After 37 Years This Classic Gundam Track Just Topped the Charts

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37 years after its debut, “BEYOND THE TIME,” originally a Japanese single by TM Network for the 1988 motion picture ending theme of “Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack,” has once again claimed the top spot on Japanese music charts. This iconic song carries great significance within the Gundam franchise, having been played during the end credits of the film that concluded the initial Gundam storyline which began with “Mobile Suit Gundam.” The song was reprised at the end of the final episode of “Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX,” accompanying the appearance of the original RX-78-2 and the credits.

In a remarkable turn of events, TM Network unveiled a fresh 2025 rendition of “BEYOND THE TIME,” which soared to the top of digital sales charts by Oricon for the week of June 16th to June 22nd. This is an extraordinary feat as it marks the first time the band has reached the number one spot on Oricon. What makes this even more impressive is that the song, initially released about 40 years ago, is still resonating strongly with audiences today. The new version of “BEYOND THE TIME” was launched on June 19th and garnered over 8,000 downloads in just four short days. This significant success underscores the immense popularity of Gundam in Japan and underscores the impact of Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX.

What Does “BEYOND THE TIME” Symbolize in Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX?

The theme tune for “Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX,” titled “Plazma” by Kenshi Yonezu, has gained widespread popularity. In its debut week, it topped the Oricon Weekly Digital Singles chart with more than 43,000 downloads. The song’s music video, which incorporates footage from the anime, was recently released by Yonezu. Additionally, he is known for his success with “Bow and Arrow,” the opening theme for the series “Medalist.” The ending theme of “Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX” is “Far Beyond the Stars” sung by Indonesian artist Shania Yan. Given TM Network’s success from featuring their song in the show, Shania Yan might expect an increase in downloads for “Far Beyond the Stars.

In an alternate timeline, the animated series “Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX” pays homage to the original “Mobile Suit Gundam” by recreating its emotions through recurring visuals and melodies. Critics have noted that “Gundam GQuuuuuuX” employs music from the initial trilogy of Gundam shows. The song “BEYOND THE TIME,” used in the second-to-last episode, sets a fitting tone for the upcoming showdown against the original Gundam from the first series, hinting at the climactic battle to come. This track mirrors the complex bond between Amuro Ray and Char Aznable as portrayed in “Char’s Counterattack,” two adversaries locked in combat to decide Earth’s destiny. In the second-to-last episode, Shuji calls forth the RX-78-2, essentially setting the world ablaze, leaving Amate “Machu” Yuzuriha with no choice but to battle Shuji, a fight that mirrors the final confrontation between Amuro and Char in determining the fate of reality.

Music significantly contributes to the popularity and success of the Gundam franchise, with numerous opening and ending themes gaining widespread recognition within anime. To commemorate these iconic tunes, Bandai Namco and Sunrise have joined forces with Hiroko Moriguchi and Sonic Blade to create a series of album covers. One of these songs, “BEYOND THE TIME,” has been re-recorded by TM Network for the third installment of Gundam Song Covers. The latest addition to this collection, titled “Gundam Song Covers: Orchestra,” was released on June 18th, 2025.

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2025-06-26 02:39