Musha Gundam
Encyclopedia
Gundam
The is a metaseries of anime created by Sunrise studios that features giant robots called "Mobile Suits" ; usually the protagonist's MS will carry the name Gundam....
units modelled after samurai
Samurai
is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character 侍 was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, saburau...
, ninja
Ninja
A or was a covert agent or mercenary of feudal Japan specializing in unorthodox arts of war. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, as well as open combat in certain situations...
, or other forms of feudal Japanese warriors. Inheriting the base SD Gundam design, typical design element include changing beam sabre into katana
Katana
A Japanese sword, or , is one of the traditional bladed weapons of Japan. There are several types of Japanese swords, according to size, field of application and method of manufacture.-Description:...
, sheath that act as a gun, removable armour suits. Although the concept began with more typical Gundam proportions, the idea is most famous for inspiring a long-running SD Gundam franchise.
Outline
The Musha Gundam series is the longest running SD Gundam series, lasting over 15 years.Since the series is set in the Warring States period, use of katakana is avoided and kanji is used heavily. With exception of Musha Senki and Musha Generation, names of characters, items, and places usually makes no literal sense unless you read it, similar to Mondegreen
Mondegreen
A mondegreen is the mishearing or misinterpretation of a phrase as a result of near homophony, in a way that gives it a new meaning. It most commonly is applied to a line in a poem or a lyric in a song...
. For example, '頑駄無' is pronounced 'Gan Da Mu', or 'Gundam'.
Apart from Musha Generation and the Tekki Musha(鉄機武者), all the Mushas from Musha Gundam series are not viewed as mechanical robots. They portrayed as living beings that grow and mature similar to humans. Furthering this, often relationships between mecha in the main series are turned into family ties. For example, the Musha versions of Psyco and Pscyco Mk II are rendered as brothers.
Themes of heritage, duty and honor run strongly through Musha Gundam. Many motifs are frequently revisited, such as a central hero aided by four others. These heroes will often receive powers, armours and ranks handed down by predecessor similar teams. Later Musha Gundam works would also introduce characters passed over for the ranks of the central heroes. These characters would ultimately come to respect the heroes as superior candidates or destroy themselves through their own ambition.
Origins
Musha Gundam first appeared in "Plamo Kyoshiro"<プラモ狂四郎> (Story by Craft dan and art by Koichi Yamato). In the story it is an original Gundam created by Kyoshiro (the protagonist) for the showdown with Shigeru. The original design of the SD form Musha Gundam is credited to Koichi Yamato and Craft dan representative, Yasui Hisashi.With a growing fanbase and raging popularity, Musha Gundam products like the 1987 SD Gundam Gashapon MK13 and in 1988 BB Senshi No.17 where created. The products were extremely popular with the school children. And thus Musha Gundam graduated from SD Gundam to a stand-alone genre.
The story of Musha Gundam, SD Sengokuden, originated from the manga "Seven Gundams" of the "Comic World" series by MARSHI (a.k.a Susumu Imaishi) which is published in the assembly manual of the BB Senshi No.17 Musha Gundam kit. SD Sengokuden then expanded via a tie-up plan between BB Senshi maker Bandai
Bandai
is a Japanese toy making and video game company, as well as the producer of a large number of plastic model kits. It is the world's third-largest producer of toys . Some ex-Bandai group companies produce anime and tokusatsu programs...
and Comic Bom Bom
Comic Bom Bom
was a monthly Japanese manga magazine published by Kodansha and targeted at elementary school boys. Each issue had 700+ pages, with 80 of them being full-color advertisements. Similar to its rival CoroCoro Comic, it featured tie-ins with game makers and toy makers but toward the end of its run had...
. And so in Comic Bom Bom there is "Ganso! SD Gundam" by Koji Yokoi (alias. Retsu Toriyama), who is the person that devised the SD Gundam design, to supplement the "Musha Shichinin Shuu" manga that is serializing in "Comic World".
