Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance

Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance
機動戦士ガンダム 復讐のレクイエム
(Kidō Senshi Gandamu Fukushū no Rekuiemu)
GenreMecha, Military science fiction
Original net animation
Directed byErasmus Brosdau
Produced byKen Iyadomi
Written byGavin Hignight
Music byWilbert Roget II
Studio
Licensed by
ReleasedOctober 17, 2024 (2024-10-17)
Runtime23–25 minutes
Episodes6

Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance (機動戦士ガンダム 復讐のレクイエム, Kidō Senshi Gandamu Fukushū no Rekuiemu; "Mobile Suit Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance") is a Japanese English-language original net animation web series co-produced by Bandai Namco Filmworks[a] and SAFEHOUSE. Part of the Gundam franchise, it is set during the final stages of the One Year War and follows Zeon mobile suit pilot Iria Solari and her Red Wolf Squadron as they defend the European front against the Earth Federation's counteroffensive.[1]

The series is written and co-executive produced by Gavin Hignight and directed by Erasmus Brosdau, with mechanical designs by Kimitoshi Yamane,[2] character designs by Manuel Augusto Dischinger Moura,[3] and sound direction by Hiroaki Yura.[3] Wilbert Roget II composed the music, and Australian actress Celia Massingham stars as Iria Solari, performing both voice acting and motion capture for the role.[4]

It is the second Gundam production to be created entirely in computer animation after Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO, and the first to be animated using Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 5.[5][6] The series premiered worldwide on Netflix on October 17, 2024.[7]

Plot

Set during the closing months of the One Year War, the story follows Captain Iria Solari, a Principality of Zeon mobile suit pilot and leader of the Red Wolf Squadron. Stationed on the European front, Solari is tasked with holding Zeon-controlled territory against the Earth Federation’s final offensives.[1] When a powerful new Federation mobile suit, the Gundam EX, enters the battlefield, her unit is drawn into a desperate struggle for survival.[8]

The series follows Solari as she balances her duty to Zeon with her personal convictions, encountering allies and adversaries in a war-torn Europe. Themes of loss, loyalty, and the human cost of war are explored against the backdrop of large-scale mobile suit battles. As the conflict intensifies, Solari is forced to confront not only the Federation’s military might but also the moral ambiguities that define her role in the final days of the war.[1]

Characters

Captain Iria Solari, Red Wolf Squadron, 1st Mobile Suit Company, 7th Battalion
Voiced by: Nanako Mori[9] (Japanese); Celia Massingham[10] (English)
Known as "Red Wolf Alpha" and "Wolf Mother," the leader of the Red Wolf Squadron. Captain Solari is a former concert violinist who joined the Zeon army at the beginning of the One Year War. Her husband Daltun was killed in an air raid several months before the events of the series and she has a young son back in space. Her only memento of her husband is an engraved pocket watch containing a picture of her family, which she hangs on her mobile suit's console before each sortie. She displays developing Newtype abilities, which grant her heightened spatial awareness bordering on precognition. She dismisses this as just instincts honed from military experience. Iria pilots an MS-06F Zaku II F-Type with unique twin commander horns and an all-red paint job. After her original Zaku is destroyed by the Gundam EX, Alfee Zydos's team builds the MS-06Rb-a Zaku II (Unidentified Type) out of scrap parts.
Lieutenant Kneeland LeSean, Red Wolf Squadron, 1st Mobile Suit Company
Voiced by: Shōya Ishige[9] (Japanese); Lavance[11] (English)
Known as "Red Wolf Charlie," Kneeland is the Red Wolf Squadron's most inexperienced member. LeSean is the only surviving member of Red Wolf Squadron aside from Iria after the Gundam EX's initial attack. He pilots an MS-06F Zaku II F-Type, which is later replaced by the MS-06Rb-b Zaku II (Unidentified Type), which is built from scrap parts.
Reid "Chubs" Ghelfi
Voiced by: Shunichi Maki[9] (Japanese); James Watt[11] (English)
Known as "Red Wolf Bravo," "Chubs" is the Red Wolf Squadron's second-in-command.
Kale Zavaleta
Voiced by: Ryūnosuke Watanuki[9] (Japanese); Daniel Wishes[11] (English)
Known as "Red Wolf Delta," Kale is the Red Wolf Squadron's sniper.
Second Lieutenant Ander Heaton
Voiced by: Ryōsuke Hara[9] (Japanese); Andrew Woolner[11] (English)
A Magella Attack tank driver who joins up with Captain Solari's group after his battalion is decimated by the Gundam EX.
Dr. Ony Kasuga, Medical Doctor, UMRC
Voiced by: Takeo Ōtsuka[9] (Japanese); Maxwell Powers[11] (English)
A medic with the neutral UMRC, which provides medical services to both Federation and Zeon forces. Dr. Kasuga joins up with Iria's group as they attempt to escape from the Gundam EX. A pacifist by nature, he frequently questions the point of the war and insists on providing aid to everyone regardless of their allegiance.
Second Lieutenant Hailey Arhun, First Armored Infantry
Voiced by: Maki Kawase[9] (Japanese); Jessica Spies[11] (English)
A member of a Zeon infantry team who joins up with Captain Solari after her original unit is wiped out by a Federation attack. Has a distinctive appearance with dyed hair, multiple facial piercings, and Zeon-themed tattoos.
Captain Alfee "Gearhead" Zydos
Voiced by: Hiroshi Naka[9] (Japanese); Maurice Shelton[11] (English)
A mobile suit mechanic and old friend of Iria's family who helps build Zakus for Iria and Kneeland out of discarded scrap parts.
"Gundam Pilot"
Voiced by: Kazuki Ura[9] (Japanese); Kole Yadon[11] (English)
An unnamed boy with Newtype abilities serving in the Earth Federation army as pilot of the RX-78(G)E Gundam EX.

