RETURN OF THE LION

This was the Xmas present to my Patreon subscribers, so it goes out the door to everyone else for the New Year! I’ve got a lot of great surprises in store this year that I can’t wait to share! It’s gonna be one hell of a roller coaster! Enjoy!

機動戦士ガンダムUC episode EX2 獅子の帰還
Mobile Suit Gundam UC episode EX2 Return of the Lion

PUBLICATION INFORMATION

Publisher: Kadokawa
Released: 2023.01.01
Download: click here
Pages: 208 pages

Harutoshi Fukui spins an untold story of Riddhe Marcenas! Following the conclusion of the Laplace Incident, Riddhe Marcenas’ mind is swirling with doubt: the whereabouts of Magellanica, whether Banagher Links is alive or dead. During one such mission in the aftermath, he suddenly deserts his units and bolts for the Republic. What is he after?

LOVE & PIECE (1st Piece)-02

Subscribers get the perk of reading all of these series before they go out the door for everyone else!

機動戦士クロスボーン・ガンダム LOVE & PIECE
Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam LOVE & PIECE

PUBLICATION INFORMATION

Publisher: Kadokawa
Released: 2022.12.20
Download: click here
Pages: 32 pages

There are often untold pieces of history. One fateful day in U.C.0103, many young boys and girls managed to escape from a Federation Newtype lab. They had met on that day. In truth, they’d likely never forget that man, no matter what lay ahead of them. He appeared out of the blue like a phantom had descended. His name: Damien Karras. This is but one of those stories.

MOON GUNDAM VOL.9

Remember: you can read the series weekly on Patreon before it goes live to the public!

機動戦士ムーンガンダム 9
MOBILE SUIT MOON GUNDAM VOL.9

PUBLICATION INFORMATION

Publisher: Kadokawa
Published: 2022.03.26
Released: 2022.12.13
Download: Available Here

With Earth finally in sight, the Atalante 3 makes their assault on the Ra-Gills! Two Aggjin mixed in with missiles infiltrate the ship, and a battle with the Moon Gundam unfolds. Amid the back-and-forth struggle over Mineva, the identity of the informant is revealed!

LOVE & PIECE (1st Piece)

Kicking off the first of the general public releases in the full Crossbone suite of series (Ghost, Dust, X-11, and Love & Piece), here’s chapter one of the new series! Subscribers get the perk of reading all of these series before they go out the door for everyone else!

機動戦士クロスボーン・ガンダム LOVE & PIECE
Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam LOVE & PIECE

PUBLICATION INFORMATION

Publisher: Kadokawa
Released: 2022.11.03
Download: click here
Pages: 35 pages

There are often untold pieces of history. One fateful day in U.C.0103, many young boys and girls managed to escape from a Federation Newtype lab. They had met on that day. In truth, they’d likely never forget that man, no matter what lie ahead of them. He appeared out of the blue like a phantom had descended. His name: Damien Karras. This is but one of those stories.

RUST HORIZON [CH.03]

Continuing on with this bi-monthly installment! Chapter.04 is available now to Patreon subscribers and drops next week for the general public!

機動戦士ガンダム ラストホライゾン
Mobile Suit Gundam RUST HORIZON

PUBLICATION INFORMATION

Publisher: Shueisha
Released: 2022.08.26
Download: click here
Pages: 55 pages

Universal Century 0079. North America during the One Year War. Leo Baronarques, a newly appointed Earth Federation officer, is pressed by his superior Bertram to secure much-needed supplies for their base, so he relies on old contacts to negotiate with the underworld tycoon, Vellum. However, in exchange for getting them their supplies, he has to promise to take out the desperados occupying a nearby dam.

MOON GUNDAM VOL.8

One more until I’m caught up! Woot! Like, share, donate if you would, please!

