During the “Gundam Conference Spring 2026,” Sunrise and Bandai Namco unveiled the “Road to 50” initiative, preparing for the franchise’s 50th-anniversary celebrations in 2029. The announcements include a new animated video, global events, the establishment of an official commemorative day, and the retirement of the iconic Gundam Unicorn statue in Tokyo.
Event Calendar and 50th Anniversary Celebrations for the Gundam Franchise
As a preview, “A Boy With Gundam,” a nearly six-minute short film directed by Tsukuro Hayakawa and scored by PEOPLE 1, premiered. The commemorative video features three generations of real-world fans inspired by the Moving Gundam and includes a cameo by Amuro Ray.
Furthermore, a remastering project has been confirmed, starting with the first television series. The “Gundam Landmark Project,” a physical installation in Japan for international fans, is also in development. The official 50th-anniversary celebrations will formally kick off with “Gundam-Con,” a massive event held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba from January 9-11, 2027. This fair dedicated to the “king” of Real Robots will feature tournaments, merchandise, and music, with tickets distributed via paid lottery. Following its Japanese edition, the event will expand to various unconfirmed regions worldwide.
A Prequel to the Latest Gundam Seed Movie and the Return of Wing
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom Zero, a prequel to the film Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom, has been announced. The story for this project was written during the original feature film’s planning stages by Chiaki Morosawa, Shigeru Morita, and director Mitsuo Fukuda. Additionally, Naohiro Ogata, producer and director at Bandai Namco Filmworks, announced that the Mobile Suit Gundam Wing saga will receive a new, full-length audiovisual project, though its specific format is yet to be confirmed.
The story of Gundam Wing has recently been expanded with the release of the manga Mobile Suit Gundam Wing 0.5 Point Half Preventer-7 last August. Illustrated by Sakura Asagi and written by Katsuyuki Sumisawa, this manga connects the events of Endless Waltz with the sequel novels Gundam Wing: Frozen Teardrop.
What Will Be the Official Date for ‘Gundam Day’?
The Japan Anniversary Association has officially designated April 7th as “Gundam Day” starting in 2027. This date is significant for the franchise as it commemorates the original series’ premiere in 1979. The Tokyo National Museum will also host an exhibition dedicated to creator Yoshiyuki Tomino in 2029. Finally, it has been confirmed that the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam statue in Odaiba will be retired at the end of August 2026 after bearing decals for its “final version,” making way for an expanded collaboration with Hololive Productions, which will include talents from Hololive English.
