Gundam Reconguista in G

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Gundam Reconguista in G
Cover for the first DVD Volume
ガンダム Gのレコンギスタ
(Gandamu G no Rekongisuta)
GenreMecha, science fiction
Created byHajime Yatate
Yoshiyuki Tomino
Anime television series
Directed byYoshiyuki Tomino
Produced byNaohiro Ogata
Toshihiro Maeda
Hiroyuki Kikugawa
Written byYoshiyuki Tomino
Music byYugo Kanno
StudioSunrise
Licensed by
Original networkJNN (MBS, TBS, CBC, BS-TBS)
Original run October 2, 2014 March 26, 2015
Episodes26[1] (List of episodes)
Manga
Written byTamon Ōta
Published byKadokawa
MagazineGundam Ace
DemographicShōnen
Original runAugust 26, 2014September 26, 2019 (hiatus)
Volumes5
Anime film series
Directed byYoshiyuki Tomino
Written byYoshiyuki Tomino
Music byYugo Kanno
StudioSunrise
Licensed by
ReleasedNovember 29, 2019 (part 1)
February 21, 2020 (part 2)
July 22, 2021 (part 3)
July 22, 2022 (part 4)
August 5, 2022 (part 5)
Films5

Gundam Reconguista in G (Japanese: ガンダム Gのレコンギスタ, Hepburn: Gandamu G no Rekongisuta), also referred to as G-Reco (Gレコ), is a 2014 Japanese science fiction anime television series and the thirteenth installment in Sunrise's long-running Gundam franchise.

Created for the Gundam 35th Anniversary celebration, it is the first Gundam TV series to be written and directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino since Turn A Gundam in 1999 and features character designs by Kenichi Yoshida of Overman King Gainer & Eureka Seven fame.[2] Airing in the MBS/TBS networks' Animeism block from October 2014 to March 2015, it is the first traditional Gundam TV series to be initially released as a late night anime. A five-part film compilation series was released from 2019 to 2022.

Plot summary[edit]

In Regild Century 1014, 1,014 years after the end of the Universal Century,[3][4] a young member of the Capital Guard named Bellri Zenam (ベルリ・ゼナム, Beruri Zenamu), charged with protecting the orbital elevator Capital Tower,[2] encounters and helps capture a highly advanced mobile suit, the G-Self and its pilot, Aida Surgan (アイーダ・スルガン, Aida Surugan), while defending the tower from space pirates called the Pirate Corps. Feeling a connection with both the G-Self and its pilot, Bellri is able to control the mobile suit, operable only by a select few.[5][6]

The G-Self is recaptured by the Amerian spaceship Megafauna, and Bellri subsequently helps fend off attacks by the "Capital Army" - a militaristic faction from the Capital Tower advocating for rearmament, led by Colonel Cumpa Rusita - and its eccentric Captain Mask. The Megafauna returns to the Capital Territory to negotiate a ceasefire and alliance to prepare for an alleged threat from space, but the unexpected launch of an Amerian fleet causes hostilities to resume.

The Megafauna flees to space, arriving at the holy land of Sankt Porto atop the Capital Tower, which has been occupied by Amerian forces seeking control of utilities distributed by the Capital Territory. Recognizing the growing military strength of Earth's factions, the Moon colony of Towasanga sends their Dorette Fleet to begin the "Reconguista", a recolonization of Earth. In the ensuing chaos, the Megafauna as well as a pair of Amerian and Capital Army ships journey to the Moon.

At Towasanga, Bellri and Aida learn that they are the last surviving members of the royal Rayhunton family, sent to Earth as children to protect them from the Dorette Fleet. Seeking the truth behind the conflict, Aida commands the Megafauna to the Venus Globe colonies, the source of the Photon Batteries and other advanced technology that has led to Earth's rapid militarization. After a battle with the G-IT Corps - another faction supporting the Reconguistra - they discover Cumpa Rusita is the Towasangan who brought them to Earth and provided Earthnoids with the blueprints for spaceships and mobile suits with the intention of spurring armed conflict and strengthening the human race.

The Megafauna returns to Earth with upgraded mobile suits and finds the war has escalated further. Ameria has allied with the Dorette Fleet while Captain Mask allies with the G-IT Corps to ensure his historically oppressed race has a place in the new world order. A chaotic final battle ensues at the Guiana Highlands among the remains of the past wars and Cumpa Rusita is killed in the crossfire between Bellri and Captain Mask. Having rediscovered the horrors of war throughout their adventures, the crew of the Megafauna force a ceasefire with technology from the Universal Century.

