"Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway's Flash" Special Discussion Yasuyasu Moriki x Hajime Katoki
* This dialogue is a reorganization of the content published in the April 2016 issue of "Monthly Gundam Ace" (KADOKAWA). There are some differences from the animation and the latest settings, but they are the same as when they were posted.
MS of "Flash of Hathaway", which I worked on as an illustration of the novel
KatokiHow did you end up illustrating the novel "Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway's Flash," Ms. Moriki?
MorikiAt the time, I was practically living and working at AIC's Ogikubo studio (an animation studio), and there was an editor from Kadokawa Shoten who often came there, and I think it was through him that I got the job. Regarding the Xi Gundam, the only things the editor in charge at Sneaker Bunko told me were that it would be equipped with funnel missiles and that it could fly using Minovsky Craft. The rest was up to me (laughs). I wasn't drawing it as a setting for animation, but rather as an illustration for a novel.
KatokiDidn't you have a meeting with Mr. Tomino?
Moriki: It was only communication with the editor in charge. At first, I thought Mr. Tomino might check it, but there was absolutely none.
KatokiI've drawn four types of MS, including the Ξ Gundam.
Moriki: So, there are two so-called Gundam-type mobile suits and a mass-produced mobile suit, which are on opposing sides.
KatokiWere there any design or other instructions given to the enemy or allies?
Moriki: I'm not sure if that was there from the beginning. Back then, when you thought of mass-produced mobile suits, you only thought of the Federation and Zeon, so I made Hathaway's side Zaku-type and Circe's unit side GM-type.
KatokiHathaway's Messer is a Zeon-type mobile suit, but its design deviates quite a bit from the Zaku, doesn't it?
MorikiI didn't read the novel beforehand when drawing it, so it's purely my own interpretation of MS.
Katoki: You mean you weren't told that "Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway" was a story set after "Char's Counterattack" when you drew it?
MorikiI think I knew that.
Katoki: The historical context is clearly taken into consideration. I can see similarities between the ν Gundam and the Ξ Gundam in the way the calves are treated.
MorikiI've been watching Gundam series for a long time, and I even went to see "Char's Counterattack" in theaters, so it's not surprising that it unconsciously influenced my designs. There are certain conventions to follow when designing for Gundam, after all.
KatokiI think there's a tendency for designs to fall into two categories: those that prioritize deviating from orthodox lines, and those that prioritize staying closer to them.
MorikiBack then, I think I was doing it somewhat casually, and it was just about creating a Gundam that I thought was "cool."
KatokiBack then, "Gundam" hadn't grown into the massive franchise it is today, so the approach to MS design was a little different from what it is now, right?
Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway's Flash, written by Tomino Yoshiyuki in 1989, is a novel set in the Universal Century after Char's Counterattack. Moriki designed the new mobile suit that appears in the novel, and illustrations are included (cover and illustrations by Mikimoto Haruhiko).
Refined with the appearance in the game
KatokiThe gimmick of Penelope's flight unit separating to transform into flight mode seems to be a relatively recent design.
Moriki: In the game "SD Gundam G GENERATION-F," released in 2000, the Ξ Gundam and Penelope were going to appear, and Sunrise requested that we "separate Penelope's flight unit." I hadn't thought about that when I was writing the novel (laughs).
KatokiOh really? I'm genuinely surprised (laughs).
Moriki: We were in a hurry. We were redesigning it while also incorporating the separation and combination of the main Odysseus Gundam and the flight unit. It's pretty messed up, though.
Katoki: When you read the novel, there are descriptions related to the flight unit, right?
MorikiI had no idea.
KatokiThe novel's illustrations don't depict the gimmick, so for fans, it was a long-standing question of "how does it work?". Therefore, adding the separation gimmick later on was a very good idea, especially in terms of making Penelope's design fit in with the work.
Moriki:thank you.
Katoki: So, they added even more design elements for the arcade game "Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Full Boost," which was released in 2012.
MorikiThe order was: "We want missile pods attached to the Ξ Gundam." There weren't any specific instructions for that either. I think it's normal for additional armament on a mobile suit to be attached to the back or legs, but that's a bit commonplace, so when I was thinking about what to do, I decided to put it on the tail (laughs).
Katoki: That's definitely typical of Moriki-san, isn't it? It's kind of like a "monster" in a good way. It feels like his idea drawer is different from that of standard Gundam-type mobile suits. You equipped the Ξ Gundam that you released in 2016 with missile pods, but were they too big?
