The beloved Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket manga by Hiroyuki Tamakoshi is set to resume its serialization in Kadokawa’s Monthly Gundam Ace magazine on June 26, marking a significant return for fans of this poignant Universal Century narrative. The announcement comes with the news that the manga will return for a three-chapter short serialization, offering a renewed glimpse into its unique perspective on the One Year War.
The Enduring Legacy of War in the Pocket OVA
Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket originally debuted as a six-episode Original Video Animation (OVA) series in 1989. This landmark production was not only the first OVA in the extensive Gundam franchise but also commemorated its tenth anniversary. Directed by Fumihiko Takayama and written by Hiroyuki Yamaga, with character designs by Haruhiko Mikimoto, it deliberately diverged from the grand, sweeping narratives often found in other Gundam installments.
Instead of focusing on Newtype pilots or large-scale space battles, War in the Pocket delivered a smaller, deeply personal story seen through the eyes of Alfred Izuruha, an eleven-year-old boy residing in a neutral space colony during the final days of the One Year War. The series garnered critical acclaim for its gritty, anti-war stance and its exploration of the human cost of conflict, showing how war corrupts even innocent aspects of life and presenting a more honest portrayal of conflict by focusing on ordinary individuals caught in the crossfire. It challenged typical Gundam tropes by highlighting gray morality, depicting both sides of the conflict as having decent people, and illustrating that war’s victims include those simply trying to live their lives.
The Manga Adaptation by Hiroyuki Tamakoshi
While the War in the Pocket OVA has seen previous manga adaptations—including one by Shigeto Ikehara in 1989 and another by Kenji Mizuhara in 1994—Hiroyuki Tamakoshi’s rendition offers a fresh interpretation. Launched in Monthly Gundam Ace in June 2021, Tamakoshi’s Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket manga uniquely retells the acclaimed story from the perspective of Christina Mackenzie, an Earth Federation Forces test pilot and a key character in the original OVA. This narrative choice provides fans with new insights into Chris’s experiences and internal struggles, enriching an already beloved tale.
A Brief Hiatus and Triumphant Return
The manga’s journey has been closely tied to the health of its dedicated mangaka, Hiroyuki Tamakoshi. The series went on hiatus in September 2022 when Tamakoshi revealed his diagnosis with stage 3 cancer, specifically liver cancer, and began undergoing chemotherapy. The manga briefly resumed in May 2023, only to go on hiatus again in December 2023 after Tamakoshi announced a recurrence of his liver cancer, necessitating a third operation in January of the current year.
Despite these challenging health battles, Tamakoshi has shown incredible resilience and dedication to his craft. He has continued to work on manuscripts while undergoing chemotherapy and revealed he has a stock of three chapters ready for publication. His commitment ensures that fans will finally see the continuation of this compelling adaptation. Tamakoshi aims to fully resume the series within the year and will provide further updates when more chapters are complete.
Significance for Gundam Fans
The return of the Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket manga holds profound significance for the Gundam community. War in the Pocket is consistently praised as one of the most powerful and emotionally resonant entries in the entire franchise, known for its ability to convey the brutal reality of war without relying on epic battles or chosen heroes. By revisiting this story through Chris’s eyes, Tamakoshi’s manga deepens the established narrative, offering new layers of character development and emotional depth that resonate with the themes of tragedy and loss inherent in the original.
The resumption not only offers new content for eager readers but also stands as a testament to Tamakoshi’s unwavering passion and perseverance in the face of personal adversity. His dedication to sharing these three new chapters, even while undergoing treatment, underscores the profound connection artists have with their creations and their audience. Fans eagerly anticipate delving back into this critical retelling of a Gundam classic.
