History Trivia / Gundam

** Gundam ''games'', on the other hand, are very rarely available in North America. ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriorsGundam'' is about the only major series that is available in English. However, ''Gundam Breaker 3'' is available subtitled in English (from Singapore), and starting 2017, starting with ''[[VideoGame/GundamVsSeries Gundam Versus]]'', new games were given a western release including ''VideoGame/NewGundamBreaker'', ''VideoGame/GundamBattleGunplaWarfare'', and a Steam release of ''VideoGame/SDGundamGGeneration Cross Rays'', with ''Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme VS Maxi Boost ON'' coming in July.

* AnimeFirst: Most ''Gundam'' animated work has been anime first, with the exceptions of ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamCharsCounterattack'' and ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamUnicorn'', which were based on novels; and ''Manga/MobileSuitGundamThunderbolt'', which was based on a manga. The success of the latter two has lead to Bandai considering animating other popular manga/novel works in the franchise.

** Gundam ''games'', on the other hand, are very rarely available in North America. ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriorsGundam'' is about the only major series that is available in English. However, ''Gundam Breaker 3'' is available subtitled in English (from Singapore), and starting 2017, starting with ''[[VideoGame/GundamVsSeries Gundam Versus]]'', new games were given a western release including ''VideoGame/NewGundamBreaker'', ''VideoGame/GundamBattleGunplaWarfare'', and a Steam release of ''VideoGame/SDGundamGGeneration Cross Rays''.

** In a gaming example specifically, 2017 marks the 30th anniversary of Gundam video games, the first being ''Zeta Gundam: Hot Scramble'' for the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem Famicon]]. To celebrate this, Bandai created the Hot Scramble Gundam (based off of the Zeta-inspired Scramble Gundam from ''Anime/GundamBuildFightersTry Island Wars'' and piloted by Meijin Kawaguchi III) and included it in several Gundam games released in 2017, including ''VideoGame/SDGundamGGeneration Genesis'' and ''[[VideoGame/GundamVsSeries Gundam Versus]]''.

** Gundam ''games'', on the other hand, are very rarely available in North America. ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriorsGundam'' is about the only major series that is available in English. However, ''Gundam Breaker 3'' is available subtitled in English (from Singapore), and the 2017 ''[[VideoGame/GundamVsSeries Gundam Versus]]'' game was released in Western markets.

** The series was also meant to have a live action adaptation well before ''Film/GSaviour''. It was also supposed to have designs by Syd Mead. The film however never happened, though Syd Mead was famously brought back for ''Anime/TurnAGundam''.

** Part of the reason the franchise failed overseas. Sunrise chose to follow the successes of ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamWing'' with ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam'', whose dated animation and vastly different premise manage to kill the hype. Then they follow it with ''Anime/MobileFighterGGundam'', which was better received, but Bandai lost favor from toy stores as they forced them to stock merchandise that nobody wanted. By the time ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED'' rolled around, it has neither hype or driving force from merchandise to back it up, so it was shoved into a FridayNightDeathSlot. Many fans hold the opinion that, had Sunrise exported ''[[Anime/AfterWarGundamX Gundam X]]'' rather than the One Year War series, ''Gundam'' might have actually hung on longer.

** The series was also meant to have a live action adaptation well before ''Film/GSaviour''. It was also supposed to have designs by Syd Mead. The film however never happened.

** The original name for the robots was "Gundom," a portmanteau of the words "gun" and "freedom." However, Yoshiyuki Tomino changed the name to "Gundam" to evoke the idea of the robots being used like a dam to hold back enemies.

* AnimeFirst: Most ''Gundam'' animated work has been anime first, with the exceptions of ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamCharsCounterattack'' and ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamUnicorn'', which were based on novels; and ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamThunderbolt'', which was based on a manga. The success of the latter two has lead to Bandai considering animating other popular manga/novel works in the franchise.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: As noted under ExecutiveMeddling, Sunrise chose to follow ''Gundam Wing'' with the original 0079. Creator/{{Toonami}}, who aired ''Wing'', had approached them for another Gundam series after ''Wing'' finished it's run, and had their eyes on the aforementioned ''X'' and ''Anime/TurnAGundam'' - had Sunrise said yes, not only would those series have gotten dubs, but it's likely that the ''Gundam'' Boom would have stayed on longer. What makes this example particularly weird is that later, Sunrise let Toonami air the aforementioned ''G Gundam'' - one can't help but wonder why Sunrise didn't just let them air ''G'' first.

