Gundam

Gundam (Japanese: ガンダム, Hepburn: Gandamu ), also known as the Gundam Series (ガンダムシリーズ, Gandamu Shirīzu^?), is a science fiction animated series franchise created by Yoshiyuki Tomino for Sunrise Studios. The theme of the series is warlike conflicts between humans. In the series, the warring sides use combat suits called Mobile Suits (MS). Usually, the Mobile Suit of the protagonist is the one that bears the name Gundam.

The first series in this set, called Mobile Suit Gundam, was released on April 7, 1979. This first series revolutionized the Mecha genre by featuring the & #34;robots" as conventional weapons of war and their pilots as soldiers in the midst of large-scale military conflicts. The impact of the series a multi-million dollar franchise that has produced several works in various media, such as OVAs television series, movies, manga, novels, video games, scale models, music, toys, clothing, food, etc The plot of the original 1979 series has been considerably expanded with sequels, prequels, side stories, and alternate timelines. The franchise has also spawned one of the largest toy and hobby brands in the history of the Japanese toy industry.

Gundam has become a cultural icon of Japan. By January 21, 2008, Gundam had become a 50 billion Yen franchise. A 2000 press release stated that retail sales of Gundam items had increased five billion dollars. Gunpla (Gundam models) hold 90% of the model market.

Japanese scholars have also seen the series as an inspiration, thus founding the International Gundam Society, the first academic institution inspired by an animated series.

Panorama

Concept

The franchise originates from the anime series Mobile Suit Gundam (1979). This animated series was developed by renowned director Yoshiyuki Tomino in conjunction with a team of Sunrise Studios employees, working under the collective pseudonym "Hajime Yatate".

During its conceptual phase, the series was going to be called Freedom Fighter Gunboy, or simply Gunboy, due to the fact that the "robot" he was armed with a pistol (gun in English) and because the series was aimed at a shōnen demographic (literally "boy" in Japanese, boy in English). During the initial stages of production, there were numerous references to the English word freedom ("freedom"). For example: the White Base mothership was to be called "Freedom's Fortress", the Core Fighter fighters were to be called "Freedom Wing", and the Gunperry transport ships they were to be called the "Freedom Cruiser". The Yatate team combined the word gun with the last syllable of the word freedom to form the name gundom. Later, Tomino changed the name Gundom to Gundam, under the idea that the Gundam was a fighting machine with a pistol ( gun in English) strong enough to resist the advance of its enemies, like a dam (dam in English) that resists the passage of water and floods. Under this concept, all Gundams that have been created since then are described as limited production unique fighting machines with technology and capabilities superior to those produced in mass production.

Gundams are always described as gigantic anthropomorphic vehicles controlled by a human from a cockpit. Most of these machines have their cabin located in the "torso" with several cameras installed in the "head", these being the ones that transmit the images to the cabin. (excepting Psyco Gundam, where the cockpit is located in the head of the machine.) Gundams are not intelligent machines (excepting the artificial intelligence A.L.I.C.E. which appeared in Gundam Sentinel and 4 mobile suits that work with the EXAM system in The Blue Destiny.)

Innovation

A couple of O'Neill cylinders.

Lagrange Points

The Mobile Suit Gundam series is credited with pioneering the royal robot subgenre within mecha.

Unlike the super robot subgenre, Gundam has quite the stamp of realism, with machines running out of power or ammunition, or breaking down and taking damage. The technology is practical and derived from real science like the use of Lagrange Points in space or O'Neill Cylinders as an environment to live in. The technology in Gundam despite being fictional, is viable, requiring only a few fictional elements for its plot. (For example, The use of Minovsky particles as a means of producing energy from helium-3.)

