‘Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX’ Director on Breaking Barriers With Prime Video’s Anime Powerhouse: ‘What Does It Mean for a Woman to Pilot a Gundam?’

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How does it unfold when the imaginative minds behind “Evangelion” and “Gundam” meet? You can find out by asking director Kazuya Tsurumaki, who is stirring up long-standing anime customs by having a female character pilot the renowned mecha in “Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX,” which airs on Prime Video.

As a passionate cinephile, I dared to put forward some unconventional concepts, fully expecting them to be turned down for the groundbreaking partnership between Studio Khara and Bandai Namco Filmworks’ Sunrise. To my surprise, they were accepted, and I found myself stepping up as the director.

As a passionate fan, I’d say:

“I’m drawn into an exciting narrative about Amate Yuzuriha, a high school girl residing in a tranquil space colony. One day, I encounter a refugee named Nyaan, and we’re both dragged into an illicit mobile suit dueling tournament known as ‘Clan Battle.’ Adopting the alias ‘Machu,’ I take control of a GQuuuuuuX, engaging in intense daily combats. The plot thickens when an unknown Mobile Suit, dubbed ‘Gundam,’ and its mysterious pilot, Shuuji — hunted by both the space military and police — crosses my path as the world teeters on the brink of a new epoch.

The creative minds behind two iconic Japanese mecha series, “GQuuuuuuX” brings together talents such as Tsurumaki, who was an assistant director on the original “Evangelion” series and director of shows like “FLCL”. Now, he leads a stellar group that includes Hideaki Anno, the genius behind “Evangelion”, scriptwriter Yoji Enokido, Ikuto Yamashita responsible for mechanical designs, and character designer Take from “Pokémon Journeys”.

Tsurumaki reflects on his experience working on ‘mecha’ and ‘robot’ anime, such as the ‘Evangelion’ series, stating that he and Khara’s team have a unique skillset, particularly in blending character and mechanical action. He believes this expertise could significantly enhance Gundam, explaining the potential synergy between these two influential mecha anime giants.

Through their extensive collaboration on the ‘Evangelion’ series, the director’s professional bond with Anno has evolved. Originally, Anno was the director and the speaker held a supporting role. However, in their latest project, ‘GQuuuuuuX’, the roles have switched. Now, the speaker is in a position to decide whether to accept Anno’s suggestions. If they agree with his ideas, they will be implemented; if not, they can express their disagreement. The director is thankful for having a professional partnership that allows such flexibility and collaboration.

The series breaks new ground for the franchise as it introduces a leading female character, with creator Tsurumaki expressing that this time around they wanted to delve into the unique perspective of “What would it be like for a woman to pilot a Gundam?”

In this version, I’ve tried to maintain the original meaning while using simpler and more conversational language to make it easier for readers to understand.

The director admitted he had worries about facing multiple criticisms regarding this creative decision at first. However, to his surprise, not only did Yoji Enokido support us, but so did Hideaki Anno. Additionally, after we outlined our plan, other ‘Gundam’ series with female leads followed suit, validating our selection of a female protagonist as an appropriate choice.

Tsurumaki points out that having Ikuto Yamashita on board for mechanical design was essential to the project’s concept. “Yamashita isn’t just a designer; he tackles his work with the perspective of a science fiction writer. His way of blending engineering principles and mechanical aspects into his designs perfectly matches our goals for this project,” he explains. “In the annals of Gundam design, there has been a progression from Kunio Okawara’s tank-like basis to Hajime Katoki’s incorporation of aircraft-like features. Yamashita offers a unique approach that heavily emphasizes a ‘space’ perspective.

One notable change Tsurumaki introduces to the Gundam franchise lies in his character design. He intentionally avoids using the typical slapstick and absurd animation styles seen in ‘FLCL’. Instead, he focuses on preserving the essence of Gundam as a serious series. Yet, in terms of character development, particularly for Machu and Comoli Harcourt, I believe we’ve added elements that are more akin to ‘FLCL’, offering a unique twist compared to traditional Gundam series characters.

Speaking about directing in today’s digital era, Tsurumaki notes how the field is evolving: “As artificial intelligence advances, we can now produce animation styles that were previously unattainable through traditional hand-drawing. Consequently, the abilities needed for future anime directors might extend beyond drawing skills, encompassing proficiency in leveraging emerging technologies to bring their unique perspectives and narratives to life.

Asked about the artistic forces behind his unique approach, Tsurumaki credits an unconventional influence. He refers to the music video for Tokyo Jihen’s ‘Senkou Shoujo’ (Flash Girl) as the source that left a lasting impact on his work. Since then, this video has consistently inspired him in various ways. For instance, the portrayal of friendship and conflict between female characters in ‘Gunbuster 2: Diebuster’, such as the relationship between Machu and Nyaan in GQuuuuuuX, can be traced back to the bond between Machu and Nyaan from the music video.

Mobile Suit Gundam: GQX” is now available for streaming worldwide on Prime Video, releasing new episodes every week. The original Japanese voice actors include Tomoyo Kurosawa as Amate Yuzuriha (also known as Machu), Yui Ishikawa as Nyaan, and Shimba Tsuchiya as Shuji Itō. Kenshi Yonezu sings the theme song titled “Plazma.

According to Tsurumaki, due to the increasing popularity of streaming platforms, Japanese anime is currently being enjoyed synchronously across different parts of the world. He expresses his wish that upcoming creators will initially focus on developing content for the local Japanese market, keeping in mind its global potential.

He expresses: “I’m looking forward to witnessing individuals who can spread the enchanting essence of Japanese anime worldwide, while still preserving its distinctive allure. This isn’t merely about global expansion; it’s about gauging how universally the fundamental value of Japanese anime culture will be acknowledged.

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2025-04-29 20:52