Kidou Senshi Gundam: GQuuuuuuX

In the year Universal Century 0079, the Earth Federation and Principality of Zeon battled on opposite sides of the deadly One Year War. During one skirmish, infamous Zeon pilot Char Aznable successfully infiltrated an enemy base and stole a prototype mobile suit called the Gundam. With this powerful weapon, Char helped his allies achieve a decisive victory. However, in a freak accident involving the Gundam's advanced technology, Char vanishes alongside his signature red mobile suit.

Six years later, pockets of war continue to rage on. Teenager Amate "Machu" Yuzuriha lives on a quiet space colony with her mother. Though her classmates attend taxing cram schools, Machu yearns for a more exciting life. Her wishes are answered through the crash landing of the Gundam QuuuuuuX, a state-of-the-art mobile suit used by a squad of Zeon soldiers. Machu discovers a natural affinity with the suit, and she uses it to fend off Federation forces. She is aided in her efforts by the mysterious Shuuji Itou, who pilots a Gundam that bears a remarkable resemblance to the one once used by the missing Char.

Unbeknownst to Machu, her brawl is witnessed by a group of mecha enthusiasts who use mobile suits to fight in duos for competitive sport. In the pursuit of a thrilling life and human connection, Machu partners with Shuuji and engages in a series of escalating clan battles as hints of a greater conflict loom above her.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Yuzuriha, Amate Main

Kurosawa, Tomoyo Japanese

Nyaan Main

Ishikawa, Yui Japanese

Itou, Shuuji Main

Tsuchiya, Simba Japanese

Aznable, Char Supporting

Shin, Yuuki Japanese

Haro Supporting

Kugimiya, Rie Japanese

Sune, Lalah Supporting

Youmiya, Hina Japanese

Zabi, Gihren Supporting

Yamadera, Kouichi Japanese

Zabi, Kycilia Supporting

Nazuka, Kaori Japanese

Bull, Challia Supporting

Kawada, Shinji Japanese

Harcourt, Comoli Supporting

Fujita, Akane Japanese

Sugitani, Yuuki Producer

Kasai, Keisuke Producer

Banzai, Masayuki Producer

Tsurumaki, Kazuya Director, Episode Director, Storyboard

Reviews

Jun 24, 2025

ZNoteTaku

Recommended

Well-written

“Gundam is a series that has a long history. I watched it as a child, and it has continued on. It’s been around a long time. However, the generation of fans has really been extended. We now have many young generations who have never even watched the first Gundam. I think the first Gundam is extremely interesting, so I really want the young people to watch it because I know they will find it interesting as well. Thankfully, we have subscriptions where you can watch it anywhere, anytime. In the past, if a show was no longer on television, you could no longer watch it. ... I hope that the new generation could also watch the old Gundam as well. If that is materialized, I would be really happy.”

~Tsurumaki Kazuya, asked about what he hopes *Mobile Suit Gundam: GQuuuuuuX’s* legacy would be within the franchise, excerpted from a Gizmodo interview with Isaiah Colbert, 29 April 2025.

Tsurumaki’s remark is as insightful as it is low-key hilarious. If we imagine *GQuuuuuuX* as a kind of giant trolling to get people to watch the original *Mobile Suit Gundam* (either in its original TV format or the truncated trilogy films that arguably saved the franchise), then calling this a failure is a lot harder to sell. I cannot speak on behalf of everyone, but I did happen to notice an uptick in the number of times someone catalogued the original series in some form or another. I found myself talking about lore or characters in this franchise with people who had never expressed an interest in it beforehand, and found my own intrigue in it delightfully rekindled. To possibly an even greater extent than Sunrise / Bandai Namco’s own attempt to do so with *The Witch from Mercury*, interest in *Gundam* was earnestly considering the historical object that it is, a thing that existed back in the late 1970s and has endured throughout all its sub-universes and timelines, directors, and Tomino Yoshiyuki depression. Lord knows that two others and I pestered someone in our groupwatch to “get on with” watching the trilogy films before our *GQuuuuuuX* sessions began—and he did, though it took a while!

