Meta Runner is an Australian CGI-animated series created by Luke and Kevin Lerdwichagul and produced by Glitch Productions. It's first episode was released on July 25th, 2019.
In a futuristic world, society is now centred around video games, serving as not just entertainment, but also jobs in live streaming and lifestyle. Among the gamers are “Meta Runners”, a group of gaming individuals who replace their limbs with cybernetic arms that allow them to boost their gaming performance.
The series tells the story of Tari, a meta runner who was the subject of an experiment called Project Blue led by former scientist, Dr. Sheridan, who was commissioned by the TAS Corp. organization, however, a sudden accident causes an explosion, killing him along with a former meta runner, Lucinia, inside the laboratory. After waking up in the now abandoned and wrecked establishment, Tari finds herself in a Silica City with no memory of what happened except for a few flashbacks. After witnessing a speedrunning tournament of Ultra Jump Mania performed by Belle Fontiere, Tari decides to play the game for herself, but she suddenly gets teleported into the game where she befriends Theo. Intrigued by Tari’s newfound ability, the head of TAS Corp., Lucks plans to use her to benefit his organization.
Tari and Theo get sucked out of the game and try to escape, but Tari gets captured while Theo escapes and is found by another meta runner, Lamar Williams, who rescues and takes both of them to a hidden base in a ramen restaurant where they meet up with two other meta runners, Sofia Porter and Masa Shimamoto. Together the three are a small undercover group called the MD-5 who've been trying to expose all to TAS Corp. by exposing the organization's cruel actions to the public, but to no avail. The MD-5 then invites Tari to join them, citing that with her help, they'll finally be able to put an end to Lucks' evil affairs once and for all.
Characters
Main Characters
Tari (Meta Runner) (voiced by Celeste Notley-Smith)- The main protagonist of the series, a shy, insecure and amnesiac girl who is a skilled video game player.
Dr Sheridan (voiced by Anthony Sardinha) - An ex-TASCorp. scientist who worked with his assistant Lucinia to create Project Blue and stop him being fired. He is most likely deceased alongside Lucinia after an explosion.
Bot Boys (voiced by Kevin Lerdwichagul) - Common robots found across Silica City, usually with a particular job or function. The first one shows off a 180-degree gaming chair to Tari, the second has an afro and runs the gaming store in TASCorp. and the third makes Raman in MD-5's base. They are all voiced by Kevin Lerd, co-founder of Glitch Productions.
Lucinia (voiced by Amber Lee Connors) - Sheridan's assistant who also worked on Project Blue and likely created Tari. She was theorized to have gone missing after the explosion and was a good friend of Belle.
Tari has warped into the video game; Ultra Jump Mania! With the guidance of Theo, what trials will Tari face in a game where terror looms around every corner?
Tari and MD-5 plan their attack on TAS-Corp using some... interesting methods. Meanwhile, Belle discovers some shocking evidence about Project Blue.
7
7
"No Clip"
September 19, 2019
Meta Runner is back! And in this brand new episode Tari and MD-5 practice slinging spells and executing a game breaking glitch in the magical battle royale game - Tempest!
8
8
"One Shot"
September 26, 2019
Competition day is here for Tari and MD-5. It's time to gear up, sling spells and execute the glitch!
Stakes are high as Tari and MD-5 make their way up The Mountain in Tempest. Will they be able to defeat this group of mysterious assailants in time to execute the glitch?
10
10
TBA
October 10, 2019
Trivia
SMG4 reveals that while Tari is the main character, this series takes place in a different universe, outside of SMG4's continuity.
When one of the Meta Runners take up their keyboard like thing on their robotic arm, one of the symbols is the logo for Glitch Productions.
One of the billboards has a picture of a character resembling Saiko's band symbol on it.
The series is animated using both Maya and Unreal Engine.
Meta Runner was originally known as Project Blue in its development.
