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It had all the makings of a great Gundam series between epic fights…
Political commentary…
And opening and ending themes that’d make you cry every time and also tear your hair out at the implications of the imagery.
It was also hella and unapologetically gay in the best way possible. It was very much baked into the text from the pilot, and it was one of the many ways that distinguished Witch from Mercury from its predecessors.
Now, my first exposure to the Gundam franchise was actually the least Gundam of all: Mobile Fighter G Gundam that bares more resemblances to a stock shonen anime than the complex spatial political drama that it takes its iconic mecha design from, but I still in fact loved it.
And up until February 26th, I only ever had passing knowledge of the Universal Century timeline outside of enjoying the Hathaway movie on Netflix. I knew some things like the difference between Zakus and Gundams, Minovsky particles, the concept of Newtypes and the ubiquity of the character archetype that originated with Char.
I bring all of this up because what the trailer for Gundam GQuuuuuuX neglected to mention a very key bit of information: it takes place in an alternate timeline.
When I went to the special early IMAX showing of GQuuuuuuX (pronounced G-Quacks if you were wondering), I was expecting about three episodes worth of content, and I did in fact get that. It just so happened that the first episode’s worth of anime was a brilliantly streamlined revision of the story.
I had to look this up, but in the original series, Amuro Ray became a Gundam pilot after getting into the mecha to defend his home from Zakus sent on the order of one Char Aznable. In the world of GQuuuuuuX though, Char personally investigates this mysterious Gundam, and things spiral from there. The opening episode is drawn in a style that perfectly replicates the original 1980’s animation style to a T. Even without a complete knowledge, the episode, which is essentially a prologue, moves swiftly and efficiently and conveys all of the key plots with ease. We see how the world is shaped by Char’s actions. We see the consequences of war. We set the stage for the series I was actually expecting to watch.
GQuuuuuuX proper is the story about Amate (who later goes by Machu), our red-headed protagonist, who was simply going about her day before being trampled by a random passerby and then gets implicated in an underground fight ring, Clan Battles. I don’t want to spoil much past that because in lieu of watching the series on an IMAX, the best thing you can do is watch the series fresh.
Everything about the series works. The character designs pop. The mecha designs are cool. The animation is phenomenal. The music is ethereal. The opening theme gets you hyped (by the by, Kenshi Yonezu, having a very good year in terms of anime OPs, since he’s also responsible for Bow and Arrow for Medalist.).
This collaboration with Sunrise (the company that owns Gundam) and Studio Khara (the minds behind Neon Genesis Evangelion) is yet another breath of fresh air, and not just for the Gundam franchise. In a media landscape that constantly attempts to use “What Ifs” to extend the longevity of the franchise, we get a series of mixed results whether it is the soft reboot of Digimon Adventures and Code Geass (which are in fact examples of mixed results). GQuuuuuuX is a shining example of an alternate reality story that is just unequivocally good. A simple change that results in a cascade of consequences that is contained within an episode’s worth of run time that perfectly sets up a new story that is accessible to all. Old fans get to bask in call backs and easter eggs. New fans get to enjoy the ride without having to watch several hours of content to have a baseline understanding.
I was excited from the moment the trailer dropped, and I am chomping at the bit for the rest of the series after that preview. This is everything I love about Gundam: political drama in space and giant robots. Is it as unabashedly gay as its direct predecessor? To be determined. It gives bi-energy if nothing else. But if this is the only time you hear me gush about this series, it’s because I have voluntarily put my critic hat away so I can keep my happy fan cap on because I adore what I have.
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The post ‘Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX’ – The Hype is in Fact Porportional to the Number of Us in GQuuuuuuX appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.
It had all the makings of a great Gundam series between epic fights…
Political commentary…
And opening and ending themes that’d make you cry every time and also tear your hair out at the implications of the imagery.
It was also hella and unapologetically gay in the best way possible. It was very much baked into the text from the pilot, and it was one of the many ways that distinguished Witch from Mercury from its predecessors.