And through all of it, people like Tsurumaki latched onto *Gundam* as a thing to love. Earlier in the article, he mentions some of the conflicting images of *Gundam* that have cropped up, using his own production staff as a test sample. Everyone knew of and loved *Gundam*, but not for necessarily the same reasons. As for what those reasons are? Only they know, and we can only guess. Yet, it is precisely because of *Gundam’s* long lifespan that it even has the privilege to be viewed with this kind of plurality. The underlying themes of war, children, violence, and space as planes of existence for mankind’s uncertain future will always exist within the franchise, but they’ve likewise always been packaged in bizarre forms. Sometimes, those forms have been compelling. Sometimes, they’ve really sucked. Sometimes, they’ve been quirky. Point being, all of these are indicative of an attempt to make sense of what *Gundam* does and means. This was even true at the start, considering it was marketing and toy-selling that ultimately saved the franchise and any ideas within it from fading into obscurity.

So, what exactly did Tsurumaki and his fellow creatives do? *GQuuuuuuX* is true *Gundam* in the sense of its holding fast to emotional cores and throwing its characters into the deeper ends of the outer space swimming pool, where fighting against something seems to be the only way they know how to live or form connection of any sort. Caught within the quagmire of trying to survive economically or spiritually, Amate Yuzuriha and Nyaan find themselves thrust into underground battles in a post-One Year War time where Zeon won and life continued along that trajectory. Crashing through the manufactured skies of Side 6, a fabled Red Gundam intrudes itself into the lives of everyone involved, chased by the titular GQuuuuuuX. And Shuji, a zombie of a soul, seems to pathologically bond with the Gundam and inserts himself (like the songs do during battle) into the dynamic between Amate and Nyaan. A found family in the oddest sense, they’re people who recognize that they are attracted to one another but cannot necessarily articulate why. The piloting of the Red Gundam and the GQuuuuuuX is itself the articulation – impulsive, bombastic, and perhaps stupid. Home is the cockpit, because even if the chance is the tiniest bit remote, they at least have some kind of respite from the outer forces they cannot control. But with one another, or through one another? Maybe salvation is possible.

Granted, that’s not to say that it does not have problems, even taking that into consideration. If *GQuuuuuuX* was to be analyzed like it were plain text on paper and divorced from just about everything else (which is a habit we must break), it would indeed appear that things kind of happen seemingly out of nowhere. How could the characterization appear to be so vague? Why even bother proposing some kind of multiverse / alt-timeline if you won’t give it more time? How could it rely so heavily on nostalgia key-jingling for its audience, as “hype” as those moments could be? How could it do this? For those who may long for the days of 50-episode *Gundam* sagas and the so-totally-straight-amirite interpretation of its characters or actions, *GQuuuuuuX* seems to run (and not just in the OP) afoul with reckless abandon. Maybe it would be nice if every single moment along the way had a clean explanation that could be found by pointing at a screenshot.

But what would that actually achieve? Not much, I don’t think. Reason being, the series is not trying to hit upon something that neatly maps onto a conventional narrative structure. With any franchise that has a long lifespan, there reaches a point of acceptance as a fan when you long to see things get a little weirder or get a little crazier, coherence to the narrative be damned. *Dragon Ball DAIMA* may not have done the idea of worldbuilding in its universe or “the lore” many favors, but it had a grasp on the inherent silliness of its setting and followed through, barely giving any concern to “canonicity.” Tsurumaki and his team have created something that exists in pure enthusiasm, something born from underlying love and affection, and that’s not easily mappable onto a story that we did not ourselves take part in creating in regards to writing or developing. But tonally? It’s there in every swooping camera shot, Amate or Nyaan getting mad, Shuji being the aloof dork wunderkind, or Kycilia wearing her mask and executing the people who hate her while she sits right there, watching it all unfold.

*GQuuuuuuX* as a piece of media is not to be analyzed in the typical way that we do with caring so deeply about plots, characters, or any of the other ways we exercise as media consumers / interpreters of media. This series pointedly does not exist in a vacuum; it exists entirely because of the original’s existence and the profound influence it had on Tsurumaki and everyone else who ever thought about its universe, dressed like Char for an anime convention (and hopefully didn’t think his “drop a meteor on it” philosophy was a good idea), or saw Fa running in the ED of their dreams. Is the series nostalgic? Unapologetically. Is it a mess? Unapologetically. Was it made with love? Unapologetically.

And I suspect Tomino would be okay with this.

When Tomino created *∀ Gundam*, it was a declaration that all kinds of ideas about what *Gundam* was up to that point were accepted with his blessing. In keeping with that optimistic spirit, that show’s very existence was also a way of saying that, in a way, *Gundam* no longer belonged to him. In drawing upon the language of universal quantification for the show’s title (∀), he was likewise giving a blessing to those who sought to see what *Gundam* could do from then on. Tomino is in his 80s at the time of this writing; he has more years behind him than ahead of him. He cannot keep making *Gundam* forever, so it must be left in the hands of those who love the material so much that they would want to do something, anything, with it beyond token marketing.

