T5W#562-Top 5 Announcements from the Gundam 50th Anniversary Project

We’re three years out from it but come 2029, Mobile Suit Gundam turns the big 50.  Not bad for a franchise that began with a show that was cancelled before it’s intended ending.  Yet here it is, one of the mightiest Mecha franchises of all time proving its staying power and influence five decades later.  Seeing how big of a power it is in the world of Anime, looks like Sunrise is getting the ball rolling pretty early with a whole slew of announcements and plans for the 50^th.   There’s a lot going on but we’re here today to talk about five of the big ones on todays Top 5 Wednesday.  These are the Top 5 Announcements from the Gundam 50^th Anniversary Project.

 
#5-Farewell, Unicorn Gundam

We start things off with something bittersweet.  This August, the life sized Gundam Unicorn in Odaiba is officially being retired.  This massive thing of beauty has been a staple of Gundam ever since it was first unveiled in 2017 and has become a must see attraction for any Gundam fan lucky enough to see it in person.  While this is an end of an era, it does raise the question: will another model take it’s place for the 50^th Anniversary?  A new version of the original RX78-2?  Maybe go bigger with the Xi from Gundam Hathaway?  Or maybe even another popular model from series like 00, SEED or Iron Blooded Orphans?  Whatever the case may be, if you wanna visit Japan and see a real life Gundam with your own eyes, get your asses in gear people.

 
#4-Mobile Suit Gundam Remastered

While there may not be any word of a full on remake of the series in the style of The Origin or Cucuruz Doan’s Island, the original epic that started it all is coming back in its own big way for the 50^th Anniversary.  Seeing the 1979 Mobile Suit Gundam restored and cleaned up for a high definition 4k release on Blu Ray is crazy exciting, even more so if they throw in the Movie Trilogy as a bonus.  I’m more stoked about this thanks to footage from Gundam Hathaway Part 2 that revisits the events of Char’s Counterattack but keeps the original animation stylings intact.  That looked spectacular and I cant wait to revisit the One Year War in a similar fashion.
 

#3-Gundam Con 2027

Next January will see a special Gundam centric convention being held in Makuhari Messe.  While not a lot is known about the full line up, the event promises to be one for Gundam fans of all ages.  Teases of features include participation from many directly involved in Gundam franchise project and a host of tournaments and workshops for fans of Gunpla, the trading card game, video games and more.  Wouldn’t be surprised if they even hosted some special screenings (maybe the confirmed theatrical release of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom Zero could drop here).  Totally not jealous of anyone who gets to experience the magic here.

 
#2-New Gundam Wing is Coming

The Gundam that got a lot of us into Gundam turned 30 last year and Sunrise celebrated with an incredible short video recreating the iconic Rhythm Emotion opening with brand new animation.  Guess to say that it was well received is selling it short because GUNDAM WING IS COMING BACK!!! How and what this is exactly isnt clear.  All that’s been shared is that it’s a new “long form project.”  Does this mean a revitalized and newly animated remake of the original?  Could we be getting Frozen Teardrop, which had Anime footage at the end of the 30^th Anniversary video?  Do I dare dream Episode Zero becomes a reality?  Whatever it is, the staying power of Gundam Wing has been proven and love it or hate it, it’s back baby and we’re ready for more.
 

#1-A Boy and Gundam

The 50^th Anniversary Project announcements kicked off with a special short video titled “A Boy and Gundam”.  Backed to a kick ass song, “Masterpiece by People 1” the video follows the life and times of a lifelong Gundam fan who has followed the franchise during it’s near 50 year run.  We get to witness him watching the original series, finding friends to build Gunpla, finding love and even introducing his son to Gundam (his reaction to G Gundam is priceless) before closing out on his Granddaughters lighting up when she sees the mobile moving Gundam from a few years back.  Not only does this perfectly encapsulate what it feels like to be a Gundam fan at any stage of life, whether you’ve been there from the beginning or jumped in back in 2000 like I did, every corner of the Gundam franchise is repped here in some way or another from 0079 to Zeta to G to Wing to SEED to 00 to IBO and Hathaway.  It’s a beautiful piece of animation and a labor of love that brought tears to my eyes.  Still a Gundam fan 26 years later and not gonna stop being one anytime soon.  Bring on 2029 and 50 years of Gundam magic.