going by the name "Val" when male-presenting and "Valentina" when female-presenting. Val/entina uses a Holon with purple markings and an energy-based sniper rifle for combat. Their Holon is later upgraded with a lighter armor than the others, possessing a retractable cloak that allows for virtual invisibility, and a wrist-mounted grappling hook strong enough to support the Holon's weight. It is equipped with a new sniper rifle and a single-edged short sword for close quarter combat. Val/entina's callsign is "Wraith". Actress Tatiana Maslany was approached for the role due to her experience playing a trans character on Orphan Black, but turned the role down and insisted the producers cast an actual gender non-conforming actor in the role, which led the team to Dillon.

Dr. Rufus Weller — Dr. Weller, a scientist from the Polity's Experimental Science Unit and creator of the gen:LOCK program.

Broadcast History

 * United States (Adult Swim) — August 3, 2019 - September 21, 2019