Some months later, a joint crew of Earthnoids and Spacenoids from multiple nations start a journey around the world to promote peace and understanding. Bellri disembarks in Japan and climbs Mount Fuji, intending to see the world on his own two feet.

Characters[edit]

Capital Army / Capital Guard / Capital Territory[edit]

Bellri Zenam (ベルリ・ゼナム, Beruri Zenamu)
Voiced by: Mark Ishii
Noredo Nug (ノレド・ナグ, Noredo Nagu)
Voiced by: Minako Kotobuki
Nobell (ノベル, Noberu)
Voiced by: Ayahi Takagaki
Raraiya Monday (ラライヤ・マンディ, Raraiya Mandy)
Voiced by: Yukari Fukui
Luin Lee / Mask (ルイン・リー / マスク, Ruin Rī / Masuku)
Voiced by: Takuya Satō
Manny Ambassada (マニィ・アンバサダ, Manyi Anbasada)
Voiced by: Ayahi Takagaki
Dellensen Samatar (デレンセン・サマター, Derensen Samatā)
Voiced by: Tsuyoshi Koyama
Kerbes Yoh (ケルベス・ヨー, Kerubesu Yō)
Voiced by: Yusuke Suda
Wilmit Zenam (ウィルミット・ゼナム, Uirumitto Zenamu)
Voiced by: Atsuko Tanaka
Becker Shadam (ベッカー・シャダム, Bekkā Shadamu)
Voiced by: Keiji Himeno
Cumpa Rusita (クンパ・ルシータ, Kunpa rushīta)
Voiced by: Akio Hirose
Barara Peor (バララ・ペオール, Barara Peōru)
Voiced by: Mai Nakahara
Gel Trimedestus Nug (ゲル・トリメデストス・ナグ, Geru Torimedesutosu Nagu)
Voiced by: Shinshū Fuji
Jugan Meinstron (ジュガン・マインストロン, Jugan Mainsutoron)
Voiced by: Junichi Suwabe
Birgiz Shiba (ビルギーズ・シバ, Birugīzu Shiba)
Voiced by: Hiroshi Naka

Amerian Army / Pirate Corps[edit]

Aida Surugan (アイーダ・スルガン, Aīda Surugan)
Voiced by: Yu Shimamura
Gusion Surugan (グシオン・スルガン, Gushion Surugan)
Voiced by: Hiroyuki Kinoshita
Cahill Saint (カーヒル・セイント, Kāhiru Seinto)
Voiced by: Toshiyuki Morikawa
Klimton Nicchini / Klim Nick (クリムトン・ニッキーニ / クリム・ニック, Kurimuton Nikkīni / Kurimu Nikku)
Voiced by: Ryota Ohsaka
Donyell Tos (ドニエル・トス, Donieru Tosu)
Voiced by: Shinpachi Tsuji
Mick Jack (ミック・ジャック, Mikku Jakku)
Voiced by: Michiko Kaiden
Happa (ハッパ, Happa)
Voiced by: Chihiro Suzuki
Steer (ステア, Sutea)
Voiced by: Michelle Yumiko Payne
Executive Officer (副長, Fukuchō)
Voiced by: Junichi Suwabe
Gisela (ギゼラ, Gizera)
Voiced by: Kairi Satake
Adams Smith (アダム・スミス, Adamu Sumisu)
Voiced by: Mitsuaki Kanuka
Clem Moa (クレン・モア, Kuren Moa)
Voiced by: Itaru Yamamoto
Maki Sole (マキ・ソール, Maki Sōru)
Voiced by: Sakiko Tamagawa
Jama Delia (ジャマ・デリア, Jama Deria)
Voiced by: Tomohiro Fujitaka
Ressel Blanc (レッセル・ブラン, Resseru Buran)
Voiced by: Taishi Murata
Annette Sora (アネッテ・ソラ, Anette Sora)
Voiced by: Miyuki Satō
Medi Susun (メディー・ススン, Medī Susun)
Voiced by: Junichi Suwabe
Kiran Kim (キラン・キム, Kiran Kimu)
Voiced by: Mīna Obata
Luan (ルアン, Ruan)
Voiced by: Yoshiaki Hasegawa
Oliver (オリバー, Oribā)
Voiced by: Takuya Masumoto
Zuchini Nicchini (ズッキーニ・ニッキーニ, Zukkīni Nikkīni)
Voiced by: Toshihiko Kojima

