There’s been a lot of buzz surrounding the new Gundam anime, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX (produced G-quax). Despite being a die-hard Gundam fan for decades, I made the decision to avoid any spoilers or detailed info about the series. In the past, I found myself overindulging in every tidbit of information I could find before even watching the first few minutes, only to regret it. This time, I wanted to experience it all fresh—and doing so not only surprised me, but left me constantly thinking about the new directions Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX could take the franchise. Or as I call it, the “What If” of the Gundam series.
While I won’t be diving into the new series set to air in April 2025, I will discuss the movie with a limited theater run: Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-. If you’re a Gundam fan and missed it, trust me, you might regret it. Especially since this all sets the new into motion. Of course, you’ll still see it later as the movie is edited parts of the series for this theatrical run.
As we all know, in the original Gundam series, a pair of Principality of Zeon soldiers infiltrated Side 7 in Mobile Suit Gundam (0079) in episode 1, “Gundam Rising.” It’s here that the pivotal series began, setting everything in motion. One of the soldiers, however, decides he’s not content to simply observe, and instead starts wreaking havoc, which leads Amuro Ray to leave his safety and head for the White Base/Trojan Horse. Amid the chaos, Amuro discovers the Gundam, takes down the Zeon soldiers’ Zakus, and the rest, as they say, is history.
But in Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-, things play out differently, leading us into an alternate version of the Universal Century timeline. While it’s almost identical to what we know, a few key events are set in motion, and they change everything.
For example, instead of just two Zeon soldiers entering Side 7, Char Aznable is with them. Meanwhile, Gene—the troublemaker from the original episode—is stuck back at the base due to his Zaku being damaged. There’s even a line mentioning, “Gene isn’t going to be happy about this,” which effectively points out, “Hey, Gene’s not here to mess things up this time.”
Char, sensing something’s off, instructs the two soldiers to observe while he takes a walk. It’s during this walk that he comes across the RX-78-2 Gundam with its cockpit open. But instead of Amuro Ray, it’s Char who climbs in and steals the Gundam. This is where the timeline of Gundam truly diverges. Or, one could argue that perhaps this was meant to happen in the first place.
By doing this, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- effectively writes Amuro Ray, not to mention a few other main characters out of Gundam history, and changes the roles of others. For example, there’s no explosion that catches Amuro and Frau Bow, nor the tragic death of Frau Bow’s mother, all thanks to Gene going off script. Amuro never runs off to find the Gundam, and Char Aznable becomes its pilot. Char also manages to capture the White Base (but not before he blasts everyone in the main cabin), which Zeon mass-produces as their warship ship, completely altering the course of the One-Year War.
With the Principality of Zeon emerging victorious thanks to Char’s actions (and other factors I won’t spoil), the Universal Century timeline is forever changed. Though, as pointed out by one specific person in the movie, despite Zeon winning the way, space still sucks for Spacenoids – even though that was the reason why the war began.
Ironically, Char is known for piloting his red Zaku or Gelgoog, earning him the nickname “The Red Comet.” Now, in this alternate timeline, there’s the Red Gundam, which already has a Gunpla set to release in May 2025. But unlike the RX-78-2 Gundam from the original Mobile Suit Gundam 0079 series, this Red Gundam sports a different design. Char even has the Psycommu system installed in it, a system originally used in Mobile Armors, which would later become a key component in powering Bits.
This is also the same Gundam that disappears at the end of Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-, with Char still in the pilot seat as he muttered out his last words “I can see time!” Fans of the OG Gundam series will remember that another character, Lalah Sune, said these same words. She also doesn’t make an appearance in the movie.
As for Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, which takes place in Universal Century 0085, the Red Gundam makes a return. But is Char still inside it? Well, you’ll have to wait until April 2025 when Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX streams on Japanese stations and Amazon Prime Video (both subtitled and dubbed). Or, you can watch Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- to find out… but I’m not telling you.