機動戦士ムーンガンダム 8
MOBILE SUIT MOON GUNDAM VOL.8

PUBLICATION INFORMATION

Publisher: Kadokawa
Published: 2021.10.26
Released: 2022.09.03
Download: Available Here

Back on Moon Moon, resistance against the Neo Zeon occupation centers around Sarasa. Genaro receives orders from Reuss to pursue the Ra-Gills, so a wounded Atalante 3 takes off. As all this transpires, the informant is about to make yet another move…

[Moon Gundam Mechanical Works Vol.32] Sazabi Prototype

Today’s update is brief, but it comes courtesy of the October 2022 issue of Gundam Ace. We finally have detailed information on the Sazabi that appeared at the end of volume 7 of the manga series, so I went ahead and wrote up an article on it here. Once I get my copy of the issue, I’ll go ahead and revamp the lineart with better quality versions.

MOON GUNDAM VOL.7

Marching ever closer to finishing the last two volumes! Stay tuned!

機動戦士ムーンガンダム 7
MOBILE SUIT MOON GUNDAM VOL.7

PUBLICATION INFORMATION

Publisher: Kadokawa
Published: 2021.03.26
Released: 2022.08.17
Download: Available Here

The story moves into its third arc and now it’s time for Yutta to depart! Reuss, who was assumed to have been thwarted by the joint efforts of Yutta and Amuro, launches an attack on the Ra-Gills with the super-mammoth battleship Gwasha. What decision has that led Yutta to make? Whatsmore, Moon Moon is now under Reuss’ occupation!

MOON GUNDAM VOL.06

I’ll be finishing up Moon Gundam over the next three weeks. Stay tuned!

機動戦士ムーンガンダム 6
MOBILE SUIT MOON GUNDAM VOL.6

PUBLICATION INFORMATION

Publisher: Kadokawa
Published: 2020.10.24
Released: 2022.08.05
Download: Available Here

Londo Bell’s Amuro Ray races to save the Ra-Gills where timed devices of G3-Plus poisonous gas have been planted. But, with Mineva being taken hostage by Reuss, Yutta is forced to confront Amuro with the Moon Gundam!

GUNDAM F91 PREQUEL VOL.1

I flip the script order and dive into more Moon Gundam! I’m hoping to get the series caught up by the end of the month!

機動戦士ガンダムF91プリクエル 1
MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM F91 PREQUEL VOL.1

PUBLICATION INFORMATION

Publisher: Kadokawa
Published: 2020.09.24
Released: 2022.08.01
Download: Available Here

New embers of war have begun smoldering from the shadows of years of peace. A mysterious white F91 soars through the cosmos in the prequel to Mobile Suit Gundam F91!

RUST HORIZON [CH.02]

Continuing on with this bi-monthly installment! The next chapter comes out at the end of August! Stay tuned!

機動戦士ガンダム ラストホライゾン
Mobile Suit Gundam RUST HORIZON

PUBLICATION INFORMATION

Publisher: Shueisha
Released: 2022.06.26
Download: click here
Pages: 46 pages

U.c.0079. North America is in the middle of the One Year War, and fierce fighting rages on. Leo Baronarques, an Earth Federation officer, scheduled to head planetside, comes under attack by the enemy and crash-lands in the Zeon’s sphere of influence. Faced with a desperate situation, Leo cooperates with the locals and skillfully commands a Federation Forces team to successfully take down four Zaku against overwhelming odds. However, this was only the beginning of a major event that would rock the entire Universal Century!

MOON GUNDAM VOL.05

Stay tuned for a special project release next week before I flip the script order and dive into more Moon Gundam!

機動戦士ムーンガンダム 5
MOBILE SUIT MOON GUNDAM VOL.5

PUBLICATION INFORMATION

Publisher: Kadokawa
Published: 2020.03.26
Released: 2022.07.21
Download: Available Here

Moon Moon’s Warriors decide to join forces with the Neo Zeon to save Mineva, who was captured by Londo Bell’s Ra-Gills! Under Reuss’ directions, Yutta attempts to contact the Ra-Gills with just the Moon Gundam!

