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The manga "Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket", created by the distinguished artist Hiroyuki Tamakoshi, will resume its long-awaited serialization on June 26, news that excites fans of the Gundam universe. This return follows an interruption due to the author's health problems. The continuation was officially announced in the July issue of Kadokawa's Monthly Gundam Ace magazine.
The Gundam manga's publication had been paused in December 2023, when Tamakoshi announced he would focus on his recovery due to cancer spreading to his liver. Previously, in September 2022, the mangaka had revealed his stage 3 cancer diagnosis, starting treatment that led to an initial hiatus. The work resumed in May 2023. Despite a third surgery in January 2025, Tamakoshi has expressed his firm commitment to continue his manuscripts, including "Mobile Suit Gundam 0080" and his other series, "Yomei 1-nen no AV Joyū".
A New Perspective in the Gundam 0080 Manga Adaptation
The manga adaptation of "Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket" began its run in Monthly Gundam Ace in June 2021. Kadokawa published the fourth compiled volume in December 2023. This work is based on the acclaimed 1989 OVA (Original Video Animation) series, renowned for its profound focus on the human consequences of war. A distinctive feature of Tamakoshi's version is the narrative perspective from Christina "Chris" MacKenzie, the test pilot of the Gundam NT-1 "Alex". This approach differs from the OVA, which is primarily narrated through Alfred "Al" Izuruha, a ten-year-old boy. This narrative choice allows for a more intimate exploration of Chris's experiences as a soldier and her complex relationship with Al and Bernard "Bernie" Wiseman. The manga also appears to expand on the original material, including details about Christina's time as a test pilot before her arrival at the Side 6 colony and previous missions of Zeon's Cyclops Team, such as a crucial operation to halt the development of the Gundam Alex.
The Legacy of the Original OVA and the Gundam Alex
The original OVA series, "Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket", was released in 1989 to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Gundam franchise. Set in the final days of the One Year War (UC 0079-UC 0080), the plot unfolds in the neutral space colony Side 6. It follows Al Izuruha, who befriends Bernie Wiseman, a Zeon pilot from the Cyclops Team, sent to destroy a new Earth Federation prototype Gundam. Christina MacKenzie, Al's neighbor, is the pilot of this unit, the RX-78NT-1 Gundam "Alex". The Gundam OVA is praised for its mature treatment of war, loss of innocence, and its human perspective, as well as being the first Gundam production not directed or written by the original creator Yoshiyuki Tomino.
The RX-78NT-1 Gundam "Alex" is a prototype Mobile Suit secretly developed by the Earth Federation during the final stages of the One Year War. Designed as a high-performance unit, specifically for Newtype pilots, it incorporates significant improvements over the original RX-78-2 Gundam. Its development, known as the "G Project", was the target of an undercover operation by Zeon's Cyclops Team in the neutral Side 6 colony, where the unit was undergoing testing. Christina MacKenzie was assigned as its test pilot. The Gundam Alex is characterized by its advanced weaponry and the option to equip additional Chobham armor for increased protection.
About the Author: Hiroyuki Tamakoshi
Hiroyuki Tamakoshi, born on September 1, 1970, is known for romantic comedy series such as "Boys Be..." and "Gacha Gacha". He previously ventured into the Gundam universe with "Mobile Suit Gundam UC: Shishi no Kikan", focusing on Riddhe Marcenas. Although his most popular work differs from the serious tone of "War in the Pocket", his work on Gundam adaptations has shown a stylistic adaptation suitable for the gravity of these war stories.
Monthly Gundam Ace: The Magazine for Gundam Fans
Monthly Gundam Ace, published by Kadokawa Shoten, is a Japanese monthly magazine dedicated exclusively to the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise. Since its inception in 2001 (initially quarterly, then bi-monthly, and monthly since 2004), it has serialized numerous Gundam mangas and provided the latest news on Gundam anime, movies, and merchandise. The magazine was instrumental in the serialization of "Mobile Suit Gundam: THE ORIGIN" by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko and is a key platform for continuously expanding the vast Gundam universe.
Expectations for the Manga's Continuation
The continuation of "Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket" by Hiroyuki Tamakoshi is a significant event in the community, highlighting the author's admirable perseverance in the face of adversity. The exploration of the story from Christina MacKenzie's perspective and the potential addition of new content are aspects that generate great interest among followers, who eagerly await to see how the mangaka will honor the legacy of the influential and emotional 1989 OVA.
Sources
- Pineda, Rafael Antonio. "Hiroyuki Tamakoshi Resumes Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket Manga on June 26 - News". Anime News Network, May 31, 2025. Accessed May 31, 2025.
- "Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket Turns 35!". Gundam Kits Collection, March 2024. Accessed May 31, 2025.
- "Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket (OAV)". Anime News Network, Encyclopedia, n.d. Accessed May 31, 2025.
- "Hiroyuki Tamakoshi". Wikipedia, n.d. Accessed May 31, 2025.
- "Gundam Ace". Wikipedia, n.d. Accessed May 31, 2025.