The highly anticipated Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX anime project has released an English-subtitled trailer, sending waves of excitement and speculation through the global anime community. This latest installment in the long-running Gundam franchise is a collaboration between Sunrise and Khara Studios, the latter being known for its work on the Rebuild of Evangelion films. The new series is directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki, known for FLCL and Diebuster, with character designs by Take, who has worked on Katanagatari and Pokémon Sun & Moon, and mecha designs by Ikuto Yamashita, a designer from Evangelion and Yukikaze.
A New Era for Gundam
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX introduces viewers to a new setting and characters while offering a fresh perspective on the classic mecha genre. This series marks a significant shift for the franchise, as it delves into a “what if” scenario within the established Universal Century timeline of the original 1979 Mobile Suit Gundam. This is the first time the Gundam franchise has explored a major alternate universe concept, asking: What if Zeon had won the war against the Federation?
Plot Synopsis and Key Characters
The story revolves around Amate Yuzuriha, a high school student living in a space colony. She feels her peaceful life is somehow false. She is soon drawn into the underground world of mobile suit dueling known as “Clan Battle” after meeting a war refugee named Nyaan. Amate, under the alias “Machu”, pilots the mysterious GQuuuuuuX mobile suit. The duo then encounters a boy named Shuji, who is wanted by both the police and the space force.
Here is a breakdown of the main characters:
- Amate Yuzuriha / Machu: Voiced by Tomoyo Kurosawa, Amate is a high school student who feels her peaceful colony life is artificial. She becomes the pilot of the GQuuuuuuX and fights in Clan Battles.
- Nyaan: Voiced by Yui Ishikawa, Nyaan is a courier who smuggles illegal goods and introduces Amate to the world of Clan Battles.
- Shuji Ito: Voiced by Shimba Tsuchiya, Shuji is a mysterious boy pursued by the police and space force.
The GQuuuuuuX Mobile Suit
The GQuuuuuuX is the main mobile suit of the series, piloted by Amate. It is described as a mysterious, cutting-edge machine that participates in Clan Battles as part of a team known as the Pomeranians. The design of the GQuuuuuuX has been likened to a cross between the Barbatos from Iron Blooded Orphans and the brighter designs of Build Fighters, suggesting a unique aesthetic that blends familiar elements with a fresh look.
What If? The Alternate Universal Century
One of the most significant revelations is that GQuuuuuuX is set in an alternate Universal Century timeline where Zeon, the main antagonist faction from the original Mobile Suit Gundam, won the war. This “what if” scenario dramatically alters the established history and introduces a new dynamic to the narrative.
Adding to the surprise, the iconic antagonist from the original series, Char Aznable, will be a major character in this reimagined timeline. This twist is sure to intrigue longtime fans of the franchise and invites speculation about the role Char will play in this altered reality.
Impact on the Gundam Universe
This alternate timeline approach may be a bold move by the creators, as the Universal Century timeline has been a mainstay of the franchise for decades. This direction may prove divisive among some fans, but it also offers the potential for a unique and compelling narrative that challenges preconceived notions of the Gundam universe.
The introduction of the “what if” scenario might also draw in new viewers who may have been intimidated by the vast and complex canon of the Universal Century. The series may also offer a gateway for those who have been primarily interested in alternate universe Gundam series.
A Theatrical Release and Beyond
A compilation film of the first three episodes of Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX was released in Japanese theaters on January 17, 2025. This movie was a box office success, reaching the number one spot in theaters and grossing over $3.8 million USD in its opening week, showcasing the franchise’s continued popularity in Japan. The film is set to be released in North American theaters on February 28th, 2025 by Gkids. The television series is expected to air later this year, introducing the new Gundam universe to a broader audience.
A Star-Studded Creative Team
The creative team behind GQuuuuuuX is a notable mix of talent:
- Director: Kazuya Tsurumaki, known for his work on the Rebuild of Evangelion films, as well as FLCL and Diebuster.
- Scriptwriters: Hideaki Anno, the creator of Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Yoji Enokido.
- Character Design: Take, who has worked on designs for the Pokémon franchise.
- Mechanical Design: Ikuto Yamashita, who also contributed to the designs for Evangelion and Yukikaze.
The involvement of these high-profile creators, particularly those associated with Evangelion, has generated a significant amount of buzz and heightened expectations for the series. The blend of Gundam and Evangelion talent creates the potential for a fresh approach to the mecha genre, with unique visual styles and engaging character development.
Anticipation and Fan Response
The new anime has sparked discussion among Gundam fans, many of whom are eager to see how the alternate timeline will be portrayed. The trailer has been heavily scrutinized by fans, with many eager to dissect every detail of the new mecha and character designs. The English-subtitled trailer has further fueled global anticipation for the series, making it one of the most talked-about anime projects of the year.
Collectibles and Merchandise
The popularity of the new anime has also translated into merchandise. Bandai has already released a High Grade 1/144 scale model of the GQuuuuuuX, showcasing the suit’s articulation. A Metal Robot Damashii toy is also on the way this summer. A figure of protagonist Amate Yuzuriha/Machu was released through a raffle, and more merchandise is anticipated as the series continues to gain momentum.
Conclusion
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- is shaping up to be a significant entry in the Gundam franchise. Its bold decision to explore a “what if” scenario within the Universal Century timeline and the inclusion of well known characters such as Char Aznable, promises a fresh take on the classic series. With a talented creative team and an intriguing premise, GQuuuuuuX is poised to make a major impact on the world of anime. The series promises to be a thrilling, visually stunning, and thought-provoking experience for both longtime Gundam fans and newcomers alike.
