Studio Khara and Sunrise Collaborate on Gundam GQuuuuuuX

The highly anticipated new Gundam series, “機動戦士 Gundam GQuuuuuuX (Gundam GQuuuuuuX),” is set to launch, marking the first collaboration between Studio Khara, known for the “Evangelion” Rebuild series, and Sunrise. The series will premiere on January 17, 2025, with a special screening of a restructured version titled “機動戦士 Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-” across 373 theaters nationwide.

Plot Overview

In this new installment, we follow the story of Amate Yuzuriha, a high school girl living peacefully in a space colony. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she meets a war refugee girl named Nyaan, leading her into the world of illegal mobile suit dueling competitions known as “Clan Battle.” Under the entry name “Machu,” Yuzuriha pilots the mysterious advanced mobile suit GQuuuuuuX and becomes embroiled in intense battles as a member of the “Pomeranians.” Meanwhile, a mysterious mobile suit, Gundam, and its pilot, Shuji Ito, are being pursued by the space military and police, adding further intrigue to the story.

Main Characters and Cast

• Amate Yuzuriha (Machu) – Voiced by Tomoyo Kurosawa
• Nyaan – Voiced by Yui Ishikawa
• Shuji Ito – Voiced by Shimba Tsuchiya

Yuzuriha, who feels that her peaceful life in the colony is somewhat fake, is portrayed by Tomoyo Kurosawa. Yui Ishikawa voices Nyaan, who struggles with communication but has a strong will to survive. Shuji, who participates in Clan Battle for a purpose, is voiced by Shimba Tsuchiya.

Production Team

The main staff includes familiar faces from Studio Khara’s works, with Kazuyuki Morita directing, known for titles like “FLCL” and “The Dragon Dentist.” The series composition and script are handled by Yoshiyuki Enokido, while character design is by Take, and mechanical design by Ikuto Yamashita. The storyboard is crafted by Makoto Maeda and Toko Yatabe, with Hideaki Anno, the head of Studio Khara, also contributing to the script and design work. The executive producer is Naohiro Ogata, known for “機動戦士ガンダム水星の魔女 (Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury).”

Promotional Material and Merchandise

A teaser video has been released, showcasing Yuzuriha (Machu) engaging in mobile suit battles. The voices of Yuzuriha, Nyaan, and Shuji can be heard, along with several other characters whose details remain undisclosed. Pre-sale tickets for the screening will be available on December 13 for 1500 yen, with a special T-shirt bundle available for 4800 yen at TOHO animation STORE. Additionally, the highly anticipated Gunpla model “HG 1/144 GQuuuuuuX” will be released on the same day as the film’s premiere, priced at 2200 yen.

Upcoming Events

To celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Gundam series, a large-scale free event titled “GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE -FINAL-” will feature displays from the new series. This event will take place from February 21 to 24, 2025, at the Shinjuku Sumitomo Building in Tokyo, and from April 1 to 14 at Grand Front Osaka. Additionally, a snow sculpture of GQuuuuuuX will be created alongside the RX-78-2 Gundam at the Sapporo Snow Festival from February 4 to 11.

Cast Comments

Here are some comments from the cast:

• Tomoyo Kurosawa (Amate Yuzuriha/Machu):“I had the opportunity to portray Machu. Being involved in this project, I was deeply moved by the strength and passion of the Gundam legacy. I am eagerly looking forward to the release of this high-energy work directed by Kazuyuki Morita.”
• Yui Ishikawa (Nyaan):“Nyaan, a former refugee, struggles with communication but has survived on her own. It’s fascinating to see her make her first friend and how she gets involved in the story. I can’t predict the ending, and I hope everyone enjoys Studio Khara’s take on Gundam!”
• Shimba Tsuchiya (Shuji Ito):“Getting cast in this project was a bolt from the blue for me. Shuji may seem mysterious, but his words reflect his reality. I focused on maintaining a normal boy’s perspective while delivering my lines. I encourage everyone to think deeply about the story!”