“Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX” Continues Its Box Office Triumph! Special Stage Event Held to Celebrate Its Huge Success

“Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX (Zeek-Ax)” has been making waves, topping the weekend box office rankings for two consecutive weeks. To commemorate its massive success, a special stage greeting event was held on Sunday, February 2nd, at TOHO Cinemas Shinjuku.

The event featured a star-studded lineup, including Yui Ishikawa, who plays Nyaan, the mysterious girl encountered by the protagonist, and Shimba Tsuchiya, who voices the enigmatic Shuji Ito, known for his signature phrase, “…or so they say.” The event also welcomed Director Kazuya Tsurumaki, as well as Yoji Enokido, the series composer and scriptwriter. Together, they unveiled behind-the-scenes stories and exclusive insights into the making of the film.

The Gundam Legacy and the Arrival of “Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX”

The Mobile Suit Gundam franchise began airing in 1979 and, following its theatrical compilation films, became a cultural phenomenon. Set in a future shaped by space colonization, the story follows Amuro Ray, who is drawn into a war between the Principality of Zeon, a colony that declares independence from the Earth Federation, and the Federation’s military forces. Piloting the mobile suit Gundam, Amuro experiences both triumph and turmoil.

Unlike traditional mecha anime of the time, Gundam introduced realistic mobile suit warfare, eschewing flashy finishing moves for grounded, strategic battles. This approach revolutionized the genre, marking a turning point in anime history—so much so that discussions often divide the industry into “before” and “after” Gundam.

The latest entry in the Gundam saga, “Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX”, has generated immense buzz. Produced by Studio Khara, renowned for its work on the Evangelion series, the film has captivated audiences and secured the top spot in the weekend box office rankings for two consecutive weeks.

Official Event Report: “Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-” Special Stage Greeting

Following a screening of the theatrical preview version “Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-“, event MC Neki Matsuzawa took the stage. As Kenshi Yonezu’s theme song “Plazma” played in the background, Shimba Tsuchiya (voice of Shuji Ito), Director Kazuya Tsurumaki, and scriptwriter Yoji Enokido made their grand entrance.

Since its January 17 release, the film has already surpassed 1 million admissions, an extraordinary milestone as it enters its third week. The event kicked off with opening remarks from each guest, with Director Tsurumaki expressing his gratitude to the full-house audience:
“Thank you for coming despite the rain.”

Reactions and Surprise Announcements

When asked about audience reactions after the film’s release, Tsuchiya admitted:
“I never imagined a million people would come to see it!”

Enokido playfully added:
“I heard the ‘Green Old Man’ character is really popular online (laughs).”

Director Tsurumaki also expressed his surprise at the film’s success:
“We originally planned this as a limited pre-release screening. I never expected it to become such a hit! Seeing all the fan art is amazing.”

Then came a major surprise announcement: Shimba Tsuchiya was officially named the “Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- Ambassador.”
Director Tsurumaki presented him with a sash that read:
“You’re the host now, as Gundam says.”

To which Tsuchiya responded enthusiastically with his character’s signature phrase:
“I’ll do my best, as Gundam says!”

Behind the Scenes: Story Development and Gundam’s Legacy

As a three-time viewer of the film, MC Matsuzawa eagerly questioned Director Tsurumaki and Enokido about the film’s planning and story development. Since both Tsurumaki and Enokido grew up watching the original 1979 Gundam series, they discussed why they chose to depict an “IF” (alternate) universe. They also revealed behind-the-scenes details about the film’s opening sequence, which features a script contribution from Hideaki Anno.

Reflecting on the project, Enokido commented:
“This might have been the most optimal choice for the story.”

The conversation also turned nostalgic as Tsurumaki and Enokido reminisced about their long-standing Gundam discussions, with Enokido recalling debates such as:
“Who would win in a fight—Rick Dom or GM?”

Tsurumaki added:
“For anime fans of my generation, Gundam is ingrained in our very bones. And yet, each of us carries our own unique version of Gundam within us.”

The event provided an unforgettable deep dive into the passion and dedication that shaped “Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-“.

Q&A Session: Behind-the-Scenes Insights from the Cast and Crew

In the second half of the talk session, newly appointed “Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- Ambassador” Shimba Tsuchiya took over as the interviewer. His first official task was to pose questions to Director Kazuya Tsurumaki and scriptwriter Yoji Enokido, leading to an in-depth discussion about the film’s production.

