For decades, mecha fans have built model kits. What fuels this preoccupation, and what can we learn from the history of miniatures about mecha anime?
Tag: gundam
Syd Mead’s First Mobile Suits
Tom dives further into the publication history of Syd Mead’s Gundam movie concept art and examines rarely seen original sketches.
A Brief History of Hideaki Anno’s Work on Mobile Suit Gundam
A look at legendary animator and director Hideaki Anno’s involvement with the Mobile Suit Gundam series.
Gattai: The Global Interplay of Mecha Design
Shipped overseas and repackaged in the ’70s and ’80s, the Japanese concept of “giant robots” has become a global phenomenon, the stuff of Hollywood films, video games, TV shows, and more. But back then, as much now, the art of big robots has bore witness to a range of global contributions, influences, and shared inspiration.
All the Gundam That Was Fit to Print: Western Gundam Fandom Before Anime Village
While Gundam is everywhere today, for most of the ’80s and ’90s it was up to Western anime fans to carry the torch of Gundam through fanzines, magazine articles, and newsgroups.
Whits End: Mamoru Nagano’s Unused ZZ Gundam Design
In the midst of the rushed pre-production process on the third Gundam TV series a last-minute design change created one of the more interesting production footnotes in Gundam history.
Gunpla Boom Ephemera: Kunio Okawara’s Gouf Lady
With the gunpla boom riding high and Bandai rolling out its new Mobile Suit Variations series, original Gundam mechanical designer Kunio Okawara tried his hand at sculpting an original garage kit.
Stream•Base: Riding the Gunpla Boom in the Early Days of Gundam Model Mania
The gunpla boom of the early ’80s saw an explosion of interest in mecha modeling and provided unprecedented opportunities for a group of model enthusiasts that dubbed themselves “Stream•Base.”
Look Both Ways! Railway Crossing Warrior Shadan
During the gunpla boom of the early ’80s, giant robots were everywhere… even safety campaigns for kids. Meet Japan National Railways’ Gundam doppelganger, Railway Crossing Warrior Shadan.
Kickin’ it With The Tominoko Tribe
Gundam fans dancing in the streets in Tokyo circa 1980. Who were the Tominoko Tribe?