GUNDAM WALPURGIS VOL.04

Ah, I didn’t think I was going to get this done in time this week, considering I was getting pulled fourteen different ways translating stuff. At any rate, enjoy the next stunning installment in the bonkers series that is Walpurgis! Like, share, and donate to the cause! Stay tuned for the next project in the release: Moon Gundam Vol.5!

機動戦士ガンダムヴァルプルギス 4
MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM WALPURGIS VOL.4

PUBLICATION INFORMATION

Publisher: Kadokawa
Published: 2019.09.21
Released: 2022.07.15
Download: Available Here

The Gaplant transforms into a Gundam?! The new mobile suit F.A.V.N.R. awakens! U.C.0089. The mysterious ZZ Gundam-type mobile suit F.A.V.N.R. appears before our main character, Mashiro Okusu, who is thought to be related to Paptimus Scirocco! A clash with the Over.on ensues!

[SUMMARY] – WITCH FROM MERCURY HIGHLIGHTS

Quickly rewatching and highlighting some of what’s going on in the episode. Let’s see how far off the mark I am:

  • Front’s 3 districts (?) passed a resolution for a budget to purchase Gundam-type MS manufactured by Aux-Earth.

  • The company’s weapon system are considered a major concern because of BIOETHICAL issues for pilots

  • Accountability of Aux and MS Dev Council questioned!

  • GUND Format was originally medical tech intended to assist with body dysfunctions that happen in space, but when Aux acquired that research, GUND format was converted to military use in MS, so the problem of physical damage caused by data storms popped up.

  • Colossal 18-meter bodies operating in a microbial climate are forcibly linked to and controlled by human bodies. The load on the pilots is immeasurable!

  • The MS buildup could give the Earth Side an excuse to expand their forces and accelerate tensions between both parties

  • Eri’s mom and dad discuss issues still happening with the suit. They need a sponsor.

  • Shady discussions, press conference is in an hour. Oh, they guess it’s the end for Aux-Earth.

  • Will this person agree, is this plan that’s in motion okay, what’s the point now?

  • MS Dev council has to make a decision. For the sake of peace for mankind, the iron hammer against the witches (lol what)

  • Eri’s mom owes her life to Doc Cardo

  • The phone call to Eri’s dad! The council is convening. Tech isn’t ready yet.

  • Delling is working behind the scenes.

  • Comms dude isn’t sure what they’re gonna pull, but Eri’s dad needs to be careful.

  • Docking ship, shady hacking being done outside.

  • Nyla yells for Wendy to help her with the ship that’s coming in. Wendy grumbles about tariff rates going up

  • Wendy says transportation isn’t free (whatever).

  • Eri wanders into hangar. Cardo tells her when she asks about the suits that the Lfrith is special bc her parents need a body that can adapt to outer space to survive.

  • GUND will open up possibilities for humanity. A new door

  • The old bat links Eri to the suit.

  • Ulysses (battleship), meanwhile, finished their deployment.

  • Plans are in motion

  • The press conference begins.

  • Council decides to freeze all Gundam-type MS development. The council is taking enforcement action (?) under admin codes or whatever against Aux-Earth that developed the suits.

  • Cardo asks surprised staff about the ship coming in. They need it stopped. She knows what’s up.

  • At the press conf, Sarius continues saying to ensure order and ethics in MS Dev, they’ve also established an auditing organization known as Cathedral (?). Their rep is Delling Rembran (ahaha military guy)

  • Dominicos team launches.

  • Wendy and Nyla notice the infiltration. Nyla tells Wendy to get out.

  • Neither parents know where Eri is. Eri’s dad decides to go out to fight the enemy.

  • The MP Lfrith launch.

  • It’s been a while since Eri’s dad had the sensation he’s experiencing during combat.

