What does the UC NexT 0100 PROJECT envision for the future of the Universal Century?

Interview with Sunrise Producer Naohiro Ogata
Composition and Text by H2R

WEAVING THE UNIVERSAL CENTURY FOR A NEW GENERATION

―――What was the intent behind the launch of the UC NexT 0100 PROJECT?

Ogata: If you look at the recent trend of the Universal Century series, post-Gundam Unicorn, works like Gundam THE ORIGIN and Gundam Thunderbolt that harken back to an earlier time have been depicted. However, the Universal Century has a much broader timeline, as seen in works like Gundam F91 or Victory Gundam. What happened in the gap between UC and F91? What’s in store post-Victory Gundam? Just contemplating these aspects significantly expands the field of potential narratives. Amidst the forthcoming 40th anniversary of Mobile Suit Gundam, the crux of this project lies in the pledge that ‘Sunrise will transcend generations to expand the Universal Century.’

―――I perceive it as a strategic development and enhancement of the Universal Century brand image.

Ogata: The surrounding circumstances, inclusive of the anime package business, are rapidly transforming based on today’s trends. Especially now, we’re not bound solely to TV series; we have abundant choices. The UC NexT 0100 PROJECT is a declaration of intent to fundamentally revolutionize how we enjoy Universal Century works and Gundam. Be it theater or streaming, we’re game. Furthermore, there is the possibility of official Universal Century works coming from games and manga, not limited to visual media.

The approach to this initiative differs from the past. Until now, Gundam works were crafted under the form of licenses from Sunrise (beyond visual media). However, moving forward, there will be an increased focus on works where Sunrise is directly involved, from scenarios to characters.

―――Building a more conducive environment for creation.

Ogata: Yes, the intent of this project is to broaden the scope all at once, aiming for a more diverse participation. That includes the fans too. Looking back, we, too, were Gundam fans, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that fans are currently involved in making half of Gundam. It’s a style where various people’s intentions enter into the immense vessel that is Gundam, like a colossal cloud, and they’re sublimated into visual or gaming formats.

―――This could potentially lead to the birth of unexpected works.

Ogata: I believe that the strength of Gundam lies in its diversity. This is, in a positive sense, a testament to how we have collectively pondered and evolved the worldview created by director Yoshiyuki Tomino and the Mobile Suit Gundam staff. Additionally, one fortunate aspect of Gundam is that even within our fanbase, diverse sects and factions exist, and yet everyone keeps an eye on us (laughs).

Even in other works, they at least show some interest. As a creator, the most frightening thing is indifference. Thankfully, Gundam always finds an audience.

Although it’s challenging to create in this sense, compared to other works, we’re fortunate, and it’s our strength. Not many franchises continue for 40 years, and I believe the reason lies in everyone’s continued support that allows us to keep creating.

―――For example, by strategically planning the works, are you considering expanding the overseas market as well?

Ogata: That aspect is indeed present. The challenge at hand is overseas recognition. For instance, as a part of the Bandai Namco Group, content like ‘Dragonball’ and titles related to Shonen Jump have gained worldwide popularity.

Primarily, robot anime being a niche genre, is a significant factor. However, I do think the recent appearance of Gundam in works like Pacific Rim: Uprising and Ready Player One is a positive development. Since we already have the Unicorn Gundam in Odaiba, attracting numerous foreign tourists, I am considering this 40th anniversary as an opportunity to further expand Gundam globally.

―――Seeing the developments like the Gunpla Builders World Cup, it seems like it has garnered considerable popularity in the Asian region.

Ogata: The penetration into China and other Asian regions is somewhat established, but the biggest barriers are North America and Europe. There are core fans in these areas, who are actively working locally, and we’re truly grateful, but the reality is that it’s yet to spread to the mass market. A simple example: in Asia, they say, ‘keep the original voice actors and add subtitles,’ while in the West, the order is ‘dub for wider recognition.’ The recognition of anime and robot genres in Asia shares many commonalities with Japan.

THE UNIVERSAL CENTURY HOLDS UNTAPPED POTENTIAL

―――Why stick to the world view of the Universal Century, which has a certain fixed fan base, in your pursuit of a new direction?

Ogata: The Universal Century is the foundation of Gundam. It’s natural for people to think of it as a work targeting older audiences. After all, I’m part of the generation that saw Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack in junior high, so I naturally have a preference for deeper* Universal Century-related works. However, this project is not solely focused on deeper works.

There’s no reason why we can’t make Universal Century works for a younger audience, and I think it’s okay to have “moe-ish” works to give an extreme example. Of course, we need to pay attention to the overall balance, but it’s fine if we get reactions like “I’ve wanted to see a work like this!” and even surprises like “They’re doing it with this theme??”.

The important thing is the potential to create works with various approaches using the Universal Century as the subject matter. Of course, we will continue to put effort into Gundam works in other world views, like Iron-Blooded Orphans. For example, there’s the new Gundam 00 project that was announced just recently.

―――In terms of creating new and freer work, I feel that it’s important that it’s set in a period after Unicorn.

Ogata: Of course, it’s not that we won’t create works set before Universal Century 0096 (laughs). The project itself is based on creating the Universal Century for 100 years after Unicorn, but it all starts with the original. It’s important to cherish that starting point while creating new things.

―――On the other hand, because a certain period in the future has already been depicted to some extent, there are settings, mobile suits, and designs that can’t be changed, right? How will you incorporate them?

