A new Universal Century Mobile Suit Gundam anime adaptation is announced – this time it is Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt / 機動戦士ガンダム サンダーボルト . The last UC series was Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn that was adapted into a seven episode anime OAD/OVA. The announcement was made in the wraparound jacket of sixth tankubon volume of the manga which will be on sale on 30th October.
As usual, veteran Studio Sunrise will be taking up the mantle of production. The manga series which is written and drawn by Yasuo Ohtagaki (Moonlight Mile) has been serialized in Big Comic Superior since March 2012. Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt is a side story of One Year War (UC 0079) between the Zeon Principality and the Earth Federation.
To give some idea on how different this Gundam story is, the creator emphasized that it is targeted at 30-40 year old male readers and it is not for traditional Gundam fans in an interview with Comic Soon last year. He wants to use techniques and manga styles to hook the new matured readers rather than simply straight away making an anime.
Synopsis:
“Federation troops and Zeon forces carry out a fierce battle in the Thunderbolt Sector in what was once Side 4 “Mua”. The Thunderbolt Sector is a shoal zone composed of the debris of destroyed space colonies, named for the electrical discharges from the metal debris. MS pilot Io Flemming is among the Federation soldiers who are dispatched to the area, where Zeon sniper Daryl Lorenz awaits them on the battlefield.” (Source: Gundam Wiki)
Finally a Gundam warstory that is not tainted with emo kids. The mobile suits in the series are described as “Gundam on steriods” by the fans. It is certainly looks impressive and let’s hope the anime did not let the matured fans down with childish stories.
