Gen:LOCK

**Gen:LOCK** (stylized as **gen:LOCK**) is an American animated web television series created by writer-director and mocap actor Gray Haddock and produced by American production company, Rooster Teeth.

For season 2, the show will be moved to HBO Max.

## Premise

*Gen:LOCK* follows the titular 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 called "Holons". The gen:LOCK team led by Julian Chase will use the holons to help the Vanguard win a brutal and unforgiving war against the Union, a dark oppressive force completely entrenched in world domination, and its tyrannical strongman, Brother Tate.

## Characters

### Main

#### Gen:LOCK team

* Julian Chase – The main protagonist of gen:LOCK. Born and raised in New York City, Chase is a Interceptor pilot for the Vanguard, which is the military arm of the Polity.
* Cameron 'Cammie' MacCloud
* Kazu Iida
* Yasamin 'Yaz' Madrani
* Valentina 'Val' Romanyszyn

#### Other Main Characters

* Nemesis (Season 1)

* Miranda Worth
* Dr. Rufus Weller
* Caliban
* Col. Raquel Marin
* Robert Sinclair
* Lt. Leon August
* Miguel 'Migas' Garza
* Jodie Brennan
* Driana Chase
* Dr. Fatima Jha
* Heng Li "Henry" Wu
* Brother Tate (Season 2-)

### Minor

* Simone 'Razzle' Rasmussen
* Roberta Chase
* Patricia Bartlet-Young
* ABLE
* Marc Holcroft

### Comics

* Gen. Genji Anno
* Sycorax
* Toshiro Iida
* Zariku Iida
* Kayden Cartwright
* Com. Carlyle

## Production

### Development

The original concept for *gen:LOCK* was pitched in the summer of 2016, with pre-production beginning in late 2016. The series explores high-concept science fiction and features more mature themes compared to the concurrently running Rooster Teeth show, *RWBY*.

An emphasis is placed on the self-consistency and logic of the rules and technology of the world. To this end, a detailed series bible containing concept art and backstory was created for the show. The show bears more similarity to "realistic" mech, drawing closer comparisons to *Gundam* and *Aldnoah.Zero* than "super" mech shows like *Gurren Lagann*.

Other anime cited as influences include the technology-based, cyberpunk series *Ghost in the Shell* and *Psycho Pass*, the strongly character-oriented storytelling of *Kiznaiver*, as well as the science fiction anime work of Gen Urobuchi. However, writer and director Gray G. Haddock emphasized that it would not adhere strictly to any genre conventions and draws from a diverse range of inspirations and ideas.

### Release

Prior to Season 1, four trailers were to be released to introduce characters and concepts before the premiere. Unlike regular previews, the trailers for *gen:LOCK* were not made using animation from the series, instead being "virtual reality phone calls" held between Doctor Weller and Colonel Marin.

On October 24, 2019, it was officially announced that gen:LOCK would garner a second season, with many of its high-profile cast members, Michael B. Jordan, Dakota Fanning, Maisie Williams, and David Tennant all confirmed to return. It was also revealed that the season would premiere on HBO Max, and remain as a 90-day exclusive before becoming available on Rooster Teeth First.

## Trivia

* A comic book adaptation of *gen:LOCK* in partnership with DC Comics has been announced, written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing, and art by Carlo Barberi.
	+ The first issue came out on September 19th, 2019.
* Artists such as electronic rock band Battle Tapes and nerdcore rapper Richie Branson have contributed songs.