1st Gundam Conference, Gundam Bussiness Strategy 45th Anniversary

On Tuesday, June 15, 2021, the "1st Gundam Conference" was held for the press to introduce the new Gundam business strategy up to 2025, when the Bandai Namco Group celebrates the 45th anniversary of Gunpla.

The presenter was Bandai Namco Entertainment Takashi Fujiwara CGO. The two pillars of the Gundam business strategy were "strengthening the Gundam strategy by crossing the group" and "Gundam x Sustainable."

The first presentation was "Strengthening the Gundam Strategy by Crossing the Group." Three items were listed: (1) global topic creation strategy, (2) domestic revitalization strategy, and (3) target-specific & MD-linked work development strategy, and specific measures were introduced for each item.

1. Global topic creation strategy

As a "topic creation strategy on a global scale", the Gundam full-scale statue project has been continuously carried out, a new project has already started, and Gundam shopping in a virtual space utilizing e-commerce "Gundam Base Virtual World" It was also announced that we are planning to develop a test of "Gundam Game", actively entering e-sports of Gundam games, and developing a new Gundam game specializing in e-sports. In addition, the Hollywood live-action version of Gundam, "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED PROJECT ignited," which has already been announced, was also introduced.

Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts, who takes a megaphone in the Hollywood live-action version of Gundam, also sent a video message to this conference.

Announcement that a new full-scale statue project is underway. I'm curious about this follow-up.

2. Domestic revitalization strategy

As a "domestic revitalization strategy," we introduced the "Gundam Manhole Project" as a measure to increase the number of touch points for Gundam content. It was announced that the first installment was decided in Odawara City. In addition, as a measure for core users, we announced the renewal of the event "Gundam World" held at Gundam Base. The first is entitled "Gundam Contrast", and it was announced that an event will be held nationwide with the theme of comparing First Gundam with "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED" called Heisei's First Gundam.

3. Target-based & MD-linked work development strategy

In the future, it will be necessary to change the area target for each work, and "Gundam Build Real" will be introduced for domestic high targets, and "Mobile Suit Gundam Flash Hathaway" will be introduced for Universal Century fans around the world. In addition, the "Gundam Breaker Battlogue Project" was announced as a project to integrate digital and physical. This is a project that targets young game users in North America in particular, and that the game and Gunpla will work together in all aspects of directing and playing.

The "Gundam Breaker Battlogue Project" is a project to further strengthen the link between Gunpla and the "Gundam Breaker Series". The project's original aircraft has been developed in both games and Gunpla, and by attaching structural modifications and joint parts to all series, it is possible to combine each part of the head, torso, arms, and legs, just like a game. You can customize the Gunpla. Gunpla limited to overseas will also be released, mainly in the North American area.

The next presentation was "Gundam x Sustainable". Announced that the group will work on sustainable activities using IP called Gundam (activities based on the idea of ​​making the world sustainable from the viewpoint of environment, society and economy in order to maintain a beautiful earth) As a concrete measure, the "Gundam Recycling Project" that changes runners after assembling Gunpla into new plastic models and electric power has already started, and on-demand is used for elementary and junior high schools nationwide. It was informed that we will hold a class that appeals to the enjoyment of making things and interest in environmental issues.

In addition, as a sustainable project, the launch of "GUNDAM UNIVERSAL CENTURY DEVELOPMENT ACTION" (GUDA), which returns Gundam to society, has been announced, and a wide range of new ideas and technologies for population and environmental issues using Gundam will be solicited. It was announced that the project "Gundam Open Innovation" will be implemented.

In the latter half of the conference, in addition to CGO Fujiwara, Yoichi Ochiai, CEO of Pixie Dust Technologies, Norifumi Kanie, a professor at Keio University Graduate School, who is a leading academic researcher on SDGs (sustainable development goals), and Keio University A talk session was held with Mr. Hiroyuki Kishi, a professor at Keio University. From each point of view, discussions centered on opinions about GUDA were held.

From the left, Hiroyuki Kishi, Norichika Kanie, Yoichi Ochiai, and CGO Fujiwara. During the talk, a scene from "Char's Counterattack", which is Yoichi Ochiai's favorite Gundam work, will be introduced as a link to the SDGs. By the way, my favorite mobile suit is Sazabi. "There is a good line that intellectuals will soon become hermits," (Mr. Ochiai).

"I think Gunpla is so innovative that users assemble toys themselves. So if you recycle only the runners, the finished product and the rest will be completely recycled, so that's it. I think it's very interesting. (About Gundam Open Innovation) In terms of technical direction, psycho-mu and "reading brain waves and flying drones" are very close innovations, and there seems to be such open innovation. I hope there are people who can create colonies through open innovation. "(Mr. Ochiai)

"I think the world of Gundam is one of the scenarios of the future in the world of war. What should I do if the population grows too large and I can't live on the earth? To avoid that, isn't it? Through the story of Gundam, I hope that you will get the message that war is unpleasant and that you have to avoid such a world and lead to innovation. SDGS is creating the future to avoid such a world. " (Mr. Kanie)

"There are few big open innovations that use IP. From that point of view, I think it's amazing to work on open innovation that uses the world-famous IP called Gundam." (Mr. Kishi)

At the next Gundam conference, details of the new Gundam full-scale statue project will be announced. Let's wait for the follow-up news. 

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