Is the Gundam Franchise Declining in (Japanese) Popularity?

[Tama83]

The last Gundam anime to air in Japan was SEED, plus it's sequel SEED Destiny, and then there's the theatrical film coming up that will conclude the story (and of course we can't forget the "Stargazer" OVA). However, no other Gundam TV shows have been announced for awhile. Now I could be jumping the gun(dam :) ) here, but to me there doesn't seem be any sizable Japanese interest in the franchise anymore. So, is this it? Has this 27-year-old franchise finally had it's time, or is there more to come?

[Suiko Eiji]

The last Gundam anime to air in Japan was SEED, plus it's sequel SEED Destiny, and then there's the theatrical film coming up that will conclude the story (and of course we can't forget the "Stargazer" OVA). However, no other Gundam TV shows have been announced for awhile. Now I could be jumping the gun(dam :) ) here, but to me there doesn't seem be any sizable Japanese interest in the franchise anymore. So, is this it? Has this 27-year-old franchise finally had it's time, or is there more to come?

Popularity in the franchise comes and goes in waves, much like a stoack market. When the TV series ran from '79 to '80, it was met with reletively lack-luster reviews until the end. However, Sunrise financed the movie trilogy released between 1981 and '82 and that's supposedly the where Gundam gained huge notoriety in Japan. It wasn't until 1985 when the next, new Gundam animation was created, which was the block-buster Zeta Gundam. From 1986 to 1988 there were only four Gundam productions - Gundam ZZ, Char's Counterattack, War in the Pocket OAV and the start of the SD Gundam shorts.

Then nothing until 1991 with STARDUST MEMORY OAV and Last Blitz of Zeon, F-91, and more SD Gundam shorts. Quiet again until 1993 with V Gundam. From here, we have roughly a new TV series every year with G ('94-'95), Wing ('95-'96) and X ('96). Not to mention in '96 the 08th MS Team OAV started and its film Miller's Report in '98. Then nothing until Turn A started in '99. The Turn A films came out around 2000 or '01 I believe.

This brings us up to the SEED series in '02, Destiny in '04 and rumors of a purported third SEED TV series, another film, and Stargazer bring us up to the present. There are also a handful of extras or other OAV produced in many of these instances I'm neglecting to mention.

Personally, there is no indication that the franchise itself is dying; SEED DVDs flew off of shelves in Japan and Destiny followed suit, though many fans do not find it to be anywhere near as good as its predacessors, SEED included. What I think we are seeing is that there is a consolidation on a single timeline now like we saw in the 1980s. During the mid-1990s, Sunrise stretched the franchise too thin in terms of fan appeal with thier AU storylines; G Gundam wasn't liked by many Real Robot fans but adored by Super Robot fans; Wing appealed to women but hasn't really carried very well with some of the traditional fans; X flopped horribly in the ratings game. However, by consolidating themselves now, Sunrise is able to capitalize one fanbase who is willing to throw a lot of money at them rather than try and diversify thier library to grab a few fans from a lot of groups.

I think until we see a very extended period of time with no new material, I would say 3-5 years, any other random guessing about the frnachise dying is speculation that is far too early.

[Amuro]

Well, there are no plans for any additional Star Wars movies anytime soon either, does that mean that the Star Wars franchise is dying? I don't think so..

So far, we continue to see tons of games, manga, toys, models, and short OVAs like IgLoo and Stargazer released in Japan, and I don't think that the fandom is going to disappear anytime soon.

Naturally the Gundam community heats up a bit when there's a new series running and has cooled down a bit since Destiny's end, but the franchise is still far more active than a lot of others..

[Amurogay]

Don't say things like that...you're making all the childrens cry...

[Westlo]

Eh the SEED franchise has lifted ratings at times to an extent not seen since ZZ....

[CrossboneGundam]

Gee... what a shocker.

Hate to break it to you Tama, but... a new Gundam TV series was already announced for fall of '07.

[Suiko Eiji]

Gee... what a shocker.

Hate to break it to you Tama, but... a new Gundam TV series was already announced for fall of '07.

They have? I missed it. Is it a third SEED series? Do you have any more details or a link perhaps (AEUG.blogspot and ANN aren't turning anything up)?

[Sharp-kun]

Hate to break it to you Tama, but... a new Gundam TV series was already announced for fall of '07.
It has?

I know there's a new novelistaion being printed in Gundam Ace, but thats the only new thing I've heard of.

[Wraith Gundam]

I've heard rumors about a third installment of SEED as a feature film to wrap up the cosmic era, and the manga thing in Gundam Ace, but nothing about a new full length series. Personally I wouldn't mind a break from new series since they keep backlogging the other series like X, Turn A, ZZ, etc...

[Vaikyuko]

Gee... what a shocker.

Hate to break it to you Tama, but... a new Gundam TV series was already announced for fall of '07.

Is that the new UC one a Sunrise official said they were working on in that Gunota article?

[Suiko Eiji]

Is that the new UC one a Sunrise official said they were working on in that Gunota article?

I remember reading that a while ago, but it was reported in more of a "WE'RE GONNA MAKE A NEW UC SERIES...... eventually".

