Nintendo releases high-grade 'Star Fox' anime

Produced in conjunction with two professional anime studios, Nintendo's "Star Fox Zero - The Battle Begins" arrives in support of not one but two new entries to the 23-years-young video game franchise.

At just under 15 minutes long, "Star Fox Zero - The Battle Begins" serves as both an introduction to and a fan-pleasing homage of the series as a whole, with space fighter pilot Fox McCloud leading a cohort of characters against galactic villain Andross.

It comes from Tokyo's Production I.G., which remains closely associated to the animated franchise "Ghost in the Shell"; a live-action remake is being put in place for 2017, with Scarlett Johansson in the lead role.

Blending traditional and digital techniques, the studio has also lent its name to "Blood: The Last Vampire," "Patlabor," "FLCL," two films in the "Neon Genesis Evangelion" franchise, and an animated sequence for Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill."

Partner on the project is IG subsidiary WIT Studio, which debuted with the colossal hit "Attack on Titan" and its follow-up feature length animations.

The short arrives as the "Star Fox" franchise expands by two new entries.

Both have been developed by PlatinumGames, an Osaka studio which has spent the last ten years bringing out a succession of slick, kinetic action games.

As well as original projects like "Bayonetta," "Vanquish," and "The Wonderful 101," Platinum has co-operated with larger publishers on licensed properties, including cartoon adaptations "The Legend of Korra," "Transformers: Devastation" and an upcoming version of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."

Its latest Nintendo collaboration has resulted in "Star Fox Zero" for the Wii U, with Fox McCloud strapping into a transformable fighter plane to save the galaxy from destruction.

Players have to both pilot Fox's vehicle and simultaneously direct its targeting system, just as one of his colleagues does in the animated short.

Also included as part of a "Star Fox Zero" double pack at retail, or available separately through Nintendo's eShop, is the typically idiosyncratic "Star Fox Guard," all about defending a base from attack by responding to security camera feeds.

Both release April 21 in Japan, April 22 internationally, and April 23 in Oceania.

Watch Star Fox Zero - The Battle Begins: youtu.be/wA2-0nTxaGg