The new Gundam series has been announced as Mobile Suit Gundam AGE, a TV series set to air on TBS and MBS beginning this October.
The 14th Gundam TV series, Mobile Suit Gundam AGE is the first new Gundam since Mobile Suit Gundam 00 two years ago. Susumu Yamaguchi, director of the Sgt. Frog movies, will direct, Akihiro Hino will write the screenplay, Takuzo Nagano will draft the character designs and Michinori Chiba will adapt them for animation, and Kanetake Ebikawa, Jun’ya Ishigaki, and Kenji Teraoka will design the mecha. Level-5 is cooperating in the animation production. Namco Bandai group also announced a broad range of associated services and products for the new franchise, including models, toys, digital card games, entertainment software, and home video.
■ A tale which spans three generations!
Mobile Suit Gundam AGE takes place in the A.G. (Advanced Generation) era. As part of the resistance against UE (Unknown Enemy,) a mysterious for which attacks suddenly, the hero Flit Asuno uses data from the “AGE Device” given to him by his mother to develop the new mobile suit “Gundam” which is capable of evolving through battle using the “AGE System”. As the story progresses, focus shifts first to Flit’s son Asem Asuno, then to his son Kio Asuno, telling the tale of a family through three generations.
According to Sunrise Managing Director Yasuo Miyakawa, this series’s theme will be “three generations”. A first for Gundam, the hero will mature, have children, and the story will follow his son and then his grandson. Both adults and children will be able to enjoy this century-spanning epic story illustrating the protagonists’ maturation and the inevitable differences between generations.
Story
Gundam AGE is set in the space age, several hundred years after the colonization of space began. The wars over domination of the Earth Sphere have ceased, and humanity settled into an era of peace. However, it was soon shattered by the sudden assault of a mysterious foe…
A.G. 101 (Advanced Generation)
The mysterious foe UE (Unknown Enemy) suddenly appears, attacking and destroying the space colony “Angel”. This tragedy and the loss of life are remembered as “The Day the Angel Fell”. The UE continue their assault on the Earth Sphere, plunging humanity into an age of suffering.
A.G. 108
The fight between Earth Federation forces and the UE continues. A seven-year-old boy from the colony Orvan, Flit Asuno, loses his mother to a UE attack. Before she dies, she passes down to him the Asuno family heirloom—the “AGE Device” memory unit. Using plans hidden within this unit, he begins to develop the mobile suit “Gundam”, humanity’s last hope.
A.G. 115
Flit, now age 14, completes development of the Gundam, now fitted with the “AGE System” which allows automatic evolution of the suit. He enters the fight against the UE who killed his mother.
Mecha
Gundam AGE-1 Normal
The ultimate mobile suit, carrying the name of the legendary savior “Gundam”. Flit develops it from data contained within the AGE device passed down through the Asuno family. The core of resistance against the UE.
Gundam AGE-1 Spallow
A new form of the Gundam AGE-1 developed by the AGE System. Focused on speedy combat, it uses its ninja-like movements to outmaneuver the enemy.
Gundam AGE-1 Titus
A new form of the Gundam AGE-1 developed by the AGE System. Specializing in melee combat, it crushes the enemy with its fearsome power.
Genoace
The Earth Federation’s mass-production mobile suit. Was rolled out at the same time as the Earth Federation military was established to battle the UE. A wide variety of customized units exist.
Gafran
A mysterious foe known as UE (Unknown Enemy.) Appeared suddenly 14 years ago, spreading destruction across the world. Can transform between humanoid and dragon shapes.
Flit Asuno (Male, age 14)
A civilian engineering contractor for the military from a young age. Develops the Gundam and the AGE System from data within the AGE Device his mother left to him.
Asem Asuno (Male, age 15)
Flit’s son.
Kio Asuno (Male, age 13)
Asem’s son.
From the Left:
Emily Armond (Female, age 14)
Flit’s first friend as he arrives at Nora, only seven years old and newly orphaned.
Grudech Aynor (Male)
Commander in the Earth Federation forces. Captain of a certain space battleship.
Miles Aloi (Female)
Lieutenant in the Earth Federation forces. Controls onboard systems aboard a certain space battleship.
Namco Bandai group also announced a broad range of associated services and products for Mobile Suit Gundam AGE. Most notable among these is the new Gage-ing lineup, Gundam’s first model-toy crossover line.
The new Gunpla grade AG (Advanced Grade) and the new Gundam figure line BG (Gage-ing Builder) carry “Gage-ing Chip” circuitry which, when scanned by the Gage-ing Link system, allow models and figures alike to compete on the same field. Using devices like the free-play Gage-ing Battle Base kiosk, planned for installation at hobby shops, there will be more and more ways to play.
