GKIDS Acquires ‘Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning -‘ Film

Animation company GKids has acquired theatrical rights for the North American distribution of “Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-.”

The film will be released Feb. 28 and is directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki (“Evangelion”). Yoji Enokido (“Revolutionary Girl Utena”) is the film’s screenwriter and is joined by Hideaki Anno for the screenplay.

The official synopsis reads: “Amate Yuzuriha is a high-school student living peacefully in a space colony floating in outer space. When she meets a war refugee named Nyaan, Amate is drawn into the illegal mobile suit dueling sport known as Clan Battle. Under the entry name ‘Machu,’ she throws herself into fierce battle day after day, piloting the GQuuuuuuX. Then an unidentified Gundam mobile suit pursued by both the space force and the police appears before her, along with its pilot, a boy named Shuji. Now their world is about to enter a new era.”

“The outrageous combination of artistic talent collaborating on such a storied series as ‘Mobile Suit Gundam’ is appointment viewing,” said GKIDS president David Jesteadt. “We are proud to play a part in bringing such an exciting new project to audiences in the cinematic experience that the film truly deserves.”

Illustrator Take (“Katanagatari,” “Zaregoto”) is on board as character designer, with Ikuto Yamashita (“Evangelion” Series, “Shin Kamen Rider”) named as the mechanical designer.

The project was first announced in Japan on Dec. 4 with character and mechanical designs, as well as a theatrical teaser revealed. The film, “Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-” is a theatrical debut using re-edited episodes from the upcoming TV series, “Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX,” announced at the same time. The film will be released in Japan on Jan. 17. Release information for the upcoming series has yet to be announced.

The deal was negotiated between GKIDS and Bandai Namco Filmworks, marking the first collaboration between the two companies.