David Bridges
The Gundam franchise has a rich and complex relationship with queerness, often existing more in the meta text than overtly in the storyline itself. For years, fans have engaged in shipping same-gender characters long before the groundbreaking moments of Witch From Mercury, where the female deuteragonists became engaged, highlighting a relationship that even the franchise’s creators could not dismiss as merely open to interpretation. This development has created a buzz that makes the introduction of Gundam GQuuuuuuX particularly intriguing, as the potential for fan-favorite shipping dynamics has never been stronger.
The highly anticipated first episode of GQuuuuuuX debuted globally last night. Although much of the content had previously been showcased in the compilation movie Beginning, which was released a few months ago, the TV premiere introduced a captivating new element: the show’s end titles sequence. Accompanied by VTuber Hoshimachi Suisei’s catchy track “I don’t care,” the ending features protagonists Machu and Nyaan in a cozy, cluttered apartment, living a serene life that contrasts sharply with the dramatic narrative of the episode. Viewers are treated to scenes of singing, dancing, and pizza parties, with the girls seen comfortably lounging together. This heartwarming depiction has sparked rampant speculation among fans eager for a continuation of the romance between Suletta and Miorine from Witch From Mercury.
Nevertheless, no amount of fan speculation regarding shared ankle bracelets and joyous domestic scenes can alter the fact that an anime’s ending does not always align perfectly with the series’ narrative (although, in the case of Witch From Mercury, both its opening and ending sequences significantly emphasized the budding romance between Suletta and Miorine before it was fully realized within the show). Regardless of the creators’ intentions or the audience’s interpretations, the ending of GQuuuuuuX may represent nothing more than a whimsical what-if scenario that might not be reflected in the actual storyline.
However, it is essential to note that GQuuuuuuX does seem to project a plethora of queer vibes to viewers, especially through the interactions between Machu and Nyaan, as well as other potential pairings throughout the series. The chemistry between the two characters is palpable during their initial encounters, further heightened when Machu joins Nyaan on a mission to deliver a smuggled piece of equipment that ultimately leads to her piloting a new Gundam model. Initially, Machu describes herself as merely a “tagalong,” but she later suggests she could take on the role of a Mav—a term used in GQuuuuuuX to refer to a duo in Mobile Suit combat tactics, a concept first developed by the Zeon ace Char Aznable and his partner, Challia Bull, during a previous conflict.
The term “Mav” appears throughout the series, suggesting a level of intimacy that transcends the traditional notion of a wingman. This use of terminology, especially by Machu, whose curiosity extends beyond merely joining underground mecha battles, adds a layer of intrigue. Challia’s relationship with Char—who vanished alongside the original Gundam at the war’s conclusion, prompting Challia to search for him for five years—was characterized by another character early in the episode as Char being “his friend, or rather, his Mav,” hinting at a connection that is deeper than mere companionship.
For fans familiar with Beginning, they will recall that another character mentions Challia’s enduring “thrall” for the Red Comet, Char’s moniker from the war. Moreover, series writer Yoji Enokido—renowned for his work on acclaimed titles like Revolutionary Girl Utena, Evangelion, and FLCL, each known for their varying levels of explicit and implicit queer intimacy—has indicated in interviews that while “Mav” is a military term, he envisions it as applicable to the bonds between friends or romantic partners.
Ultimately, all these elements remain open to interpretation (and not in the manner that Bandai intended for Suletta and Miorine’s marriage to be, at least for now). GQuuuuuuX has the potential to couple any number of its characters, and the subtle hints and details that fans hoping for a repeat of the Sulemio connection may perceive could be nothing more than just that—hints. It would indeed be amusing for the Gundam franchise to feature consecutive female protagonists who identify as queer, marking a significant milestone for the series following the groundbreaking representation in Witch From Mercury, particularly noteworthy considering the immediate transition to another unconnected creative team. However, we have not yet seen enough of the show to determine whether this will be realized.
Yet, this uncertainty will not deter shippers from their hopes. And if their hopes are dashed? Well, that’s the beauty of fandom shipping—the community will continue to create an abundance of imaginative works, envisioning alternate realities and relationships regardless of the canonical storyline.
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX is currently available for streaming on Prime Video.
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Daniel Mercer