A new line of 1/144 scale (approx. 12.5cm) gunpla featuring suits from Gundam AGE. The larger body parts snap together like blocks, and absolutely no tools or adhesives are necessary to build the kits. These kits contain a Gage-ing chip, allowing play of a battle simulation game when scanned by the hobby shop Gage-ing Battle Base kiosk or Gage-ing Haro (sold separately)
Toys (completed models)
A 1/100 (19cm) painted, assembled figure. The figure has 15 points of articulation, and includes four Gage-ing Chips mounted in locations like the shoulders and torso, allowing play of a battle simulation game when scanned by the hobby shop Gage-ing Battle Base kiosk or Gage-ing Haro (sold separately)., just like the AG model line. Replicating the Gundam AGE’s arm/leg swap system, enhancement parts called “G-Ware” (sold separately, priced from 1,260 yen, available beginning October) and arms and legs from future GB figures can be attached to recreate onscreen combinations or create your own original MS.
Gundam Activation Device “AGE Device”
2,415 yen / Available October
The key the Asuno family uses to activate the Gundam, made into a toy! Plays character voices and sound effects, plus seven different pilot simulation games. It can also connect to the Gage-ing Haro and Gundam Battle Base to store player experience and level up just like the heroes of the show.
Gage-ing Haro
5,985 yen / Available October
A toy shaped like the hero’s partner robot Haro. Capable of “Gage-ing” (scanning) models and figures with Gage-ing Chips, it then displays the MS on its LCD and allows play of the same battle simulation game available on the Gage-ing Battle Base. By saving battle data from the Gage-ing Haro to the AGE Device, it is possible to level up.
Free gaming kiosk “Gage-ing Battle Base”
Free play/Available October
A free-to-play standalone game intended for hobby shops, capable of “Gage-ing” (scanning) models and figures with Gage-ing Chips and then playing a battle simulation game featuring that suit. One to three AG models can be scanned to form a platoon, or one GB figure can be customized and powered up with different arms and legs. Changes in parts or platoon composition change power, leading to a fun game of building the strongest squad or suit!
In addition, experience earned playing the Gundam Battle Base can be stored and used to level up an AGE Device. By connecting such an AGE Device to the Gundam Battle Base or Gage-ing Haro, the player’s suits evolve stronger and stronger!
The Gundam Battle Base is planned for installation at toy stores, department stores, discounters, and model shops nationwide.
A 1/144 scale model of the main character’s mobile suit. By using different-colored plastic parts, the coloring from the show is recreated without paint. With 41 points of articulation, poses from the show can be recreated faithfully. Along with continuing HG releases, MG and Mega Size kits are also planned.
see my previous posts about this gunpla series.
Digital Card Game
Gundam Try-Age
1 play 100 yen/Set 0 late July, set 1 early October
A card game using a flat-panel reader. By placing MS and pilot cards on the reader, they appear on the monitor. The player then moves the cards to direct their attacks. Set 1, scheduled for early October, focuses on Mobile Suit Gundam AGE. Cabinets will be available at toy stores, major retailers, and arcades.
● Entertainment software
【１】SD Gundam G Generation series
Date / Hardware TBD
Mobile Suit Gundam AGE will appear in future SD Gundam G Generation series.
【２】Mobile Suit Gundam AGE RPG (working title)
Date / Hardware TBD
A role playing game developed by Level-5 will be released.
※ The above reflects the situation as of writing and is subject to change without notice.
※ Pictured products are development samples and may differ from final products.
※ All prices include tax.
The assembled staff also commented on their excitement for Mobile Suit Gundam AGE.
“With 2009 marking the 30th anniversary of Gundam as a TV animation, and 2010 the 30th anniversary of Gunpla, we firmly believe that Mobile Suit Gundam AGE will open a new era for Gundam while honoring its long traditions. We intend to write a new page in Gundam history, showing another part of Gundam’s future to both existing fans and the children of the future.”
(Bandai Co., Ltd. President, Chief Executive Officer, and CGO Kazunori Ueno)
“Gundam depicts rich human drama and finely-detailed mechanicals through a unique SF lens, adapting through its 30-year history to appeal to broad audiences. We would like to expand the Gundam world with Mobile Suit Gundam AGE, connecting to new markets and raising a new generation of Gundam fans.”
(Sunrise Managing Director and Executive Producer Yasuo Miyakawa)
“Mobile Suit Gundam AGE will expand into games, initially through the SD Gundam G Generation series. We also plan codevelopment of a game with Level-5.”
(Namco Bandai Games Vice President Shin Unozawa)
“I feel the pressure of working on Gundam, but I’d like to keep a festive mood throughout production. I hope to live up to everyone’s expectations for the animation and detailed setting while maintaining a pleasant atmosphere. Not focusing on small quibbles, but a festive, enjoyable feeling. I hope everyone supports that kind of enjoyable Mobile Suit Gundam AGE.”
(Mobile Suit Gundam AGE Director Susumu Yamaguchi)
“As a Gundam fan since I was a child, I’m honored to take such a crucial role in developing a new Gundam project. Like the director, I’d like to produce an enjoyable Gundam, but I also aim to appeal to not only Gundam fans but the parents who haven’t watched Gundam lately and the children who have never watched. The title Mobile Suit Gundam AGE refers to our desire to create a new age of Gundam.”
(Level-5 Inc. President and CEO, Mobile Suit Gundam AGE Scriptwriter Akihiro Hino)