Towasanga[edit]

Noutu Dorette (ノウトゥ・ドレット, Nouto~u Doretto)
Voiced by: Ryūji Mizuno
Raraiya Akuparl (ラライヤ・アクパール, Raraiya Akuparu)
Voiced by: Fukui Yukari
Mashner Hume (マッシュナー・ヒューム, Masshunā Hyūmu)
Voiced by: Chiaki Takahashi
Turbo Brockin (ターボ・ブロッキン, Tābo Burokkin)
Voiced by: Satoshi Taki
Rockpie Getty (ロックパイ・ゲティ, Rokkupai Geti)
Voiced by: Junya Hirano
Ringo Lon Giamanotta (リンゴ・ロン・ジャマノッタ, Ringo Ron Jamanotta)
Voiced by: Shintaro Asanuma
Gavan Magdala (ガヴァン・マグダラ, Gavu~an Magudara)
Voiced by: Tetsu Inada
Flaminia Kalle (フラミニア・カッレ, Furaminia Karre)
Voiced by: Sakiko Tamagawa
Lorucca Biskes (ロルッカ・ビスケス, Rorukka Bisukesu)
Voiced by: Atsuki Tani
Miraji Barbaros (ミラジ・バルバロス, Miraji Barubarosu)
Voiced by: Hideyuki Umezu
Jean Byeon Hazm (ジャン・ビョン・ハザム, Jan Byon Hazamu)
Voiced by: Itaru Yamamoto

Venus Globe[edit]

La Gu (ラ・グー, Ra Gū)
Voiced by: Takehito Koyasu
Elle Kind (エル・カインド, Eru Kaindo)
Voiced by: Yutaka Nakano

G-IT Laboratory[edit]

Kia Mbeki (キア・ムベッキ, Kia Mubekki)
Voiced by: Nakai Kazuya
Chickara Dual (チッカラ・デュアル, Chikkara De~yuaru)
Voiced by: Keiko Sugiura
Kun Soon (クン・スーン, Kun Sūn)
Voiced by: Ami Koshimizu
Rosenthal Kobashi (ローゼンタール・コバシ, Rōzentāru Kobashi)
Voiced by: Junichi Suwabe
Flaminia Kalle (フラミニア・カッレ, Furaminia Karre)
Voiced by: Sakiko Tamagawa
Yaan Zishar (ヤーン・ジシャール, Yān Jishāru)
Voiced by: Shintarō Asanuma

Production[edit]

Background[edit]

The series began development prior to 2009, when Yoshiyuki Tomino approached character designer Kenichi Yoshida to perform preliminary design work.[1]

The announcement was first publicized in September 2011 under the codename G-Reco.[7] Previously, in November 2010, Tomino had previewed an unfinished novel in the 100th issue of Gundam Ace called Hajimetai Capital G no Monogatari (はじめたいキャピタルGの物語), which revolved around a space elevator with similar characters and settings.[7] The scenario for the show was completed and the anime began full production in 2012.[8]

Reconguista in G was officially unveiled at the Gundam 35th Anniversary event on March 20, 2014.[2] During the unveiling, Tomino explained the "G" stands for "Gundam," but primarily means "ground." He also explained the word "reconguista" is based on the Spanish word reconquista; however, the Japanese audience prefers a voiced "g" in the title which necessitated the change.[9]

Staff[edit]

Gundam Reconguista in G is Yoshiyuki Tomino's first major original animated work since The Wings of Rean in 2004, though he had directed a CGI short for Gundam's 30th anniversary in 2009 called Ring of Gundam. The character designs of the series are by Kenichi Yoshida, who had his first character designs credit in Tomino's Overman King Gainer. The mechanical designs are by Akira Yasuda, who previously worked with Tomino as a character designer in Turn A Gundam and mecha designer in Overman King Gainer, Kimitoshi Yamane, who also worked with Tomino in Overman King Gainer, and Ippei Gyōbu, an advertising illustrator who was working on his first mechanical designs.[1] Yuugo Kanno is the composer of the music.[6]

Short film[edit]

A short film with 3D CGI mecha scenes was released on May 21, 2015, featuring a battle between G-Self and G-Arcane, and the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex from Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn. The film was released at Gundam Front Tokyo's Wall-G Theater in Odaiba, Tokyo, Japan.

