When a person has dedicated as much time and effort to their passion asMobile Suit Gundamcreator Yoshiyuki Tomino —transforming it from an intriguing idea into a global phenomenon— there inevitably comes a moment, often as one’s career is winding down, when they reflect on their work and wonder what impact their efforts had on the world?
In fact, at 83 years old, having worked in the anime industry for 60 years – including 45 years as the creative heart and soul of theGundamfranchise – Tomino finds himself in this very situation. After a long and illustrious career, the legendary anime creator has begun reflecting on his life’s work, wondering if he and his creations made a positive difference in the world and how he will be remembered. Recently, he has started to share his insights from this period of reflection publicly.
Gundam Creator Sits Down To Answer Student’s Questions - And His Responses Might Surprise Some
Acclaimed Gundam Creator Tomino Reveals His Hopes For The Franchise
Yoshiyuki Tomino’s most recent insights into his career, theGundamfranchise, and the interplay between the two were shared during a speaking engagement last month at the prestigious Shizuoka Seien Girls' High School in Hamamatsu, Japan. The event, structured as a “question and answer” session, featured Tomino responding to questions about his life, work, and creative process, all submitted beforehand by the students. A recording of the talk and a summary of its key points were later published on the school’s officialPrincipal’s Update Blog.
Apparently, all the questions the students posed were presented to Tomino before the talk, which suggests he had time to read them over and choose the questions he would answer at the school.
The students' questions spanned a wide range of topics, from Tomino’s influences as a young animator in the 1960s to strategies for conveying complex ideas in a narrative. One of the more intriguing questions posed was somewhat macabre: “What are your views on life and death?” However, Tomino’s thoughtful response suggested that he had reflected on this topic and welcomed the opportunity to share his insights.
“Death is in my reach. I believe it’s good to face death peacefully. I want to look at death head on. Rather than leaving behind something physical, I’ve come to realize I want to create something that can be passed on to new generations. It may not be something that resonates with people now, but the next generation will understand it… I hope that the future will be different from the Earth today.”
Acknowledging that he is closer to the end of his life than its beginning, he explains that he prefers to control how his remaining years unfold rather than allowing circumstances to dictate what is possible. He also admits that — like almost everyone — he hopes to be remembered after he’s gone. However, instead of leaving behind a physical monument, such as a statue in his honor, he would much rather leave something that can impact and inspire future generations.
As an artist, Tomino suggests —and clearly hopes— that his legacy will live on through his artistic works. These creations can be seen today and far into the future, continuing to influence viewers regardless of whether they experience them now, next year, or decades from now. Tomino’s hope that his anime would serve as his legacy ties back to an earlier comment he made during the session. In that remark, Tomino emphasizes that despite its heavy focus on mecha, technology, and aliens,Gundamhas always fundamentally been about war between humans.
For Tomino, It’s Not What You Give Back But Rather What You Make People Feel
Although this message was initially lost on most casual viewers during the franchise’s early years, it has fortunately become recognized and appreciated by contemporary fans — as well as byGundamcontent creators. While this delayed understanding might frustrate many creators in his position, Tomino suggests — through his own experience — that creators need to be patient and consistent. If they are, even if it takes 40 years for the audience to have that “aha” moment, it will eventually come.
Regarding his legacy, Tomino’s comments reveal that he hopes to be remembered in two ways. Firstly, he wishes for his work onGundamto continue entertaining fans indefinitely.Secondly, Tomino aspires for his anime to be appreciated for its deeper meaning and messages, leaving a lasting impact on future generations. In other words, Tomino hopes that his anime will remain relevant and resonate with audiences 30 years from now, just as his originalGundamseries from the 1970s continues to captivate people today.
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While Tomino’sGundamfranchise encompasses a vast multimedia empire, including manga, Gunpla model kits, video games,live-actionGundamproductions, theme parks, and novels,theGundamanime divisionarguably remains its most diverse and impactful. Therefore, Tomino stating that he hopes his anime will be his legacy is somewhat of an elusive answer, given that the anime themselves explore a vast spectrum of ideas, principles, theories, and social commentary. Fortunately, he didn’t leave the students to speculate about his specific hopes forGundam’s impact on future generations.
Out Of All The Gundam Anime He’s Overseen, Tomino Emphasizes One Series That He Hopes Will Be His Lasting Contribution
He explicitly calls outGundam Reconguista in Gas a key pillar of his hoped-for legacy. Debuting in 2014, Tomino’s television series follows new Gundam pilot Bellri Zenam as he strives to establish himself within the Capital Guard, an elite security organization tasked with protecting the Capital Tower—the primary source of energy for Earth. During his duties, Bellri encounters a space pirate piloting a highly advanced mobile suit known as the G-Self.
After discovering that he is one of the few individuals capable of piloting the G-Self, Bellri uncovers a wealth of information that had previously been kept from him. This revelation challenges his previous understanding of the Capital Guard, the Capital Tower, and the people he had been led to believe were the enemies of Earth and the Guard.
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Gundam Reconguista in Gisa typicalGundamstoryin that it depicts conflict between humans overlaid with glorious mecha spectacle, but one that ultimately explores the deeply entrenched cycles of violence between groups that has peppered human civilization since ancient times. It also emphasized the seemingly impossible yet necessary task of breaking free from past conflicts to achieve a brighter future.
In his talk, Tomino expressed that while this message might seem naive at present, he hopes that through his anime – likeGundam Reconguista in G– it will become relevant “30 years from now.“For Tomino, the best legacy he could leave would be for his anime to inspire younger generations to take responsibility for the future and help create a better Earththan exists today. Indeed, like in one of hisGundamanime, that would be the perfect “happily ever after” moment.
Mobile Suit Gundam
Mobile Suit Gundam follows teenager Amuro Ray, who pilots the Earth Federation’s secret weapon, the mobile suit Gundam, amidst an interstellar war. Fleeing aboard the warship White Base, Amuro and a group of refugees and inexperienced soldiers become pivotal in influencing the conflict’s outcome.