** For a long time, Bandai showed no interest in exporting several major ''Gundam'' productions to America. In 2015, however, Nozomi Entertainment and distributor Rightstuf worked out an arrangement and have since released every animated ''Gundam'' production except for ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamAGE'' (which is unpopular enough that fans aren't exactly clamoring for it).
** Gundam ''games'', on the other hand, are very rarely available in North America. ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriorsGundam'' is about the only major series that is available in English. However, ''Gundam Breaker 3'' is available subtitled in English (from Singapore), and the 2017 ''[[VideoGame/GundamVsSeries Gundam Versus]]'' game will be released in Western markets.

* MilestoneCelebration: In a specific example, 2017 marks the 30th anniversary of Gundam video games, the first being ''Zeta Gundam: Hot Scramble'' for the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem Famicon]]. To celebrate this, Bandai created the Hot Scramble Gundam (based off of the Zeta-inspired Scramble Gundam from ''Anime/GundamBuildFightersTry Island Wars'' and piloted by Meijin Kawaguchi III) and included it in several Gundam games released in 2017, including ''VideoGame/SDGundamGGeneration Genesis'' and ''[[VideoGame/GundamVsSeries Gundam Versus]]''.

** For a long time, Bandai showed no interest in exporting several major ''Gundam'' productions to America. In 2015, however, Nozomi Entertainment and distributor Rightstuf worked out an arrangement and have released every animated ''Gundam'' production, subtitled if not dubbed, in the US save for two: ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamMSIGLOO MS IGLOO]]'' (which is rather obscure) and ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamAGE'' (which is unpopular enough that fans aren't exactly clamoring for it).

** This was also the only reason that ''Anime/SDGundamForce'' aired on ''Creator/{{Toonami}}'' - the staff didn't want to air it, but Sunrise forced them. Fortunately, by the time Toonami had come back, Sunrise had learned their lesson, so they allowed them to air ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamIronBloodedOrphans'' instead of ''SD Gundam Force''.

** Gundam ''games'', on the other hand, are very rarely available in North America. ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriorsGundam'' is about the only major series that is available in English. However, ''Gundam Breaker 3'' is available subtitled in English (from Singapore), and there are rumors floating around of the next entry in the ''VideoGame/GundamVsSeries'' being made available in some form.

* TheWikiRule: [[http://gundam.wikia.com Right this way...]]

** Mark Simmons is undoubtedly the most knowledgeable member of the English-speaking Gundam fandom, and has even done some work for the franchise in helping iron out official translations. He regularly takes part in the fandom, especially in technical discussions, and [[http://www.ultimatemark.com/gundam/ his website]] is probably the single greatest source for Gundam info in English, including the official English Gundam site.

** For a long time, Bandai showed no interest in exporting several major ''Gundam'' productions to America. In 2015, however, Nozomi Entertainment and distributor Rightstuf worked out an arrangement and have released every animated ''Gundam'' production, subtitled if not dubbed, in the US save for two: ''[[Anime/MobileSuitGundamMSIGLOO MS IGLOO]]'' (which is rather obscure) and ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamAGE'' (which is unpopular enough that there aren't many demands it be released for sale).

* AnimeFirst: Most ''Gundam'' animated work has been anime first, with the two exception for ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamCharsCounterattack'' and ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamUnicorn'', which were based on novels. See the {{Novelization}} entry on the main page.

* ExecutiveMeddling: Part of the reason the franchise failed overseas. Sunrise chose to follow the successes of ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamWing'' with ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam'', whose dated animation and vastly different premise manage to kill the hype. Then they follow it with ''Anime/MobileFighterGGundam'', which was better received, but Bandai lost favor from toy stores as they forced them to stock merchandise that nobody wanted. By the time ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED'' rolled around, it has neither hype or driving force from merchandise to back it up, so it was shoved into a FridayNightDeathSlot. Many fans hold the opinion that, had Sunrise exported ''[[Anime/AfterWarGundamX Gundam X]]'' rather than the One Year War series, ''Gundam'' might have actually hung on longer.
** This can partly be explained by the fact that there's a committee that decides which ''Gundam'' works to license, meaning that cult favorites like ''[[Anime/MobileSuitVictoryGundam V Gundam]]'' and ''[[Anime/AfterWarGundamX Gundam X]]'' [[NoExportForYou would probably never be exported]] even ''if'' the franchise had hung on. The committee seems dead set on the idea that if a series was unsuccessful in Japan, it couldn't possibly be successful in foreign markets. Of course, considering the [[MerchandiseDriven merchandise sales]] for Japan alone surpass those for the entire rest of the planet combined, odds are the suits aren't exactly crying themselves to sleep.

* KeepCirculatingTheTapes: Since most of the franchise was distributed in the U.S. by Creator/BandaiEntertainment, it and a whole other plethora of shows fell into this when Bandai ceased production. Fortunately, Creator/{{Sunrise}} has offered to sell their Bandai-licensed shows (including ''Gundam'') to other distributers, starting with ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamUnicorn'' and continuing to the others in 2015. (most of the franchise is now being distributed by Creator/NozomiEntertainment).

