The latest Gundam anime, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, wrapped up its twelve-episode run last night (June 25) with its finale, "Therefore, I Am..." After three months on the air, the new series has come to a close.
Fans have been thrilled by the show's numerous homages to the classic Mobile Suit Gundam UC series, and the finale delivered a massive surprise with the appearance of three voice actors from the original cast. But did you notice that the series was also hiding some incredible Sailor Moon Easter eggs? Let's break it down.
(This article contains spoilers for episode twelve of Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX. Reader discretion is advised.)
If you're wondering why a Gundam series would be packed with nods to Sailor Moon, the answer is surprisingly simple. Director Kazuya Tsurumaki, writer Yoji Enokido, and even Hideaki Anno were all involved in the production of the '90s Sailor Moon anime. It's basically a reunion of the original crew!
▼ All three were part of the production team for "Sailor Moon S."
In the final episode, Mashu activates the GQuuuuuuX's "Omega Psycommu System," causing the mobile suit to open its mouth and unleash its full power. Later, as Mashu and Shuji converse again in Jeknova's dimension, the GQuuuuuuX's Endymion Unit system voice declares:
"I don't want to see that scene again... the scene where Gundam kills Lalah..."
▼ The Endymion Unit
Both the system's name and its voice actor, the legendary Tōru Furuya, are a direct reference to his role in Sailor Moon as Tuxedo Mask (Mamoru Chiba), whose past and future incarnations are known as Prince/King Endymion. Fans on social media were quick to dub the system "Gundam's Tuxedo Mask."
▼ Prince/King Endymion
But the references don't stop there. The mobile suit designs also hide a Sailor Moon secret. The GFreD, piloted by Nean, features a pair of head-mounted funnels. According to the official specs for Bandai's METAL ROBOT SPIRITS GFreD figure, these two funnels are named "Luna" and "Artemis."
Sound familiar? Those are, of course, the names of the two feline companions from Sailor Moon. To add another layer to the tribute, Keiko Han—the voice of the original Lalah Sune who appears in a flashback in the finale—was also the voice of Luna in the classic anime.
▼ Luna and Artemis from "Sailor Moon"
▼ Keiko Han, the original voice of Lalah Sune in "Mobile Suit Gundam"
Fans on Japanese social media have been joking that the inclusion of Luna, Artemis, Endymion, Tōru Furuya, and Keiko Han is so deliberate that the show should be called "Sailor Moon UC."
One fan commented, "It felt like Mashu was possessed by an 'adult Amuro' in the finale, and the system just happened to be named 'Endymion.' This is more than just a voice actor gag; it mirrors the entire Tuxedo Mask plotline—sacrificing himself to protect his fated love in a past life, only to be reincarnated to continue protecting her. It's incredibly romantic. When you think about it that way, it's no wonder the system responded to Mashu's feelings."
It's clear that these Sailor Moon connections in Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX are no accident but a loving nod to the creators' shared history. The series is packed with Easter eggs, and they go far beyond just the Gundam universe.