Who Is Shuji Ito? Voice Actor Shimba Tsuchiya Directly Questions Director Kazuya Tsurumaki About Gundam GQuuuuuuX

The Gundam series Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, co-produced by Sunrise and Studio Khara, held a commemorative screening event on April 9 to celebrate the release of the theatrical pre release edition Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX Beginning in 4K ULTRA HD Blu ray Blu ray and DVD formats. Director Kazuya Tsurumaki, series composer and scriptwriter Yoji Enokido, and Shimba Tsuchiya, who voices Shuji Ito, attended the event.

The theatrical pre release version, which premiered in January 2025, became a major box office hit, surpassing 3.52 billion yen, approximately 22.3 million USD based on an exchange rate of 158 yen per dollar. The television series, which began airing in April 2025 with a total of 12 episodes, continued to captivate audiences with its dense storytelling and unpredictable developments. Related keywords consistently trended on social media, and the series sparked widespread discussion, becoming one of the most talked about anime titles of 2025.

The franchise also saw a simultaneous package release announcement last year. The TV anime is being released across three volumes starting in January, while the theatrical pre release edition will be available as a single volume on May 27. During the event, episodes from the second half of Episode 8 through the final episode were screened.

Director Reflects on Broadcast and Audience Reception

Looking back on the broadcast, which began on April 9 of the previous year, director Tsurumaki recalled the uncertainty at the time.

He explained that although the theatrical version had already been released and was being well received, there were concerns about whether audiences would continue to enjoy the story beyond Episode 4. The first episode closely followed the theatrical version, but the team remained anxious as the TV broadcast began.

Yoji Enokido also shared his memories, noting that he only knew the content of the main story at the time and was particularly looking forward to the opening and ending sequences. He added that both exceeded his expectations.

The Mystery of Shuji Ito Remains Unresolved

Shuji Ito, a character shrouded in mystery throughout the series, became a focal point during the event. Tsuchiya directly asked director Tsurumaki, “Who exactly is Shuji Ito?”

Tsurumaki revealed that he intentionally avoided providing detailed explanations about the character. He appreciated that Tsuchiya respected this approach and did not press for answers during production, aligning with the director’s vision for maintaining ambiguity.

Tsuchiya explained that he approached the role by learning only the essential elements needed for his performance. He imagined that Shuji Ito would be portrayed gradually, like a pointillist painting, with the character revealed piece by piece throughout the story.

Casting and Performance Approach

Director Tsurumaki also praised Tsuchiya’s casting, stating that he was impressed by his voice immediately during the audition. He deliberately chose not to explain too much, believing that doing so might alter the natural performance he envisioned for Shuji.

Enokido echoed this sentiment, noting that while writing the script, he felt the role would be challenging for any voice actor. He described Shuji as an unusual character type, an enigmatic and melancholic figure rarely seen in male characters. Upon hearing Tsuchiya’s voice, he felt it perfectly matched the role.

Tsuchiya’s Ongoing Curiosity About Shuji

Despite participating in the project, Tsuchiya admitted that he still wants to know more about Shuji Ito. He expressed a desire for the character’s story to be explored further in the future and pledged to continue his work as a voice actor until that opportunity arises.

Source : ORICON NEWS