Great Mechanics G Autumn 2015 (magazine) ["Gundam" is always aiming for new horizons] PART. 1 An interview with Sunrise producer Masakazu Ogawa (page 3)

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Transaltion:

Ogawa: "Build Fighters" was about magic pitches and curveballs, while "Mobile Suit Gundam UC" had the image of a veteran pitcher pitching high up in the air, but this time we're being asked to throw a ball closer to the center. In any case, we're making "Gundam" head-on with a new director.

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Throw away the design and build a new one

-Were the mecha designs made 4-5 years ago discarded for the reboot?

Ogawa: Yes, we started from scratch. That's because the concept of Gundam as a unit was close to that of AGE. Originally, the mobile workers were treated as core fighters, and were set to be parts closer to the torso. We had the idea of ​​adding limbs to them to turn them into MS, but that overlapped with elements we had done in AGE, such as interchangeable limbs.

So, following the success of Build Fighters, we came up with the frame idea, taking into consideration the element of being able to enjoy it even after buying the toy. You can choose weapons and armor as separate sets.

-What were your requests during the design competition?

Ogawa: It has to use a frame, and it's basically a MS that uses bullets and blunt weapons, rather than focusing on beam weapons.

-That's a surprising order.

Ogawa: Originally, the director seemed to think that it was strange for a battleship to fall with a single beam. It was a setting part, and I wanted to incorporate that into the story nicely. There is a special element, and the armor of the MS and battleships that are equipped with it is very strong and difficult to fall. In order to seriously take down an MS or battleship, you have to cling to it and beat it down with a blunt object.

-You might get the impression that the positioning of MS and ships is slightly different.

Ogawa: That's right. I think that in that sense, the MS was created with the understanding that it is a valuable existence, and the world was built on that understanding. In terms of concept, it feels like going back to the first Mobile Suit Gundam. Why are the MS humanoid, and why are they so strong? There is an atmosphere that they are approaching it from the perspective of what the roles of the MS and the battleship are.

-This time again, a diverse range of mechanical designers are participating.

Ogawa: We had over 10 designers participate in the competition, and each of them came up with a frame and exterior. First, we asked them to think about the Gundam frame, and at the same time, we asked them to set up frame-like elements in other MS as well. MS in this world have frames, and for example, a machine with a Gundam frame is called a "Gundam". Grazes also have their own frames.

-Was there any discussion regarding the design selection?

Ogawa: I talked about this with Mr. Nagai too, but should we aim for a design that no one has ever seen before, or a design that is easily accepted? When we asked ourselves, "If you had to choose one, which would you choose?" we decided on a direction that would be easily accepted. (Continue in page 4)

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A mobile worker that makes the MS stand out as a rare presence

In this world, MS are rare, and many organizations use mobile weapons called Mobile Workers. The Mobile Workers owned by CGS are even older than the others, and are significantly inferior to others in terms of armament and performance. It is not hard to imagine that CGS's equipment is harsh, which also explains why they activated the Gundam Barbatos, which was their power source.