OG Gundam Fans Rejoice: The Origin Deluxe Edition Arrives This Fall!

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Prepare, loyal fans of the timeless anime, “Gundam”, as Kodansha has revealed a fresh edition of what is widely considered the best adaptation of the original Gundam. The manga series, titled “Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin“, offers an alternative retelling to the 1979 “Gundam” anime that sparked the franchise. Initially released between 2001 and 2011, this adaptation delves deeper into the original series’ themes, updating and refining various concepts while arguably intensifying key moments. The manga provides more extensive insights into specific character histories and offers more impactful resolutions in certain story arcs. Admirers of “The Origin” appreciate it for its contemporary take on the classic Gundam tale, as well as author Yoshikazu Yasuhiko’s exquisite artwork. Despite some moments in “Origin” conflicting with later series’ established canon, it remains highly regarded as the definitive retelling of the original story.

It’s been confirmed that “The Origin” will continue to be available as a graphic novel. Initially, Viz Media published high-quality hardcover volumes of the entire series. Now, Kodansha is responsible for the series publication in North America and has unveiled plans for a Deluxe Edition of the first volume, set to release this autumn. They’ve made an official announcement about this and have even created a pre-order page on Penguin Random House’s website for eager fans, who can purchase their copy from various online retailers.

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin Deluxe Edition Will Be The Best Version of the Manga Yet

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In my view, prior releases of “Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin” in North America were top-notch hardcover editions, ideal for the manga format. They offered readers premium paper quality and a protective covering to prevent damage to pages. Kodansha’s upcoming Deluxe Edition will boast a faux leather cover with debossing, measuring 7.5″ x 10″. This new deluxe edition will continue the tradition set by previous editions, featuring both color and black-and-white pages. Interestingly, while the press release indicates a fall release, Penguin has scheduled it for summer release on August 12th, 2025.

Why Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin is Important

One challenge faced by franchises such as “Gundam” is that there’s an abundance of content to navigate through. Spanning over 45 years, it boasts numerous anime adaptations, various continuities, and timelines. This wealth of material can make it challenging for newcomers to dive into the franchise due to its complexity, as selecting a suitable starting point can be daunting. Although typically suggested to start at the beginning with the 1979 “Gundam,” some may find the 70s animation style difficult to adapt to initially.

Gundam: The Origin largely maintains the elements of the 1979 anime but presents a modern perspective. Instead of the peculiar rhythm and rigid animation, it offers dynamic action sequences and refined artwork. This reimagining enriches the backstories of key characters, resulting in more layered personalities for some characters.

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Sunrise Studio created an animated version of “The Origin” with Yasuhiko sharing directing duties. This anime mainly focused on the origins of Char Aznable and his sister Sayla. While Char’s backstory was further developed through dialogue and spin-offs, “The Origin” delved deeply into the history of the Red Comet, setting pivotal events in Char’s life that shaped him into the character we know. However, it’s important to note that the storyline established by “The Origin” is not strictly binding across other series, as the manga includes scenes that did not occur in the initial anime version.

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2025-04-08 04:41