Despite being fictional, the need to create "robots" giants is also explained: fictitious minovsky particles create interference to radar-guided missiles, anti-aircraft guns and all early warning systems, thus all weapon systems depend on human eyes to operate. In the timeline Universal Century, the space state known as the Principality of Zeon rebels against the Earth Federation. In order to wage its war of independence against the Earth Federation, Zeon needed a weapons system that could work both in space and on Earth, plant explosive charges and face enemy tanks and planes, being a "robot" giant the best choice. After Zeon started developing Mobile Suits, the Earth Federation was forced to create similar weapons.

Narrative

Generally, the narrative of Gundam revolves around the machines and their pilots, fighting a war in which destruction and dehumanization are inherent. Each faction has its own heroes and villains, each with their own motives, faults, and strengths. Gundam also features political struggles and debates on various important philosophical questions, as well as the ideal of the nature and meaning of war and pacifism, the continuous evolution - natural or artificial - of humanity and its consequences. All of these issues mentioned above are often framed in a combat between the protagonist and the antagonist in their attempt to convince others of the justice of their cause. Most of the stories are structured like dramas, where the main cast's personalities, viewpoints, goals, and actions influence the plot drastically as events unfold. This makes the plot seem more realistic than in the series of the Super Robot subgenre, where the hero and the cast act in a repetitive and predictable way, with little connection between episodes. The best example of this is the way the personalities of rivals Amuro Ray and Char Aznable are influenced by their experiences in the plot.

Timelines

The fictional world of Gundam is divided into several parallel universes (also known as Timelines, Eras or Calendars) with its own characters, history, events and apparatus. Each universe maintains its own continuity in parallel without intersecting with the other universes (except Turn A Gundam). Characters or machines that appear in timeline X are supposed to not appear in timeline Y, for example: The war between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon and their remnants is a fact that only appears exclusively in the Universal Century timeline; Heero Yuy, Relena Darlian, Wing Zero, and Epyon are characters and machines that only appear in the After Colony timeline. Currently the timelines appearing in Gundam are:

Universal Century

Universal Century (/25070/ U Uchū Seiki, Lit "Space Age" or "Universal Era") is Gundam's most extensive and important timeline. The original series of 1979 is set in this line and still remains the most popular. This timeline laid the foundations of franchise and gender "Real robot, was the first to be created and is the most worked and approached of all, with 4 television series, 5 OVAs, 15 feature films and several special productions. In this timeline, the story of an extensive war between two fictional states is narrated: Federation of the Earth and Zeon Principality (and its remnants). The conflicts between these two states (and some of their factions) originate in deep political, philosophical and ideological problems, such as corruption and the total immigration of humanity to space as an ecological instrument. This series is also characterized by publicizing the state Newtypethe theoretical next evolutionary phase of the human being.

Future Century

On the timeline Future CenturyThe earth is the quadrilateral

Future Century was the first line of time parallel to the Universal Century. In this universe, the space colonies, representing countries, have agreed to hold a martial arts tournament known as the Fight Gundam as a way to solve their political problems without having to go to war. This is the setting of the Mobile Fighter G Gundam series and their sister projects.

After Colony

On the timeline After Colonythe Earth government oppresses the space colonists

On the timeline After Colony or After the Colognethe united alliance of the terrestrial sphere and its organization OZ oppress colonies with its military power. In response, the rebels of the colonies send 5 Mobile Suits to overthrow the regime. The timeline After the Cologne is the setting of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz and other related work.

After War

The timeline After War It starts after the massive fall of space colonies that ended the seventh Space War and killed 99% of the humanity that lived on planet Earth. This is the setting of the series After War Gundam X and related productions. This series is characterized by being the only time line apart from the Universal Century where the theme of the Newtypes is played.

Correct Century

The timeline Correct Century (Seireki, Lit. True History) is a universe where all the technologies of the earth and human civilizations (less on the moon) in space were destroyed (less on the moon). As a result, the technological level of humanity at this time is similar to that which existed in the 1900s. This is the setting of Turn to Gundam and its adjacent projects. Another striking feature of the universe Correct CenturyIt's just that they show up. Mobile Suits and elements of other time lines.

