A brand new Gundam live-action film based off the Gundam Build anime series was announced at the recent Gunpla 40th-anniversary project in Tokyo.
The film will be directed by Katsuyuki Motohiro, who previously directed Ajin: Demi-Human, Bayside Shakedown, Shaolin Girl, and Psycho-Pass.
In a statement, translated by Crunchyroll, Motohiro said:
“Congratulations on the 40th anniversary of Gunpla! I have been involved in planning as a Gunpla supporter in various ways. Last time, I joined the coloring project, but finally, I will express my love for Gunpla in the form of a movie at the timing of its 40th anniversary. I have enjoyed making Gunpla since I was a child, but my passion has never fade away! We are working hard to share that feeling with everyone, so please look forward to it.”
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The Gundam Build anime franchise first launched in 2013 with Gundam Build Fighters. The series was directed by Kenji Nagasaki and written by Yōsuke Kuroda. The story follows the success of the Mobile Suit Gundam series, which results in a toy craze for Gundam model kits or Gunpla. With the craze in full swing, special tournaments called Gunpla Battles take place throughout the world to see who is the best Gunpla builder and fighter.
The story followed Sei Iori and Reiji as Sei attempts to become the best Gundam Fighter in his customized Gunpla, the GAT-X105B Build Strike Gundam.
https://youtu.be/R9H1u1zFVNc?list=PLJV1h9xQ7Hx-0WipavLDd3mFSLJL1r2XQ
The franchise featured a sequel in Gundam Build Fighters Try in 2014. A spiritual successor in Gundam Build Divers was released in 2018.
A sequel series to Gundam Build Divers, Gundam Build Divers Re:Rise was released in 2019.
They recently released the trailer for the second season of Gundam Build Divers Re:Rise.
It is expected to begin streaming on the official Gundam YouTube channel on April 9, 2020.
Here’s the official synopsis via Crunchyroll:
“A beam of light, fired from an orbital satellite at the end of their fierce battle, forced Hiroto and his teammates to face the possibility that the planet Eldora where they have been battling doesn’t just exist within the network game Gunpla Battle Online (GBN), but is part of the real world. For a time, this realization brought the Build Divers to a halt.
However, their bond with Freddie and the other people of Eldora, who fought with them against the One-eyes, brings Hiroto, Kazami, May, and Parviz back together again. To find Masaki Shido, the Diver whose consciousness is still trapped on Eldora… To discover the true nature of Alus, the mysterious leader of the One-eyes… And most of all, to save Freddie and their other precious comrades. There is still a remaining “mission” they must clear on Eldora. With the power of their newly built Gunpla, the true battle of the second Build Divers will now begin.”
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Along with the announcement of the Gundam Build live-action series and the season 2 trailer for Re:Rise, Sunrise also announced a new Gundam Build anime series, Gundam Build Divers Series: Battlogue.
In a tweet announcing the new series, they detailed that Gunpla featured in the show will be based on fan voting. The fan voting is expected to begin in April on the Gunpla 40th Anniversary website
【✨制作決定✨】
劇中に登場するメカをファン投票で決定し、ファンが望む夢のガンプラバトルを描く、
『ガンダムビルドダイバーズシリーズ バトローグ(仮)』制作決定‼️‼️「登場ガンプラ大投票」は、4月よりガンプラ40周年特設ページなどで開催予定です👍
お楽しみに🎵#g_bd pic.twitter.com/46lEPhGUAw
— ガンダムビルドダイバーズシリーズ (@gundambd) February 21, 2020
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Are you excited about everything Sunrise has in store for Gundam?