Meta Runner
A cyborg gamer warps into video games to expose corruption.
Meta Runner is an Australian independent-animated science fiction web series created by Kevin and Luke Lerdwichagul and produced by Glitch Productions. Set in a future where society revolves around video games and esports, it follows Tari, an amnesiac girl who can warp inside video games. The series was promoted through the SMG4 YouTube channel, where Tari first appeared as a character.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Science fiction
- Action
- Cyberpunk
- Esports
- Creator
- Kevin Lerdwichagul; Luke Lerdwichagul
- Writer
- Kevin Lerdwichagul; Jasmine Yang
- Theme music
- AJ DiSpirito
- Opening theme
- "Always Running" (S1)
- AJ DiSpirito and Matthew Guerra; "Only Up" (S2)
- AJ DiSpirito and Lizz Robinett
- Country
- Australia
- Language
- English
- Seasons
- 3
Facts from the source article.
Synopsis
In Silica City, entertainment and jobs center on video games, with Meta Runners using cybernetic arms to enhance gaming performance. Tari, a Meta Runner and subject of Project Blue led by Dr. Sheridan, wakes up with amnesia after an explosion that apparently kills Sheridan and test subject Lucinia Porter. She joins the undercover group MD-5 to expose the corrupt TAS Corp.
Characters
Tari, voiced by Celeste Notley-Smith, is a shy Meta Runner who can warp into games and has Meta Runner vision for optimal strategies. Theo, voiced by Robyn Barry-Cotter, is the goofy protagonist of Ultra Jump Mania who gets transported to the real world via Tari's abilities. Sofia Porter, voiced by Hayley Nelson, is a cheerful hacker friend who does not play games. Lamar Williams, voiced by Anthony Sardinha, is an easygoing otaku with a unique cybernetic arm. Masa Shimamoto, voiced by Brendan Barry-Cotter, is a calm former TAS Corp team captain decommissioned after hacking Lucks' server. Belle Fontiere, voiced by Jessica Fallico, is TAS Corp's celebrated Meta Runner and Lucinia's girlfriend who later disobeys her boss. Derek Lucks, voiced by David J.G. Doyle, is the CEO obsessed with capturing Tari for her warping ability; an AI version appears in season 3. Dr. James Sheridan, voiced by Anthony Sardinha, created the Meta Runner Arm and Project Blue. Evelyn Claythorne, voiced by Elsie Lovelock, is a snobby Meta Runner forced to be Tari's partner. Lucinia Porter, voiced by Amber Lee Connors, was the human test subject for Project Blue, presumed dead after an explosion; she is Sofia's sister, Tari's AI fragment, and Belle's girlfriend.
Background and production
Tari originated as an SMG4 character; a 14 February 2019 video discussed her creation, with the brothers asking their sister Tish for ideas, leading to an early robot design with an antenna, headphones, a heart-stitched jacket, and a d-pad eye. She was later redesigned as a human cyborg with a white vest bearing the Meta Runner emblem based on a blue jay's wing, and a blue hoodie with wing patterns. Tari debuted in the SMG4 episode 'Mario The Ultimate Gamer' on 25 August 2018. Meta Runner was teased at the end of 'War of the Fat Italians 2018' and officially announced on 5 December 2018. The series received funding from Unreal Engine, Screen Australia, Epic Games, and AMD, and partnered with Crunchyroll. Season 2 aired from 16 October to 18 December 2020. A third season was announced before season 2 finished, confirmed as the final season on 29 November 2021, with a teaser on 6 May 2022. The official trailer on 24 June 2022 set the premiere for 22 July 2022, and the series concluded on 9 September 2022.
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