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Okawara Kunio

One of the pioneering mecha designers in Japan.
Jenxi Seow Published 7 Feb 2025 Updated 7 Feb 2025
Okawara Kunio

Okawara Kunio (大河原 邦男, Ōkawara Kunio) was one of the pioneering mecha designers in Japan who established the profession of mechanical design in the anime industry. He is best known for designing mobile suits for the Gundam franchise, including the iconic RX-78-2 Gundam.

Born on 26 December 1947 in Inagi, Tokyo, Okawara continues to work from his home studio. His contributions to mechanical design in anime have earned him widespread recognition, including the Distinguished Service Award at the 2011 Japan Media Arts Festival.

Biography

Early life and education

Okawara entered Tokyo Zokei University as a graphic design student. Due to the department’s popularity during Tadanori Yokoo’s peak, he transferred to textile design in his second year where there was less competition.

Career beginnings

After graduating, Okawara worked at Onward Kashiyama, Japan’s largest textile and apparel company, designing mass-produced ready-made suits. He later moved to Kimuratan to work on their children’s brand ‘Otogi no Kuni’ but left when business downsizing led to his transfer to sales.

In April 1972, Okawara joined Tatsunoko Production after seeing a newspaper job listing. Despite having no prior interest in manga or anime, he applied as he was planning to get married. Initially assigned to the art section under Mitsuki Nakamura, he spent three months drawing background art before being tasked with designing the title logo for Science Ninja Team Gatchaman.

Nakamura, who was handling both art and mecha design duties, began delegating mechanical design work to Okawara. This led to Okawara receiving the industry’s first “mechanical designer” credit alongside Nakamura. Though originally scheduled to return to background art after Gatchaman, Tatsunoko’s continued production of mecha series allowed him to establish himself in the role.

Rise in the industry

After three years as an employee at Tatsunoko, Okawara became a part-time designer and began seeking work from Sunrise. He impressed them with his transformation mechanism design for Invincible Steel Man Daitarn 3, creating his own mockup for the presentation.

In late 1976, Okawara co-founded Design Office Mechaman with Nakamura after the latter left Tatsunoko. Despite receiving less work than Nakamura, both were paid equally due to equal investment in the company. Feeling this was unfair to Nakamura, Okawara went freelance a year later.

Gundam and breakthrough

In 1979, Okawara joined the production of Mobile Suit Gundam at Sunrise, working with director Yoshiyuki Tomino. Though initial toy sales were poor, leading to the show’s cancellation, reruns sparked interest among model enthusiasts. This led Bandai to launch plastic model kits in 1980, creating an unprecedented boom that established Gundam as a cultural phenomenon.

Okawara’s design process for the RX-78-2 Gundam began with adapting a rough design by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko based on powered suit illustrations. After initial designs were rejected, Okawara proposed a samurai-inspired robot that became the foundation for the final Gundam design. Yasuhiko refined this concept, adding the iconic face mask and finalising the colour scheme.

For enemy mobile suits, Tomino gave Okawara creative freedom apart from requiring the mono-eye feature. This resulted in the creation of iconic designs like the Zaku, Gouf, and Dom. The realistic, weapon-like aesthetic of these designs particularly resonated with model kit enthusiasts.

Style and influences

Okawara’s design philosophy emphasises practicality and manufacturability. When designing mecha, he considers both transformation mechanisms and real-world production feasibility, often creating wooden or metal models rather than multiple drawings. This approach proved particularly valuable in the 1970s and 1980s when toy companies were major anime sponsors.

His versatility is demonstrated in works ranging from serious Real Robot designs in Gundam to more playful mecha in comedy series like Time Bokan. He has cited the latter as particularly enjoyable due to its creative freedom and positive audience reception.

