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As a major name in mecha anime and anime as a whole, the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise has continued to be incredibly popular. This success is reflected across the globe, with one of the franchise’s producers noting this in a recent interview.
Naohiro Ogata, General Manager of the Gundam Business Division, recently spoke about the Gundam franchise’s legacy and its future. Commenting upon how the brand has reflected the world around it for decades at this point, Ogata’s statements also hone in on how much of anime fandom is defined by those outside Japan. Most importantly, the manager pointed to several things yet to come, some of which might reflect a more global vision.
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Gundam’s General Manager Looks to the Future of Global Anime Creation & Streaming
Speaking with Japanese website 47 News, Naohiro Ogata reflected on the popularity of the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise, which has grown immensely in the past few years. Anime fandom as a whole has increased dramatically across the world, and as noted in the interview, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic saw the sales of Gundam plastic model kits raised like never before. Likewise, anime consumption did the same thing through various streaming platforms, which has paved the way for the medium’s current domination of different global markets. “We have gained a lot of popularity and recognition in Japan and Asia. North America and Europe are still to come,” stated Ogata. “Sales of Gundam plastic models have increased all over the world due to the demand for staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, but I personally feel that the opportunity for IP (intellectual property) such as Japanese animation and manga to go overseas has just come.”
Ogata also made it clear that he intends to help shepherd this globalization of anime, especially as far as anime creation and streaming is concerned. “With the distribution platform in place, the environment is now in place where TV series and other content can be directly delivered to people all over the world with almost no time lag, and Japanese animation technology and the creators involved are becoming more easily accepted around the world,” Ogata said. “Considering that, I feel that there is a lot of room for growth in North America and Europe. In this regard, it is both the biggest challenge and the goal for the future.”
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One example of this more global, and arguably Westernized, thinking is the new series Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance. The new Netflix streaming series is directed by the German Erasmus Brosdau, with the series’ main writer being the American Gavin Heinite. Ogata also mentioned how this could have a dramatic impact on future endeavors in anime and entries in the Gundam franchise. “45 years have passed, and I think fans are becoming more tolerant now,” he said. “This time, the story is about the One Year War from the perspective of the Zeon side, not the Earth Federation Forces. I think the One Year War might look a little different if a foreigner is involved as the main staff member.
When asked about the future of the franchise and where things would go, Ohgata stated that “large works are scheduled to come out every year leading up to the 50th anniversary, so I hope you will look forward to them.” The exact nature of these upcoming projects is unknown, but it’s highly likely that more ‘globalized’ works such as Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance are in the pipeline. Given that the 50th anniversary of the franchise will be in 2029, this also leaves room for the sequels to Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway to be released. Set in the classic Universal Century timeline, these films would be a perfect complement for more experimental Gundam anime with a wider potential audience in mind.
Gundam
Beginning with Mobile Suit Gundam in 1979, the Gundam franchise has set the bar for mecha anime. Different Gundam series take place in different timelines and follow different characters, but each tackles themes of war and technology in new and unique ways. Gundam has also inspired an enormous line of plastic model kits, known as Gunpla, which are as popular as the shows and films.
Source: 47 News
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