The latest episode preview for Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, the newest installment in the legendary Gundam franchise, has generated a wave of online reactions with the release of a new scene cut. It features protagonist Machu—whose real name is Amate Yuzuriha—appearing battered but still smiling, despite not appearing in Episode 8.

Opening Cut Shows Battle-Damaged Machu, Yet Still Smiling

In the newly revealed still, Machu appears visibly injured, with nasal strips and shoulder taping hinting at recent combat damage. Despite her condition, she wears a calm, resilient smile, which has sparked widespread commentary on social media. Users posted comments such as:

“Why is she smiling like that…?”
“We can’t even see her whole body—she might be in a wheelchair.”
“Is this a new scene? That’s a great expression on Machu’s face.”
“Just nose tape and some bandages after all that?”
“She looks surprisingly well for someone who broke through the atmosphere Gundam-style.”
“Only needing a few bandages after atmospheric re-entry? That’s too tenacious!”

These reactions underline both concern and admiration for Machu’s endurance after her off-screen absence.

Series Overview: High School Girl Enters Illegal Mobile Suit Battles

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX follows Amate Yuzuriha, a seemingly ordinary high school girl living peacefully on a space colony. Her life changes after she meets Nyaan, a girl displaced by war. Amate becomes entangled in Clan Battles—an illicit mobile suit dueling circuit—and takes on the entry name “Machu.” Piloting the mysterious mobile suit GQuuuuuuX, she plunges into brutal combat while being pursued by both the space military and police.

The story escalates when the enigmatic Gundam unit and its young pilot, Shuji Ito, cross paths with Machu, setting the stage for a new era in the Gundam universe.

About Gundam GQuuuuuuX

Set in a space colony, the series follows Amate Yuzuriha, a high school student living a peaceful life until she meets Nyaan, a girl displaced by war. This encounter thrusts Amate into the underground world of Clumbattles, illegal mobile suit duels.

Taking on the entry name “Machu,” Amate pilots the GQuuuuuuX mobile suit and soon finds herself in relentless combat. As the story unfolds, she crosses paths with a mysterious Gundam—pursued by both the Space Forces and the police—and its enigmatic pilot, Shuji Ito, signaling the dawn of a new era.

Collaborative Production with Evangelion Staff

The series is a high-profile collaboration between Studio Khara—known for the Rebuild of Evangelion series—and longtime Gundam studio Sunrise. Directing the project is Kazuya Tsurumaki, acclaimed for Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time. The series composition is handled by Yoji Enokido, while mechanical designs are crafted by Ikuto Yamashita, both veterans of iconic anime projects.

Voice acting is led by Tomoyo Kurosawa as Amate Yuzuriha (Machu), Yui Ishikawa as Nyaan, and Shimba Tsuchiya as Shuji Ito, forming a stellar cast to match the production team’s pedigree.

Global Streaming Details

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX is available for exclusive global streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Check the official website for up-to-date release schedules.

United States & Canada Amazon Prime Video Tuesdays, 9 AM (PDT) / 12 PM (EDT)
Mexico Amazon Prime Video Tuesdays, 11 AM (CDT)
China, Taiwan, Korea, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, UAE Amazon Prime Video Tuesdays

Cast & Staff

Cast
Amate Yuzuriha (MACHU) – Tomoyo Kurosawa
Nyaan – Yui Ishikawa
Shuji Ito – Shinba Tsuchiya

Staff
Original Work: Hajime Yatate / Yoshiyuki Tomino
Director: Kazuya Tsurumaki
Series Composition: Yoji Enokido
Screenplay: Yoji Enokido, Hideaki Anno
Character Design: Take
Mechanical Design: Ikuto Yamashita
Production: Studio Khara / Sunrise

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the premise of Gundam GQuuuuuuX?
Gundam GQuuuuuuX tells the story of Amate Yuzuriha, a high school girl who gets pulled into illegal mobile suit duels called Clan Battles after meeting a war refugee named Nyaan. She becomes a pilot under the name “Machu,” and the plot thickens when she encounters the mysterious Gundam unit and its pilot, Shuji Ito.

Why is the new scene of Machu causing a stir among fans?
The newly revealed scene shows Machu in a battered state but smiling, despite her prior absence in Episode 8. Fans are reacting to the contrast between her injuries and resilient expression, speculating about her true condition and the implications for the next episodes.

Who are the creators behind Gundam GQuuuuuuX?
The series is co-produced by Studio Khara (Evangelion) and Sunrise (Gundam). It is directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki, with series composition by Yoji Enokido and mechanical design by Ikuto Yamashita. The voice cast includes Tomoyo Kurosawa, Yui Ishikawa, and Shimba Tsuchiya.

When did the collaboration between Studio Khara and Sunrise begin?
This marks their first major collaboration in the Gundam franchise. The unique pairing blends Khara’s emotional storytelling with Sunrise’s mecha expertise.

Source : ORICON NEWS