The latest installment of the Gundam series, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, co-produced by Sunrise and Khara, held a special stage greeting event in Tokyo on the 28th to commemorate the re-release of the theatrical prequel Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning. The event featured voice actress Tomoyo Kurosawa, who plays Amate Yuzuriha (MACHU), scriptwriter Yoji Enokido, and director Kazuya Tsurumaki.

The final episode (Episode 12) aired late on the 24th, featuring many characters including those from the original Mobile Suit Gundam. Enokido shared his perspective:

"Since the protagonist is MACHU, I felt the series had to clearly depict her growth. She's the type of girl who charges ahead without listening to others, and I wanted to explore how such a character could mature."

Enokido elaborated:

"Director Yoshiyuki Tomino’s intention in the Earth arc of Mobile Suit Gundam was to portray a couple—Ramba Ral and Hamon—who loved and trusted each other. That was necessary for Amuro’s development as a person before becoming a Newtype. I found that narrative compelling and pushed for the inclusion of the Earth arc."

He continued with an anecdote:

"Initially, I thought about having MACHU encounter a couple to inspire her growth. I outlined a plot where Kai and Miharu were married. Miharu had risen through the Zeon intelligence division, becoming a high-ranking official. While MACHU and GQuuuuuuX were being suppressed by the Gihren faction, Miharu would secretly be working with Challia Bull to help them return to Challia’s side—a spy-like narrative. But the director wasn’t feeling it."

Director Tsurumaki added:

“Looking back, Episode 9 ended up focusing entirely on Lalah’s story, even though that wasn’t the original plan.”

Kurosawa laughed and said,
“I’m fully satisfied now. I can go home.”

This series is a new Gundam installment created through a collaboration between Studio Khara—known for the Evangelion series—and Sunrise. It aired on the Nippon TV network. Tsurumaki, who directed Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time and other entries in the Rebuild of Evangelion film series, directed this work. The series composition was handled by Yoji Enokido, with mechanical design by Ikuto Yamashita, gathering a star-studded creative team.

Source : ORICON NEWS