Cultural impact of Gundam

The Gundam franchise covers ten universes that comprise a dozen TV series, over twenty animated movies, and dozens of novels and manga. Bandai is the fourth largest toy manufacturer in the world and Gundam merchandise makes up 20% of its sales. In 2004, Gundam sales resulted in profits of ¥42.8 billion, growing to ¥54.5 billion annual profit by 2007,[1] and ¥80.2 billion annual revenue per year by 2014.[2]

By 2000, the popularity of Gundam had resulted in the creation of hundreds of different model kits with more than 350 million sold.[1] In 2011, the Los Angeles Times reported that some estimations state that "10 Gundam models [have been] sold for every man, woman and child in Japan."[3] By 2015, Bandai had sold an estimate 450 million units, with nearly 2,000 different Gundam plastic models.[4] Bandai Visual had also sold 11.9 million home video units by February 2006.[5]

The Gundam franchise had grossed over $5 billion in retail sales by 2000.[6] Its owner Bandai Namco Holdings was earning up to ¥54.5 billion per year from products based on the Gundam characters by 2007,[7][8] rising to ¥80.2 billion per year by 2014.[2]

Gundam Base Tokyo is a dedicated museum to Gundam. Among its major attractions is the Gundam Statue of the RG 1/1 RX-78-2 Gundam Ver. GFT[Gundam Front Tokyo]. It features a display collection of over 1000 Gunpla models and the biggest exhibition of Gunpla in the world.[9] In 2012, Robots Gone Bad covered the museum and stated that it houses 90% of the kits ever made.[10] In 2012, a large topiary Gundam made of ten thousand begonias, zinnias, and star daisies was on display to promote the green movement.[11]

As part of MHI Jobcon 2005 (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Job Convention 2005), a recruiting event of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, seminars were held in six Japanese cities. The topic of these seminars was "Mobile Suit Gundam Development Story"; which indicated the requirements and processes that Mitsubishi would have to implement if the company had been required to build an RX-78 mobile suit.[20]

On 24 August 2008, a conference was held in Hiroshima with hundreds of academic professionals in different fields joining together to discuss about the relationship of anime science and technology with the modern world, including military, economics, linguistics, and the possibility of the Universal Century (human colonizing space). Many envisioned that the technology portrayed in Gundam is not far from our time.[21][22][23] One aeronautics expert in the project said thermonuclear rockets and spherical helper bots should be pursued.[24]

The concept of Isuzu VX-2 is inspired by RX-178 Gundam Mk-II as concept design arts released in the Jan/Feb 1998, as seen in issue no. 71 of the magazine Axis published in Japan.[28] According to Gundam-san 4 koma comic, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution appearance is influenced by the RX-78-2 Gundam.[29] Nissan Chief Creative Officer Shiro Nakamura said that the angular lines and high-tech vents of the GT-R (R35) were inspired by the Japanese anime series Gundam.[30][31] Mitsubishi has cooperated with Bandai to create a simulator for concept cars, the test-type of this simulator will be decorated like the Gundam cockpit and become a simulation theatre in the Toyota theme park, Mega Web, located in Tokyo.[32]

In 2018, Japanese engineer Masaaki Nagumo from Sakakibara Kikai completed construction of a functional bipedal mecha inspired by the Gundam franchise. The device, standing 8.5 meters tall and weighing about 7 tonnes, possesses fully functional arm and leg servos.[33] In 2023, Japanese robotics company Tsubame Industries unveiled a quadrupedal mecha that was also inspired by the Gundam franchise. Dubbed Archax, the robot weighed 3.5 tons, was 15-foot tall and could be piloted from the inside by a human.[34]

The code name for the under-development Japan Self-Defense Forces advanced personal combat equipment is "Gundam".[35][36][37][38] On the display exhibition on 7 November 2007, the equipment of the set contains infra-red camera and scope that can verify if the incoming target is a friend or foe, along with a monitor display that can browse the internet. The equipment has a total weight of 9 kg and the powered suit can run for 8 hours. The testing team consisting of troopers claims that the major improvement should be focused on increasing the battery life of the system. The researchers are also aiming for funnel type systems including missiles that can stay/hover in air and mini scouting robots.[39]

In 2007, Japan's Ministry of Defense presented a paper titled "Towards the Realization of Gundam (Advanced Personal Equipment System)", which Anime News Network noted as using "elements of popular culture to attract young people for recruitment and public relations."[40]