In 1990, "SD Musha Gundam Fuunroku" debuted in Comic Bom Bom's supplement "Bom Bom Special". It is drawn by Koichi Yamato, the father of Musha Gundam. With this full-length manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
series, the story told in Comic World is allowed to expand beyond the restrictions of an assembly manual manga. It is able to supplement the Comic World story and give it more detail although there is often minor differences in the story of the two mediums.
Besides manga and plamo
Plamo
refers to the hobby of plastic modeling, and to the products of this hobby. In the West, the term is most often used in reference to fantasy, anime, or manga-related objects and characters, as this type of modelling has had a proportionately larger contingency in Japan than in the US...
, Musha Gundam also expanded to anime and games.
Appearances in video games
Musha Gundam makes a non-SD appearance in Dynasty Warriors: GundamDynasty Warriors: Gundam
On the first day of its release, Gundam Musou sold over a 100,000 copies, making it the first PS3 title to do so on its first day. Also, the game sold about 70 percent of its 170,000 -180,000 launch day shipments, making it rank third in overall sales — after Ridge Racer 7 and Mobile Suit Gundam:...
as a major antagonist in the games Original Mode storyline. In Original Mode, a mysterious planet appears near Earth, and characters from numerous Gundam series and timelines fight each other to control the planet's power. However, once a victor is declared, Musha Gundam is awakened and threatens the destruction of Earth. In the PS2 Version, Musha Gundam has another assistant, Musha Gundam Mk-II, however, neither was satisfied with the other, and end up killing each other. In the Xbox 360 and PS3 version, Musha Gundam is an unlockable unit. The player must defeat the Musha Gundam to save Earth. In Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2
Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2
Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2, originally released in Japan as , is a tactical action video game based on the Gundam anime series, and the sequel to 2007's Dynasty Warriors: Gundam. It is developed by Koei/Omega Force and is published by Namco Bandai...
Both Musha Gundam and Musha Gundam Mk-II also appear as unlockable playable units.
SD Sengokuden
This series uses designs from the Universal CenturyUniversal Century
is the original timeline of the Gundam anime metaseries. The official English name U.C. is often used instead in recent production like MS Igloo and Master Grade model instructions and official pages is the original timeline of the Gundam anime metaseries. The official English name U.C....
Gundam series, up to Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack
is a 1988 anime film set in Gundam's Universal Century timeline of Gundam, specifically U.C. 0093.Making its theatrical debut on March 12, 1988, Char's Counterattack is the culmination of the original saga begun in Mobile Suit Gundam and continued through Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam and Mobile Suit...
.
- Musha Shichinin Shuu HenSD Sengokuden Musha Shichinin Shuu Henis the first work in the long running Musha Gundam series.SD Sengokuden was the main title at first but became a subtitle by the time SD Sengokuden Tenka Touitsu Hen was released. It ran from 1988 to 1990.- Outline :...
(1988–1990) - Fuurinkazan HenSD Sengokuden Fuurinkazan Henis the second work of the Musha Gundam series.This story continues forward 15 years from Musha Sichinin Shuu Hen where some of the characters are promoted. Running period, 1991.- Story :...
(1990–1991) - Tenka Touitsu HenSD Sengokuden Tenka Touitsu Henis the third work of the Musha Gundam series.The story continues straight from the previous work, telling the adventures of Alex in the time before the first work. Running period, 1991 to 1992.- Story :...
(1991–1992) - Tenka Taihei Hen (1993)
Shin SD Sengokuden
This series centers around Gundam F91, V Gundam and G Gundam designs.- Chijou Saikyou HenShin SD Sengokuden Chijou Saikyou Henis the fourth work of the Musha Gundam series.The events of this new work happened an unknown number of years after the previous work.Running period, 1992 to 1993.- Outline :...
(1992–1993) - Densetsu no Daishougun HenShin SD Sengokuden Densetsu no Daishougun Henis the fifth work of the Musha Gundam series.The events of this new work happened a one year after the previous work.Running period, 1993 to 1994.-Outline:This is the last chapter of SD Musha Gundam Fuuunroku, the Comic Bom Bom version...