That is, ultimately, what Tsurumaki and his team have done. Even if they have never themselves experienced war like those of the past, they love *Gundam* and what it means, and given the chance to take the keys from Sunrise / Bandai Namco, they allowed their juices to flow with a kind of freedom that many creatives wish they could be afforded. They knew this process, and the product that would result, would be an alienating one, but it’s a risk they took on with full knowledge of that. *Gundam* at its best has always taken risks, be they narrative or metatextual. And here now, I find myself more enthused than ever for what lies ahead. Like its many models, or debates over whether the Rick Dom or GM were stronger according to Tsurumaki’s interview, *Gundam* will continue into whatever bizarro version of itself it has in store.

Tomino's *Gundam* is not coming back in the strictest sense. It was forged during a time when increasingly-dying-out people were old enough to remember--or live in the aftershock of--Japan's most horrifying traumatic event. I highly doubt anyone would say that such an event needs to be experienced again just so another installment can be made that "has actual meaning for my fellow Newtypes." War is always a stone's throw away (and as such, war fiction will forever be in vogue), but there are other battles to be fought as time and its protagonists sprint forward. *GQuuuuuuX* is not like old *Gundam*, and that’s how it should be. Because, now in the year 2025, it makes the claim that, even in the midst of circumstances you cannot make heads or tails of, humanity's ability to cling to SOMETHING, or even perhaps anything, is the first step in taking your own future by the reins, even if that something is acknowledging your own malaise or frustration. Tsurumaki wanted to make people watch *Gundam*. He had that something, and he did something with it.

And if you ask me, that’s pretty dope.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Jun 24, 2025

Mr_U

Mixed Feelings

DISCLAIMER: I have not watched any other Gundams and in fact have hardly watched any mecha (besides Code Geass and...oh god Guilty Crown I'm so old)

I really

really really really really

really really really really really really really really really really really really really

REALLY wish this series was 2 seasons like the past Gundam series apparently were

There is no avoiding it. This series is an absolute mess. Our main leads have "arcs", but they feel like sudden plot points rather than proper progression and don't get to interact nearly as much as I would have wanted. Like suddenly, this character needs to feel angry, ... suddenly this conflict between these two characters needs to be resolved. There is way too much going on for such a short series, between multiverses, political feuds, an initial premise that gets turned on its head halfway through, and tons upon tons of undercooked characters. There's a ton of jargon and references to other Gundam shows that makes it difficult for me as a new view to keep up with (Episode 2 was pretty much a non-starter for me). And, well, there's still a big reliance on "hype moments and aura". The fact that this series started development in *2018* is just a sign that this series had a troubled development, and it would explain a lot since that's the same year Spiderverse came out (which I am absolutely sure this anime owes a lot to).

Anyways, Gundam GQuuuuuuux is the first anime series (not counting movies) I've finished watching as it aired since Assassination Classroom and it reminded me why I fucking love this medium.

What hooked me to GQuuuuuux was its colorful sense of its style, its visuals and animation, its wonderful soundtrack, and its premise. Holy crap, I love the premise of young people stumbling upon a mecha and getting roped into doing illegal underground combat for the purposes of making money and getting some excitement in their lives. Yes, the premise isn't at all reflective of how the series shakes out. And yes, I really really wish Nyaan and Machu got more development. But...god damn it, I love these two characters. I love Nyaan's desire to find a life that fulfills her after losing everything, and her uneasiness with people, her bright and ecstatic highs and her cold and lonely lows. I love Machu being this goofy ass high school shonen angsty teenager who somehow got roped into having to pilot a mech for criminals and using it to make her life feel less mundane. I treasure every moment I get to spend with these eccentric dorks and their journey to free themselves from the world around them. I adore stories about multiple normal characters wanting to lead normal lives, but are forced to enter fights involving powers far beyond their understanding, and have to fight not to "save the world", but simply for their own inner peace and the people and small world they care about. And that ending...man. I know it was a big dose of "hype moments and aura", I know that last bit was way too painfully short, but...I JUST LOVE THESE CHARACTERS AAAAAAAAAA

There is a hole in my heart after finishing this series. I can't tell what exactly is the cause. Is it disappointment? Do I wish this series was more than it was? Or is the fact that I can't accept that this is the last we'll see of these characters and that their story is likely finished? I mean, I guess in that case I should be upset that the show is rushed and I don't feel satisfied with the journey I had with these characters. But...in a modern anime landscape where there is so much coming out, so many high quality fantasy and shonen anime that I just can't bring myself to care about, so much isekai, I am just glad there exists a messy-ass, but passionate, human-focused, and gorgeous-looking sci-fi anime I can have fun with. I'm glad this made it out of its 7 year development alive and I got to meet these characters at all.