Now, my first exposure to the Gundam franchise was actually the least Gundam of all: Mobile Fighter G Gundam that bares more resemblances to a stock shonen anime than the complex spatial political drama that it takes its iconic mecha design from, but I still in fact loved it.
And up until February 26th, I only ever had passing knowledge of the Universal Century timeline outside of enjoying the Hathaway movie on Netflix. I knew some things like the difference between Zakus and Gundams, Minovsky particles, the concept of Newtypes and the ubiquity of the character archetype that originated with Char.
I bring all of this up because what the trailer for Gundam GQuuuuuuX neglected to mention a very key bit of information: it takes place in an alternate timeline.
When I went to the special early IMAX showing of GQuuuuuuX (pronounced G-Quacks if you were wondering), I was expecting about three episodes worth of content, and I did in fact get that. It just so happened that the first episode’s worth of anime was a brilliantly streamlined revision of the story.
I had to look this up, but in the original series, Amuro Ray became a Gundam pilot after getting into the mecha to defend his home from Zakus sent on the order of one Char Aznable. In the world of GQuuuuuuX though, Char personally investigates this mysterious Gundam, and things spiral from there. The opening episode is drawn in a style that perfectly replicates the original 1980’s animation style to a T. Even without a complete knowledge, the episode, which is essentially a prologue, moves swiftly and efficiently and conveys all of the key plots with ease. We see how the world is shaped by Char’s actions. We see the consequences of war. We set the stage for the series I was actually expecting to watch.
GQuuuuuuX proper is the story about Amate (who later goes by Machu), our red-headed protagonist, who was simply going about her day before being trampled by a random passerby and then gets implicated in an underground fight ring, Clan Battles. I don’t want to spoil much past that because in lieu of watching the series on an IMAX, the best thing you can do is watch the series fresh.
Everything about the series works. The character designs pop. The mecha designs are cool. The animation is phenomenal. The music is ethereal. The opening theme gets you hyped (by the by, Kenshi Yonezu, having a very good year in terms of anime OPs, since he’s also responsible for Bow and Arrow for Medalist.).
This collaboration with Sunrise (the company that owns Gundam) and Studio Khara (the minds behind Neon Genesis Evangelion) is yet another breath of fresh air, and not just for the Gundam franchise. In a media landscape that constantly attempts to use “What Ifs” to extend the longevity of the franchise, we get a series of mixed results whether it is the soft reboot of Digimon Adventures and Code Geass (which are in fact examples of mixed results). GQuuuuuuX is a shining example of an alternate reality story that is just unequivocally good. A simple change that results in a cascade of consequences that is contained within an episode’s worth of run time that perfectly sets up a new story that is accessible to all. Old fans get to bask in call backs and easter eggs. New fans get to enjoy the ride without having to watch several hours of content to have a baseline understanding.
I was excited from the moment the trailer dropped, and I am chomping at the bit for the rest of the series after that preview. This is everything I love about Gundam: political drama in space and giant robots. Is it as unabashedly gay as its direct predecessor? To be determined. It gives bi-energy if nothing else. But if this is the only time you hear me gush about this series, it’s because I have voluntarily put my critic hat away so I can keep my happy fan cap on because I adore what I have.
Want to get Black Nerd Problems updates sent directly to you? Sign up here! Follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, and Instagram!
The post ‘Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX’ – The Hype is in Fact Porportional to the Number of Us in GQuuuuuuX appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.
Renowned interior designer Brigette Romanek is launching her first collection with Crate & Barrel—a 54-piece line that blends glamour and ease, bringing a sophisticated yet relaxed touch to the beloved home goods retailer.
After showcasing her interior design expertise with celebrity clients like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Kelly Rowland, Crate & Barrel tapped Romanek to create a collection that embodies her signature playful, California-inspired aesthetic.
