Yoshiyuki Tomino, the creator of the famous Gundam series, has always stuck to his craft. Gundam has been the greatest in the mecha genre of anime, with very few rivals. He is a mastermind in his own right and many fans are grateful to him for creating Gundam. However, despite his long and celebrated career, he has his own doubts about his artistic abilities. Tomino’s decision to remain loyal to Sunrise, the studio where Gundam was created, is due to his insecurity about not being on equal grounds with other artists in the anime industry.

Space Runaway Ideon. [Credit: Nippon Sunrise]

The creator becomes vulnerable about his journey in the anime industry and reveals why he has never left Sunrise, despite being one of its biggest icons. He doesn’t mince his words around his thoughts about the industry and his rivals, particularly about Hayao Miyazaki. He also discusses the philosophical aspects of Gundam.

Staying with Sunrise and His Legacy with Gundam

Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ. [Credit: Nippon Sunrise]

Tomino’s journey with Gundam goes across decades. His legacy is marked by the groundbreaking storytelling and intricate world-building that has created a shift in the mecha genre. From the original Mobile Suit Gundam, dating all the way back to 1979, to several sequels, movies, and spin-offs, his work has consistently pushed the boundaries of what the mecha genre of anime can achieve. Yet, behind the curtains, his decision to remain at Sunrise reveals a deeper insecurity about his artistic integrity and creative abilities.

Related Gundam Creator Yoshiyuki Tomino: I Won’t Accept Hayao Miyazaki is a “Craftsman” after Watching The Boy and The Heron

In an interview at the Niigata International Animation Film Festival 2024, he unearths his decision with a sense of vulnerability. Upon being asked about the sacrifice of his freedom at Sunrise, he states:

Certainly, Sunrise as a company isn’t a group of artists. It’s a group of producers. So for someone like me… Someone like me with such low artistic abilities could find support there. If I went to another studio, there would be other creators I couldn’t compete with.

Earlier in the interview, he also extensively talks about never being able to surpass the likes of Hayao Miyazaki, despite being in the same era. He calls him his rival and reveals that his abilities would never allow him to surpass the Ghibli creator. He discovered the mecha genre and just decided to stick with it. He even states that someone with “real creative abilities” wouldn’t make series like Gundam or Ideon. Perhaps he’s never had the chance to observe how intensely fans love the series.

His Creativity with Gundam and Ideon

Mobile Suit Gundam: Unicorn. [Credit: Nippon Sunrise]

Despite Tomino’s insecurities, his career and the series he’s created is a testament to his creativity. His artistic abilities go beyond what he seems to believe in himself. Not many people can have such a big influence on the mecha genre by fluke or by having baseline artistic skills. It was also the story, the philosophical aspects and the commentary on warfare that made Gundam so unique and beloved.

Related The Gundam TV Show Yoshiyuki Tomino Admitted Was Created to “Completely Deny” All Gundam Shows That Came Before it

Sticking with a studio that can enhance and support his abilities is also not necessarily a negative thing. Sunrise has consistently supported Tomino’s career and while he doesn’t seem to broaden his portfolio, a legacy is a legacy. Their partnership has kept the Gundam franchise and other series within the mecha genre alive but also assisted Tomino’s confidence as a storyteller, allowing him to continue telling the stories he wants to write.

Mobile Suit Gundam is available on Crunchyroll.
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