Hideaki Anno, renowned creator of Neon Genesis Evangelion, recently shared his deep connection to Mobile Suit Gundam, the iconic mecha anime that inspired him early in his career. Anno, who now plays a key role in the latest Gundam series, spoke about his long-standing admiration for the franchise at an anime talk show on February 22, 2025.
During the Anime New Century Declaration 44th Anniversary Talk Show, Anno discussed how Mobile Suit Gundam reignited his passion for animation. He recalled feeling disillusioned with the medium after the conclusion of Space Battleship Yamato, but everything changed when he saw a preview for Gundam during the final episode of Daitarn 3. The brief shot of the Gundam’s face lifting and its glowing eyes struck Anno deeply. “It made me think, ‘I have to watch this every week,'” Anno recalled. “Looking back, my instinct was right. If I had missed that moment, my life might have taken a different path.”
Anno explained how Gundam not only reignited his love for anime but also played a crucial role in shaping his career. “This series brought me back to animation, and I feel indebted to it,” he said. “That’s why I want to support it in any way I can.”
Anno’s connection to Gundam goes beyond admiration. He is a key figure behind the new Mobile Suit Gundam series, GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-, which marks a significant milestone for the franchise. While Gundam has been a pillar of the mecha genre for decades, Anno’s involvement brings his own journey full circle.
The Mobile Suit Gundam franchise, which celebrated its 46th anniversary in 2025, is one of the two dominant forces in the mecha genre alongside Evangelion. The upcoming Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- will be released in North America on February 28, with the full anime launching on April 5.
Anno’s return to Gundam serves as a reminder of how influential the series has been—not only for audiences but for creators like Anno, whose career has been shaped by the anime that first captured his imagination.
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