Notable Gundam works

Mobile Suit Gundam (1979)

  • Principal mechanical designer
  • Created the RX-78-2 Gundam, MS-06 Zaku II
  • Established the visual foundation for the franchise

Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (1985)

Mobile Suit Gundam F91 (1991)

  • Principal mechanical designer
  • Designed the F91 Gundam F91

Mobile Fighter G Gundam (1994)

  • Mechanical designer
  • Created the GF13-017NJ Shining Gundam and GF13-017NJII God Gundam

Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (1995)

  • Mechanical designer
  • Designed the XXXG-01W Wing Gundam

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (2002)

  • Mechanical designer
  • Created the GAT-X105 Strike Gundam

Complete works

Gundam works

TV Series

  • Mobile Suit Gundam (1979) – Principal mechanical design
  • Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (1985) – Mechanical design
  • Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (1986) – Design cooperation
  • Mobile Suit Victory Gundam (1993) – Mechanical design
  • Mobile Fighter G Gundam (1994) – Mechanical design
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (1995) – Mechanical design
  • After War Gundam X (1996) – Mechanical design
  • Turn A Gundam (1999) – Mechanical design
  • Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (2002) – Mechanical design
  • Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny (2004) – Mechanical design
  • Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (2007) – Mechanical design

Films and OVAs

  • Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket (1989) – Original mechanical design
  • Mobile Suit Gundam F91 (1991) – Mechanical design
  • Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory (1991) – Original mechanical design
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team (1996) – Mechanical design
  • New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz (1997) – Original mechanical design
  • Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO (2004) – Original mechanical design
  • Mobile Suit Gundam SEED C.E. 73 STARGAZER (2006) – Mechanical design
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (2010) – Original mechanical design
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt (2015) – Original mobile suit design
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin (2015) – Original mechanical design
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island (2022) – Mechanical design

Gunpla Build Series

  • Gundam Build Fighters (2013) – Mechanical design
  • Gundam Build Fighters Try (2014) – Mechanical design
  • Gundam Build Divers (2018) – Mechanical design
  • Gundam Build Divers Re:RISE (2019) – Mechanical design

Other notable works

1970s

  • Science Ninja Team Gatchaman (1972) – Enemy mechanical design
  • Hurricane Polymar (1974) – Mechanical design
  • Tekkaman: The Space Knight (1975) – Mechanical design
  • Time Bokan (1976) – Mechanical design
  • Invincible Steel Man Daitarn 3 (1978) – Principal mechanical design

1980s

  • Fang of the Sun Dougram (1981) – Mechanical design
  • Combat Mecha Xabungle (1982) – Mechanical design
  • Armored Trooper Votoms (1983) – Principal mechanical design
  • Blue Comet SPT Layzner (1985) – Mechanical design

1990s

  • Brave Exkaiser (1990) – Mechanical design
  • The Brave Fighter of Sun Fighbird (1991) – Mechanical design
  • The King of Braves GaoGaiGar (1997) – Principal mechanical design

2000s and beyond

  • Gravion (2002) – Mechanical design
  • Space Dandy (2014) – Guest mechanical design
  • World of Tanks Blitz (2016) – Guest mechanical design

Awards and recognition

  • 2001: Special/Lifetime Achievement Award at the 6th Animation Kobe
  • 2011: Distinguished Service Award at the Japan Media Arts Festival
  • 2018: Lifetime Achievement Award at the Tokyo Anime Award Festival

Working method

Okawara’s design process often involves creating three-dimensional models rather than multiple sketches, believing this better demonstrates transformation mechanisms and overall feasibility. He began using 3D computer graphics when commissioned for video game work, adapting his methods to new technologies while maintaining his focus on practical design considerations.

Impact and legacy

Okawara’s establishment of mechanical design as a distinct profession in anime has influenced generations of designers. His practical approach to mecha design, considering both aesthetic appeal and manufacturing feasibility, helped bridge the gap between artistic vision and commercial viability.

The success of his Gundam designs, particularly in model kit form, demonstrated the potential for mecha designs to drive merchandise sales, influencing the entire anime industry’s business model.