A new Gundam title on a ¥250 billion scale was announced at San Diego Comic-Con in the United States. The project’s two-pronged strategy of combining the latest anime with a Hollywood live-action production to target the global market has become clear.
The production announcement for Mobile Suit Gundam RG XARX-ZERO (Alex Zero), a new title in the Gundam franchise, which has a 47-year history, was held on 23 July at San Diego Comic-Con in San Diego, United States. It was announced that Kamiyama Kenji (神山健治) will direct the project, with EnJoe Toh (円城塔) participating as the SF setting supervisor.
The Bandai Namco Group generates approximately ¥250 billion or more in annual revenue from the Gundam series, and production of the new series is expected to have a significant impact on the group’s overall business operations.
The choice of a US event as the venue for the new title’s announcement has drawn attention, suggesting an aim to expand opportunities to announce Japanese anime productions overseas. Gundam, a major franchise originating in Japan, has indicated a policy of strengthening its global market expansion.