Gundam


Gundam, also known as the Gundam series, is a Japanese military science fiction media franchise/media mix created by Yoshiyuki Tomino and Sunrise and, as of March 2020, indirectly fully owned by Bandai Namco Holdings through subsidiaries Sotsu and Sunrise. The franchise features giant robots with the name "Gundam". The franchise began on April 7, 1979 with Mobile Suit Gundam, a TV series that defined the "real robot" mecha anime genre by featuring giant robots called mobile suits in a militaristic setting. The popularity of the series and its merchandise spawned a franchise that includes television series, OVAs, films, manga, novels and video games, as well as a whole industry of model robots known as Gunpla.
Gunpla makes up 90 percent of the Japanese character plastic-model market. Academics in Japan have viewed the series as inspiration; in 2008, the virtual Gundam Academy was planned as the first academic institution based on an animated TV series.
The Gundam franchise had grossed over in retail sales by 2000. By 2014, annual revenue of the Gundam franchise reached ¥80 billion per year, ¥18.4 billion of which was retail sales of toys and hobby items. As of 2018, Gundam is one of the top 15 highest-grossing media franchises of all time, estimated to have generated more than in total revenue.

Overview

Concept

Mobile Suit Gundam was developed by animator Yoshiyuki Tomino and a changing group of Sunrise creators with the collective pseudonym of Hajime Yatate. The series was originally entitled Freedom Fighter Gunboy for the robot's gun, with teen boys the primary target demographic. Early production had a number of references to freedom: the White Base was originally "Freedom's Fortress", the Core Fighter was the "Freedom Wing" and the Gunperry was the "Freedom Cruiser". The Yatate team combined the English word "gun" with the last syllable of the word "freedom" to form the portmanteau Gundom. Tomino changed it to Gundam, suggesting a unit wielding a gun powerful enough to hold back enemies like a hydroelectric dam holding back water. In keeping with the concept, Gundams are depicted as prototypes or limited-production, with higher capabilities than mass-produced units.
Most Gundams are large, bipedal, humanoid vehicles controlled from a cockpit by a human pilot. The cockpit is located in the torso, while the head serves as a camera to transmit images back to the cockpit. Most of the series protagonists are Newtypes, genetically advanced humans adapted for space. Newtypes have psychic abilities that enable them to sense each other across space and to utilize special mobile suits.
The series itself has been described as a space opera.

Innovation

Mobile Suit Gundam reportedly pioneered the real robot subgenre of mecha anime. Unlike its super robot cousins, Mobile Suit Gundam attempted realism in its robot design and weaponry by running out of energy and ammunition or malfunctioning. Its technology is derived from actual science or feasible technology requiring only a few fictional elements to function.

Timelines

Most of the Gundam animation is set in what is known as the Universal Century calendar era, with later series set in alternate calendars or timelines. Although many new Gundam stories are told in their parallel universe with independent timelines, the original UC storyline continues to be popular. It established the series, setting the standard for hard science fiction in anime; the original Gundam marked the maturing of the giant-robot genre. Nostalgia for the oldest Gundam shows is a factor in its continuing success.

Spinoffs

SD Gundam, a spinoff of Gundam which began during the mid-1980s, features super deformed designs and emphasizes comedy and adventure. Model Suit Gunpla Builders Beginning G, Gundam Build Fighters, and Gundam Build Divers feature contemporary settings and use Gunpla as plot elements.