Cosmic Era

In this age, humanity has developed in two subspecies: the Naturalwho reside in the Earth and the Coordinators, genetically improved humans living in space colonies capable of supporting the rigors of space. The story revolves around a young Coordinator named Kira Yamato, who is involved in a war between these two subspecies after a neutral colony is invaded by Coordinators. This is the setting of Mobile Suit Gundam Seed and other related work.

Anno Domini

Anno Domini (Lit. in the year of the Lord, abbreviated A.D.) is the notation used in which the years are counted since the birth of Christ and refers to our present. This timeline uses the Gregorian calendar, the same one used by the current society. This is the setting of Mobile Suit Gundam 00 and its derivative productions. Gundam Build Fighters is another production of Gundam set in our present.

Advanced Generation

In the Advanced Generation Time line, the land is rooted by an interplanetary war that extends to 100 years. The plot of this series revolves around three protagonists belonging to the same family. Each of them is the pilot of his own version of the Gundam and they struggle to defend the land and its colonies from an enemy "race" superior to the human in technological terms. This is the setting of Mobile Suit Gundam AGE.

Reguild Century

This timeline is far beyond the Universal Century, even after the Correct Century, being chronologically the last era of the Universal Century but in turn located outside of it. In it a series of wars between the colonies has led planet Earth to ecological destabilization and to the shortage of resources, so batteries called "Photon batteries" are highly demanded for subsistence on earth. In this era, the land is regulated by the "Torre Capital", a theocentric government (Similar to that of the Vatican City) located in the Amazon (Ultimate green place left on the earth, most of the Earth's population is forced to live in this area) that exercises as a distributor of such batteries. Torre Capital has a space elevator that allows you to access various colonies of space, the last stop being a forbidden place for the inhabitants of the earth. A technological taboo has also been imposed because of the wars that devastated the earth and it is forbidden to make use of certain machines due to the SU Concordat. It is the setting of the series Gundam Reconguist in G.

Post Disaster

In it came "The War of Calamity" 300 years before the setting of the plot of the series. The war of calamity was a rebellion of the spatial colonies against the authoritarian government of the earth, by which the earth lost its structure of government being replaced by a new one. In addition, as a result of the War of Calamity, a paramilitary organization called Gjallarhorn is established and is in charge of the colonies and Mars. However, in Mars, an independentist movement led by Kudelia Aina Bernstein begins to emerge, making claims for Mars' release due to the misery of the Martian population because of the harsh economic conditions it suffers. As a curiosity, it is known that there is a crater in Australia, just like in the Universal Century and After War. In this line of the series Iron Blooded Orphans

Ad Stella

In the Ad Stella era, a multitude of corporations have entered space and built a huge economic system. A solitary girl from the remote Mercury planet is transferred to the Asticassia School of Technology, led by the Beneritt Group, which dominates the mobile suits industry. In this alternating line the series is set Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury.

Definition of Gundam

Each of these timelines shows settings, characters and military conflicts in different situations and circumstances and in each of them the term "Gundam" has a different definition.

• In the Universal Century, "Gundam" is the name of the first multipurpose Mobile Suit experimental prototype developed by the Earth Federation. In this timeline, "Gundam" is the abbreviation of General-purpose Utility, Non Discontinuity Augmentation Maneuvering weapon system.
• In Future Century the word "Gundam" refers to the "Combate Gundam", a competition where it is determined which colony will have the right to govern others for 4 years.
• In After Colony Gundam is the name that all Mobile Suits have been built with alloy of "gundamio".
• In Cosmic Era, gundams are mobile suits with the special operating system: GUNDAMGeneration Unrestricted Network Drive Assault Module).
• In the Anno Domini the term is the generic designation of a special line of Mobile Suits of latest technology.
• In Advanced Generation, the Gundam is a legendary mobile suit developed by the ancestors of the character Flit Asuno. When Flitt inherits the AGE device from his mother, it realizes that it contains a similar planes to the legendary Gundam that he saw in a painting and therefore decides to give it that name.

