The Gundam series has seen a surge in popularity in recent years due to people staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the release of "Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway," a work that was once considered impossible to adapt into a film but was reborn as a stunning animated feature film after many years. Even now, more than 40 years after the original Gundam aired, the Gundam series shows no signs of slowing down. But why has the Gundam series maintained its popularity and remained so popular after all these years? While there are likely many factors, the first and foremost is the sheer presence of the captivating mecha known as MS (Mobile Suits) that appear in each work. Those unfamiliar with Gundam works might think, "It's just that the mecha are cool," but the MS in the Gundam series are a little different from ordinary mecha. In this article, we'll explore the appeal of the Gundam series' MS, along with the new MS, the Gundam Aerial, that will appear in the upcoming Gundam series, "Mobile Suit Gundam: Witch of Mercury," airing in 2022!
When it comes to the Gundam series, pay attention to the mobile suits!!
For the Gundam series, mobile suits are the "face" of the show. For that reason, when a new Gundam series is announced, many Gundam fans first check out the mobile suits featured in the series before deciding whether to watch it. Indeed, mobile suits are the most important element to focus on when enjoying a Gundam series.
Gundam Series and Gunpla
When it comes to the Gundam series, many readers probably think of "Gunpla." Unlike typical robot-themed films, Gundam plastic models have an extraordinary variety of models, and their sheer variety has established them as a genre in the hobby world. There are even some fans who say, "I've never seen Gundam, but I've built Gunpla!"
The pinnacle of realistic robots
The robots known as MS that appear in Gundam series are different from typical robots, and are designed with a highly realistic approach. Gundam series are the works that established the "real robot" genre in Japan, even among Japanese robot anime. While some may think that the worldview of humanoid robots fighting is unrealistic, Gundam works thoroughly explain the question of "why are they humanoid weapons?", which has impressed many anime fans.
Highly acclaimed as art!?
As a result, Gundam's mobile suits can be customized with your own interpretations and personal settings, resulting in the creation of countless original plastic models. Gunpla is also popular in Europe, where many of these unique creations are considered to be at the level of art.
Let's take a look at the protagonist's mobile suit in each work!
So, do you see why the idea that "When you think of Gundam, you think of Gunpla!" is so true? Each series features countless fascinating mobile suits, so be sure to find your favorite!
Let's get your hands on some Gunpla!
Now, let's take a closer look at Gunpla, a way to easily build and enjoy the fascinating Gundam series' mobile suits. Gundam plastic models are a signature element of the Gundam series, so be sure to check them out!
Best value for money!! The HG (High Grade) series has a wide lineup!!
Of the many Gunpla models available, the HG series is especially recommended for beginners. The HG series is considered the foundation of Gunpla, boasting easy construction and high quality, and boasts numerous mobile suits. It's also the most popular series, as it includes even lesser-known mobile suits.
The highest level of technology in the same size as HG! The ultimate Gunpla RG (Real Grade) series!!
The RG series is the same size as HG, but crafted with meticulous attention to detail. Because the RG series requires meticulous attention to detail, it takes a little longer to build, but the satisfaction of completing it is all the more inspiring. Recommended as a step up for those accustomed to the HG series.
The ultimate interior decoration!! The giant Gunpla MG (Master Grade) series!!
The MG series boasts even larger sizes than HG and RG. The MG series is roughly twice the size of the HG series, so you'll need to think carefully about where to store it after building it. The presence it creates once completed is impressive, and it's definitely one of the most rewarding Gunpla series out there.
The protagonist's mobile suit in "Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch of Mercury"
Now, let's finally introduce the protagonist's mobile suit, the Gundam Aerial, from "Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch of Mercury." It's truly the face of the show, so be sure to learn about it.
Details Unknown
Since the Gundam Aerial has only just been revealed, details about it are still unknown. However, you can get a general idea of the characteristics of mobile suits that appear in the Gundam series just by looking at their shapes, so don't give up just because information isn't available—let's keep observing.
Details similar to Gundam Barbatos
First and foremost, the overall design is similar to Gundam Barbatos. The slim waist and slightly rounded design are somewhat reminiscent of the Gundam Barbatos that appeared in Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans. Such a bold design doesn't often appear in the "Universal Century Series," so perhaps this work isn't part of the official Gundam "Universal Century Series."
Red Glow in the Armor
When looking at the concept art for this suit, many people may have noticed that its chest glows red when fully activated. Speaking of red glow, this could be due to the use of a material known as "Psycoframe" in the Gundam series, but if this work is not part of the "Universal Century" series, it could be made of a completely different material.
What about its equipment?
At the very least, there's no doubt that the setting in which this unit plays an active role is set in an era when weapons like beam rifles are in vogue. While the iron-based battles depicted in "Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans" were great, battles using beam rifles like in this work are also very Gundam-like and appealing.
Don't miss the hobby expansion!
The design of the Gundam appearing in this work has already been revealed, and it's as if you can hear the voices of the production team saying, "We're confident in this Gundam design, so check it out!!" From here, I'd like to introduce the hobby development of Gundam Aerial, the face of this work.
ROBOT SPIRITS
For those who want to move and play with their Gundam Aerial, we recommend the "ROBOT SPIRITS" Gundam Aerial. Since "ROBOT SPIRITS" models are made of alloy, they won't break even if you move them around a lot. This is a recommended item for fans who want to move their models around, not just display them.
Now available as a plastic model in the HG series!
Of course, the familiar HG series will also feature the Gundam Aerial. Gunpla is a genre that's currently gaining popularity due to stay-at-home demand, so it's sure to sell out quickly, so be sure to get your hands on it as soon as it's released!
Another Gundam
And Gundam Aerial isn't the only Gundam to appear in this film. Apparently, another Gundam will also be appearing, so I'd like to introduce it as well.
Gundam Rubris
The other Gundam that appears in this work is the Gundam Rubris. Unlike the Aerial, this machine has a very simple color scheme of only pink and white, making it very cool.
Appears in the prequel, "PROLOGE"
It has been revealed that Gundam Rubris will appear in "PROLOGE," the prequel to this series. Checking out the prequel will give you a clear understanding of the world of this series and the types of mobile suits featured, so be sure to watch it to enjoy the exploits of Gundam Rubris.
Keep an eye out for Begilbeu!
Although it's not a Gundam-type mobile suit, a mobile suit called the Begirbeu will also be appearing, so be sure to keep an eye out for this one as well.
Summary
What did you think? This time, we introduced the Gundam Aerial, the protagonist's mobile suit that appears in "Mobile Suit Gundam: Witch of Mercury," as well as other mobile suits in the Gundam series. This is a work that can be enjoyed by both long-time fans of the Gundam series and new fans looking to start watching the Gundam series, so be sure to check it out!
