Microsoft is teaming up some of the world’s leading anime studios in Japan to create ”Halo Legends,„ a collection of several original anime short films.

”Halo Legends,„ which will officially debut at a panel presentation today at Comic-Con International in San Diego, is being produced by Microsoft’s 343 Industries and features creative direction from anime pioneer Shinji Aramaki, director of ”Appleseed„ and ”Appleseed EX Machina„ anime features, and Mamoru Oshii, director of the ”Ghost in the Shell„ movies, with additional production from Joseph Chou of J-Spec Pictures. The compilation will include a series of short stories that explore different times, themes and characters from the ”Halo„ universe and will be distributed globally by Warner Home Video.

A preview of select ”Halo Legends„ episodes will first debut on Xbox LIVE, through a new experience called Halo Waypoint.

Launching later this year, Halo Waypoint will be a new destination for ”Halo„ fans on Xbox LIVE. It will inform fans of the latest ”Halo„ news and activities, and grant access to content ranging from podcasts, trailers and screenshots, to exclusive video footage. It also will provide a new challenge for ”Halo„ gamers with a career system and player rankings tied to both in-game and out-of-game accomplishments related to ”Halo.„