The “Gundam Conference Spring 2026” that aired today officially sets the stage for the franchise’s 50th-anniversary celebration in 2029. Returning to host the show is Hisanori Yoshida, radio personality and Gundam otaku. He is joined by famous seiyuu and idol, Sally Amaki.
During the 45 minute conference, Bandai Namco Group’s Chief Gundam Officer, Hiroshi Sakakibara, and Producer Naohiro Ogata revealed a massive roadmap that blends nostalgic revivals with ambitious new projects targeting a global audience.
The show kicks off with a heart-warming and emotional music video titled “A Boy With Gundam.” The 5 minute video follows a young boy in 1979 who falls in love with the first Gundam series as a kid.
He grows up watching every single Gundam series throughout the years; with his friends, his newborn, his teenage son, and eventually his grand daughter. Showcasing all the cool scenes and protagonists from every series over the course of the franchise’s four decades.
Not gonna lie, it made me cry. Even though I’m not 50 years old, (not even close!) I have been watching Gundam long enough to be hit by nostalgia. They really succeeded in paying homage to the generations who grew up with the franchise.
The theme of the conference centers on the slogan, “Your first starts here.” To date, there are over 90 Gundam titles (anime, movie, and games combined), offering many entry points across 50 years. Every fan has their own “First Gundam” experience, so they are encouraging new fans to pick up any series as your first.
By the way, Sally Amaki’s “First Gundam” experience was from Gintama episode 234. Which is really cute.
Major Anime and Film Announcements
- Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM ZERO: Following the massive success of SEED FREEDOM, it was officially confirmed that the prequel project, SEED FREEDOM ZERO, will be released as a theatrical film. It aims to bridge the gap between SEED DESTINY and SEED FREEDOM. FREEDOM ZERO was announced a while back, but Producer Ogata now reassures fans that project is well under way.
- Gundam Wing New Project: To celebrate its 30th anniversary, a new animation project for Mobile Suit Gundam Wing has been greenlit. While details on the format remain scarce, producers promised it would be “substantial” in length. They released a short anniversary video during last year’s SDCC panel leaving fans craving for more Gundam Wing.
- First Series Remaster: The original 1979 Mobile Suit Gundam (First Gundam) is undergoing a full remaster for modern viewing environments, scheduled to be ready by the 50th anniversary. This is HUGE news for everyone who has been wanting to get into the original series but have been put off by the fairly dated (and sometimes outright wacky) animation. In my opinion, the plot and pacing of the OG series still holds up even after all these years, a remaster might just be what it takes to get new fans to experience beauty of the series.
Some parts in need of a serious remaster - Hollywood Live-Action Update: Production is officially underway in Queensland, Australia. Directed by Jim Mickle, the film stars Sydney Sweeney and Noah Centineo. Director Mickle sent a video message from the set, promising an “epic” story that stays true to the franchise’s human-centric themes. A full cast was announced recently by Netflix.
“Gundam Day” Officially Recognized
Save this date! April 7th has been officially certified by the Japan Anniversary Association as “Gundam Day.” April 7th 1979 was the original broadcast of the first ever Mobile Suit Gundam episode and will serve as an annual day of celebration for fans worldwide.
Real-World Events & “Gundam Landmark”
- GUNDAM CON: A new large-scale global event called “Gundam Con” will debut in January 2027 at Makuhari Messe, Japan. It aims to be the ultimate comprehensive event, merging major events like the Gunpla Builders World Championship, Gundam Card Game, and gaming all in one place. It will be the largest Gundam event ever featuring gunpla works, music, merch and many more.
- Gundam Landmark Project: A major initiative to build a permanent “Gundam Landmark” facility in Japan is in the works. While the location is secret, it is designed to be a “holy land” for international tourists. Could they perhaps be building a Gundam Theme Park?
Hololive Collaboration & Statue Updates
- Gundam x Hololive Production: The second wave of the collaboration was revealed, now featuring talents from Hololive English. The new wave features Gundam by Vtubers Oozora Subaru, Usada Pekora, Tsunomaki Watame, Mori Calliope, IRys, and Todoroki Hajime.
- Unicorn Gundam Statue Farewell: They took down the giant moving RX-78 in Yokohama two years ago, and now, the Life-Sized Unicorn Gundam statue in Odaiba is scheduled to end its display in late August 2026. Since September 2017, the statue has stood tall in Odaiba for 8 years and 11 months. It has served as Tokyo’s landmark and a sacred place for idol music concerts. A “Grand Finale” event with new decal decorations is planned before it departs.
The conference concluded with a promise of even more news during the Winter 2026 Conference. With the 50th anniversary on the horizon, Gundam is no longer just a Japanese icon, but a global cultural powerhouse.
