The upcoming 2025 Gundam anime, "Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX," a collaboration between two anime giants—Khara (Evangelion series) and Sunrise (Mobile Suit Gundam series)—has been generating serious buzz among fans since its announcement.
Kenshi Yonezu, who's performing the theme song for the prequel film "Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX-Beginning-," recently opened up about his deep familiarity with the Gundam franchise and his all-time favorite mobile suit during a special interview on Nippon TV (aired January 22), gushing about his passion for all things Gundam.
▼ "Kampfer" even became a trending topic on X!
Yonezu revealed he's been a Gunpla enthusiast since childhood, building models as a regular pastime. He cited the "Gundam GP03 Dendrobium" and "Wing Gundam Zero Custom" as some of his absolute favorites, which he's naturally built himself.
But when pressed for his ultimate favorite Gundam mobile suit, he dropped a surprisingly deep cut: the "MS-18E Kampfer" from "Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket." This choice raised more than a few eyebrows online, as it's a pick that truly signals a seasoned Gundam fan.
In "Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket," the "MS-18E Kampfer" was one of Zeon's final creations during the waning days of the One Year War. Facing a disadvantage against the Federation's mass-produced mobile suits, Zeon desperately tried to develop new models to counter them.
Built upon a Zaku frame with enhanced generators and propulsion systems, it retained the iconic cyclops mono-eye of Zeon mobile suits. Its design heavily emphasized close-quarters combat, excelling in hit-and-run assault missions thanks to its extreme mobility and firepower.
Yonezu admitted that some fans jokingly call the Kampfer "paper armor" due to its close-range, high-risk attack style. However, he finds its overwhelming mobility and high-offense, low-defense profile incredibly rare and captivating. He raved about its portrayal in the anime, rapidly charging with various weapons, especially the mesmerizing way it wields its chain mine.
Netizens quickly chimed in, suggesting that Bandai should totally re-release the Kampfer Gunpla now that Kenshi Yonezu himself has publicly gushed about its charm. LOL. Others jokingly added that Gundam fans are never bad people, especially those who love the Kampfer (?!)
It's clear Kenshi Yonezu has a genuine passion for the Gundam series, and it's a rare treat to see him talk about it so enthusiastically on TV. Here's hoping he gets more chances to share his Gundam insights in the future!