The upcoming Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX anime series has revealed a host of new characters and cast members, offering a deeper glimpse into the narrative and world of this latest installment in the iconic Gundam franchise. Set within the Universal Century (UC) timeline, the series promises a blend of familiar Gundam elements with innovative storytelling and design.
New Faces in the Universal Century
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX introduces a new generation of characters, each with their own unique backgrounds and motivations. The story revolves around:
Amate Yuzuriha (MACHU): Voiced by Tomoyo Kurosawa, Amate is a high school student living in a peaceful space colony who feels a sense of unease about her seemingly idyllic life. She becomes involved in the underground mobile suit dueling sport known as “Clan Battle” after meeting Nyaan, piloting the GQuuuuuuX mobile suit.
Nyaan: Voiced by Yui Ishikawa, Nyaan is a war refugee and courier who smuggles illegal goods. Her homeland was ravaged by war, forcing her to flee alone after losing contact with her family.
Shuji Ito: Voiced by Shimba Tsuchiya, Shuji is a mysterious boy wanted by the military police. He participates in Clan Battle to earn money for a specific purpose and becomes Amate’s partner. Shuji also pilots a mysterious Red Gundam.
These three characters find their lives intertwined as they navigate the world of Clan Battle and confront the larger forces at play within the Universal Century.
Familiar Faces Return
In addition to the new protagonists, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX also features returning characters from the original Mobile Suit Gundam series, albeit with new voice actors:
Char Aznable: Voiced by Shin Yuki, the iconic Char Aznable makes a return.
Challia Bull: Voiced by Shinji Kawada, Challia Bull is a lieutenant colonel in the Principality of Zeon forces, known as “The Man Who Returned from Jupiter.”
Denim: Voiced by Kousuke Goto.
Dren: Voiced by Taichi Takeda.
Haro: Voiced by Rie Kugimiya.
Other new characters include:
- Anki: Voiced by Mariya Ise.
- Jeji: Voiced by Yukitoshi Tokumoto.
- Pomeranian: Voiced by Kosuke Echigoya.
- Navu: Voiced by Shoya Chiba.
- Ken: Voiced by Yusuke Nagano.
- Exabe Olive: Voiced by Seiichiro Yamashita.
- Komori Harcourt: Voiced by Akane Fujita.
These returning and new characters add depth and complexity to the narrative, creating a rich tapestry of relationships and conflicts.
Story and Setting
The story of Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX unfolds in a space colony where Amate Yuzuriha lives a seemingly normal life. However, her encounter with Nyaan, a war refugee, exposes her to the brutal realities of the ongoing conflict and draws her into the world of Clan Battle.
Clan Battle: The Underground Dueling Sport
Clan Battle is an illegal mobile suit dueling sport where pilots compete for money and prestige. Amate, piloting the GQuuuuuuX, enters this world under the entry name “Machu.”
The Red Gundam and Shuji Ito
The appearance of an unidentified Gundam mobile suit, pursued by both the space force and the police, further complicates matters. Its pilot, Shuji Ito, becomes a key figure in Amate’s journey.
Thematic Elements
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX explores themes of:
War and displacement: Nyaan’s experience as a war refugee highlights the devastating impact of conflict on individuals and communities.
The search for meaning: Amate’s dissatisfaction with her peaceful life suggests a desire for something more, which she finds in the challenges and camaraderie of Clan Battle.
The clash between generations: The presence of returning characters like Char Aznable alongside the new protagonists hints at a conflict between the old and the new, as well as a potential re-examination of the events of the original series.
Production Details
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX is a collaborative effort between Sunrise and Studio Khara, with Kazuya Tsurumaki (known for his work on Neon Genesis Evangelion) serving as director. The series features scripts by Hideaki Anno and Yoji Enokido, character designs by Take, and mechanical designs by Ikuto Yamashita (also from Evangelion). This collaboration of talent promises a unique and visually stunning addition to the Gundam franchise.
Key Staff
- Director: Kazuya Tsurumaki
- Series Composition & Script: Yoji Enokido, Hideaki Anno
- Character Design: Take
- Mechanical Design: Ikuto Yamashita
- Music: Yoshimasa Terui, Masayuki Hasuo
- Animation Character Design, Supervising Character Animation Director: Yumi Ikeda and Shie Kobori
Theatrical Release
Prior to its television debut, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX will receive a special pre-release treatment with a theatrical compilation of the initial episodes titled Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-. This compilation will be screened in theaters in Japan, offering fans an exclusive first look at the anime. GKIDS will also release the film in North American theaters beginning on February 28, 2025.
Mobile Suits of GQuuuuuuX
The series will feature a variety of mobile suits, including the titular GQuuuuuuX, piloted by Amate Yuzuriha. Described as a cutting-edge mobile suit shrouded in mystery, the GQuuuuuuX plays a central role in the Clan Battle tournaments. The mysterious Red Gundam piloted by Shuji Ito is also expected to be a key mobile suit in the series. The designs are spearheaded by Ikuto Yamashita, promising a blend of classic Gundam aesthetics with a modern touch.
Reception
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- opened in Japan on January 17, 2025, and has been met with positive reception, with many praising its animation, characters, and story.
Gundam’s Legacy
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX is the latest installment in the long-running Gundam franchise, which began in 1979 with Mobile Suit Gundam. The franchise has since spawned numerous anime series, films, video games, and model kits, becoming a cultural phenomenon in Japan and around the world. Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX aims to continue this legacy by introducing a new generation of fans to the world of Gundam while also appealing to longtime fans with its references to the original series and its exploration of familiar themes.
A Bold New Direction
With its new cast of characters, returning favorites, and unique blend of action, drama, and social commentary, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX promises to be a standout entry in the Gundam franchise. The involvement of talent from Neon Genesis Evangelion further adds to the anticipation, suggesting a bold new direction for the series. As the premiere date draws closer, fans eagerly await the opportunity to experience the world of Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX and see what new twists and turns it has in store.
