09-01-2011, 10:15 PM
To be fair, Yoshiyuki Tomino's original plan was for Mobile Suit Gundam was way more than just a simple kiddie cartoon. He had envisioned a sci-fi drama that would overtake even the scale of Space Battleship Yamato, which was at that time, considered to be the pinnacle of Japanese animation. Supposedly, Yasuhiko Yoshikazu, his lead animator had reservations about this and the following dialogue was exchanged
Yas - "This is a full-blown sci-fi drama. I don't know how you managed to fool the sponsors but this is totally different from any giant robot anime to date. What you are trying to do is TEN YEARS too soon, the viewers won't be able to keep up!"
Tomino - "If that is the case, we will just have to make ten years go by with our own hands."
The problem emerged after Kuroba Shichirou of Bandai, the show's sponsor, had reviewed the proposed designs of the lead mecha and deemed it "too plain" since the Gundam's original coloration was supposed to be all white.
Kuroba - "I've taken a good look at Gundam and White Base's designs. They're good, i like them. There is one thing i didn't like though
Tomino - "You don't like...?"
Kuroba - "The main mecha is completely white. Can you make it more flashy and colorful?"
Tomino - "Ahh that. Then let me ask you a question. Mr. President, where in the world would you find a colorful weapon? Fighter jets, aircraft carries... all modern weapons. They all feature a simple color scheme. Gundam is a drama taking place on the battlefiled. To give it realism, a white robot is needed.
Kuroba - "Aren't you misunderstanding something, huh?"
Tomino - Misunderstanding something?"
Kuroba - "Who said you are to design a weapon? I said you are to create an anime for selling toys to children. War, a drama? IF IT CAN'T PEDDLE MERCHANDISE, THIS ANIME ISN'T WORTH SHIT!"
Thankfully, Yas was able to intervene and provided a quick sketch of the soon-to-be official colors of the Gundam. Satisfied that the new colors would provide enough eye candy for children and sell well, Kuroba allowed production to start. In the end, the greedy corporate executives allowed Gundam to flourish as long as there was profit to be had and the kids were the key to that profit.
Yas - "This is a full-blown sci-fi drama. I don't know how you managed to fool the sponsors but this is totally different from any giant robot anime to date. What you are trying to do is TEN YEARS too soon, the viewers won't be able to keep up!"
Tomino - "If that is the case, we will just have to make ten years go by with our own hands."
The problem emerged after Kuroba Shichirou of Bandai, the show's sponsor, had reviewed the proposed designs of the lead mecha and deemed it "too plain" since the Gundam's original coloration was supposed to be all white.
Kuroba - "I've taken a good look at Gundam and White Base's designs. They're good, i like them. There is one thing i didn't like though
Tomino - "You don't like...?"
Kuroba - "The main mecha is completely white. Can you make it more flashy and colorful?"
Tomino - "Ahh that. Then let me ask you a question. Mr. President, where in the world would you find a colorful weapon? Fighter jets, aircraft carries... all modern weapons. They all feature a simple color scheme. Gundam is a drama taking place on the battlefiled. To give it realism, a white robot is needed.
Kuroba - "Aren't you misunderstanding something, huh?"
Tomino - Misunderstanding something?"
Kuroba - "Who said you are to design a weapon? I said you are to create an anime for selling toys to children. War, a drama? IF IT CAN'T PEDDLE MERCHANDISE, THIS ANIME ISN'T WORTH SHIT!"
Thankfully, Yas was able to intervene and provided a quick sketch of the soon-to-be official colors of the Gundam. Satisfied that the new colors would provide enough eye candy for children and sell well, Kuroba allowed production to start. In the end, the greedy corporate executives allowed Gundam to flourish as long as there was profit to be had and the kids were the key to that profit.
"May those who accept their fate find happiness. May those who defy their fate find glory."
