The Gundam.Info YouTube channel has released -Operation 30th-, a Mobile Suit Gundam Wing 30th anniversary video storyboarded, unit directed, and directed by Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End‘s action director Toru Iwazawa.
The three-minute video is filled with footage and details that will likely delight fans of the original series and related material — there are comments excitedly talking about the novel sequel Frozen Teardrop thanks to parts of the anniversary video — and also features a 30th anniversary version of the series’ second opening “Rhythm Emotion.”
The aesthetic largely aims to emulate a retro look, but some scenes near the end adapt a specific “modern” visual style that has the recognizable touch of the video’s compositing director Kentaro Waki (Tengoku-Daimakyo).
Some of the other staff include Sakura Asagi (Frozen Teardrop co-illustrator) as character designer and Hajime Katoki (Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway co-mechanical designer, Frozen Teardrop co-illustrator) as mechanical designer. Sunrise is credited for planning and [animation] production.
-Operation 30th- was also screened at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, and isn’t the only 30th anniversary material for Mobile Suit Gundam Wing. Below is a 30th anniversary visual for the show:
Mobile Suit Gundam Wing premiered in 1995 and ran for 49 episodes. It received an anime sequel in the form of 1997’s three-part OVA Mobile Suit Gundam Wing Endless Waltz. Crunchyroll describes the TV series, which is one of the alternate universe Gundam entries unrelated to the Universal Century, as:
The Revolution Has Begun! Mankind has moved into space. Thousands of people live on giant orbiting space colonies called “Sides.” However, the Earth Government, which rules the colonies, is unjust and cruel. A group of revolutionaires builds five robotic weapons called Gundams and plans to send them to Earth to begin their fight for independence. Piloted by five young men, these Gundams carry the hopes and dreams of freedom of the colonists with them as they descend to Earth to begin Operation Meteor!
The original series had series composition by Katsuyuki Sumizawa (Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon) and character designs by Shuko Murase (Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway director). It was initially directed by Masashi Ikeda (Takane no Jitensha, Wistoria: Wand and Sword opening storyboard artist et al.), with Shinji Takamatsu (RobiHachi) taking over as director partway through the troubled production. Yasunao Aoki (Yakitate!! Japan) directed Endless Waltz.
Source: Gundam.Info (1), (2) (via press release)