* NoExportForYou: For a long time, Bandai showed no interest in exporting several major ''Gundam'' productions to America. In 2015, however, Nozomi Entertainment and distributor Rightstuf worked out an arrangement and have begun releasing subbed DVD's of ''Anime/TurnAGundam'', ''Anime/AfterWarGundamX'', and ''Anime/GundamBuildFighters''. Reportedly, ''Gundam Evolve'', ''Anime/MobileSuitVictoryGundam'', and ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamZZ'' are also on the way. Still no word on ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamAGE'' or ''Anime/GundamReconguistaInG'', however.

* NoExportForYou: About half the franchise; of the animated works, ''Gundam ZZ'', ''Victory Gundam'', ''Gundam X'', ''Turn A Gundam'', and ''Gundam AGE'' have yet to see English releases, and many of the sidestory materials have never seen the light of day on this side of the Pacific. Now that Bandai Entertainment has pulled out of the North American market, this trend is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. In the case of Anime/TurnAGundam, it was actually licensed for Western distribution, but didn't make it onto shelves before Bandai dropped out of the North American market.
** However, some of these ''can'' in fact be legally viewed subtitled via official streams. ''ZZ'' and ''AGE'' have been made available in the past through the [[https://www.youtube.com/user/GundamInfo GundamInfo]] official Youtube channel. Anime/GundamBuildFighters and [[Toys/BBSenshiSangokuden SD Gundam Sangokuden Brave Battle Warriors]] are available with subtitles intended for audiences in English speaking countries, Thailand, Hong Kong and South Korea.
** Just got a more likely chance now that Nozomi Entertainment has picked up full distribution rights, and among those series planned for release are ''Turn-A'' and ''ZZ'' with others implied to be on the way.
* RecycledScript: Quick, which Gundam show am I describing: the main character is a [[ImprobableAge youngster]] who gets embroiled in the war when it shows up on his doorstep, leading to him FallingIntoTheCockpit of a Gundam. He ends up [[ResignedToTheCall reluctantly]] becoming an AcePilot, gaining both a [[TheRival personal enemy]] and a [[DatingCatwoman love interest]] among the enemy, the latter of which dies tragically. Eventually the hero participates in the war's FinalBattle, helping defeat the enemy before [[EarnYourHappyEnding retiring to a less martial life]]. Give up? It's [[spoiler: [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam MSG]], [[Anime/MobileSuitZetaGundam Z]], [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamZZ ZZ]], [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamUnicorn Unicorn]], [[Anime/MobileSuitVictoryGundam V]], [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED Seed]] and [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSeedDestiny Destiny]] to a lesser extent, and arguably [[Anime/AfterWarGundamX X]] and [[Anime/TurnAGundam Turn A]] as well]]. Whew!

* [[FountainOfExpies Fountain of Chars]]: Char Aznable has been [[CharClone oft-imitated]], both in the ''Gundam'' franchise itself and in other shows. There's a specific [[CharClone trope]] for that already.

* MilestoneCelebration: Happens regularly at the 10 year marks.

* AnimeFirst: Most ''Gundam'' animated work has been anime first, with the two exception for ''CharsCounterattack'' and ''GundamUnicorn'', which were based on novels. See the {{Novelization}} entry on the main page.

* ExecutiveMeddling: Part of the reason the franchise failed overseas. Sunrise chose to follow the successes of ''GundamWing'' with ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam'', whose dated animation and vastly different premise manage to kill the hype. Then they follow it with ''GGundam'', which was better received, but Bandai lost favor from toy stores as they forced them to stock merchandise that nobody wanted. By the time ''GundamSEED'' rolled around, it has neither hype or driving force from merchandise to back it up, so it was shoved into a FridayNightDeathSlot. Many fans hold the opinion that, had Sunrise exported ''[[Anime/AfterWarGundamX Gundam X]]'' rather than the One Year War series, ''Gundam'' might have actually hung on longer.

* [[FountainOfExpies Fountain of Chars]]: Char Aznable has been [[CharClone oft-imitated]], both in the ''Gundam'' franchise itself and in other shows.

* KeepCirculatingTheTapes: Since most of the franchise was distributed in the U.S. by Creator/BandaiEntertainment, it and a whole other plethora of shows fell into this when Bandai ceased production. Fortunately, Creator/{{Sunrise}} has offered to sell their Bandai-licensed shows (including ''Gundam'') to other distributers, though so far, only ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamUnicorn'' has been successfully rescued (the show is now being distributed by Creator/NozomiEntertainment).