Yoshiyuki Tomino is the creator, director, and principal writer of the original series Mobile Suit Gundam (1979) and its immediate sequels in both print and audiovisual media. However, over the years, various people other than Tomino have had the opportunity to be involved in creating, directing, or producing new material for the franchise. From there arises the appearance of several timelines that focus on the concept of the Gundam, each one in a different way.

The illustrator recruited by Yoshiyuki Tomino to create the gadgets for the original 1979 series was Kunio Okawara. Okawara designed each and every machine that appeared in this first series, most notably the Gundam, the titular MS. Since then, almost all of the Gundams that have appeared in the franchise have followed the concept of Kunio Okawara's original design (face, a gun, a shield, lightsabers, red colors , blue , white , and yellow ) along with some major layout and color changes. Other designers who have had the opportunity to work on the franchise apart from Okawara are: Hajime Katoki, Kimitoshi Yamane, Mika Akitaka, Kazumi Fujita (Zeta Gundam) and even Shoji Kawamori, from the Macross franchise.

Derivatives

Over the years, various types of stories and settings have been produced in keeping with the development and diversification of the franchise. SD Gundam, is a sub-franchise derived from Gundam that began in the mid-1980s. SD Gundam features gadgets and characters from various Gundam series in an anthropomorphic Super Deformed style in various historical or fantasy settings with heavy emphasis on comedy and adventure. In addition, animated productions framed in more contemporary settings and using Gumplas (Gundam models) as the main premise have recently been developed, as seen in series such as Model Suit Gunpla Builders Beginning G and Gundam Build Fighters.

Franchise

Animated series, OVAs and feature films

All timelines are fictional, and except for Mobile Suit Gundam 00 which is set in the 24th century, where battles occur between Earth and space colonies (and in some cases the Moon and terraformed planets). Gundam Build Fighters and derivatives does not correspond to the fictional chronology, since the events are set in alternate present day.

Video Games

Video game arcade Mobile Suit Gundam: Bonds of the Battlefield

In the wake of Gundam's popularity, around eighty different video games have been made for various platforms, including arcades, personal computers, and home video game consoles. Dynasty Warriors Gundam is a Gundam video game that has game mechanics based on the Dynasty Warriors games.

Novels and Manga

Gundam Models

Gundam models, or gunpla (ガンプラ, Ganpura^?) are a product that began to be commercialized from the year 1980. The creation, production and construction of Gundam models has been one of the keys to the lasting success of the franchise. Hundreds of models have been launched under a wide variety of classifications (High Grade, Master Grade, Perfect Grade...), materials (plastic-resin or metal) and scales (1:35, 1:48, 1:60, 1:100, 1:144, 1:200, 1:400, 1:1200 and more). Special promotional 1:06 or 1:12 scale models are sold to retailers only and are not available to the general public.

Series about battles with Gunpla

The popularity of Gundam models has led to the creation of various productions in both manga and anime, where characters use their custom gundam models to compete against each other in simulated combat. Some are:

• Plamo-Kyoshiro (1982-1986)
  • This was the first manga production based on the Gundam Models line. The sleeve displays modified original series models, such as the PF-78-1 Perfect Gundam, Red Warriorand the Musha Gundamwhich were approved by Bandai and subsequently launched as official models of the line. the same have made appearance in several video games. From this sleeve was where the idea came from that would shape G Gundam, series where the excitement of the pilot is reflected in the machine. Some series that follow the same concept are:
    • New Plamo-kyo Shiro
    • Super Warrior Gundam Yaro
    • Plamo-kin Taro
• Plamo-Wars(1994~1998)
• Gunpla Musashi
• Gundam Build Fighters
• Gundam Build Fighters Try'

Merchandise and products

Toyota Auris Char Aznable Version (Char’s Customize Auris).