Compilation films[edit]

The series received five compilation films.[10][11] The first film, Go! Core Fighter, premiered on November 29, 2019.[12] The second film, Bellri's Fierce Charge, premiered on February 21, 2020.[13] Further films were delayed due to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. The third film, The Legacy of Space, premiered on July 22, 2021.[14] The fourth film, Shouting Love Into a Fierce Fight, premiered on July 22, 2022, and the fifth film, Crossing the Line Between Life and Death, premiered on August 5, 2022.[15]

Release[edit]

The first three episodes were compiled for preview screenings in limited Japanese theaters starting August 23, 2014. This film was made available on the Japanese streaming website Docomo Anime Store in September 2014. The series aired in the Animeism block from October 2, 2014, to March 26, 2015, with a one-hour special of the first two episodes.[6]

Sunrise released the series on home video (via Right Stuf Inc.) in 2016[16] while Anime Limited acquired the rights to release the series in Europe.[17]

Music[edit]

The first opening theme is "BLAZING" by Garnidelia, and the ending theme is "G no Senkō" by Daisuke Hasegawa.

The second opening theme is "Futari no Mahō" (ふたりのまほう) by May J.

Related media[edit]

Manga[edit]

A manga adaptation of the show by Tamon Ōta was serialized in Gundam Ace magazine from October 2014 to November 2019 issues, when it went on hiatus.[18] Five compilation volumes have been released from December 2014 to May 2017.

Video games[edit]

In Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Force PlayStation Vita game, the G-Self is a playable unit.[19] The Mack Knife was later included as DLC.[20] Both of the units also appear on the Arcade Game Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Maxi Boost ON and later supplanted by the G-Arcane with the full dress and G-Self again with the Perfect pack. In Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. 2, the Montero(Klim Nick's unit) is a playable unit and later supplanted by the G-Lucifer and the Kabakali. In Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. 2 XBoost, the G-Rach serves as a boss unit. Later, the Dahack serves as a playable unit. In Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. 2 OverBoost, the Hecate serves as a playable unit.

Reception[edit]

The reaction to the series was mixed. Toshio Okada, a co-founder and former president of Gainax, has voiced concerns regarding the show's comprehensibility. He stated that "Ordinary people watch this and don't know what's happening," and "It's fine to make it for today's kids, but who does he think kids today are? Who does he think the kids that watch Yo-kai Watch are?"[21] Lauren Orsini of Anime News Network criticized it in her review of the Gundam series as a whole. Stating "The storytelling is so confusing, it may take the entire series for you to figure out what's going on." She recommended against watching it entirely.[22] Meanwhile, Japanese social critic and editor-in-chief of the PLANETS magazine, Uno Tsunehiro, gave it a highly positive critical response, stating that "[It is] in my humble opinion, this disorientation is somewhat intended... What we see here may be an intense message that goes against the times." He went on to state that it reflects the dilemmas that humanity faced in the 20th century, and how technology and digital age culture has made us lose our ability to perceive and understand these detached realities.[23] Likewise, writer Gen Urobuchi wrote a highly positive critical response to it, stating "If there are infinite possibilities in writing, is it possible to write a story about the potential danger of stories? A story that renounces stories? Yes, it is. Reconguista of G did it", and "When I saw the end credits I was just moved, and exclaimed " they did it!". I had been worried about the limits of storytelling and was just thankful for this slap from a veteran creator to me. Reconguista of G made me genki."[24]

In April 2015, Tomino responding to criticisms offered an apology to those who did not comprehend the story, stating, "If people tell me, 'I couldn't understand it because you aren't good at what you do,' then there's nothing for me to say but 'I'm sorry.'"[25]

