Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin is a six-part original video animation series produced by Sunrise.
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin (機動戦士ガンダム THE ORIGIN, Kidō Senshi Gandamu Ji Orijin) is a six-part original video animation series produced by Sunrise between 2015 and 2018. Based on the manga of the same name by Yasuhiko Yoshikazu, the series serves as a prequel to the original Mobile Suit Gundam television series.
The OVA adaptation was directed by Yasuhiko himself, serving as chief director, alongside Imanishi Takashi as director. The series focuses on the backstory of Char Aznable and his sister Sayla Mass, chronicling the events that led to the One Year War.
The six episodes were initially released as theatrical screenings in Japan before being made available on home video and streaming services. In 2019, the series was recompiled into a 13-episode television series titled Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin: Advent of the Red Comet which aired on NHK General TV.
Synopsis
Main article: Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin episodes
Set in Universal Century 0068 to 0079, The Origin tells the tragic story of Casval Rem Deikun and his sister Artesia Som Deikun, who would later become known as Char Aznable and Sayla Mass respectively.
The story begins with the sudden death of Zeon Zum Deikun, the leader of the Autonomous Republic of Munzo, during his speech declaring independence from the Earth Federation. With Deikun’s death, the Zabi family seizes control of Side 3 and transforms it into the Principality of Zeon.
As political upheaval engulfs their home, Casval and Artesia flee to Earth with Jimba Ral, where they assume new identities. The series follows their lives in exile whilst chronicling the development of mobile suits, the rise of the Zabi family, and the events leading to the outbreak of the One Year War.
The final episodes depict the Battle of Loum, where Char first earns his reputation as the “Red Comet” and begins his path toward becoming the legendary ace pilot known throughout the Universal Century.
Development
Conception
The anime adaptation was first announced by Sunrise in June 2011, though production details remained scarce for several years. In March 2014, at the Mobile Suit Gundam 35th Anniversary event, it was officially announced as a four-episode OVA series with theatrical screenings to celebrate the franchise’s milestone anniversary.
Yasuhiko Yoshikazu, the original character designer for Mobile Suit Gundam and creator of The Origin manga, was brought on as chief director and scriptwriter. This marked his return to directing after focusing primarily on manga creation for decades.
The decision was made to focus specifically on the flashback sequences from the manga, rather than retelling the entire story. This allowed the production team to explore the previously untold backstory of Char and Sayla in greater detail.
Production
The series was initially planned as four episodes but was later extended to six to fully adapt the Loum arc, which had only been partially depicted in the prologue of the first episode. This extension allowed for a more complete portrayal of the early battles of the One Year War.
Imanishi Takashi, a veteran Sunrise director known for his work on Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory, served as director under Yasuhiko’s supervision. Sumisawa Katsuyuki, who had previously worked on Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, handled the series composition.
Okawara Kunio, the original mechanical designer for Mobile Suit Gundam, returned to provide mecha designs alongside Katoki Hajime, Yamane Kimitoshi, and Akitaka Mika.
Music
Hattori Takayuki composed the musical score for the series. The theme songs were produced by Sugizo, with his band Luna Sea performing opening themes including “Sora no Uta Higher and Higher” and covers of classic Gundam songs.
For the ending themes, Sugizo collaborated with various female artists, including Glim Spanky, KOM_I from Wednesday Campanella, and Miwa. Notably, several ending themes were covers of iconic songs from previous Gundam series, including “Meguriai” from Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space.
Release
Theatrical release
The first episode, “The Blue-Eyed Casval,” premiered in limited Japanese theatres on 28 February 2015. Each subsequent episode received similar theatrical screenings before home video release, creating an event-driven release strategy that built anticipation amongst fans.
The theatrical presentations often included special events, such as cast and crew appearances at select cinemas in Shinjuku, featuring voice actors Ikeda Shuichi, Tanaka Mayumi, Han Megumi, and Yasuhiko himself.
International release
Following the partnership between Sunrise and Right Stuf Entertainment, the series received an English dub recorded at NYAV Post. This marked Sunrise’s first English dub production since Bandai Entertainment retired from licensing Gundam properties.
Sheh Stephanie served as the English voice director, bringing her experience from directing Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn and other high-profile anime dubs. The English cast included established Gundam voice actors such as Silverstein Keith as Char Aznable and Johnson Bob as Dozle Zabi.