The conversation kicked off with a discussion about Char Aznable and Challia Bull. Enokido recalled past discussions:
“Ever since we worked on FLCL, we thought it would be interesting to create a remake focusing on Challia.”

Director Tsurumaki added:
“I’ve always wanted to explore Challia’s character in more depth.”

The discussion then shifted to battle sequences and mobile suits. Tsurumaki revealed his long-time ambition:
“I wanted to create an anime where mobile suits were designed with the idea that they would eventually become toys. I even requested designer Ikuto Yamashita to come up with designs that would be ‘Gunpla-friendly’.”

The Meaning Behind “MAV” – A Key Concept in the Film

Another topic that piqued Tsuchiya’s interest was the term “MAV” (pronounced “Mav”). He inquired about its origins, leading Enokido to explain:

*”During the early planning stages, Director Tsurumaki suggested a 2v2 mobile suit battle system for the Clan Battle concept. In Yoshiyuki Tomino’s portrayal of Newtypes, they are not solitary beings. Instead, their abilities are enhanced through mental connections between two individuals, as seen with Amuro and Lalah. This pairing dynamic holds significant meaning within the Gundam universe.

I wanted to find a term that encapsulates this unique bond in a way that felt both tactically and emotionally meaningful. That’s when the word ‘MAV’ came to me. It goes beyond the typical ‘buddy’ concept and represents something uniquely tied to this film.”*

The audience listened intently as Enokido detailed how the term was conceived and integrated into the film’s world-building.

Exploring Key Scenes & Inspirations

The discussion then moved to key moments featuring Machu, Nyaan, and Shuji. The panel broke down pivotal scenes, such as:

• Machu and Nyaan’s first meeting at the station gate
• Machu and Shuji’s riverside encounter
• The significance of bridges and other Japan-inspired settings
• The reasoning behind certain colony names

As they explained the setting choices, Tsurumaki and Enokido revealed that some influences came from their work on “Aim for the Top 2!” (Gunbuster 2). Tsuchiya was visibly surprised by this revelation, adding to the audience’s intrigue.

Tsuchiya Reflects on His Role & a Mysterious Character Arc

To close the talk session, MC Matsuzawa turned the questions toward Tsuchiya.

He reminisced about the moment he learned he would be piloting a Gundam:
“I found out during the audition process. When I got the role, I was beyond excited!”

When asked about his favorite scene, he hesitated to pick just one but shared a memorable moment:
“The moment the opening BGM played in the preview screening, I was completely drawn into the world.”

Regarding Shuji’s character arc, Tsuchiya remained tight-lipped:
“Hmm… That’s a tough question. Just watch until the end! That’s all I can say for now!”

His cryptic response only fueled the audience’s anticipation.

A Surprise Birthday Celebration for Director Tsurumaki!

As the event neared its conclusion, a surprise announcement was made—February 2nd was Director Tsurumaki’s birthday!

To celebrate, Tsuchiya presented him with a bouquet, saying:
“Happy Birthday, as Gundam says!”

The audience erupted in applause, and when asked about his age, Tsurumaki jokingly replied:
“Let’s just say… I’m 17 years old (laughs).”

Final Words & A Message for Fans

After a photo session, Tsurumaki addressed the audience on behalf of the guests:
*”The film is still screening in theaters, but once it transitions into a TV series, some aspects will change. There are many sequences and connections that can only be experienced in the theatrical version.

Please continue to support ‘Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-‘!”*

With a final round of applause, the special stage event came to a successful conclusion.

Second Stage Event: Deeper Insights & Surprising Revelations

The second stage greeting of the day followed the same format as the first, taking place after a screening of “Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-“.

MC Neki Matsuzawa was joined on stage by Director Kazuya Tsurumaki, scriptwriter Yoji Enokido, and Yui Ishikawa, who voices Nyaan. Ishikawa carried Haro, while Shimba Tsuchiya, who plays Shuji Ito, held Conchi—both receiving a warm round of applause from the audience.

Fan Reactions & The Growing Buzz

When asked about audience reactions after the film’s release, Ishikawa commented:
“I could really feel the deep love fans have for Gundam in how carefully they’re avoiding spoilers and making sure others can fully enjoy the experience.”