  • Enemy isn’t sure what type of weapon he’s using

  • Delling starts talking

  • Seeing many battlefields, he’s come to one conclusion: weapons should exist only to kill people. Something something having a tool solely to kill people, you bear the guilt for that. Something about their mobile suits being different, considering lives of opponents and pilots

  • Punishment for taking a life must be imposed by a person, not a machine

  • More philosophical drivel.

  • Cardo is cornered in her office. She says her body is too fragile for humans born in Earth’s cradle to leave space. They can only go out into space by wearing GUND

  • Eri’s mom finds her in the cockpit, she’s shocked that the suit is fully linked to her daughter.

  • They launch into space.

  • 1, 2, 3, Eri shoots down the enemy gleefully.

  • The two get cornered by the Beguir-Beu

  • Dad comes to save the day.

  • Sings happy birthday with her

  • Enemy is perplexed by him singing with his little girl. Orders comms cut but they can’t.

  • Suit goes BOOM!

  • Deller closes out saying they’ll deny all Gundams or whatever.

*END*

Anyways, a rough summary of the episode to tide people over until subs come out.

BRAVE PILOT SERIES [MISSION.1]

Since people seemed to respond oddly to the Johnny Ridden U.C. Engage video game, here’s the original background manga for the character (since everyone loves to cite that absolutely idiotic Hasegawa depiction for everything).

ガンダムパイロット列伝 蒼穹の勇者達
GUNDAM PILOT SERIES OF BIOGRAPHIES

PUBLICATION INFORMATION

Publisher: Kadokawa
Published: 1997.11 (Compilation: 2001.10.06)
Released: 2022.07.11
Download: Available Here

The first in a series of four depicts some behind-the-scenes action of a few of the MSV pilots we’ve come to know about in the Gundam universe! In this first installment, we’re treated to more background lore for the Crimson Lightning, Johnny Ridden himself!

BLUE DESTINY VOL.3

So much for being able to release a volume a week! I’m delayed a day. *sigh* I tried and failed. Sorry!

機動戦士ガンダム外伝 ザ・ブルー・ディスティニー3
MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM THE BLUE DESTINY VOL.3

PUBLICATION INFORMATION

Publisher: Kadokawa
Published: 2017.02.25
Released: 2022.07.10
Download: Available Here

U.C.0079, the closing stages of the One Year War. Blue Unit 1 is finally deployed to the experimental forces guinea pig team led by Yuu Kajima. As Yuu continues taking Unit 1 out on various missions, development on Unit 2 and 3 moves ever forward…

GUNDAM F90FF VOL.2

Cue the beginning of burnout! Just kidding.

機動戦士ガンダムF90FF 2
MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM F90FF VOL.2

PUBLICATION INFORMATION

Publisher: Kadokawa
Published: 2020.03.26
Released: 2022.07.01
Download: Available Here

It has been seven years since the Mafty uprising in Universal Century 0105. The F90’s Team B has been conducting practical adaptation testing of mission packs without much issue until one day they’re attacked by a mobile suit unit of unknown affiliation: they’re neither Zeon nor Federation! What will the Federation and SNRI do now?!

[NOVEL] – ADVANCE OF ZETA VOL.1 (Complete)

It has taken far, far too long, but I’m finally done with the first volume of the novel series! I hope everyone enjoys the thrilling courtroom drama that is unfolding after the Gryps War! Stay tuned for updates on Volume 2!

機動戦士Zガンダム外伝 ティターンズの旗のもとに 上巻
UNDER THE FLAG OF TITANS ADVANCE OF Z VOL.1

PUBLICATION INFORMATION

Publisher: Kadokawa
Published: 2013.12.10
Released: 2022.06.23
Available: Read Here

Eliard Hunter, a young officer in the Earth Federation Forces, transfers to the Titans, the organization he longed to be a part of. He tests new mobile suits, repeats various missions and actual combat, and grows as a pilot. However, what awaited him after fighting his way through the Gryps War was a new battle, a military trial…

MOON GUNDAM VOL.04

Continuing to plug the backlog gap, so here’s the next installment in the Moon Gundam series! Stay tuned for Rust Horizon Ch.2 and Gundam F90FF next week!