Moriki: It's shaped to look like both a tail and a third leg, so I think bigger is better.
Katoki: As I mentioned earlier, I wanted to make the most of the "kaiju" (monster)-like quality. The Ξ Gundam alone is quite "kaiju-like," but when it's placed next to Penelope, I felt like it could use a little more volume in its silhouette.
Moriki"The term 'monster' is a very apt description, especially for Penelope; I think it had a final boss-like image. People I knew would say things like, 'What is that dragon Gundam?' (laughs). This was long before 'G Gundam' was even airing."
KatokiI was also shocked back then (laughs). The Ξ Gundam and Penelope are exceptionally unique even by today's standards.
(* Recorded on the end of December 2015)
When Mr. Moriki newly designed it for the game, the back, FF unit, funnel missile, etc. were drawn. Penelope and Ξ Gundam, which were released as Ka signature last time, were three-dimensionalized based on this, and had coloring that conformed to the game "Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Versus Maxiboost".
*The image is from "Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Maxi Boost". ©創通・サンライズ©創通・サンライズ・MBS
In 2021, reborn as a theatrical animation version with a new arrangement by Mr. Hajime Katoki
Based on the version released in 2015, the Penelope that appears in theatrical animation is reproduced with a high-end finished product model. The parts have been significantly redesigned to match the latest settings.
In the theatrical animation, ver. A.N.I.M.E. to the flight Form that was previously depicted in the novel is incorporated into the design for the first time and appears in the play. In this Ka signature version, a new transformation mechanism allows it to transform from MS form to Form form without replacing parts.
Detailed product information will be released soon on TAMASHII WEB Please look forward to it.
Yasuhiro Moriki
designer. After making his debut with "Star Musketeer Bismarck" (1984), he has been active in various fields such as anime, special effects, and game mecha, monsters, props, and art. Participating works include "Vampire Princess Miyu", "Meiou Project Zeorymer", "Go-Busters", and "Gundam Build Divers Re:RISE".
Hajime Katoki
Designer, illustrator. Worked as a mechanical designer for the "Gundam" series, supervised the design of plastic models and action toys, and worked on video game design. Participating works include the "Cyber Troopers Virtual-On" series, the "Super Robot Wars" series, and "Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin".
New edition of the novel "Mobile Suit Gundam 's Flash"
Written by: Yoshiyuki Tomino
Cover illustration: Haruhiko Mikimoto
Mechanical design: Yasuhiro Moriki
■ All 3 volumes
■ List price: 880 yen each (800 yen + tax)
■ Format: B6 size ■ KADOKAWA
■ First and middle volumes: Now on sale / Second volume: Released on April 26, 2021
The novel "Flash of Hathaway" has been released in a new edition. The cover illustration is drawn by Mikimoto.
Yasushi Moriki Design Works [Robot / Hero]
■ List price: 4,950 yen (main unit 4,500 yen + tax)
■ Format: A4 size ■ Hobby Japan
■ Now on sale
Mr. Moriki's first collection of works contains four sketches, including Penelope and Ξ Gundam. You can enjoy sketches for Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko and sketches designed for games with high precision quality. Also includes designs for many other anime and special effects works. At the end of the book, an interview with Mr. Moriki and a commentary on each work are also recorded.
"THE ROBOT SPIRITS (Ka signature) < SIDE MS > Penelope (Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway's Flash Ver.)" will be available for pre-order soon at PREMIUM BANDAI Tamashii web shop!
Robot figures created via the technologies accumulated by TAMASHII NATIONS over the years. They are made especially for robot-loving collectors, thus called "THE ROBOT SPIRITS." Interweaving the latest in CAD technology with the craftmanship of professional modelers, each figure is reproduced with stunning accuracy in a wonder of modeling.
A project by Hajime Katoki and TAMASHII NATIONS that transcends the framework of the label, its name is "Ka signature". "Signature" is a word that includes the meaning of [signature]. Mr. Katoki, who has been producing action toys for more than 10 years, generously puts in the know-how he has cultivated so far. The release will also be done from the most suitable label. The cutting-edge modeling technology of BANDAI SPIRITS Collectors Division and the style established by Mr. Katoki give the viewer a sense of exhilaration and stimulate the sensibilities of those who hold them in their hands.
- ©創通・サンライズ
