The Gundam franchise, a cornerstone of mecha anime, continues to evolve with new series that explore different facets of war, humanity, and technological advancement. Two recent additions, Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance and the upcoming Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, offer fresh perspectives, each potentially harboring a significant twist that might be easily overlooked.
Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance – A Shift in Perspective
Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance, which premiered on Netflix in October 2024, marks a significant departure in tone and focus for the franchise. Set during the One Year War, a conflict central to the original Mobile Suit Gundam series, Requiem for Vengeance shifts the narrative to focus on the perspective of the Principality of Zeon forces, specifically following Iria Solari, a Zeon pilot leading the “Red Wolves” mobile suit team. This switch in perspective is a major element of the show and not something you see very often in the Gundam franchise.
The “White Devil” and a Child Soldier
Instead of portraying the Earth Federation as the clear-cut heroes, Requiem for Vengeance frames the Federation’s Gundam as a terrifying, almost demonic entity. The series highlights the brutal reality of war through the eyes of Zeon soldiers who are desperately trying to hold their ground against an increasingly powerful enemy. This reframing of the Gundam, a symbol of hope and heroism in many other Gundam series, as a destructive force, is one of the most interesting aspects of the show.
The most notable twist, however, lies in the reveal that the pilot of the Gundam EX is not an adult, but a young boy. This discovery deeply affects Iria, who realizes the youth of the enemy mirrors that of her own son, emphasizing the tragic waste of young lives on both sides of the conflict and adding a layer of horror to the series. It also highlights the dehumanizing effects of war, making the conflict all the more senseless.
A Ground-Level War
Unlike many Gundam series that focus on large-scale space battles, Requiem for Vengeance is set primarily on Earth, focusing on the gritty, ground-level warfare of the European front. The show uses CGI animation to enhance the sense of scale and destruction caused by the mobile suits, making them feel more like terrifying war machines than just robots. This provides a fresh viewing experience and emphasizes the human cost of the war. This new perspective, with the focus on the Zeon forces as they are pushed back by the Earth Federation forces, brings a new perspective to the classic story.
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX: A New Era of Gundam
Looking ahead to 2025, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX is poised to shake up the franchise with its unique blend of themes and cutting-edge animation. This new series, a collaboration between Sunrise and Khara Studios, the studio behind the Rebuild of Evangelion films, is directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki, and features scripts co-written by Hideaki Anno of Evangelion fame. This collaboration alone suggests a series that will push boundaries and offer a unique Gundam experience.
Underground Battles and High Schoolers
GQuuuuuuX departs from the traditional military setting, centering on Amate Yuzuriha, a high school student who is drawn into an underground mobile suit dueling circuit called “Clash Battle” after meeting Nyaan, a war refugee. The series will take place in a space colony where these battles take place. This focus on a younger cast and the more personal, almost sports-like, aspect of the competition offers a departure from the usual large scale wars that are seen throughout the Gundam franchise.
A State-of-the-Art Gundam
The series is introducing a new mobile suit, the GQuuuuuuX. The GQuuuuuuX is the main focus of the series and will be central to the plot. The official promotion of the 1/144 High Grade model kit demonstrates the suit’s state-of-the-art articulation, a point of focus for the new show.
The Twist in the Collaboration?
While the plot details seem straightforward, the Evangelion creative team’s involvement might suggest a more complex narrative. Anno is known for his deeply psychological and often subversive storytelling, and his influence could mean that GQuuuuuuX will explore the darker aspects of human nature, similar to what he is known for in the Evangelion franchise.
The collaboration between Sunrise, the studio that created the Gundam franchise, and Khara, a studio known for pushing boundaries, could be the twist in plain sight. The combination of these two creative forces could result in a Gundam series that is both innovative and deeply engaging, with a narrative that deviates from the typical Gundam storylines.
The Enduring Appeal of Gundam
Both Requiem for Vengeance and GQuuuuuuX showcase the enduring appeal of the Gundam franchise. The franchise has been around since 1979, and has grown into a large franchise that spans across multiple forms of media. From its early roots in the Universal Century timeline, the series has expanded into various alternate universes and timelines, each exploring different aspects of conflict and human nature. These alternate timelines have allowed the franchise to explore different themes and ideas, while also giving the creators a chance to experiment with different styles and approaches to the Gundam story.
The series has explored a variety of themes, including the complexities of war, the nature of humanity, and the impact of technological advancement. The series has also been praised for its complex characters, its well-developed world-building, and its exciting action sequences. These elements have all come together to make Gundam one of the most popular and enduring anime franchises of all time.
A Franchise of Innovation
The franchise has also been praised for its ability to innovate and adapt to changing times. This has been seen in the franchise’s willingness to experiment with new animation techniques, explore new themes, and create new characters. This commitment to innovation has ensured that the Gundam franchise remains relevant and engaging to audiences of all ages.
With these new series, Gundam continues to challenge expectations and offer fresh perspectives on classic themes. Whether it is through a change in perspective in a classic war setting, or the introduction of a new, more personal, setting, the Gundam franchise continues to innovate and find new ways to tell the story of war and its impact on the human spirit. The potential twists hidden within Requiem for Vengeance and GQuuuuuuX are a testament to the series’ enduring ability to surprise and captivate audiences.
