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 centered 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. In a sudden accident causing an explosion, Dr Sheridan was killed 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.
Lucks (voiced by David J.G. Doyle) - The main antagonist of the series who obsessed with Tari, due to her unexpected ability.
Belle Fontiere (voiced by Jessica Fallico) - The anti-hero of the series who is a rival of Tari, and also a representative of TAS Corp..
Supporting characters
Sofia Porter (voiced by Hayley Nelson) - A cheerful and upbeat girl who is one of Tari's friends, the sister of Lucinia Porter and also a member of the MD-5
Lamar Williams (voiced by Anthony Sardinha) - An easygoing otaku with waifu pillows and a friend of Tari's who is an African descent member of the MD-5.
Masa Shimamoto (voiced by Brendan Barry-Cotter) - A calm, composed, and mostly serious friend of Tari in the MD-5 and was once a team captain of TAS Corp. before got decommissioned after trying to hack into Lucks’ private server.
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 Porter (voiced by Amber Lee Connors) - Sheridan's assistant who also worked on Project Blue and likely created Tari. She was theorised to have gone missing after the explosion and was a good friend of Belle and also a sister of Sofia.
A short clip from our upcoming animated series Meta Runner! Tari warps into the 3D Platformer; "Ultra Jump Mania". She meets the game character Theo and... has a hard time getting use to platforming mechanics.
Season 1 of Meta Runner, premiered on July 25, 2019, and ended on October 10, 2019 and consists of 10 episodes. The season's plot follows Tari as she, along with her friend Theo, is being pursued by TAS Corp. and joining a group of meta runners who plan to take down the evil organization.
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?
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?
The final battle with Tari and Belle in Tempest has now begun!
Season 2
Season 2 of Meta Runner, is currently on production according to the description in the Season 1 finale episode "Shutdown" on YouTube. It is set to premiered somewhere around Early 2020.