Production

Erasmus Brosdau in 2024

An original anime series co-produced by Bandai Namco Filmworks (credited under its Sunrise branding) and SAFEHOUSE, Mobile Suit Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance was first revealed during Anime Expo 2023. Director Erasmus Brosdau and writer–executive producer Gavin Hignight led the project, featuring music by Wilbert Roget II and character designs by Manuel Augusto Dischinger Moura; the animation producer and sound director was Hiroaki Yura, with mechanical designs by Kimitoshi Yamane.[10][12]

The series is notable for being entirely animated in Unreal Engine 5, the first Gundam television production to do so and the franchise’s second fully CG installment after Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO, with six 30-minute episodes released worldwide via Netflix.[12][13]

Multiple staff interviews describe the project’s global brief and creative stance. Producer Kenichi Yatomi recounts that discussions with Netflix specifically explored making a full-length Gundam in Unreal Engine. This led to recruiting Brosdau after test footage, with the team aiming for a “Gundam for the world.”[14] In a roundtable, Brosdau, Yatomi, and Yura say the main language was set as English and that the direction emphasized battlefield realism (scale, weight, and vulnerability of infantry) while depicting the Gundam as a fearsome “white devil” from a Zeon point of view.[15][14]

A production feature prepared for CGWORLD (and excerpted by Gundam.info) details how the cross-border team built its workflow. According to Yura and director of photography Jumpei Kasaoka, all six episodes were produced in parallel with frequent workflow revisions. Initial “Western-style” boards were replaced by the Japanese anime storyboard process (roughs, checks, finals) from episode 3 onward to better control continuity and motion between cuts. Episodes 1 and 6 were led by the German unit while the Japanese unit led 2–5, with both sides assisting. The same feature notes that Yura, being a violinist, handled motion capture for the protagonist’s violin performance shots to keep the production nimble.[16]

SAFEHOUSE’s modeling team explained that full-scale mobile suit work began around September 2020. Yamane provided rough takes for the Zaku II F-type and the Gundam EX based on a “military-leaning, real-taste” brief. Bandai Namco Filmworks set an early direction of “slightly character-leaning” designs appropriate to the One Year War period. To grow staff judgment, the studio deliberately started from rough silhouettes rather than finished three-view sheets, modeling and testing in Unreal in parallel to determine specs. Existing assets were generally avoided for the new Zaku and Gundam silhouettes, though some vehicles like the Type-61 tank were adapted.[17]

In a separate interview, Yamane, serving as mechanical supervisor, describes pushing the Gundam EX toward a demonic, horror-tinged presence with bone-like forms and red optics, while adjusting armor masses and jointing (for example hip and toe details) to read as plausible machinery in CG motion. He also highlights SAFEHOUSE environment and modeling supervisor Takuya Suzuki’s role in surfacing and silhouette checks to preserve readability and weight on screen.[18][14]

