SCRAPPING THE ONGOING SCENARIO FOR AN IMPROMPTU SCHOOL SETTING

―――There was a lot of talk at the production announcement about Gundam’s first-ever female lead and the school-based setting. It seems to be well-received by those who hadn’t watched the Gundam series before. What discussions did you have with Director Hiroshi Kobayashi and Producer Takuya Okamoto about the new Gundam?

At the time I received the offer, it was clear it wouldn’t be set in the Universal Century. We intended to appeal to a new audience, so the show needed to be enjoyable even for those who haven’t watched the existing Gundam series.

―――Had the school setting been decided upon at that point?

No, there were no school elements when I first heard about the project. In fact, the first worldview that Director Kobayashi and I began creating was entirely different from what it is now, a harder worldview more characteristic of Gundam.

―――So, how did it transition into a school setting?

The overall structure was already established, and I was about to start writing the second episode after finishing the first one when the Director casually suggested during a script meeting: “What about a school setting?” He proposed the idea of using Gundams not as tools of war but as means for students to duel. It was a complete departure from our previous discussions. However, everyone present at the meeting immediately began to pour out ideas like “Let’s make the school like this” or “How about these rules for the duels?” Listening to this, I thought it was an excellent idea. The worldview that could evoke such proactive ideas from everyone would surely create an exciting Gundam.

―――Did you immediately switch to the school-based Gundam from that point?

Yes, we decided then and there to take it in the school direction. Of course, this meant scrapping all the storylines and scripts I’d been working on. But there was no hesitation. Scriptwriting isn’t about the time spent but how interesting the script turns out to be. If there’s a direction with potential, I believe that’s the optimal choice.

THE CONCEPT BEHIND THE NEW GUNDAM

―――Since the theme of previous Gundam series was mainly war, setting it in a school brings a modern freshness. How did you approach creating this new form of Gundam aimed at the new generation?

While I certainly have an intention to create a new Gundam, I don’t think of it as “Gundam for young people.” Youth encompasses a wide range of individuals, and I believe it’s a mistake to assume that I, who am not young, can understand what young people will like.

Instead, it’s perhaps better to say I considered it for Gundam beginners, those without interest in the usual Gundam conventions, military aspects, or robots. Rather than specifically targeting males or anime fans, I wanted to incorporate a broader, simpler, universal appeal. Love, family dynamics, and entertainment elements common to other genres. Basically, the goal was to create a simply entertaining new show. If the show is interesting, not only existing Gundam fans but also new audiences will watch it. That’s the idea.

―――When the school setting was announced, many people associated you, Mr. Okouchi, as the series composer, with the Code Geass series.

True, Code Geass combines school life and war, and I have also depicted robots and school in my other works. However, it’s not so much that I want to portray school life, but I want to portray the coexistence of everyday life and war. Like how war and life were depicted in robot animations, including Director Yoshiyuki Tomino’s Mobile Suit Gundam, I also like such works. Even if the protagonist is a soldier, I want to depict not just their battles but also their other aspects at the same time.

MIORINE, THE HEROINE, WAS NOT INITIALLY PRESENT

―――Looking at fan reactions, having a female protagonist for the first time seems to have become a potent symbol of a new Gundam. Did this decision bring about changes in production?

Personally, I didn’t intend to change the way I approached the show. Even when the protagonist is not female, many female characters have been piloting Gundams within the main cast, like Chris (from Gundam 0080) and Cagalli (from Gundam SEED). Regardless of gender, anyone would be frightened to go into battle.

―――How did you decide on the character development, such as their personality?

The basic approach involves a back-and-forth with the director. Initially, director Kobayashi is the one who throws the ball. I catch it and propose ideas like “I think this setting would be good considering the storyline” or “How about this character development?” Then, I receive feedback, and we continue from there.

―――What kind of character was Miorine at that time?

After turning it into a school story, the current narrative didn’t come together smoothly from the start, and several versions were drafted. In the first script, Miorine didn’t exist, or more accurately, she didn’t have the role she has now. A character named Miorine existed, but she was positioned as the mistress of the villain. However, we realized that dividing the story between the company scenes and the school scenes would create a disconnect. I reconsidered and thought it would be better to place Miorine in the school. After several revisions, she became the Miorine we see today. Her personality is also completely different. Initially, she was a pitiful character who had nothing and couldn’t speak her mind to others.

