Mobile Suit Gundam: THE ORIGIN Deluxe Edition Coming This Fall

5 Comments | Gundam, kodansha, manga, mobile suit gundam | By Peter Paltridge | April 7, 2025 | 2 minutes of reading

You may not know how to pronounce the name of the latest Gundam TV series (it’s pronounced GEE QUACKS for the record), but you’ll be able to go back to the beginning soon when Kodansha releases Mobile Suit Gundam: THE ORIGIN Stateside in a new Deluxe Edition.

In 1979 Yoshiyuki Tomino and Hajime Yatate published the very first Gundam story. Later, artist Yoshikazu Yasuhiko adapted it into a new version where many of the scenes were rendered in full color. It’s that version that Mobile Suit Gundam: THE ORIGIN reprints, in premium hardcover format.

In the world of Mobile Suit Gundam: THE ORIGIN: It is the year Universal Century 0079, in a space colony the Earth Federation is storing and testing a new piloted robot for use in the battle against the Principality of Zeon. The experimental RX-78 Gundam mobile suit is scheduled to be transported to Federation command in Jaburo, deep within the Brazilian jungles. Unfortunately, before the transporter would arrive, the Federation would come under attack from Zeon. With few resources available against the Zeon’s most mobile mechs, Federation forces strike back using their new weapon, the mobile suit Gundam.

The art looks great, but don’t just take our word for it — enjoy a preview! Kodansha sent us the entire first chapter of Mobile Suit Gundam: THE ORIGIN — eighteen pages that you can read by scrolling below. The book has no specific street date as of yet, but is expected to reach bookshelves sometime in the fall.

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harrisonskreutzer

New Member

76 messages 0 likes

#1 Apr 08, 2025

I’m most excited about the full-color artwork. Yasuhiko’s character designs have always felt more natural and expressive to me than some of the later Gundam series. I also study his panel composition when I’m trying to learn how to build tension in my own illustrations. Having a physical hardcover I can open and study is better than digital for that. I will definitely be adding this to my reference shelf.

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katana

New Member

15 messages 0 likes

#2 Apr 08, 2025

The timeline is important to me. Universal Century 0079 is where everything starts. I like how THE ORIGIN fills in parts that the original anime skipped. It makes the political background stronger. The part about Jaburo in the Brazilian jungle always stayed with me — it shows how Earth isn’t safe either. I already know the story, but I want to support official releases. That’s the only way we’ll keep getting these books outside Japan.

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Trevor

New Member

684 messages 50 likes

#3 Apr 08, 2025

I think the book sounds interesting, but I probably won’t buy it. I like some mecha anime, but Gundam always looked too serious. Still, the idea of seeing the beginning in color is kind of nice. I might look at the preview and see if it changes my mind. I wish more series were released in deluxe versions. Sometimes I don’t like reading black and white all the time.

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Kaworu

Active Member

713 messages 231 likes

#4 Apr 08, 2025

What stands out to me is how this series mixes military science fiction with personal stories. RX-78 Gundam isn’t just a machine — it represents a turning point in how people see war and technology. THE ORIGIN gives more background on the politics and character motives, and I think that helps a lot. If Kodansha keeps the translation accurate and adds thoughtful commentary, this edition might become a great resource for people studying manga as literature.

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Mokona1998

Hardcore CLAMP fan

90 messages 5 likes

#5 Apr 08, 2025

This takes me back. I remember watching Gundam with my older brother on old DVDs. THE ORIGIN felt like a more grown-up version of the show, but still respectful. I’ve been waiting for a hardcover release. I want it on my shelf next to other classics like Akira. It’s one of those stories that changes with you over time. I’m glad they’re giving it the format it deserves.

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