The latest installment in the 'Gundam' series, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, is a co-production between Sunrise and Studio Khara. Ahead of the TV series' premiere on NTV on April 8, the theatrical cut Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- has been released in cinemas. To celebrate its box office success, a second-stage event was held in Tokyo on April 8.

A Star-Studded Production

This new Gundam series brings together an impressive creative team. Directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki (Rebuild of Evangelion, Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time), the series composition is handled by Yoji Enokido, with mechanical design by Ikuto Yamashita. The film has been a major hit, surpassing 3 billion yen in box office revenue.

A Playful Rivalry Over "MAV"

The event featured voice actors Shimba Tsuchiya (Shuji Ito), Shinji Kawada (Challia Bull), Seiichiro Yamashita (Xavier Olivette), Akane Fujita (Comoli Harcourt), and Yuki Shin (Char Aznable), with MC duties handled by Neki Matsuzawa.

Kawada opened with, “I played the voice of Challia Bull, also known as the ‘Green Uncle,’” drawing laughter from the audience. His outfit also reflected the character’s signature green look. (On Japanese social media, to avoid spoilers, fans had been referring to Challia Bull as "Green Uncle (Midori no Ojisan, 緑のおじさん)" when discussing Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-.)

A game session split the cast into two teams: Tsuchiya & Shin vs. Kawada, Yamashita & Fujita. Since Challia and Char fought side by side using MAV tactics in the story, Kawada jokingly glared at Tsuchiya and quipped, "You stole my MAV (my best buddy)!", playing up a humorous rivalry.

Anime New Century Declaration

On February 22, 1981, just before the theatrical release of Mobile Suit Gundam, an event was held in front of Alta Plaza at Shinjuku Station’s east exit. Legendary Gundam creator Yoshiyuki Tomino and others addressed the crowd, proclaiming, “We declare the dawn of a new century of anime, shaped by the possibilities of animation.”

Japan Animator Expo

A short film anthology series produced by Studio Khara and Dwango. Between November 2014 and 2015, a wide range of animated works—including original concepts, spin-offs, promotional films, and music videos—were released weekly, showcasing the passion and creativity of various directors.

A New Gundam Series by Sunrise and Studio Khara

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX is the latest entry in the Gundam franchise, produced collaboratively by Sunrise and Studio Khara, known for their work on the Evangelion series. The TV series is slated to air on the Nippon TV network.

The director is Kazuya Tsurumaki, known for helming the Rebuild of Evangelion series, including Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (2021). The series composition is handled by Yoji Enokido, while mechanical designs are crafted by Ikuto Yamashita, making for a star-studded production team.

Synopsis of Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX

Amate Yuzuriha is a high-school student living peacefully in a space colony floating in outer space.

When she meets a war refugee named Nyaan, Amate is drawn into the illegal mobile suit dueling sport known as Clan Battle.

Under the entry name "Machu," she throws herself into fierce battle day after day, piloting the GQuuuuuuX. Then an unidentified Gundam mobile suit pursued by both the space force and the police appears before her, along with its pilot, a boy named Shuji.

Now their world is about to enter a new era.

Source : ORICON NEWS