(1993–1994) - Shichinin no Choushougun HenShin SD Sengokuden Shichinin no Choushougun Henis the sixth work of the Musha Gundam series. The title of the Comic Bom Bom version is This chapter takes place 15 years after the previous work. Running period, 1994 to 1995.-Outline:...
(1994–1995) - Chou Kidou Daishougun HenShin SD Sengokuden Chou Kidou Daishougun Henis the seventh work of the Musha Gundam series. The title of the Comic Bom Bom version is . Running period, 1995 to 1996.-Outline:Characters this time round are derived from the mobile weapons of Mobile Fighter G Gundam. The main protagonist and antagonist both hold relationships to characters of...
(1995–1996) - Kidou Musha Taisen (1996, PlayStationPlayStationThe is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
game)
Chou SD Sengokuden
- Bushin KirahaganeChou SD Sengokuden Bushin Kirahaganeis the eighth work of the Musha Gundam series. The title of the Comic Bom Bom version is . Running period, 1996 to 1997.- Outline :The series name is changed to "Chou SD Sengokuden". The characters for this chapter are derived from mobile weapons of New Mobile Report Gundam W...
(1996–1997) - Touba DaishougunChou SD Sengokuden Touba Daishougunis the ninth work of the Musha Gundam series. The title of the Comic Bom Bom version is . Running period, 1997 to 1998.-Outline:Similar with Bushin Kirahagane, this new work comes under "Chou SD Sengokuden"...
(1997–1998) - Tensei Shichinin ShuuShin SD Sengokuden Tensei Shichinin Shuuis the tenth work of the Musha Gundam series. The title of the Comic Bom Bom version is . Running period, 1998 to 1999.-Outline:The stage for this new chapter has shift from Ark to a new country, Peace. For the series' tenth work the main characters are modelled after characters from the previous...
(1998–1999)
Musha Senki
This series is heavily influenced by Gundam Wing: Endless WaltzGundam Wing: Endless Waltz
Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz, known in Japan as , is the sequel to Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, both of which are set in the After Colony timeline, an alternate universe to that of the original Gundam series...
designs.
- Musha Senki ~Hikari no Hengen Hen~ (1999–2000)
Musha Generation
This is the first series where an SD Gundam unit is driven by (equally deformed) human pilot. Unlike regular series, the rampant use of atejiAteji
In modern Japanese, primarily refers to kanji used phonetically to represent native or borrowed words, without regard to the meaning of the underlying characters. This is analogous to man'yōgana in pre-modern Japanese...
on robots was absent.
- SD Gundam Musha GenerationSD Gundam Musha Generationis the twelfth work of the Musha Gundam series. The Comic Bom Bom version is of the same title. The comic is the last Musha Gundam work by Masahiro Kanda and it has yet to be published as takubon. Running period, 2000.-Outline:...
(2000)
Mushamaruden
In this series, Musha Gundam travels through time to a place known as the Pegasus Nation, which is early 21st century Japan. Many of the old SD Mushas made guest appearances.- SD Gundam Mushamaruden (2001–2002)
- SD Gundam Musha Maruden 2 (2002–2003)
- SD Gundam Musha Maruden 3 (2003–2004)
Musharetsuden
This series is a loose remake of Musha Shichinin Shuu Hen.- SD Gundam Force Emaki Musharetsuden Bukabuka HenSD Gundam Force Emaki MusharetsudenRunning alongside the Japanese release of the TV show Superior Defender Gundam Force, SD Gundam Force Musha Retsuden is a barely connected sidestory. As there is always a yearly SD Gundam manga/model kit line running in Japan, the title seems to only reference the show in the hopes of further...
(2004–2005) - SD Gundam Force Emaki Musharetsuden ZeroSD Gundam Force Emaki Musharetsuden ZeroSD Gundam Force Emaki Musharetsuden Zero is a prequel to SD Gundam Force Emaki Musharetsuden. It was serialized in Hobby Japan magazine as a brief ongoing feature, containing both a manga story and updates of early SD Musha Gundam model kits. The storyline focuses on the original exploits of the...