―――When I read the script, it felt like more than just a new Gundam; it felt like a departure from the traditional Gundam.

I believe it’s the result of Director Kobayashi embodying the world and story he finds interesting. The “PROLOGUE” had a harder edge, and the first episode was more enjoyable. They may seem different from each other, but both are grounded in the director’s style. As I mentioned earlier, I didn’t focus on making it a completely new Gundam or targeting a specific young audience. My goal was simply to create an anime that is entertaining and enjoyable. And since the director was Kobayashi, I just worked on it faithfully in that direction.

INFUSING MEANING INTO THE UNDERLYING THEME OF “WITCH”

―――Could you please talk a bit about the worldview and key elements of the story? I understand there was a proposal from Morion Airlines in the early stages of the project. What impression did that leave on you?

It wasn’t exactly a detailed narrative but more an impression of characters and motifs. I sensed a freshness, a novelty, stemming from an idea that originated outside the animation industry. However, as I mentioned earlier, the final product has gone through several iterations from the original proposal of Morion Airlines. That said, Hisadake of Morion Airlines, who is in charge of literature, is still involved in our script meetings, offering ideas and essences periodically. The term “Witch from Mercury” was also in the proposal at that time.

For me, Morion Airlines’ proposal was like a map for the then-undecided new Gundam project. Without it, I believe without it, we couldn’t move forward from the darkness of having nothing.

―――As the story progresses, the ‘cursed mobile suit, Gundam’, a concept derived from the GUND format, significantly influences the narrative. This idea of a curse was suggested by Director Kobayashi, so how did you approach it in terms of storytelling?

Since the title was “Witch from Mercury,” I started by studying what witches are. I delved into historical figures called witches and witch hunts. I learned a great deal from books and other materials relating to witches. The director and I had numerous discussions about the nature of witches, the symbolism, and the emotions people had toward witches. However, that doesn’t mean we expressed these directly; instead, I incorporated them as an underlying theme. It’s difficult to explain it explicitly without giving away spoilers, but you’ll be able to feel it as the story progresses.

―――The corporate aspect is becoming prominent. The story’s distinct feature is its focus on the mobile suit industry, not the military. How does that fit into the series?

Compared to the era of Mobile Suit Gundam, I think today’s world is much further from war. Few people in our neighborhoods have been to war, and signs of war are rare. With that in mind, I questioned whether the military was the right choice for representing the larger adult world outside of the school. I thought perhaps a meeting plagued by power harassment from superiors would be easier for most people to understand than a court martial. But ordinary companies wouldn’t align well with mobile suits, so I decided to make it a company that manufactures mobile suits. If that’s the case, then the school is owned by that company, and duels are forms of competition within the company’s mobile suits… That’s how I expanded the idea.

EARTH HOUSE STUDENTS ARE CHOSEN ELITES

―――Observing the relationships within the school dorms, it seems that students from Earth are in a significantly disadvantaged position. How is the relationship between the Earth and Space sides?

In traditional Gundam series, Earth was often portrayed as the dominant force, while space was depicted as the underdog. However, in this series, the roles are reversed, and the space side (Spaceians) holds the advantage in society. Though the population is larger on Earth (Earthian), the space era’s core industries, like mobile suit development, are controlled by the space side (Spaceians). As a result, there are severe economic disparities.

―――So, what is the significance of the Earth House?

Discrimination, as it is in modern society, isn’t usually overt. Therefore, officially, there’s no discrimination. Hence, students from Earth are accepted. However, the entrance barrier is high, and once they’re in, they often struggle. The reason why Nika and the others entered the school despite such handicaps is that all the Earth residents attending this school are generally talented. Otherwise, it would be difficult for an Earthian to enter this school.

―――Looking at the current situation, there are significant developments happening within the school, the Benerit Group, and the Gundams. Could you tell us a little about the future points to look out for?

In Episode 7, Miorine establishes her own company, and the story, which had been unfolding separately between the school and the company, will truly intertwine. As the world expands, new mobile suits will appear, and the relationship between Suletta and Miorine will change. There will also be various revelations about people’s motives and true intentions. Please keep an eye out for what’s to come.