Latest news with #Gundam
Nikkei Asia
10 hours ago
- Business
- Nikkei Asia
Sony Group to take 2.5% stake in 'Gundam' owner Bandai Namco
Sony Group said it will take a stake in Bandai Namco Holdings. Sony has been actively increasing its investments in companies with strong intellectual property. Nikkei staff writers TOKYO -- Sony Group announced on Thursday that it will acquire a 2.5% stake in Bandai Namco Holdings, which owns intellectual property such as the "Gundam" franchise, for approximately 68 billion yen ($470 million). Sony possessed no Bandai stock as of March 31, according to its securities report.
Gizmodo
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
Bandai Asks Japanese Politicians to Not Dress Up as ‘Gundam' Characters to Campaign
Sure, America occasionally has a 'The White House is photoshopping the president's head onto Superman posters' problem, but it turns out plenty of other countries also have a bit of an issue with politicians leveraging pop culture cosplaying for political gain. It's just that those other countries will have studios telling them to quit it. Earlier this week, Japanese politician Taro Yamamoto, the founder of the left-populist political party Reiwa Shinsengumi, went viral on social media for recording a political campaign video outside of the life-sized Unicorn Gundam statue in Odaiba, Tokyo. Dressed as Quattro Bajeena from Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, Yamamoto campaigned for the then-upcoming elections for the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of the National Diet, before introducing fellow Reiwa Shinsengumi candidate Maya Okamoto—an actress best known to Gundam fans as the voice of Zeta supporting character Emma Sheen. れいわ新選組代表、山本太郎です。 れいわ新選組は今回の参議院選挙で、声優の岡本麻弥を擁立しています。 皆さんご存知の通り、声優の岡本麻弥は、日本を代表する数々のアニメ作品に、出演した者です。 そんな立場でありながら、なぜ、参院選に出馬を？ 岡本麻弥：… — れいわ 山本太郎 消費税廃止！住まいは権利！ (@yamamototaro0) July 18, 2025The seemingly innocent skit drew a variety of criticisms from rival political figures and Japanese netizens alike for leveraging Gundam and Okamoto's connection to the series for political gain, and even a little mockery considering Char Aznable's own political trajectory across early Gundam, culminating in his attempts to forcefully migrate the remnants of humanity into space by dropping an asteroid on Earth. It should be noted, of course, that Yamamoto was dressed as Quattro Bajeena, who is certainly not Char Aznable, a man who loves taking on other identities and guises—and has definitely never betrayed anyone in his life. But key distinction or otherwise, regardless of what flavor of Char Yamamoto was cosplaying, it turns out it wasn't just Japanese social media users who were miffed: Gundam owners Sunrise were, too. 'In the 2025 House of Councillors election, some candidates were campaigning using cosplay-style costumes and videos and SNS posts in situations that strongly evoked the image or image of characters from the Gundam series,' an official statement posted to Sunrise's company website yesterday read in part. 'However, this was not approved by Bandai Namco Filmworks Inc. (Sunrise Studios), and our company does not support any particular candidate.' Yes, we certainly wouldn't want anyone making any connections between political messaging and the themes of Gundam now, would we? Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Netflix has every episode of 'must-watch' series praised for 'epic ending'
The Japanese series forms part of a huge franchise. Netflix has spotlighted a surprise smash as a Japanese series rockets onto the streamer's 'everyone's watching' list. Part of the Gundam franchise, this bite-sized series consists of six short episodes, each lasting up to 25 minutes – a perfect addition to Netflix's must-watch roster for 2025. The easily digestible show follows a pilot charged with defending the European front from the Earth Federation Forces' attempts to retake the territory. The buzz is all about Netflix 's Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance, a Japanese English-language web anime series set in the final phases of the One Year War. Gundam, a cult classic Japanese military science fiction saga that began in the 70s, has grown into a massive franchise encompassing over 50 TV series, films, and OVAs, along with manga, novels, video games, and model kits, reports the Express. Google Reviews has been flooded with fan feedback, with Grant Robinson writing: "Fantastic edition to Gundam. Great pacing, solid writing, mobile suit fights are so good, great characters, and visually looks great." He added: "One of my personal favorites for sure. Just wish it was a little longer to flesh out some characters a bit more. "Must note that the Mobile suits designs are top tier, can't love the way the Zakus look anymore than I already do, also the GMs and this Version of the Gundam are stellar." DJ raved: "Who would give it anything less than 5 stars? It was brilliant. What an epic ending to the season and a fantastic Substratum for an epic saga." Archil Pandey wrote with enthusiasm: "Latest addition with best cg animation and best action scenes. Gundam appears as a sinister machine here. It's a must-watch series". Hisonoi NEAR shared their thoughts: "Worth the watch, if this is your first time watching gundam, I would say give this a try. The action, and the scenes, and music were phenomenal." The official blurb teases: "Eleven months into the One Year War in U.C.0079, top Zaku II pilot Captain Solari faces the Earth Federation's new lethal weapon: the mobile suit Gundam." Celia Massingham takes the helm in the English-dubbed version of the show, also recognised for her role in Legends of Tomorrow. Catch Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance streaming on Netflix.
Japan Today
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Tokyo Night & Light
With a total size of 13,904.956 square meters, Tokyo Night & Light at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1 in Shinjuku is the largest architectural projection-mapped display (permanent) according to the Guinness World Records. Among Pac-Man, the current screening contains light shows themed with Godzilla, Gundam and other breathtaking light shows accompanied by music. The screening is held all year round. The current schedule can be found at © Japan Today
Arab News
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Japan Park showcases art, culture at Riyadh's Esports World Cup
RIYADH: Japan Park has become a major attraction at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh with its displays of anime, manga and video games. Being held at Riyadh's Boulevard City, visitors can wear traditional Japanese kimonos on entry and engage with actors wearing costumes of popular characters, including Gundam and Vegapunk. The park also has traditional Japanese games, including Kendama and Go, dances, and stage shows inspired by well-known anime series. Additionally, experts have been holding daily workshops on Japanese calligraphy, allowing visitors to learn more about traditional techniques, and how to write their names in kanji. The park also features workshops on origami and uchiwa conducted by Japanese professionals. The area has various restaurants, serving dishes including ramen, sushi, and mochi. The Esports World Cup is an annual tournament that takes place from July to August. • This article also appears on Arab News Japan