Should you watch Gundam GQuuuuuux? Unless you're already a big Gundam fan, or you're a sci-fi loving freak like me who sees the beauty in the messiest pieces of media, absolutely not.

In fact, this is maybe a sign I should develop better taste and watch FLCL and Gurren Lagann...and other Gundams...and Evangelion...and fuck it, I should probably watch Symphogear too. Or maybe I'll give up on anime series again and return to manga and anime movies.

But the fact remains...this is what pulled me back into watching anime.

Thank you, Gundam Gquuuuuux, for reminding me why I love anime.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Jun 24, 2025

Ionliosite2

Not Recommended

This is what you guys get from not being harsh enough on Unicorn.

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX is a Khara production, and as such, it's a cynical cash grab made to exploit nostalgia for a better series that this one fundamentally misunderstands. It's a show that suffers from an identity crisis, trying to both be an alternate universe version of the original Gundam that explores a OYW where Zeon won, but also a FLCL-style coming of age story for a group of young Newtypes who don't know how to face the world. Instead of deciding to pick one, the show tries to cram both radically different ... storylines in a mere 12 episodes, leading to both sides to be criminally underdeveloped due to a lack of breathing room, leaving both the character development non-existent and the world building of such a changed UC a blip on the radar.

Machu is very clearly intended to be a Kamille type character, a rebel who wants to break free into the world but doesn't have a way to so they go straight to violence, but that's basically all her character, she never really grows in any way and never faces consequences for her actions, she ultimately exists as a character the UC cast can give exposition to. Shuji is basically a mix of Kaworu and Lalah, a mysterious boy whose relationship to the MC serves to drive a breaking point, but we're never given explanations on WHO he is and HOW he's involved with the Rose of Sharon at all. Nyaan is probably the most developed of the three, as her desire for a new place to belong actually gets her on a way to take greater role in the story, but the entire thing is cut short with no real resolution once she's reduced to just a love triangle with Machu and Shuji.

Something really damning about this show is that, despite the constant key jiggling of references to the original Gundam and Zeta (constantly bringing characters and even music from those even if it plays no role on the plot, like the Titans), it really doesn't seem to understand the characters it is using from those old shows. Why would Char want to do CCA like Challia says? He never lived the events of Zeta, he has no reason to have his faith in humanity broken over his dreams of a giving the next generation to Kamille and the AEUG being shattered, him wanting to do this without that context is completely opposite to his portrayal in the actual CCA movie. Why does Sayla want to lead Zeon? She hates her family heritage, always siding with the Federation at every turn, her suddenly deciding to take it is complete character assassination. And the series just keeps having all these little holes, like why does the Murasame Lab exist if Flannagan research wasn't folded into the Federation, why does Bask have a Psyco Gundam when the Federation lost the Gundam and never even made GMs, why does Haro exist in multiple numbers without Amuro making it popular after the war - this show is more focused on referencing old shows than actually following its premise of exploring a different UC.

Unicorn did irreparable damage to the depiction of Newtypes, completely destroying their lore to make them weird reality warpers, and GQuuuuuuX follows Unicorn's lead by having Newtype powers (or Kira Kira as they bizarrely want to call them here) literally remake universes, which is such a disgusting and gross misappropriation of what Newtypes were always supposed to be in Tomino's work, even Gundam X could get this shit right but not an actual UC work. Ignore anything allegorical about their role in the search for human understanding, a Newtype realm is completely real, they can make black holes and travel to other timelines, because these hack writers are just going to use them as plot devices to make anything they want possible, including facilitating a MCU level member berries multiverse plot like this one.

FLCL was definitely a fluke, because Tsurumaki has never shown himself capable of making any good original work again, this shit is on the level of the FLCL sequels he had no hand in. Anno is an hypocritical nostalgia obsessed fanboy who wants people to move forward, but is completely incapable of doing anything but retreating old plot threads, and has done nothing but remake his childhood shows for years now. Khara has given us the most creatively bankrupt Gundam series since Unicorn, and I hope that people clapped at the epic cameos and references, because this is what you get for always refusing to innovate and instead relaying on infinitely exploiting decades old IPs as the Disney of anime.

Thank you for reading.

Reviewer’s Rating: 2

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