New Info On Future Gundam Broadcasts

The November issue of Toyfare Magazine includes some interesting Gundam broadcast news. As previously suspected, the original Gundam TV series (1979) is likely to debut on Cartoon Network during the first quarter of 2001. Questions posed to Toonami’s creative director indicate that Bandai has “really insisted” on Mobile Suit Gundam as the series to immediately follow Gundam Wing. This move is meant to introduce American viewers to the UC timeline from the beginning, which will “open the door for several series to come.” Reportedly, this will allow the Cartoon Network to broadcast the Gundam 0080 and Gundam 0083 OVAs. Toonami’s creative director also added, “When MS 08th Team comes on, it will be the greatest animated thing we’ve ever shown.” At conventions, Bandai has stated that after the success of Gundam Wing, commonly considered the most popular Gundam series of the 90s, premiering the original Gundam series in the US will lay a foundation on which 20 years of the Gundam franchise universe can be built upon. In a recent Japanese poll of 200,000 people, Gundam was voted favorite anime series of all time.

The Toyfare article also mentioned Bandai’s future plans for American release Gundam toys. Bandai’s vice president of marketing told Toyfare that while “nothing is concrete,” figures from Mobile Suit Gundam seem very likely for 2001.

Source: Anime News Service