‘Mobile Suit Gundam’s’ Live-Action Adaptation May Have Nothing to Fear if Both ‘One Piece’ and ‘Naruto’ Can Pull Off the Impossible
- The announcement of the Mobile Suit Gundam live-action movie has sent fans into a frenzy, taking the hype surrounding the franchise to new heights.
- Mobile Suit Gundam is one of the most iconic anime series, with a rich legacy that dates back to 1979 and continues to shape the mecha genre.
- Following the success of One Piece and Naruto live-action adaptations, Gundam is poised to be the next big hit in the live-action anime scene.
2025 is full of surprises, and for the fans of Gundam, this year will be one huge cause for celebration. A Hollywood live-action movie based on the Mobile Suit Gundam series is in the works under the working title GUNDAM.
Yoshiyuki Tomino is often referred to as the “God of Anime” due to his significant impact on the industry. He revolutionized mecha anime with the complex storytelling and realistic portrayal of war through the creation of Mobile Suit Gundam.
Considering that the Mobile Suit Gundam series has faced many struggles in the past, fans are worried that the live-action film may fall into the same pitfalls that its animated counterparts faced. However, with the success of Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece, GUNDAM could flourish if it takes a similar path.
Hollywood’s Mobile Suit Gundam live-action reveal sends the internet into a frenzy
Yoshiyuki Tomino is a famous Japanese anime director, and novelist best recognized for pioneering the Gundam anime franchise. Since the release of the original 1979 series, there have been countless Gundam anime series and movies, directed under Tomino’s supervision.
Mobile Suit Gundam is the first title in the series and introduced the concept of Mobile Suits as the most advanced technological weapon.
Despite consisting of only 43 episodes, the anime received rather low ratings, putting its chance of becoming a global sensation in serious jeopardy. Since its 1979 debut, Gundam has struggled to stay relevant among younger audiences, but the Hollywood live-action movie could reignite its legacy.
The beloved anime is making its live-action debut as Bandai Namco teams up with Legendary to bring Gundam to the big screen. A live-action Gundam movie was first announced in 2018, and excitement has only grown, especially with the release of a promo trailer.
Live-Action Mobile Suit Gundam Hollywood Movie Titled "GUNDAM" has been officially announced.
— Anime News And Facts (@AniNewsAndFacts) February 5, 2025
Bandai Namco Filmworks and Legendary Entertainment are co-producing the film. pic.twitter.com/S6AueOESkL
Interestingly, Bandai Namco also made another announcement that will spread the wings of Gundam beyond Japan.
Bandai Namco Filmworks America, LLC, will begin its operation on April 1, 2025, in an attempt to further stretch the reach of the brand around the globe. This new North American branch will operate under Bandai Namco Holdings USA Inc., which is a fully owned subsidiary of Bandai Namco Filmworks.
Drawing from the struggles of previous live-action adaptations, fans are concerned that Mobile Suit Gundam may face the same challenges that have plagued many beloved anime transitions.
For now, viewers can breathe easily, as the studio behind GUNDAM, Legendary Entertainment, has won over many hearts. Known for big-budget, blockbusters, Legendary has teamed up with Warner Bros. and Universal Pictures on other big titles, such as The Dark Knight trilogy, Inception, Godzilla, Dune, and Pacific Rim.
GUNDAM Live-Action: The Next big thing after One Piece and Naruto
One Piece and Naruto are arguably two of the most iconic and beloved anime series, with a massive fanbase that has grown over the years. Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece inspired Netflix’s live-action adaptation became a global sensation, breaking the long anime adaptation curse.
With Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto being the most recognized anime after One Piece, fans have high expectations from the upcoming Naruto live-action movie.
Given the extreme popularity and dedicated fan base for Naruto, it is sure to hit success given the years of waiting. Furthermore, Netflix’s One Piece live-action Season 2 has caught the attention of many fans already and has been predicted to be one of the biggest hits from Netflix in 2025.
A few months ago, the announcements of casting for One Piece Season 2 shook the internet as many famous Hollywood stars joined the cast, astounding several fans. Nothing less than surprise made One Piece Live Action a well-crafted show for both old and new fans.
After One Piece and Naruto, the Mobile Suit Gundam live-action movie is poised to be the next big thing, with anime fans holding high expectations. While there are plenty of doubts and concerns about a faithful adaptation, GUNDAM has the potential for success if it follows the path laid by One Piece‘s live-action success and forges its own way forward.
Mobile Suit Gundam is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll, whereas One Piece‘s live-action series can be streamed on Netflix.