Tsuchiya strongly agreed, while Enokido, amazed by the film’s success, joked:
“This was supposed to be an early preview of the TV series, but at this rate, maybe we should just turn everything into a movie (laughs).”

Director Tsurumaki admitted he had expected mixed reactions, given the content:
“I thought there would be more debate over the story. But seeing all the incredible fan art of Machu, Nyaan, and the ‘Green Old Man’, I’m really happy. I hope people continue creating more!”

Since the true identity of ‘Green Old Man’ (Challia Bull) was revealed after the first stage event, Matsuzawa encouraged fans:
“Now that it’s official, let’s start calling him by his real name!”

The audience responded with cheers and laughter.

Additionally, Tomoyo Kurosawa, who voices Machu, couldn’t attend but sent a message:
“Enjoy the event to the fullest! I can’t wait to talk with you all in person soon!”

With that, the four guests launched into the talk session.

Gundam’s Core Themes & The Role of Challia Bull

The first question focused on the themes of “Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX”.

Enokido explained his perspective:
“If we were going to make a Gundam film, we had to properly explore the concept of Newtypes. That’s why we decided to put the spotlight on Challia.”

Meanwhile, Director Tsurumaki emphasized his focus on the depiction of space colonies:
“I wanted to bring the world inside a colony to life, from daily life details to how gravity is represented.”

Haro’s Unexpected Presence

When asked about Haro, Gundam’s beloved mascot, Enokido revealed a shocking behind-the-scenes detail:
“Originally, Director Tsurumaki didn’t want to include Haro… (laughs).”

The audience gasped, but Tsurumaki clarified:
“Once we actually put Haro on screen, it just made everything more fun.”

Ishikawa added:
“Haro actually plays an important role in the story, so keep an eye on its actions.”

New Interpretations of the Newtype Concept

Director Tsurumaki then revisited the Newtype concept, explaining:
“I wanted to offer a fresh interpretation of Yoshiyuki Tomino’s vision of Newtypes and explore what they could mean in this film.”

Shuji & Nyaan: Crafting Unique Characters

As the discussion moved forward, Ambassador Tsuchiya took on a more active role, questioning Tsurumaki and Enokido about Shuji and Nyaan’s characterization.

One particularly hot topic on social media had been Shuji’s catchphrase:
“…or so they say.”

The creators explained how the phrase was developed, along with the challenges of writing Nyaan’s dialogue.

Tsurumaki revealed:
*”Nyaan isn’t exactly what she appears to be. She changes from one day to the next. I wanted her to be a character that makes people wonder, ‘How am I supposed to deal with her?'”

Ishikawa, speaking from an actor’s perspective, described Nyaan as:
“Cool and competent on the outside, but unexpectedly timid and clumsy deep down.”

The conversation also touched on homages to past Gundam works, including the phrase “Konnichiwa, oisogi desu ka?”, and the characters and scenes that held special significance for the creators.

At one point, Tsurumaki brought up an interesting Easter egg—the mascot attached to Machu’s bag. He revealed that this character originated from the short animation “I Can Friday by Day!”, which was created by Take, the character designer for this film.

What to Look Forward to Next

As the talk session approached its final stretch, Matsuzawa asked the guests what they wanted fans to focus on moving forward.

Both Ishikawa and Tsuchiya emphasized the relationships between characters.

Ishikawa specifically pointed out:
“Pay attention to how the dynamic between Machu and Nyaan evolves over time.”

Meanwhile, Tsuchiya highlighted Shuji’s reserved nature:
“He doesn’t say much, but when he does, it’s always something important.”

He added:
“This is the kind of story that leaves room for interpretation, allowing the audience to think and reflect.”

Tsurumaki then shared his favorite scene:
“I love the moment when Exabe launches, and Challia is grumbling about it. Those little moments add depth.”

Finally, he teased the TV series:
“I hope you all look forward to seeing how Challia and Exabe’s relationship unfolds.”

Final Words & The Future of “Gundam GQuuuuuuX”

Following a photo session, Director Tsurumaki gave a final message:

*”Since this was originally created as a TV series, I was worried about how it would work as a single theatrical cut. But it turned out better than I expected.

The structure is different from the TV version, but it’s a beautifully crafted film. I hope you all continue supporting it!”*

The audience burst into applause, bringing the second stage greeting event to a successful conclusion.