The history of the Gundam franchise’s relationship with queer themes has largely existed in subtext rather than in the explicit narrative text itself. For many years, fans have engaged in pairing same-gender characters together, but it wasn’t until the first episode of Witch From Mercury that these dynamics were brought to the forefront, with the female protagonists becoming engaged, a move that the Gundam franchise’s owners recognized as more than open to interpretation. This context makes the debut of Gundam GQuuuuuuX particularly intriguing as the likelihood of satisfying fan-driven queer narratives appears higher than ever.
The first episode of GQuuuuuuX premiered globally recently. While its content had been covered by the previously released compilation movie Beginning, the TV release introduced a new element: the show’s end credits. Accompanied by VTuber Hoshimachi Suisei’s song "I don’t care," the sequence shows the protagonists Machu and Nyaan sharing a cozy apartment, living a peaceful life away from the energetic events of the episode. Scenes depicting shared moments and camaraderie have sparked speculation among fans about a potential repeat of the relationship dynamic seen in Witch From Mercury.
Despite the conjecture surrounding shared symbols like ankle bracelets and domestic scenarios rich with disco themes, these ending sequences do not always reflect the core narrative. However, historical context from Witch From Mercury, where opening and ending sequences highlighted the central romance between Suletta and Miorine, could suggest otherwise for GQuuuuuuX.
The series itself projects significant queer themes, especially in the interactions between Machu and Nyaan and other character relationships. A notable point is how the term "Mav" is used; in the world of GQuuuuuuX, a "Mav" signifies a close partner in Mobile Suit combat tactics, a term originating in a past conflict involving the characters Char Aznable and Challia Bull. This term is repeatedly referenced with an implication of closeness beyond the conventional, adding nuance to Machu’s involvement in the Gundam world and her relationship with Nyaan.
GQuuuuuuX thus engages in a broader dialogue on relationships and intimacy, as series writer Yoji Enokido suggests a wider interpretation of terms traditionally associated with military partnerships.
The evolving storyline remains open to interpretation, with the creative team hinting at various potential relationships but leaving their development to be determined in future episodes. While fans eagerly anticipate repeat dynamics from Witch From Mercury, the series’ most significant aspect might lie in the creative opportunity it provides for fan expression and narrative speculation.
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX is currently available for streaming on Prime Video.