In 2012, Japan's Liberal Democratic Party had discussed the possibility of building a working Gundam, in 2008 the estimated cost to build a Gundam was US$725 million for the parts and materials. During a 12-hour coverage on Nico Nico, Masaaki Taira and Hideki Niwa presented "The Gundam Development Project". Though the event was decried as an attempt to garner the "nerd vote".[41][42]

The RX-78 Gundam was recognized as a culturally significant subject by the nation of Japan on 23 October 2000, with the inclusion of the suit and the main pilot on two stamps in the 20th Century Stamp Series.[43] On 25 March 2011, a set of 10 stamps called Gunpla Frame Stamp Collection 30th Anniversary was released in Japan. Featuring 10 of the titular Mobile Suit RX-78-2 Gundam's plastic models for 1980 to 2010.[44] Additionally, the mobile suit and other notable mecha from various Gundam series were recognized in the second set of "Anime Heroes and Heroines" stamps, released in 2005. It was one of only four franchises to be given the honor; the others were Pokémon, Galaxy Express 999, and Detective Conan.[45]

The RX-78-2 Gundam and 2 Medea transport planes were featured in a fire fighting poster in Japan. The RX-78-2 was equipped with water spraying equipment instead of weapons.

In 2008, a RX-78 Gundam monument was displayed at Kami-Igusa Station.[46]

There is a yearly tournament that is held in 16 countries since 2011 that has various hobbyists submitting their very own custom built Gunpla Models.[47]

In 2008, the ink and wash painting of Gundam drawn by Hisashi Tenmyouya in 2005 was sold in the Christie's auction held in Hong Kong with a price of US$600,000.[48][49]

Throughout 2009, Japanese record labels released various albums to honor the 30th anniversary of Gundam. The first of these albums was album I, Senshi: Ai Senshi Tribute, featuring various covers of the song "Ai Senshi" from the Soldiers of Sorrow film. American musician Andrew W.K. released an album called Gundam Rock on 9 September 2009 in Japan. The album consists of covered music from the Gundam series to celebrate its 30th anniversary.[50] Lantis also had several of its artists including JAM Project, CooRie, Minami Kuribayashi, and Faylan record covers of various theme songs, producing Gundam Tribute from Lantis. Other albums were

• Gundam 30th Custom
• 2009 'Tobe! Gundam' & 'Eien ni Amuro': covers of the opening and ending themes featuring Akira Asakura of Romantic Mode, Mami Ayukawa, Yoshifumi Ushima of Top Gun, Tomohisa Kawazoe of Top Gun & Lindberg, TSUKASA, Jyosei Nagatomo of infix, MIQ, Hiroko Moriguchi, and Chihiro Yonekura
• Moeagare! Gundam Brass by Naoto Ohtomo leading the Tokyo Symphony Brass
• Gundam World Dance Track 0079
• Gundam Unplugged: Acogui de Gundam A.C.2009
• Gundam Symphony by Toshihiko Sahashi leading the London Symphony Orchestra
• Gundam Songs 145, a 10-disc box set featuring every piece of Gundam theme music up until the 30th anniversary and a special book detailing the musicians

The Hong Kong MTR issued a special set of tickets featuring Gundam theme in December 2009.[51]

There are many products that have special "Char Custom" editions in Japan, which are normally a red version of a product with Zeon emblems. This imitates the custom mobile suits, particularly a red (rather than green) MS-06S Zaku II Commander Type, used by Char Aznable, a main character aligned with the Zeon forces in the first few Gundam series. Such examples include a red Nintendo Gamecube and Game Boy Advance SP.[52]

Bandai sold over 100 million Gundam plastic model units between 1980 and 1984, and over 300 million units by May 1999. As of March 2021, Bandai Namco has sold 714.84 million Gundam plastic model units, including 538.24 million standard Gundam units (since 1980) and 176.6 million SD Gundam units (since 1987). Bandai Namco Arts (including Bandai Visual) has sold 20.92 million Gundam home video units between December 1987 and March 2021.[53]

In its first 20 years, up until 1999, the franchise had generated over $5 billion in merchandise sales.[6] In 40 years, by 2019, the franchise had grossed more than $20 billion in retail sales.[54] The following tables list the franchise's retail sales revenue from 2000 onwards.

The following table lists the retail sales of licensed merchandise in Japan, not including Bandai Namco products.

The following table lists the annual content revenue from Gundam anime media in Japan, as reported by market research firm Hakuhodo.

• List of highest-grossing media franchises