Since its partnership with the Japanese group Kadokawa (today holder of 51% of its shares), Vega makes Gundam one of its strong licenses. Thus, after Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin and Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn, two new mangas from the most legendary universe of giant robots will arrive at the publisher this year.
It all starts with a response on X (formerly Twitter) from the rights holder who revealed the next two upcoming titles in the Gundam universe. The first is Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Defineongoing manga since 2011 in Gundam Ace magazine with 20 volumes under the clock, adapting the Zeta Gundam animated series by including new elements. Its author is none other than Hiroyuki Kitazume, artist who was an animator and animation director on the original animated series, and who then designed the character design for its two sequels, the Gundam ZZ series and the Gundam film: Tank counterattacks.
The second title to be announced is Mobile Suit Gundam : Char’s Counterattack – Beltorchika’s Children. Adapting the novel of the same name by Yoshiyuki Tomino, the manga traces the first script for the film Gundam: Tank Strikes Back, a script then canceled to produce the film we know. Published between 2014 and 2018, and concluded in 7 volumes, the manga is by Takayuki Yanase and Uroaki Sabishi.
Notice to new readers: These two works follow Gundam The Origin and take place before Gundam Unicorn. The story of Zeta Gundam Define takes place a few years after the conflict between the Earth Federation and the Duchy of Zeon told in The Origin (and in the very first Gundam series), while Char’s Counterattack – Beltorchika Children takes place 6 years after the start by Zeta Gundam Define.
-For now, the launch date of these two series and the price of the volumes remain to be confirmed. However, we know that Vega intends to publish them in the form of double volumes, like Gundam Unicorn, in the same dimensions as the latter in order to create a homogeneous collection.
Synopsis provisoire – Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Define :
Adapting the anime series Zeta Gundam, following Mobile Suit Gundam and Gundam The Origin, “Define” depicts a future for humanity that is darker than ever. After defeating the threat posed by the Duchy of Zeon, the Earth Federation instituted more cruel methods. A new generation of giant robots, the “Gundam” Mobile Suits, is created, not to defend the established peace, but to repress political dissidents. Thus, yesterday’s enemies become today’s heroes when the time comes to restore the scales of justice. As the young civilian named Kamille Bidan joins the fight against oppression, he has no idea of the sacrifices he will have to endure to make freedom triumph.
Synopsis privisoire – Mobile Suit Gundam : Char’s Counterattack – Beltorchika’s Children :
The legend of Amuro Ray and Char Aznable continues in this new adaptation of Yoshiyuki Tomino’s groundbreaking animated film. Their first battle changed the tone of the One Year’s War. Their final battle could be considered the denouement of the war against Zeron. More than a dozen years after the first conflict, Char Aznable has returned to lead Neo Zeon, and Amuro is ready to face his rival once again. Created twenty-five years after Yoshiyuki Tomino’s original novels, Beltorchika’s Children is an alternate version of the legendary film.