Media

TV series, films, and video

Except for Mobile Suit Gundam 00, all mainstream Gundam series are set in a fictional era which begins after a drastic event or chain of events. The scenario commonly changes as the story progresses between Earth, space, space colonies and in some cases the Moon and terraformed planets.
NameMediaRelease dateTimeline and year
Mobile Suit GundamTV series: 43 episodes.1979-1980UC 0079
Mobile Suit GundamCompilation movies1981-1982UC 0079
Mobile Suit Zeta GundamTV series: 50 episodes.1985-1986UC 0087
Mobile Suit Zeta GundamCompilation movies2005-2006UC 0087
Mobile Suit Gundam ZZTV series: 47 episodes.1986-1987UC 0088
Mobile Suit Gundam ZZOVA: 2 episodes2009UC 0088
'Movie1988UC 0093
Mobile Suit SD GundamMovies1988, 1989, 1991, 1993
Mobile Suit SD GundamOVA1989-1991
Mobile Suit SD GundamCompilation TV series1993
'OVA: 6 episodes1989UC 0079-80
Mobile Suit Gundam F91Movie1991UC 0123
'OVA: 13 episodes1991-1992UC 0083
'Compilation movie1992UC 0083
Mobile Suit Victory GundamTV series: 51 episodes1993-1994UC 0153
Mobile Fighter G GundamTV series: 49 episodes1994-1995Future Century 60
Mobile Suit Gundam WingTV series: 49 episodes1995-1996After Colony 195
Mobile Suit Gundam WingCompilation specials1996After Colony 195
'OVA: 12 episodes1996-1999UC 0079
'Compilation movie1998UC 0079
'Special2013UC 0079
After War Gundam XTV series: 39 episodes1996After War 15
'OVA: 3 episodes1997After Colony 196
'Compilation movie1998After Colony 196
Turn A GundamTV series: 50 episodes1999-2000Correct Century 2343-5
Turn A GundamCompilation movies2002Correct Century 2343-5
G-SaviourLive-action movie2000UC 0223
Gundam Neo Experience 0087: Green DiverSpecialty format movie2001UC 0087
Gundam EvolveAnimated shorts: 15 episodes2001-2007
Mobile Suit Gundam SEEDTV series: 50 episodes2002-2003Cosmic Era 71
Mobile Suit Gundam SEEDCompilation specials: 3 episodes2004Cosmic Era 71
Mobile Suit Gundam SEEDOVA: 2 episodes2004Cosmic Era 71
Superior Defender Gundam ForceTV series: 52 episodes2003-2004
Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: The Hidden One Year WarOVA: 3 episodes2004UC 0079
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DestinyTV series: 50 episodes2004-2005Cosmic Era 73-74
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DestinyOVA: 1 episode2004Cosmic Era 73-74
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DestinyCompilation specials: 4 episodes2006Cosmic Era 73-74
Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: Apocalypse 0079OVA: 3 episodes2006UC 0079
'OVA: 1 episode2006Cosmic Era 73
Mobile Suit Gundam 00TV series: 50 episodes2007-2008Anno Domini 2307-8, 2312, 2314
Mobile Suit Gundam 00OVA: 3 episodes2009Anno Domini 2307-8, 2312, 2314
Mobile Suit Gundam 00Movie2010Anno Domini 2307-8, 2312, 2314
Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO 2: Gravity FrontOVA: 3 episodes2009UC 0079
Mobile Suit Gundam UnicornOVA: 7 episodes, 1 special episode2010-2014UC 0096
Mobile Suit Gundam UnicornCompilation TV series: 22 episodes2016UC 0096
SD Gundam Sangokuden Brave Battle WarriorsMovie2010
SD Gundam Sangokuden Brave Battle WarriorsTV series: 51 episodes2010
'Movie2010Anno Domini 2314
Model Suit Gunpla Builders Beginning GSpecials: 3 episodes2010
Mobile Suit Gundam AGETV Series: 49 episodes2011-2012Advanced Generation 115-164
Mobile Suit Gundam AGECompilation specials: 2 episodes2013Advanced Generation 115-164
Gundam Build FightersTV series: 25 episodes2013-2014Our Century
Gundam Build FightersSpecials: 3 episodes2014Our Century
Mobile Suit Gundam-sanTV series: 13 episodes2014
Gundam Reconguista in GTV series: 26 episodes2014-2015Regild Century 1014
Gundam Reconguista in GCompilation movies: 52019-TBARegild Century 1014
Gundam Build Fighters TryTV series: 25 episodes2014-2015Our Century
Gundam Build Fighters TryMovie2016Our Century
'OVA: 6 episodes2015-2018UC 0068, 0071, 0078
'TV series: 13 episodes2019UC 0068, 0071, 0078
'TV series: 50 episodes2015-2017Post Disaster 323, 325
Mobile Suit Gundam ThunderboltOVA: 8 episodes2015-2017UC 0079
Mobile Suit Gundam ThunderboltCompilation movies: 22016-2017UC 0079
'ONA: 6 episodes2017UC 0096
'Compilation movie2017UC 0096
Gundam Build Fighters: BattlogueOVA: 3 episodes2017
Gundam Build Fighters: GM's CounterattackMovie2017
Gundam Build DiversPrologue OVA2018Our Century
Gundam Build DiversTV Series: 25 episodes2018Our Century
Mobile Suit Gundam NarrativeMovie2018UC 0097
SD Gundam World Sangoku SoketsudenNet Animation2019-TBA
'Net Animation2019-TBAOur Century
'Movies2020-TBAUC 0105