Ogata: How much to incorporate depends on a case-by-case basis. It’s important to respect existing settings, but I think there’s room for considerable differences in terms of aesthetics. If the viewer’s perspective is different, it’s not strange if the scenery and colors they see are different. We need to properly incorporate what’s out in the world now, but we also need to change what needs to be changed.

Of course, we won’t distort past events. We’ll value history so far, but it’s okay if the way things are seen or felt changes. At least for the works I produce, I intend to stick to these guidelines.

―――How about the design of mobile suits?

Ogata: In the era after Unicorn, there were base settings like Minovsky Flight and the miniaturization of mobile suits. Regarding elements that already exist, the basic approach is to incorporate them as much as possible and move forward. In terms of the designs for Gundam Narrative, rather than being entirely new, they were heavily influenced by the technology system of the traditional Universal Century, as envisioned by Mr. Hajime Katoki.

We’re designing based on the idea of why a machine called the Narrative Gundam exists in the year U.C.0097. It’s derived from the reverse engineering of “how and why was it made.”

―――Because Unicorn is close in the timeline, there seem to be common elements.

Ogata: With Narrative, because it’s basically the same worldview as Unicorn, just one year later, we’re conscious of a design close to the Unicorn Gundam and the Gundam. Ideally, it evokes Unicorn and leads to the new flow of Gundam in the future.

As for the future direction, the base of “how were mobile suits developed in that world” remains unchanged, and we will continue to create along that same path. However, there may also be sudden mutations like the Unicorn Gundam. After all, from the flow of mobile suits development so far, it’s like it just appeared out of nowhere.

USE GUNDAM IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO DO

―――Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative is the first project in this initiative. Can you tell us about the intentions behind it?

Ogata: Well, I’ve been discussing post-Unicorn developments with Harutoshi Fukui for a while now. The timing just happened to work out (laughs). However, we do have significant expectations for this project to symbolize a “new sprout .”For instance, regarding the original character designs, Kumiko Takahashi, who followed us from Unicorn, is in charge of our three main characters: Jona, Michelle, and Rita. We considered that the timeline of Narrative does not change from Unicorn, but for other characters and designs, we’ve entrusted them to Sejoon Kim. This is to pass the baton to the younger generation, aiming to create a vibrant product.

―――That’s true. We can see a generational shift among the main staff.

Ogata: The core generation of the UC staff was in their thirties on average. This time, people in their thirties, like Nobuhiko Ogata, have become central to the project. While I ensure that the existing staff continues to support us, I also intend to rejuvenate the creators. We’re asking the staff not to create something that feels like a throwback film. This doesn’t mean abandoning the old film feeling, but rather, we want them to create something meaningful for 2018.

―――It might be surprising, but there might be an easier aspect to creating a Universal Century work than a completely new worldview.

Ogata: For the creators, having a degree of constraint is not necessarily a bad thing. On the contrary, being told, “Create as freely as you like,” could be more challenging. Creating a world from scratch is not as free as one might imagine. On the other hand, Gundam has a set worldview to some extent, which likely offers the advantage of being able to concentrate on what one wants to convey or do.

―――On the other hand, the strength of the Gundam constraint might naturally determine the direction of the work.

Ogata: I do feel that. With the name “Gundam” attached, there are certain things that confront the creator and things that are expressed. Even in non-Universal Century Gundam works, you’ll always feel the “Gundam-ness.” I think this is precisely due to the constraints.

―――Perhaps it’s because the impression of the first Gundam and Director Tomino’s work is strong?

Ogata: Likely so. The structure of Mobile Suit Gundam and Tomino’s approach to creation has significantly influenced others. For example, Gundam incorporates war chronicle elements like the Pacific War and the social conditions and youth mood of the time in Tomino’s interpretations.

This seeps into not only subsequent Universal Century works but also Gundam SEED, 00, Gundam AGE, “Iron-Blooded Orphans,” and others, even if unintentionally. The reason for feeling “Gundam-ness” varies from person to person, but I think that all series ultimately become Gundam-like due to the influence of the structure that Tomino has presented.

―――If one were to create Gundam, one would naturally have to confront that.

Ogata: Gundam may be said to be something created by repeating such trials and errors. Especially in this day and age, we are a generation that has not experienced war, so what is fed back to the work are things happening in this era. It could be natural disasters or terrorism. What we’ve seen in real-time will have an impact on us.

Gundam is one of the few IPs that can project something felt there. If there is a creator who has a strong desire to express something, I would like them to aim for Gundam.

―――To convey something through Gundam.

Ogata: As I mentioned earlier, Gundam is always under scrutiny, for better or worse. So, if you want to say, “I want to do this!” you have a higher chance of getting the message across to the world by using Gundam rather than original works. Of course, you must be prepared for criticism as well.

Lately, Tomino has been saying, “It’s good to use Gundam more for expression .”Use Gundam to express what you want to do.

This is also the same concept for the UC NexT 0100 PROJECT. Whether creators or viewers, if there is something you want to do, I’d like you to express it freely. If it’s interesting, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a professional or an amateur. The intention of “I want to create” can lead to a path to the creator. Personally, I’d like to see a Gundam work with a fresh perspective or a new approach without fussing over the details.

―――Please don’t say something so uncouth (laughs).

Ogata: Well, even if factions usually don’t get along, it would be nice if everyone could push back Axis together when it matters (laughs).

―――Finally, what is the ultimate goal this project aims for?

Ogata: At the moment, we haven’t set a timeframe. It could be a 50-year or even a 100-year project. We plan to depict a new 100 years after Unicon, and as long as Sunrise exists, we’ll continue until the end of the Universal Century.

Well, I don’t know when that end will come (laughs).