Bandai Namco Filmworks has officially unveiled Mobile Suit Gundam RG XARX-ZERO, a new anime project spearheaded by acclaimed director Kenji Kamiyama. Announced at San Diego Comic-Con, the series is slated for a 2027 release and serves as the centerpiece of the "RG Project," a multi-platform initiative that aims to introduce a fresh Gundam universe. Unlike the long-standing Universal Century timeline, this series presents an entirely original setting where humanity struggles against a self-proliferating ecosystem known as the "Apocalypse."
Kamiyama, known for his work on Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, is handling both directing and screenwriting duties, with science fiction author Toh Enjoe collaborating on the project's world-building. The story follows Ray Azumi, a war orphan and pilot of the Gundam Zero, who awakens on the lunar surface decades after humanity was forced to abandon Earth. Voice actor Takeo Otsuka has been tapped to bring the protagonist to life, expressing his enthusiasm for the project's unique narrative structure.
Visuals for the series will feature mecha designs by Eiichi Shimizu, the creator behind the Linebarrels of Iron manga. The production team is rounded out by character designer Miyako Takasu, who is adapting original drafts by Stato, and composer GΕ Shiina, whose credits include Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.
The RG Project is intended to be a expansive media-mix endeavor. Beyond the anime, the initiative includes the previously announced game Gundam Rogue Orbit, which is set 90 years after the events of XARX-ZERO. Kamiyama noted that the project will likely contain additional elements beyond these two titles as the studio continues to flesh out this new iteration of the storied franchise.