Brosdau cites Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team, White Tiger (2012), and Fury (2014) as touchstones for the show’s “on-the-ground” realism, an approach echoed by staff across the CGWORLD feature and related coverage.[16][15]

Release

Netflix secured exclusive global streaming rights, officially announcing the acquisition in December 2023.[19][20] The series premiered worldwide on Netflix on October 17, 2024.[21]

Following the release, a panel featuring Gavin Hignight, Hiroaki Yura, and producer Ken Iyadomi took place at New York Comic Con in October 2024. It included a special screening of the first ten minutes of episode one, followed by a discussion on narrative choices and production philosophy.[22]

To coincide with the premiere, Bandai Namco Filmworks collaborated with Epic Games to release a limited-time Fortnite game mode featuring the Gundam EX and Solari’s Zaku II (Unidentified Type), available during the launch period.[23]

Episodes

No.TitleOriginal release date
1"Haunted Forest"
October 17, 2024 (2024-10-17)
In the year 0079, a Zeon force moves in to attack an Earth Federation base in Romania, but are ambushed by Federation forces. The elite Red Wolf Zaku unit led by Captain Iria Solari deploys and helps turn the tide of the battle, but when they arrive at the base, they find it completely abandoned. That night, Iria apparently has a premonition of danger just as the Federation stages a surprise attack on the base. A Federation Gundam EX mobile suit then appears and easily destroys the Zeon forces, including the Red Wolves.
2"Broken"
October 17, 2024 (2024-10-17)
Iria is barely able to escape her wrecked Zaku and rescues one of her squadmates, Kneeland LeSean. She manages to regroup with other Zeon survivors led by Second Lieutenant Hayley Arhun. She orders Hayley to evacuate her men while she and LeSean commandeer abandoned Zaku Tanks. Second Lieutenant Ander Heaton volunteers to drive a fuel truck into position to act as a signal for the evacuation. Iria is able to detonate the fuel truck to temporarily slow down the Gundam and allow Hayley's unit to escape. However, the Gundam EX continues to pursue the convoy into the countryside before being ambushed by a pair of Goufs. Though the Gundam EX easily destroys the Goufs, it inexplicably decides to let the convoy escape.
3"Junkyard"
October 17, 2024 (2024-10-17)
The convoy arrives at Brigade HQ, but are dismayed to find it has already been destroyed by the Federation. After recovering survivors, they head to a nearby junkyard which is still occupied by Zeon forces and commanded by Major Rolph Ronet and an old friend of Iria's, Captain Alfee Zydos. Alfee confides to the soldiers that Iria's husband Daltum was killed in a Federation airstrike months ago, leaving just her son as her remaining family. Iria then receives another premonition, and spots the Gundam attacking a nearby base. Iria convinces Alfee and the junkyard mechanics to rebuild two Zakus from salvaged parts. Rolf attempts to put a stop to the construction right when the Federation attacks the junkyard, and allows Iria and LeSean to mobilize. Upon boarding their Zakus, they see the Gundam EX and a GM mobile suit approaching.
4"Night Caller"
October 17, 2024 (2024-10-17)
The mobile suits on both sides engage in a fierce battle, with all of the suits suffering severe damage. Eventually, the GM attempts to withdraw and LeSean disobeys orders and pursues it into the forest. Both Iria and LeSean manage to corner the crippled GM while the Gundam EX attempts to protect it, but upon seeing the GM pilot attempting to bail out, Iria orders LeSean to hold fire. The Gundam EX then recovers the GM pilot before retreating. Rolf is shaken by the fact the attack cost so many lives, but Alfee reminds him he has a duty to protect his remaining men. Hayley is distraught to learn her unit was wiped out. Rolf then attempts to arrest Iria and LeSean before being interrupted by the arrival of Major General Kellerne. Kellerne briefs Iria, explaining the war is turning against Zeon due to the mass production of GMs, and he orders Iria to steal one so that it can be studied for weaknesses.
5"The River"
October 17, 2024 (2024-10-17)
Iria, Alfee, Hayley, and Ander disguise themselves as Federations soldiers and steal a Federation transport, but are forced to ditch it and travel on foot after being ambushed by a pair of Midnight Goufs. On the way to the Federation base, Alfee muses that Iria may be a Newtype, an evolved human being due to her premonitions. They manage to infiltrate the base, and Iria comes across a boy genius she has an odd feeling about. Despite their cover being blown, Iria and Alfee are each able to hijack a GM, but the Gundam EX then appears and disables Alfee's GM. Iria realizes the Gundam EX is being piloted by the boy she met earlier. The Gundam EX disables Iria's GM, and LeSean arrives in his Zaku and sacrifices himself to give Iria and her team the opportunity to escape.
6"Convoy to Oblivion"
October 17, 2024 (2024-10-17)
Iria wakes up to find herself in an evacuation convoy heading for Odessa Spaceport to escape back to space, but the city is already under attack by the Federation. She is left shaken at the fact that her entire unit is dead, and that the Gundam EX's pilot is a young, scared boy not much older than her son. With Federation forces already in the city, Iria volunteers to pilot her Zaku to help defend the convoy despite her injuries. As Iria and the Zeon forces mount a fierce defense, the Gundam EX finally arrives on the field. Iria manages to buy enough time for the HLV-8 carrying her friends to launch and reach space safely, and she asks the Gundam EX pilot to cease hostilities and allow Zeon to retreat since they have lost. The Gundam EX pilot knocks Iria in her Zaku out of the falling HLV-9 upon finding out Iria is a mother, only to be killed by another Midnight mobile suit, to Iria's horror. After the battle, Iria notes that the new Federation mobile suits have turned the tide of the war against Zeon, and she has joined a Zeon remnant force in Africa and continues to fight in hopes of ending all wars that would force children to fight.

