One unmistakable element of the sprawling Mobile Suit Gundam anime franchise is its embrace of creative disruption. Indeed, while core themes such as space colonization, resulting conflicts between natives of Earth and space, and mecha warfare remain central to the Gundam narrative, the diverse ways these themes are explored across multiple alternate timelines have become a hallmark of the franchise’s storytelling style.
The transformative license that Gundam‘s creative disruption provides has given its creators the freedom to plumb the depths of their most radical thoughts without fear of rejection or ridicule. This revolutionary permission has not only allowed the franchise to evolve alongside the ever-changing cultural landscape but has also ensured its continued relevance and enduring appeal. Nowhere is this vibe more obvious than in comments made by Mobile Suite Gundam GQuuuuuuX – Beginning screenwriter Hideaki Anno about how enjoyable the creative process was while making the film with his production team.
The Creative Team Of Gundam – GQuuuuuuX Is Building A New Vision
Bringing Forth New Energy To Embolden The Next Generation
Anno is no stranger to the anime industry. As a seasoned anime artist, writer, and director with decades of experience, he is best known for his bold reinterpretation of the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise through The End of Evangelion movie and the Rebuild of Evangelion remake film series. By choosing him to help write the script, the franchise is signaling to fans to prepare for a markedly different take on the Gundam narrative — one that is likely to surpass the diversity of styles and themes that fans have grown to expect. The following comment from Anno offers significant insight into the GQuuuuuuX film and television series.
Because the team’s energy and excitement were so high, the art at the start of GQuuuuuuX Beginning may surprise you… Essentially, we believe [the anime] is like a new building we have built upon the vast land that is the Gundam franchise. Rather than destroying and remodeling the original house, we think of [GQuuuuuuX] as an annex next to it. As we are working with such a huge IP like Mobile Suit Gundam, we want to liven up and expand Gundam by creating a project that will be enjoyed by many people. We want to create a new direction that uses a different approach to what has been done before.
However, what’s most revolutionary about Anno and the GQuuuuuuX creative crew’s decisions — and the freedom that the franchise afforded them — is that they chose not to create their own alternate Gundam universe. This is something that the Future Century, After Colony, and Cosmic Era timelines prove there is precedent for creators to do. Instead, they decided to produce an alternate version of an existing Gundam timeline — namely, the franchise’s prime Universal Century (UC) timeline.
Gundam – GQuuuuuuX Hopes To Pioneer A New Path in Gundam Lore
Venturing Forth To Realms Beyond Familiar Waters
Indeed, as Anno suggests in his comment, while GQuuuuuuX might initially come across as a typical Universal Century (UC) timeline story – this is just the creator setting the stage by providing a deep dive into Gundum’s visual lore. However, viewers will soon realize that it is not simply a retelling or expansion of the existing UC timeline narrative. Instead, GQuuuuuuX shows itself to be a standalone story that acknowledges its role as the latest addition to a massive franchise that doesn’t necessarily require it to exist. By doing so, it honors while remaining deeply respectful of the rich Gundam lore that was established before it.
Ultimately, the abundance of creative freedom has led to GQuuuuuuX paving a new and promising path within the UC timeline — a space that many Gundam fans have argued has grown somewhat stale and is in desperate need of a refresh if not a complete reboot. As Anno suggests, GQuuuuuuX is not merely a recreation or modernization of the franchise, but rather a bold new exploration of the same core themes that have consistently made Gundam a fan favorite for decades. The hope is that this fresh approach will reignite the passion for the Gundam franchise, which has sustained its popularity for over four decades.
Sources: @khara_inc2
Gundam
The Gundam franchise is a cornerstone of mecha anime, featuring giant robots known as “mobile suits” in various wartime settings. Originating with Mobile Suit Gundam in 1979, it explores complex themes of war, politics, and humanity through the struggles of pilots who navigate these massive machines. The franchise spans multiple timelines and universes, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected stories and standalone narratives.
- Created by
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Yoshiyuki Tomino
- First Episode Air Date
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April 7, 1979
- TV Show(s)
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Mobile Suit Gundam, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, Mobile Suit Victory Gundam, Mobile Fighter G Gundam, Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, Mobile Suit Gundam After War Gundam X, Turn A Gundam, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, Mobile Suit Gundam 00, Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn, Mobile Suit Gundam AGE, Mobile Suit Gundam Build Fighters, Mobile Suit Gundam-San, Gundam Reconguista in G, Gundam Build Fighters Try, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin – Advent of the Red Comet, Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans, Gundam Build Divers, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury, Mobile Suit SD Gundam, Superior Defender Gundam Force
- Character(s)
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Amuro Ray, Char Aznable, Bright Noa, Kamille Bidan, Judau Ashta, Heero Yuy, Kira Yamato, Setsuna F. Seiei
