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Japan Anime News Edit by Satoru Shoji

Director Kazuya Tsurumaki Shares Behind-the-Scenes Stories of New Gundam 'GQuuuuuuX'

The latest installment in the Gundam series, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, is a collaborative effort between Sunrise and Studio Khara. Ahead of the TV series broadcast, a theatrical compilation version, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-, was released and has become a major hit. A stage greeting event celebrating its success was held in Tokyo on February 2, featuring Shimba Tsuchiya (voice of Shuji Ito), director Kazuya Tsurumaki, and series composer Yoji Enokido.


Kazuya Tsurumaki

Kazuya Tsurumaki at the hit celebration event for Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- (C) ORICON NewS inc.


A Collaboration Between Evangelion's Studio Khara and Gundam's Sunrise

This new Gundam series is the result of a collaboration between Studio Khara, known for the Evangelion series, and Sunrise, the studio behind Gundam. Set to air on Nippon TV, the project brings together a star-studded creative team, including director Kazuya Tsurumaki (Rebuild of Evangelion), series composer Yoji Enokido, and mechanical designer Ikuto Yamashita.


Shimba Tsuchiya, Kazuya Tsurumaki, and Yoji Enokido

(From left) Shimba Tsuchiya, Kazuya Tsurumaki, and Yoji Enokido at the stage event (C) ORICON NewS inc.


Director Tsurumaki Talks About the Unexpected Hit

The film has surpassed one million viewers, a success that surprised even the director. Tsurumaki admitted, "I initially saw this as just an advance screening. I never expected such a hit, so I’m truly delighted. I've been enjoying all the fan art on Pixiv and X (Twitter), and it makes me really happy." When asked by host Neki Matsuzawa if he actively browses Pixiv, he shyly responded, "I search for it sometimes."


Yoji Enokido

Yoji Enokido at the stage event for Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- (C) ORICON NewS inc.


Hideaki Anno’s Deep Involvement in the Script

script for the initial episodes. Enokido, a longtime Gundam fan, revealed, "When the first Gundam aired, I was 15—just like Amuro Ray! I’ve been following Gundam ever since."

Tsurumaki shared an inside story about Anno’s involvement, explaining that the original plan was for a shorter prologue. "During script meetings, we realized that fitting everything into a TV format felt too restrictive. A staff member suggested making it independent, and then suddenly Anno jumped in with full enthusiasm! Within days, he had sent over an enormous draft. He was completely into it," he recalled with a laugh.

Tsurumaki also noted, "There was no one better than Anno for that scene. If he was willing to do it, that was the best possible outcome." Enokido added, "There were some lines only Anno could have written—too intense for me to attempt!" Tsurumaki agreed, saying, "If it were me, I’d have made it look cooler instead of fully embracing fanfiction-style elements. But Anno, especially in this project, had no restraints—just like in his Nadia and Gunbuster days."


Stage event for Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-

Stage event for Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- (C) ORICON NewS inc.



Source : ORICON NEWS