On July 5, 2018, it was announced at the Anime Expo 2018 that Legendary Pictures and Sunrise are teaming up to developing a Live action Gundam movie. On March 6, 2019, Deadline reports that Brian K. Vaughan will write and will also serve as an executive producer for the film.

Manga and novels

Manga adaptations of the Gundam series have been published in English in North America by a number of companies, such as Viz Media, Del Rey Manga and Tokyopop, and in Singapore by Chuang Yi.

Video games

Gundam has spawned over 80 video games for arcade, computer and console platforms, some with characters not found in other Gundam media. Some of the games, in turn inspired spinoff novels and manga. Most Gundam video games, except , were released only in Japan.

Gundam models

Hundreds of Gundam models, primarily made of plastic but sometimes with resin and metal detail parts, have been released. They range in quality from children's toy kits to hobbyist and museum-grade models, and most are in 1:35, 1:48, 1:60, 1:100 or 1:144 scale. Promotional 1:6 or 1:12 scale models are supplied to retailers and are not commercially available. For Gundam 30th anniversary, a full-size RX-78-2 Gundam model was constructed and displayed at Gundam Front Tokyo, in the Odaiba district; it was taken down on 5 March 2017. A new statue of the Unicorn Gundam was erected at the same location, now renamed The Gundam Base Tokyo.

Other merchandise

, Gundam primary licensee, produces a variety of products. Other companies produce unofficial merchandise, such as toys, models and T-shirts. Products include Mobile Suit In Action action figures and Gundam model kits in several scales and design complexities. Each series generally has its own set of products, MSiA and model lines such as Master Grade and High Grade Universal Century may extend across series. The most popular action-figure line has been the Gundam Fix series, which includes the mecha in the animated series, manga and novels and accessories to create an updated version. In addition to Master Grade and High Grade Gundams, Bandai released a 30th-anniversary series of Gundam models in 2010. The Real Grade Gundam series combined the Master Grade's detailed inner structure with additional colour separation, making the 1:144-scale series complex in design and compact in size. After the introduction of the RG Gundam series, Bandai released the Metal Build series in March 2011.

Internet

Bandai maintains several websites to promote Gundam projects; Gundam Perfect Web is the official Japanese site. Its English-language counterpart is the US-maintained Gundam Official. In 2005, the website hosted the Gundam Official User Forum. The forum was based on the existing fan forum, Gundam Watch, using many of its staff. When the project was retired, Gundam Watch was reborn and became Gundam Evolution.
A number of series-specific websites have been created, often available for a limited time. Common content includes character and mecha listings, lists of related merchandise and pay-for-download content. Special pages are frequent, often presenting downloadable wallpaper or a small game. The Superior Defender Gundam Force website has a game in which players take the role of villain Commander Sazabi, attempting to blast his subordinate with weapons.

Global spread

Since 1980, Gundam has appeared in the following countries and regions:
CountryDebut year
Italy
Hong Kong		1980
Taiwan
China
Thailand		1981
Singapore
Malaysia
Korea		1982
Philippines1983
Indonesia1987
United States
Canada
Latin America
Australia
New Zealand
Rest of Europe outside Italy		1994

Impact

Gundam is a Japanese cultural icon; it is a ¥50-billion-annual business of Bandai Namco, reaching ¥54.5 billion annual revenue by 2006, and annual revenue by 2014. Stamps were issued, an Agriculture Ministry employee was reprimanded for contributing to the Japanese Wikipedia Gundam-related pages, and the Japan Self-Defense Forces code-named its developing advance personal-combat system Gundam.
The impact of Gundam in Japan has been compared to the impact of Star Wars in the United States.