Gundam 0080 Manga Resumes Amidst Creator's Health Battle
Tamakoshi's adaptation offers a new perspective on the classic anti-war tragedy. Image via P-Bandai.
A Return Marked by Adversity
The August issue of Kadokawa's Monthly Gundam Ace magazine confirmed the return of the Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket manga by artist Hiroyuki Tamakoshi. The issue, released on June 26, featured a new chapter and announced a short, three-part serialization. This comeback is deeply connected to the author's personal battle with cancer, a struggle that has defined the manga's recent publication history.
In a message within the magazine, Tamakoshi explained he is drawing the manga "slowly" while undergoing chemotherapy and that he already had three completed chapters he wished to share. He also affirmed his commitment to resuming the series on a stable basis later this year. The manga's serialization has been intermittent due to his health. After a Stage 3 cancer diagnosis in September 2022, the series paused, resumed in May 2023, and halted again in December 2023 when the liver cancer returned and spread, requiring a third surgery. On June 28, Tamakoshi announced on his X account (@H_tamakoshi) that new cancer cells were found, necessitating another round of chemotherapy. Despite this, he reaffirmed his intent to continue his work as his condition allows.
The Creator and His Surprising Choice
Hiroyuki Tamakoshi, born in Osaka in 1970, is a veteran artist known primarily for his romantic teen comedies with ecchi elements, such as Boys Be... and Gacha Gacha. His decision to adapt Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket marks a radical shift in his career. This project moves him far from his comfort zone to tackle one of the most somber and tragic stories in the Gundam franchise. While he previously worked on Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn: Shishi no Kikan, the thematic leap to the intimate tragedy of War in the Pocket is significant. Dedicating his energy to such a different work amid a serious health crisis suggests a powerful personal connection to the original material.
The Humanist Tragedy That Redefined Gundam
The original work is a six-episode OVA series from 1989 set during the final days of the "One Year War." The story unfolds in the neutral space colony of Side 6 through the eyes of Alfred "Al" Izuruha, an eleven-year-old boy who initially sees war as an exciting spectacle. His perspective shifts when he befriends Bernard "Bernie" Wiseman, a young Zeon pilot on a mission to destroy a new Gundam prototype. That prototype's test pilot is Christina "Chris" Mackenzie, Al's neighbor, for whom Bernie develops feelings.
War in the Pocket delivers a potent anti-war message by showing the devastating reality of conflict through a child's eyes. It avoids glorious heroes and clear-cut villains, instead presenting ordinary people caught in overwhelming circumstances. As the first Gundam series not directed by creator Yoshiyuki Tomino, it opened the door for new creative voices. Its legacy includes a focus on everyday soldiers and civilians, a departure from concepts like "Newtypes," and the introduction of more realistic and detailed Mobile Suit redesigns.
A New Narrative Perspective
Tamakoshi's manga adaptation, which began in June 2021, is not a literal transcription. Its most significant change is telling the story from Christina "Chris" Mackenzie's perspective. In the original OVA, the narrative is filtered almost exclusively through Al's eyes, leaving Chris's inner world largely inaccessible. By shifting the viewpoint, the manga explores the psychology of a soldier and the weight of survivor's guilt. It delves into how a test pilot, raised in the comfort of a neutral colony, processes the harsh realities of war and the moral dilemmas of piloting a weapon.
This perspective offers the chance to explore the story's aftermath. In the OVA, Chris survives, tragically unaware that she killed Bernie. The manga has the potential to explore what might happen if she were to discover the truth, transforming the narrative from an ironic tragedy into a profound psychological drama about the lasting consequences of war. In this way, Tamakoshi's work does not merely repeat the original but expands upon it, adding new layers of depth to a beloved classic.
Tamakoshi's dedication to this project in the face of such adversity is truly inspiring. What are your thoughts on this new perspective for War in the Pocket? Let us know in the comments below!
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Sources
- Cayanan, J. (2025, July 11). Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket Manga Resumes With 3-Chapter Serialization. Anime News Network. (link)
- Tai, A. (2023, December 5). Boys Be Manga Artist Hiroyuki Tamakoshi Gives Update on Cancer Diagnosis. Anime News Network. (link)
- Wikipedia. (n.d.). Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket. (link)
- Wikipedia. (n.d.). Hiroyuki Tamakoshi. (link)
- Sunrise Inc. (n.d.). MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM 0080:War in the Pocket. (link)
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