I’m ok with this
In a recent interview with the Daily Sports newspaper in Japan, Yoshikazu Yasuhiko said he was open to a remake of the original 1979 anime. The response came after being questioned whether or not the current ongoing Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin anime would continue into the story of the first anime. Yoshikazu replied that he’d be lying if he said no, but also that there are other staff who feel the same way.
Daily Sports reported that there is is at least one big project underway for the 40th anniversary of the franchise in 2019. However, they did not clarify if the project was something new or if it was a remake.
Yasuhiko further elaborated, saying that he still has regrets with the original show. Scheduling and budget issues, along with being shortened from 51 episodes to 43, prevented the show from reaching its best form. As a result, he feels that, while it will always be number one to him, it is hard to impossible to show it to young people. He’s not wrong either, as the original show is notorious for inconsistent animation issues, especially in regards to the proportions of the titular mobile suit. Out of all the series, it has easily aged the worst as a result.
Yoshikazu Yasuhiko isn’t exactly a stranger to the franchise. Not only was he an animation director and character designer for the original series, he would go on to be the character designer for Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, Mobile Suit Gundam F91, and Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn. He also serves as the chief director for Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin, and is the author for the original manga the OVA series is based on.
Overall, I’d be fine with a remake of the original series. The Origin added in some minor retcons to major characters that should be added in, and as previously stated the animation hasn’t held up. Furthermore, if done right, it would not create a need for any other shows to be update. Worst case scenario, Zeta Gundam and Char’s Counterattack would need to be updated at the minimum.
Mobile suits and characters from the original show will be appearing in the upcoming Gundam Versus, which releases September 29 in North America and Europe.
Gundam Character Designer Yoshikazu Yasuhiko Is Open to Remaking 1st Series [AnimeNewsNetwork]