“We’re all so busy in our day-to-day lives that through my design approach, I want people to pause and exhale when entering any room,” Romanek told Home Accents Today. “In collaborating, Crate & Barrel and myself both share a genuine passion for encouraging beautiful moments through design, and everything from the furniture to decor pieces in this collection are meant to support this calming lifestyle.”
Celebrated for seamlessly blending aesthetics with functionality, Romanek’s Crate & Barrel collection is rooted in timeless design with visually pleasing surprises and thoughtfully crafted to bring tranquility and versatility to any space. Her expertise in blending diverse materials shines through in rich layers of travertine, antique brass, and bleached woods.
“The process of collaborating with Brigette was so inspiring, and we were honored to bring her unique vision, bold creativity and artfully curated style to our customers,” said Sebastian Brauer, Crate & Barrel senior vice president of product design. “This collection feels glamorous and relaxed, combining modern, clean lines with natural and luxurious materials.”
Crate & Barrel expressed its excitement when announcing the collection on Instagram on Feb. 20.
“Confession: We’ve been keeping this a secret for a year, and today’s the day! 
The @brigetteromanek x @crateandbarrel collection is here!” The retailer captioned its post.
“This is NOT your average collab. Think bold and vibey—just like the amazing star designer herself. We love how she’s all about ditching design rules and creating a home that feels super personal: “Coming home should feel like an exhale. Like stepping into your own sanctuary.”
From plush chocolate velvet couches priced between $2,499 and $2,899 to oak wood credenzas ($1,999) and dressers ($2,699), the Brigette Romanek for Crate & Barrel collection adds a touch of luxury to any space. Shop the collection at Crate & Barrel while supplies last.
RELATED CONTENT: Peep This Art Decor That Celebrates Black Women
Lizzy Caplan, a star of the canceled Marvel project Gambit, revealed new details on what the film would have been if made. Magic Mike star Channing Tatum would have played the title role of Gambit, which, of course, we all knew. But what we didn’t know was that Marvel’s Gambit was going to be a 1930s-style screwball romantic comedy with Tatum in the middle of it all, according to Caplan. However, Tatum finally got to play his beloved character in Deadpool & Wolverine—and that was kind of a screwball romantic comedy, so at least we have that.
Caplan shared, “”They wanted to do, like, a ’30s kind of screwball romantic comedy set in that world, which would have been really fun.” And honestly, we know Tatum can do charming, romantic comedy lead, so that plus superhero would have been extra amazing.
Gambit started ideation in 2014, staying in development hell until 2019, when Disney shelved the Channing Tatum project indefinitely. Caplan’s role in the film is unknown, but she revealed the film had progressed significantly until Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox. Originally, people thought the film never made it past script development, but Caplan revealed that it went much further. She shared
IIt was a really cool idea. It’s kind of odd that it got scrapped. Those movies don’t seem to ever get scrapped, but it did. We got down the road, we were gonna shoot it. I think there was a start date. I had had meetings with Channing, and there were a couple different…we had a director, then we didn’t, but I had multiple meetings with Channing and the other producers.
Tatum has also expressed sadness over the cancellation of the film. Honestly, sadness is an understatement. Due to his love for Gambit, Tatum stopped watching Marvel films. Simon Kinberg, a producer for the film, echoed Caplan’s thoughts about the movie’s genre, saying it would have a “romantic or sex comedy vibe” in a quote to IGN. Screenwriter Reid Carolin previously described the project as “mutant Goodfellas.” Just give us (and Channing Tatum) the Gambit movie already, you cowards!
After Tatum’s appearance as Gambit in Deadpool & Wolverine, Disney is reportedly very happy with his performance. Ryan Reynolds stated, “I honestly don’t know what goes on behind closed doors in the bookkeeping sessions at Marvel, but I do know that they’re obsessed with him in that role.” Hopefully, it’s a precursor of what’s to come, and a Gambit movie will be back on the cards soon. Having proven himself in the role already, maybe Disney will be more inclined to make a Gambit film come to life these days.
The post GAMBIT Star Reveals New Information About the Canceled Marvel Movie appeared first on Nerdist.