How did you get into Gundam?
I have been into Gundam for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I would stay up late to watch anime on programming blocks like Toonami. I distinctly remember catching episodes of Mobile Fighter G Gundam and New Mobile Report Gundam Wing, even if I did not follow them all the way through at the time.
One title that stayed with me deeply was Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket. Even at a young age, I could feel how emotionally devastating it was.
It was not until years later, with Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans, that I was finally old enough to truly appreciate what Gundam was doing thematically. That series pushed me to explore the entire franchise, from Universal Century to alternate timelines, and solidified my lifelong connection to Gundam.
Favorite Gundam title?
That series would be none other than Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash. I discovered Hathaway’s Flash while browsing the Gundam wiki, searching for the next series to dive into, whether it was an anime, manga, or novel. I already knew Hathaway Noa from Char’s Counterattack, but learning that he had his own sequel novel series about leading a terrorist organization immediately caught my attention. The premise alone was bold and morally complex, which made me want to explore it even more.
I eventually found a reliable way to read the novel and completely fell in love with the story. It felt less like a traditional mecha narrative and more like an introspective spy thriller. Beneath the political tension and large scale conflict, it is a deeply personal story about trauma, inherited ideals, and Hathaway’s struggle with his own morality. That internal conflict resonated with me in a way few stories ever have.
When it was announced in 2018 that Hathaway’s Flash would be adapted into an anime film trilogy, I genuinely cried. Finding out that my favorite director, Shukou Murase, would be helming the project made it even more meaningful. Now the anime adaptation stands as my favorite piece of media, period.
What are your long term plans?
Ideally, I would love to work officially with Sunrise and Bandai Namco on the Gundam series in some capacity. Whether that is in marketing, promotion, translation, writing, or editorial support, my goal is to contribute meaningfully to the franchise that has shaped so much of my life. I do not limit myself to one specific role because what matters most to me is being involved in the creative and strategic process behind Gundam’s continued growth.