Streaming began simultaneously with the Japanese release on Daisuki for premium subscribers outside of Asia. Wakanim provided French-language streaming, whilst Anime Limited handled United Kingdom distribution via Vimeo.
Home media
Each episode received individual Blu-ray collector’s editions in Japan, featuring high-quality packaging and bonus materials. The complete series was later released as a box set through Right Stuf Entertainment in North America.
The home video releases included both Japanese and English audio tracks, as well as subtitle options in multiple languages including Japanese, English, French, Korean, traditional Chinese, and simplified Chinese.
Reception
Critical reception
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin received widespread critical acclaim for its animation quality, storytelling, and faithful adaptation of Yasuhiko’s manga. Critics praised the series for providing depth and context to characters that had previously been less developed in the original 1979 series.
Animation historians noted the high production values, with particular praise for the mecha animation and character designs. The series was commended for successfully bridging the gap between the classic 1970s aesthetic and modern animation techniques.
Charles Solomon, writing for Animation Scoop, praised the series for its sophisticated approach to storytelling and noted that it demonstrated why the Gundam franchise had endured for over three decades. He highlighted the series’ ability to appeal to both newcomers and veteran fans.
Commercial performance
The series performed well commercially both in Japan and internationally. Home video sales exceeded expectations, with each episode’s Blu-ray release ranking highly on Japanese animation sales charts.
The theatrical screenings drew significant audiences, demonstrating the continued appeal of the Gundam franchise and the effectiveness of the event-based release strategy.
Fan reception
Long-time Gundam fans responded positively to the series, appreciating the expanded backstory for Char Aznable and the detailed depiction of the political intrigue surrounding the formation of Zeon. Many fans considered it essential viewing for understanding the broader Universal Century timeline.
The series was particularly praised for its portrayal of Char as a more sympathetic character whilst maintaining the complexity that made him such an enduring antagonist in the franchise.
Legacy
Television recompilation
In 2019, as part of Gundam’s 40th anniversary celebration, the six OVA episodes were recompiled into a 13-episode television series titled Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin: Advent of the Red Comet. This version aired on NHK General TV from April to August 2019 and was subsequently broadcast on Adult Swim’s Toonami block in the United States.
Influence on the franchise
The Origin set a new standard for Gundam OVA productions, demonstrating the viability of high-budget, theatrical-quality animation for the franchise. Its success paved the way for subsequent premium Gundam productions such as Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway.
The series also established a template for how classic Gundam stories could be retold for modern audiences, balancing respect for the original material with contemporary production values and storytelling techniques.
Related media
The success of the anime adaptation led to increased interest in Yasuhiko’s original manga, which saw renewed sales and international licensing. Kodansha USA announced plans for a deluxe edition release of the manga in 2024, demonstrating the lasting impact of the anime adaptation.
Credits
Japanese cast
| Character | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| Char Aznable | Ikeda Shuichi |
| Sayla Mass | Tanaka Mayumi |
| Dozle Zabi | Gouri Daisuke |
| Gihren Zabi | Ginga Banjo |
| Kycilia Zabi | Koyama Mami |
| Ramba Ral | Hirose Masashi |
| Hamon | Nakatani Yumi |
English cast
| Character | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| Char Aznable | Silverstein Keith |
| Sayla Mass | O’Connor Maggie |
| Dozle Zabi | Johnson Bob |
| Gihren Zabi | O’Brien Liam |
| Garma Zabi | Niosi Chris |
| Ramba Ral | Thornton Kirk |
Staff
- Chief Director: Yasuhiko Yoshikazu
- Director: Imanishi Takashi
- Series Composition: Sumisawa Katsuyuki
- Character Design: Yasuhiko Yoshikazu, Kotobuki Tsukasa
- Mechanical Design: Okawara Kunio, Katoki Hajime, Yamane Kimitoshi, Akitaka Mika
- Music: Hattori Takayuki
- Producer: Itano Ichiro
Appearances
- Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin – Characters
- Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin – Events
- Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin – Locations
- Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin – Mobile weapons
- Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin – Organisations
- Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin – Vehicles and vessels
- Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin – Weapons and technology
External links
- Official website
- Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin on Wikipedia
- Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin on Anime News Network
- Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin on the Gundam Wiki