The manga adaptation of the Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative (Kidō Senshi Gundam NT) anime project has officially ended its serialization. The final chapter, drawn by Kōzō Ōmori, was published in this year’s October issue of Kadokawa’s Gundam Ace magazine on Tuesday.
A Five-Year Journey in the Universal Century
Ōmori launched the Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative manga in Gundam Ace in November 2018, coinciding with the release of the anime film it adapts. The manga’s conclusion brings to a close a nearly five-year serialization that expanded upon the events of the film. The series had previously approached its “last battle” in July 2023, signaling its impending end.
Expanding on the Anime’s Narrative
The Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative story is set in Universal Century 0097, one year after the “Laplace’s Box” was opened. Despite the revelation of the Universal Century Charter, which acknowledged the existence and rights of Newtypes, the world remained largely unchanged. The narrative follows the reappearance of the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 03, known as Phenex, two years after its disappearance, triggering the Earth Federation’s “Phoenix Hunt” operation to capture the mobile suit.
The manga adaptation, with a story by Harutoshi Fukui and art by Kōzō Ōmori, delved deeper into the plot and characters introduced in the animated feature. Notably, the later volumes of the manga offered significant explorations of the film’s themes and characters, providing additional context and detail beyond the movie itself. This approach allowed fans to experience an enriched version of the story, filling in nuances and expanding on the Universal Century timeline post-Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn.
The Legacy of Gundam Ace
Gundam Ace magazine, published by Kadokawa, has long been the home for numerous Gundam manga titles, offering a platform for diverse interpretations and expansions of the iconic franchise. The magazine frequently features new and ongoing Gundam manga, often celebrating anniversaries or tying into new anime projects. The conclusion of Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative makes way for other new content, such as the announced manga “Mobile Suit Gundam W 0.5 POINT HALF PREVENTER 7” and continuing series like “Gundam Eight” and “Gundam 0080 War in The Pocket“.
Fans interested in the comprehensive Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative experience can now look forward to the complete manga series, which offers a detailed companion to the critically acclaimed film.
