A New Era Begins for Gundam
Bandai Namco Filmworks has officially unveiled Mobile Suit Gundam RG XARX-ZERO, one of the most ambitious Gundam projects in decades. Rather than continuing the Universal Century timeline or creating another alternate universe based around familiar concepts, this series starts from scratch with an entirely original science-fiction setting.
Scheduled to premiere in 2027, RG XARX-ZERO is more than just a new anime. It serves as the foundation for the brand-new RG Project, a multimedia universe that combines anime, video games, Gunpla, action figures, and other media into one interconnected storyline.
What Does "RG" Mean?
Many Gunpla fans immediately assumed "RG" referred to the popular Real Grade model kit line. Surprisingly, that isn't the case.
In this project, RG stands for the RG Project, a new multimedia initiative created by Bandai Namco Filmworks.
The first two confirmed entries are:
- Mobile Suit Gundam RG XARX-ZERO (Anime)
- GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT (Video Game)
Rather than telling the exact same story, both titles exist within the same universe. The anime explores the origins of this new timeline, while the game takes place roughly one hundred years later, allowing players to experience the consequences of the anime's events from a completely different perspective.
A Completely New Timeline
One of the biggest surprises is that this series abandons nearly every traditional Gundam concept.
There is:
- No Earth Federation
- No Zeon
- No Universal Century
- No Anno Domini timeline
- No Minovsky particles
- No Newtypes (at least none have been revealed)
Director Kenji Kamiyama explained that he wanted to build a Gundam universe completely from the ground up while still preserving what makes Gundam unique.
Instead of another war between human factions, humanity now faces something far more mysterious.
The Story
The story begins after humanity discovers an Autonomous Interstellar Object arriving from beyond our Solar System.
The object gifts humanity three revolutionary technologies:
- Gravity Control
- Faster-than-Light Communication
- Cognitive Materialization (turning thoughts or images into physical matter)
These discoveries trigger humanity's greatest technological boom. Civilization expands across the entire Solar System, and for a brief period, mankind enters an unprecedented golden age.
Unfortunately, less than ten years later, everything changes.
The same interstellar object suddenly goes out of control and begins producing an aggressive self-replicating silicon-based ecosystem.
This terrifying new lifeform becomes known simply as The Apocalypse.
The Fall of Earth
Humanity fights desperately against the Apocalypse for three months.
Despite their advanced technology, they fail.
The conflict reaches a stalemate in Earth's orbit, forcing humanity to make an unimaginable decision:
Abandon Earth.
From that point onward, history is divided into a new calendar called:
A.A. — After Apocalypse
The anime begins during A.A. 45, meaning an entire generation has now grown up without ever living on Earth.
Children born on the Moon and within space colonies know Earth only as humanity's lost home.
Meet Ray Azumi
The story follows Ray Azumi, a young war orphan who lost both of his parents during an Apocalypse attack.
Ray becomes the official pilot of the experimental Gundam ZERO, placing him at the center of humanity's struggle for survival.
He is voiced by Takeo Otsuka, known to many anime fans for his role as Aqua Hoshino in Oshi no Ko.
Gundam ZERO (XARX-0)
The series' main mobile suit is officially designated:
Model Number: XARX-0
Bandai currently describes it simply as:
- Latest-generation experimental Gundam
- Anti-Apocalypse mobile suit
- Prototype Gundam
Interestingly, almost every technical specification remains secret.
We still don't know:
- Overall height
- Generator output
- Armor materials
- Main weapons
- Special combat systems
This suggests Bandai intends to reveal more details closer to the anime's release.
The Apocalypse
Unlike traditional Gundam series, the primary enemy isn't another nation or military force.
The Apocalypse is a silicon-based lifeform capable of:
- Self-replication
- Rapid evolution
- Environmental consumption
- Creating an expanding ecosystem
This makes RG XARX-ZERO feel closer to hard science fiction than many previous Gundam entries.
Who's Making It?
The creative team behind this project is incredibly impressive.
- Director & Series Composition: Kenji Kamiyama
- Original Concept: Yoshiyuki Tomino & Hajime Yatate
- Science Fiction Setting Supervisor: Toh EnJoe
- Gundam Design: Eiichi Shimizu
- Music: Go Shiina
- Animation: SOLA ANIMATION
Kenji Kamiyama is best known for works such as:
- Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
- Eden of the East
- The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
- Star Wars: Visions – The Ninth Jedi
Gunpla Already Confirmed
Even though the anime is still over a year away, Bandai has already confirmed several products.
- HG 1/144 Gundam ZERO
- METAL ROBOT Spirits Gundam ZERO
- GUNDAM UNIVERSE Gundam ZERO
- Additional merchandise and collectibles
At the time of writing, there are no announcements regarding:
- Real Grade
- Master Grade
- Perfect Grade
However, if the anime proves successful, it wouldn't be surprising to eventually see higher-grade Gunpla releases.
Our Thoughts
After more than four decades of Gundam history, creating an entirely new universe is a bold move.
Rather than revisiting familiar conflicts between Earth and space colonies, RG XARX-ZERO shifts the focus toward humanity's survival against an unknown alien ecosystem. The abandoned Earth setting, mysterious science, and multimedia storytelling all give the project a fresh identity while still keeping the iconic Gundam at its center.
For Gunpla builders, the confirmed HG Gundam ZERO is already exciting, but the larger picture may be even more interesting. If Bandai commits to this universe over the coming years, RG XARX-ZERO could become the foundation for an entirely new generation of model kits, games, and stories.
With its unique setting, experienced creative team, and ambitious world-building, Mobile Suit Gundam RG XARX-ZERO is shaping up to be one of the most exciting Gundam projects in recent memory.