[Sharp-kun]

I remember reading that a while ago, but it was reported in more of a "WE'RE GONNA MAKE A NEW UC SERIES...... eventually".
I thoguht it was more "we're going to come back to UC eventually", rather than "new series". It could be anything.

[Suiko Eiji]

I thoguht it was more "we're going to come back to UC eventually", rather than "new series". It could be anything.

It could have been. I was pulling that from memory and I've had so much stuff going on lately, I might need to defrag it this weekend.

[Mazinkaiser]

I remembered reading about that. It is just a rumor, but I heard that the Seiji Mizushima, Director of Full Metal Alchemist, will be doing the next one. I remember hearing something like that on both Mahq and another source (that I can't remember atm)

[CapnTylor]

Seed should die, bring back the OYW.

[Sharp-kun]

A lot of people cry "bring back UC, UC rocks!" etc. Its worth remembering that just because its UC doesn't mean it'll be any good. We could quite easily get a UC series with loads of style/drama borrowed from SEED.

Seed should die, bring back the OYW.
Yes, then we can have yet more gundams in the OYW. More of a mech design that was meant to be rare prototypes.

How many Gundams have they had in the OYW now?

RX-78-1
RX-78-2
RX-78-3
RX-78-4
RX-78-5
RX-78 NT-1
12 RX-79[G]'S
FA-78-1
RX-79BD-1

At least.

There are very few things left tey can do withthe OYW. Its really not something I'd like to see them come back to.

[Suiko Eiji]

A lot of people cry "bring back UC, UC rocks!" etc. Its worth remembering that just because its UC doesn't mean it'll be any good. We could quite easily get a UC series with loads of style/drama borrowed from SEED.

Which could wind up being a very bad thing. Hopefully, Sunrise does have enough staff to create a new UC story without having to double-dip into the SEED staff too much. Although, I could deal with 2-D character types more if a Tomino-esque policy of "zengoroshi" were implemented.

Yes, then we can have yet more gundams in the OYW. More of a mech design that was meant to be rare prototypes.

How many Gundams have they had in the OYW now?

RX-78-1
RX-78-2
RX-78-3
RX-78-4
RX-78-5
RX-78 NT-1
12 RX-79[G]'S
FA-78-1
RX-79BD-1

At least.

There are very few things left tey can do withthe OYW. Its really not something I'd like to see them come back to.

I'm big on a return to UC stories, but I would have to agree - the OYW was a fantastic storyline, but as far as large scale mech combat goes, Sharp is right that there is little more that can be done with it that won't screw with continuity (more so than some of it already has). If we're moving back to UC, which I want (though, I want UC stories with UC styles and 80s-90s style appearence), why not move out further along the timeline post Second Neo-Zeon War and up to the Crossbone Vanguard? It's not like there aren't manga already established in this timeframe to provide an expedited story-writing process.

[Wraith Gundam]

A lot of people cry "bring back UC, UC rocks!" etc. Its worth remembering that just because its UC doesn't mean it'll be any good. We could quite easily get a UC series with loads of style/drama borrowed from SEED.


Yes, then we can have yet more gundams in the OYW. More of a mech design that was meant to be rare prototypes.

How many Gundams have they had in the OYW now?

RX-78-1
RX-78-2
RX-78-3
RX-78-4
RX-78-5
RX-78 NT-1
12 RX-79[G]'S
FA-78-1
RX-79BD-1

At least.

There are very few things left tey can do withthe OYW. Its really not something I'd like to see them come back to.

You're forgetting the RX-78-6 'Mudrock' and the RX-78XX 'Pixie', as well as the other two RX-79 Blue Destiny units.

But yeah, far too many Gundam types in the OYW; though having said that, I wouldn't mind another OYW based anime series, it'd be nice to see some of the side stories like Blue Destiny or a series based on Zeon aces.

Failing that, I'd love some other post OYW series adaptations of stuff like Ecole Du Ciel, Advance of Zeta, or better still Crossbone Gundam, cos they really need something to elaborate on F91.

[HitokiriShadow]

A lot of people cry "bring back UC, UC rocks!" etc. Its worth remembering that just because its UC doesn't mean it'll be any good. We could quite easily get a UC series with loads of style/drama borrowed from SEED.

I've always though this (and occassionally said/typed it) when I hear something like that. But I've been more worried about the poor plot and animation and than the drama.


You're forgetting the RX-78-6 'Mudrock' and the RX-78XX 'Pixie', as well as the other two RX-79 Blue Destiny units.


Don't forgot the EZ-8 from 08th MS Team.

[Rahxephon91]

I just want a new Gundam show set in a realistic world. None of this Gundam with 3 mega canons that would make even the Wing Zero sweat.

Also please don't have so many damn Gundams in one show and don't do the Seed thing where 2 ships can take on the world.

I love seed but come on!

[JoeStrummer]

The Ez8 wasn't really a traditional gundam though, it was made out of spare parts. I'd like to see something about the Crossbone Vanguard myself

[Suiko Eiji]

Call me crazy, but I wouldn't mind seeing a short (3-6 episode) S Gundam OAV. I've had an S Gundam model kit on my shelf for years and since it kinda reminds me of an up-armored ZZ on steroids, I'd like to see some animation for it.