Gundam Cafe. In the picture, note both drinks, the Athrun Zala mixed cocktail (front) and Haro mixed beverage (phone).

Bandai is the main licensee of the Gundam brand, and as such, produces a wide variety of products aimed at fans of the series. There are other companies that produce unofficial merchandise, such as toys, models, clothing, etc. There are several product categories, such as the “Mobile Suit In Action” (“MSiA”) series of action figures and plastic buildable models in various scales and levels of complexity. Typically, each of the series listed above has its own product line, although the categories of "MSiA" and "Gumpla" ("MG" and "HGUC") may span across series.

Recently the line of figures that has proven to be most popular is the "Gundam Fix FIGuration". This line of figures includes gadgets that have appeared in animated series, manga, and novels, but these come with more accessories to create a more advanced version of them.

In 2010 Bandai released a new line of Gundam models to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the franchise, the Real Grade category of models. The release of the RG models gave way to a new way of building the Models. Gundam. The RG models combine the detailed internal structure of the MG with additional color distinction, making these figures complex in design and compact in size. In 2011, after the introduction of the RG line, Bandai released the new Metal Build line starting with the Gundam 00 (double 0) apparatus. Metal Build Series gadgets have a greater variety of poses thanks to their high level of articulation.

The relative merchandise Gundam has managed to express itself to products other than figures. In October 2013, Toyota launched a Char Aznable-inspired Toyota Auris called Char’s Customize Auris (Pictured). The vehicle was first introduced in August 2012 as a concept car, but the general public response led to the model ending up on the market. The launch of this vehicle was widely advertised under the slogan Zeonic Toyota.

Gundam Cafe

Apart from the above, there is also the Gundam Cafe, a restaurant & themed bar alluding to Gundam. The first Gundam Cafe was inaugurated jointly with the Bandai Museum on July 19, 2003 in Matsudo, Chiba, Japan. This first store was located on the last level of the aforementioned museum, which was closed on January 15, 2006 and moved to Mibu, in Shimotsuga, Tochigi, Japan. On April 24, 2010, the Gundam Cafe was reopened in downtown Akihabara, a mecca for otaku culture in Japan. The Gundam Cafe sells food and drinks. alluding to fictional devices, characters, and places from the Gundam multiverse.

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  Facade of the Gundam Cafe Akihabara, proof of the popularity of the franchise.

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  Another photo of Gundam Cafe.

Mobile Suit Gundam UC × Limited Express Rapi:t Neo Xeon Version

A train from the series Nankai 50000 was painted all red to coincide with the premiere of the seventh and final episode of the OVA Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn and with the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Nankai Airport Line. The red painted train entered service on April 26, 2014 and ran until June 30 of the same year.

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  Photo of the alusive red train to Gundam, May 2014

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  Photograph of the interior of the train, May 2014

International broadcast

Since the 1980s, the Gundam series has been broadcast in many parts of the world; to date, in the following countries^{[citation required]}:

Country	New Year
Italy Hong Kong	1980
Taiwan China Thailand	1981
Singapore Malaysia South Korea	1982
Philippines	1983
Indonesia	1987
United States Canada Mexico Australia & New Zealand Rest of Europe	2000

Impact

Gundam is a cultural icon of Japan, and is a 50 billion yen business owned by the Namco Bandai Holdings corporation. The franchise's profits peaked in 2006, with profits hovering at 54.5 billion yen. An employee of Japan's Ministry of Agriculture was caught and punished for contributing to Japanese Wikipedia articles relating to Gundam from his work station. The Japan Self-Defense Forces used the word "Gundam" such as code name^{[citation required]} for his advanced personal combat system. The Japanese fire department used the Gundam RX-78-2 as part of a campaign to promote the development of new technologies aimed at fighting and preventing fires. A railway station erected a statue of the Gundam RX-78-2 and used the opening theme from the original series as its opening tune. The Gundam multiverse has made an appearance in various video games in Banpresto's Super Robots Wars series.