What Keeps “Gundam” Timeless?

――It’s been 46 years since the first Gundam series aired in 1979. Why does Gundam remain so relevant?

Momoi
Producer Naohiro Ogata from Bandai Namco Filmworks often says, “We want to show a new Gundam each time,” and that’s exactly it. From the original series to titles like The Witch from Mercury or Gundam GQuuuuuuX, each work makes people want to revisit the first. It’s like a historical epic, ever-evolving and yet interconnected.

Gunpla (Gundam plastic models) also play a huge role. They let fans physically build what they saw on screen, deepening their emotional connection. Gunpla is immensely popular overseas and continues to expand the Gundam fanbase globally.

An Expo Gundam Designed with Reality in Mind

――The pavilion has generated a lot of buzz.

Momoi
Even the construction helmets for the Expo site were themed after Gundam, Char's Zaku, and Dom. The team working in groups of three often wore Dom helmets, calling themselves the “Black Tri-Stars.” It became a fun cultural touchstone on-site.

――The full-scale Gundam statue, kneeling with its arm raised, also caused a stir.

Momoi
We thought deeply about that pose. The statue represents a Gundam returning from an assignment, expressing a hope for peace. For the first time, the Gundam is displayed in a setting surrounded by greenery, which gives it a unique presence unlike previous life-sized models.

Cultural Differences and Global Recognition

――Gundam is highly recognized overseas as well.

Momoi
At this year’s Spielwarenmesse, the world’s largest toy fair in Nuremberg, Germany, we showcased Gundam GQuuuuuuX. Many attendees asked, “How do you pronounce that?” It reminded me how the use of alphabets in naming, though intuitive in Japan, can be perplexing to international audiences—just as kanji can be confusing for Japanese when used creatively overseas.

Rooted in Reality, Aimed at the Stars

――What sets this Expo experience apart?

Momoi
Director Yoshiyuki Tomino once told me, “If you're building Jaburo, consider where the metals come from.” So we considered things like: How much metal could be recycled from satellite debris? Even though it’s fiction, the setting is grounded in scientific reality. The latter half of the pavilion offers an experience akin to boarding a real spacecraft.

Source : ORICON NEWS