Since its premiere 2022 fall, "Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury" has become a hot topic, captivating not only Gundam fans but also newcomers to the franchise. Many modelers have showcased custom versions of the mobile suits from the series. Soreiyu (@Soreiyu8ZOE8), a modeler, customized the Grassley Company mobile suit Michaelis and received much praise on social media. Motivated by the lack of significant screen time for Michaelis in the series, Soreiyu shared the story behind the creation.

Drawn to Its Unique Face

Interviewer: Before we talk about your acclaimed custom Michaelis "Michaelis Cathedral Order" on social media, could you share your thoughts on "Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury"? Since its broadcast began last fall, the second chapter is now in full swing. How do you view it?

Soreiyu: My first impression was that it is a show that even people unfamiliar with Gundam can enjoy. Seeing many people on social media debuting into the Gundam universe with "The Witch from Mercury" is delightful for a Gundam fan like me. The term "Gundam" is used in the story to carry significant meaning, emphasizing that this is not just a robot series but a true Gundam series.

Interviewer: What about the mobile suits featured in the series?

Soreiyu: I saw Episode 0 at an advance screening and immediately fell in love with the Beguir-Beu on the screen. I have always liked remote-controlled weapons, and the concept of Antidote as an anti-Gundam weapon really appealed to me. When the information about Michaelis was released, I was thrilled with all the Grassley mobile suits! The idea of mixing and creating something with these suits led to the creation of this custom Michaelis.

Interviewer: I see. So that led to the creation of this custom model.

Soreiyu: Yes. Additionally, the main reason was that Michaelis didn't have any significant scenes in the anime. The other two mobile suits from the Three Houses had cool battle scenes, but Michaelis, which I was looking forward to, didn't. I thought, "I have to create the coolest Michaelis and spread its appeal to the world."

Interviewer: What was your impression of Michaelis?

Soreiyu: My first impression was that it didn't feel like a typical Gundam mobile suit, especially because of its unique face, which attracted me. The cross-shaped sensor eye was particularly striking, so I added a blacklight to enhance this feature during the build.