機動戦士ムーンガンダム 4
MOBILE SUIT MOON GUNDAM VOL.4

PUBLICATION INFORMATION

Publisher: Kadokawa
Published: 2019.10.25
Released: 2022.06.21
Download: Available Here

Having succeeded in capturing Mineva, the Ra-Gills is attacked by the Neo Zeon’s new model the Dag Doll and its whereabouts are unknown! Meanwhile, Moon Moon managed to escape the dangers of destruction, but now has a mysterious young boy named Reuss Krangel poking around in the shadows!

[PRODUCTION LORE] GUNDAM 0080 EDITION

I’ve been doing a little bit of research into some of the production backstory to Gundam 0080 lately and found some interesting nuggets of information in several staff interviews I thought I’d share here:

Interview with Fumihiko Takayama (Director)

  • He doesn’t (or didn’t at the time) own a telephone. Sunrise producer Uchida had to go knock on his door to pitch 0080 to him

  • Original idea was something like The Guns of Navarone

  • Fumihiko barely saw any Gundam. “My awareness of the series was close to zero”

  • Tomino apparently saw the first episode and told him that kids would know school is out if there’s urban warfare, so it’s strange that they rejoiced at the unexpected news. He acknowledged this.

  • Takayama’s daring ideas for 0080 followed a sort of European cinematic thinking.

  • The helplessness at the end of the series may have been influenced by Italo Calvino’s The Cloven Viscount and Sergio Corbucci’s The Great Silence

  • Bernie’s video letter takes inspiration and some lines from Giovanni Pirelli’s A Falling-Down World (man, the Japanese title was way different!)

  • Mikimoto was given references to actors for their designs. They include interesting depictions such as:

    • Steiner is Spencer Tracy

    • Garcia is Willem Defoe

    • Misha is Ernest Borgnine

    • Andy is Andy Robinson

    • Professor (Richard) Lumumba is Morgan Freeman

  • Izubuchi had control over mecha designs. The only thing he asked him to do was to make Alex as ugly as possible when wearing the reactive armor.

  • Morgan Freeman wasn’t that well known in Japan at the time

  • The series was a sales success and highly acclaimed, the only downside was the lack of battles (which it was criticized for)

  • Ironically, for someone that didn’t really like robots, he would go on to direct other robot shows (Patlabor WXIII and Orguss 02)

Interview with Kenji Uchida (Sunrise Producer)

  • The plan was to have Tomino produce 0080, but since he did three consecutive works, it would’ve been far too exhausting.

  • Not just for him, but the entire staff (Z into ZZ illustrated this!)

  • Izubuchi was the first choice for mecha design. Uchida wanted to create an animated version of WW2 or the Vietnam War for core fans who would pay money to buy it as an OVA

  • This is also why Izubuch played the role of more than one designer.

  • Direction went with a newcomer for a reason: veteran director would have better sales advantage, but he wanted to take Gundam in a new direction

  • Mamoru Oshii was also approached to direct

  • Fumihiko Takayama was suggested despite not being well known. Cue jokes about how to get ahold of him since he didn’t have a phone!

  • Uchida actively approached those he considered “talented,” both inside and outside of the animation industry.

  • They looked for people who could work on entertainment war action films and science fiction wars

  • Yoshiki Tanaka was the first person they asked, but they didn’t want to dive too far into the military aspect.

  • That was before LOGH was animated as an OVA

  • Izubuchi and Kondoh apparently had major military ideas in their image boards

  • Novelist Shoji Yuki was asked to join to help with drafting

  • Hiroyuki Yamaga was tapped, but because GAINAX was a rival company, they weren’t sure if he could write a screenplay.

Powered by WordPress