(2004–2005)
Musha Banchō Fūunroku
This series features Gundams who can combine in pairs.- SD Gundam Musha Banchō FūunrokuSD Gundam Musha Bancho Fuunrokuis an SD Gundam manga, a spin off from the popular Gundam anime. It is authored by Masato Ichishiki and ran in Comic Bom Bom. The Bancho in the title is Japanese slang for student delinquents-Story:...
(2006–2007)
BB Senshi Sangokuden
Ongoing Musha Gundam adaptation of Romance of the Three KingdomsRomance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms, written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel based on the events in the turbulent years near the end of the Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history, starting in 169 and ending with the reunification of the land in...
.
- Fuuun Gouketsu HenBB Senshi Sangokudenis the SD Gundam series for 2007 and the 18th work in the Musha Gundam series. The story and characters are modeled after those featured in the classic Chinese literature, Romance of the Three Kingdoms...
(2007–2008) - Eiyuu Gekitotsu HenBB Senshi Sangokudenis the SD Gundam series for 2007 and the 18th work in the Musha Gundam series. The story and characters are modeled after those featured in the classic Chinese literature, Romance of the Three Kingdoms...
(2008–2009) - Senjin Kettou HenBB Senshi Sangokudenis the SD Gundam series for 2007 and the 18th work in the Musha Gundam series. The story and characters are modeled after those featured in the classic Chinese literature, Romance of the Three Kingdoms...
(2009–2010)
Ark (天宮)
A country with a Japanese feel. This country is where the mushas populate and the country where most of the chapters happen at. In the first three chapters the places are often unnamed, only from Chijou Saikyou HenShin SD Sengokuden Chijou Saikyou Hen
is the fourth work of the Musha Gundam series.The events of this new work happened an unknown number of years after the previous work.Running period, 1992 to 1993.- Outline :...
are places named. Ark is affiliated to the Phoenix.
Abram (影舞乱夢)
A country with a Chinese feel. Officially introduced in the Chijou Saikyou Hen but its citizens (Bushin Gundam) first appeared in Ark long before the time of Chijou Saikyou Hen. Abram is affiliated with the Dragon.Albion (赤流火穏)
A country with an Indian feel. The third country that first appeared in Chijou Saikyou Hen. Albion is affiliated with the Lion.Crossbone Island (黒守暴穏島)
A cursed island in the middle of the three countries. Dark clouds cover the skies there, leaving an opening in the shape of a four-pointed star where red light shines through.|
|-valign="top"
|
Peace (緋州の国)
The country north of Ark where the events of Tensei Shichinin Shuu take place. It too has a Japanese feel like Ark. So far it has only been featured in Tensei Shichinin Shuu and mentioned in Musha Senki.|
|
Pegasus (天馬の国)
More commonly known as modern JapanJapan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Japan is the setting for the Mushamaruden trilogy.
|-valign="top"
|
Mirisha (三璃紗): Shou, Gou, Giga (翔, 轟, 機駕)
The continent where the three kingdoms that build the setting for BB Senshi SangokudenBB Senshi Sangokuden
is the SD Gundam series for 2007 and the 18th work in the Musha Gundam series. The story and characters are modeled after those featured in the classic Chinese literature, Romance of the Three Kingdoms...
reside. According to the "G Chronicle" in the story, Mirisha is the future name of Abram.
|
|}
See also
- Knight GundamKnight Gundamis part of the SD Gundam franchise, a sub-franchise of the popular Gundam anime.In Knight Gundam, Gundam mecha and characters are reimagined as knights, sorcerers and other fantasy and medieval European character types. Generally, the series has not been as popular as its counterpart Musha Gundam...
- SD Command ChroniclesSD Command Chroniclesis a branch of the SD Gundam franchise. In this branch the characters are military, with the characters from the Gundam series split into air, land and sea troops and redesigned accordingly. Was released as model kits mostly in the Ganso line....
- Superior Defender Gundam ForceSuperior Defender Gundam Forceis a Japanese anime series. The scenario was created by Yūichi Abe.-Overview:A Japan/America co-production, SD Gundam Force initially aired on Cartoon Network in the U.S...