Commercially the series was a success. The limited-edition Blu-ray debuted 15th on the Oricon chart, with 3,864 units sold during the first week.[26] The second volume of the Blu-ray debuted 4th on the Oricon chart, with 7,322 units sold in the first week.[27] According to the Oricon chart, Gundam Reconguista in G ranked as the 22nd best selling anime of 2015 with 76,419 units sold in total.[28]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "A report on G-Reco's "Creators' Talk Night" packed with inside details!". Gundam.info. 2011-09-09. Archived from the original on 2016-02-06. Retrieved 2014-10-25.
  2. ^ a b c "Gundam's 35th Year Marked With Reconguista in G, The Origin". Anime News Network. 2014-03-20. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
  3. ^ Gundam Reconguista in G, Episode #17, the character Col. Rusita directly states onscreen that the Universal Century was "[the] prior era," to the Regild Century, referring to previous conflicts of the UC reigniting in the Regild Century. Subsequently, in episode #24, Klim Nick refers to the Dorette Fleet being "burdened [by the] trauma of the Universal Century's wars." The Correct Century is never mentioned in the show.
  4. ^ "Gundam Reconguista in G Blu-ray". RightStuf.com. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  5. ^ "Gundam: Reconguista in G's 2nd Video, Story, Cast, Staff, Designs Unveiled". Anime News Network. 2014-06-23. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  6. ^ a b c ""Reconguista in G" theatrical previews begin in August, to be followed by streaming and a TV run! Plus a new trailer!". Gundam.info. 2014-06-25. Archived from the original on 2014-06-30. Retrieved 2014-06-28.
  7. ^ a b "Gundam/Ideon's Yoshiyuki Tomino to Launch G Reko". Anime News Network. 2011-09-09. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
  8. ^ "Gundam Creator Tomino's G-Reko Entering Full-Fledged Production". Anime News Network. 2012-08-25. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
  9. ^ "MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM 35th Anniversary Project Reception, 2014-03-20". Gundam 35th.
  10. ^ "Gundam: Hathaway's Flash Film Trilogy, Reconguista in G Film Project Confirmed". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
  11. ^ "Gundam: Reconguista in G Compilation Film Project to Have 5 Films". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
  12. ^ "1st Gundam: Reconguista in G Compilation Film Opens in Japan on November 29". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2019-08-25.
  13. ^ "2nd Gundam: Reconguista in G Compilation Film Reveals Title, February Opening". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2019-12-12.
  14. ^ "3rd Gundam: Reconguista in G Compilation Film Opens in Japan on July 22". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2021-07-25.
  15. ^ "Gundam: Reconguista in G Anime's Final 2 Compilation Films to Open on July 22, August 5". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
  16. ^ "Sunrise to Dub Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans Release Gundam Build Fighters". Anime News Network. 2015-10-09.
  17. ^ "Manchester Comic Con Announcements". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2016-01-31.
  18. ^ "ガンダムコミック大全 - ガンダム Gのレコンギスタ/太田多門". allthatgundam.web.fc2.com. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  19. ^ Bandai Namco Entertainment America (2015-12-21), Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs. Force - Announcement Trailer | Vita, retrieved 2016-01-31
  20. ^ "『機動戦士ガンダム エクストリームバーサスフォース』"特別ミッション"、"フリーバトル"が追加の無料アップデートVer.1.02が配信開始! - ファミ通.com". ファミ通.com. 28 January 2016. Retrieved 2016-01-31.
  21. ^ "Toshio Okada Rips Apart Gundam Reconguista". Anime News Network. October 22, 2014. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
  22. ^ "Mobile Suit Gundam: Where to Start and What's Worth Watching". Anime News Network. October 21, 2015. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  23. ^ "Asahi Shinbun Digital, "'Gundam' gets real by embracing confusion" by Uno Tsuneshiro". Asahi Shimbun. June 29, 2015. Archived from the original on August 1, 2015. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  24. ^ Urobuchi, Gen (2015). "Voice from Type Moon Relations / Urobuchi Gen no Yaritaizakari". Comptique (August 2015) zoukan, Type-Moon Ace Vol. 10 (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten.
  25. ^ Stimson, Eric (April 24, 2015). "Yoshiyuki Tomino Admits Story Problems in Gundam Reconguista". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  26. ^ "Japan's Animation Blu-ray Disc Ranking, December 22–28". Anime News Network. December 30, 2014. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  27. ^ "Japan's Animation Blu-ray Disc Ranking, January 26-February 1". Anime News Network. February 3, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  28. ^ "Top-Selling Animation in Japan on Blu-ray Disc/DVD by Series: 2015". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2016-02-04.

External links[edit]

Preceded by Gundam metaseries (production order)
2014–2015
Succeeded by