Gundam
| Gundam | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Yoshiyuki Tomino |
| Original work | Mobile Suit Gundam (1979–80) |
| Owner | Bandai Namco Filmworks |
| Years | 1979–present |
| Print publications | |
| Novel(s) | See list |
| Comics | See list |
| Films and television | |
| Film(s) | See below |
| Television series | See below |
| Games | |
| Traditional | Gundam War Collectible Card Game |
| Video game(s) | See list |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Toy(s) | Gunpla (plastic Gundam models) The Robot Spirits S. H. Figuarts |
| Genre | Science fiction Military science fiction Real robot |
Gundam (Japanese: ガンダムシリーズ, Hepburn: Gandamu Shirīzu; lit. Gundam Series) is a Japanese military science fiction media franchise. Created by Yoshiyuki Tomino for Sunrise (now a division of Bandai Namco Filmworks), the franchise features giant robots, or mecha, known as "Gundam".[1] The franchise began with the premiere of the anime series Mobile Suit Gundam on April 7, 1979, which defined the "real robot" mecha anime genre by depicting giant robots (including the original titular mecha) in a militaristic setting.[2]
The popularity of the series and its merchandise spawned a multimedia franchise that includes over 50 TV series, films, and OVAs, as well as manga, novels, and video games, along with a whole industry of plastic model kits known as Gunpla, which accounts for 90 percent of the Japanese character plastic model market.[3][4][5] Academics in Japan have also taken interest in the series; in 2008, the virtual Gundam Academy was planned as the first academic institution based on an animated TV series.[6]
As of 2022, the Gundam franchise is fully owned by Bandai Namco Holdings through its production subsidiary Bandai Namco Filmworks.[7] The Gundam franchise had grossed over $5 billion in retail sales by 2000.[8][9] In the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 (April–June 2025), the Gundam franchise generated approximately ¥65.4 billion (about US$443 million) in IP-related revenue, making it Bandai Namco’s highest-earning intellectual property during that period, driven by successes across streaming, model kits, theatrical releases, and experiential tourism initiatives.[10]
- ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn. "Gundam Franchise Overview". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ "Gundam: The Real Robot Revolution". Otaku USA Magazine. April 7, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ Linder, Courtney (July 21, 2020). "Watch Engineers Take Their 60-Foot-Tall Gundam for a Walk". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- ^ "Gundam Releases First-Ever English Guide to Gunpla". Comicbook.com. November 4, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- ^ Flow of the Japan toy industry (日本の玩具産業の動向), Japan Economics Department, Information section (日本経済情報課)
- ^ Lewis, Leo (November 1, 2008). "Gundam cartoon academy to turn science fiction into reality in Japan". The Times. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
- ^ "Bandai Namco to reorganize Sunrise under new company, Bandai Namco Filmworks". Gundam News. February 8, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
- ^ "Unique toy line encourages creative play". The Expositor. December 13, 2000. p. 38. Retrieved December 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gundam Wing Phenomenon Grows With Addition of New Licensees as Television Ratings and Toy Line Sales Surge". Business Wire. Berkshire Hathaway. June 13, 2000. Archived from the original on August 21, 2000. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
- ^ "Mobile Suit Gundam IP revenue at all-time high in 2025, Bandai Namco reports". Automaton-Media.com. August 6, 2025. Retrieved August 17, 2025.