Reception

Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance received mixed reviews from both Japanese and English-language critics upon its release. Praise was often directed toward its visual presentation, grounded atmosphere, and faithful tone, while criticism was aimed at its limited character development and storytelling depth.

In Japan, the user review aggregator Filmarks reported an average rating of 3.6 out of 5, with commentary noting impressive battlefield visuals and nostalgic touches such as the inclusion of Zaku-themed mobile tanks, although some viewers felt that the emotional impact was limited due to underdeveloped characters.[24] The review site mono-post.com highlighted the impressive animation and moody tone, stating that the series successfully captured “the fearsome presence of a Gundam” and presented its European battlefield setting in a dark, realistic style that enhanced immersion.[25] SquareWheel.jp similarly praised the series as “foreign-produced but unusually tuned to domestic Gundam sensibilities,” pointing to the battle logic, framing, and tone as particularly well executed.[26]

English-language coverage was also divided. Forbes described the series as “a flawed, ersatz ‘Gundam’ show,” citing stiff character animation and rigid performances that detracted from the experience, despite interest in the premise.[27] Den of Geek called it a “’90s OVA wannabe,” praising its grounded atmosphere and focus on the plight of Zeon infantry, but noting that the writing lacked emotional resonance and strong characterization.[28] On Rotten Tomatoes, audience reactions were polarized, with some viewers praising it as “a great Netflix animated series” and others critiquing its limited narrative scope and emphasis on spectacle.[29]

Notes

  1. ^ Credited under its former studio name, Sunrise

References

  1. ^ a b c "機動戦士ガンダム 復讐のレクイエム". Wikipedia (in Japanese). Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  2. ^ "Unreal Engine５（アンリアル・エンジン５）によるアニメーション制作 『機動戦士ガンダム 復讐のレクイエム』 世界配信向け作品制作決定 (Japanese)" (PDF). July 3, 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "機動戦士ガンダム 復讐のレクイエム 公式サイト". 機動戦士ガンダム 復讐のレクイエム 公式サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  4. ^ Loo, Egan (July 3, 2023). "Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance Animation Unveils Teaser, 6-Episode Net Release, Story Setting". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 3, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  5. ^ "'Mobile Suit Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance' is Coming to Netflix". Netflix Media Center (Press release). December 3, 2023.
  6. ^ Tai, Anita (December 3, 2023). "Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance Animation's 2nd Teaser Announces Netflix Global Debut". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  7. ^ "Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance Animation Reveals New Trailer, Visual, October 17 Debut (Updated)". Anime News Network. July 25, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  8. ^ "『ガンダム 復讐のレクイエム』1話感想。ガンダムEXの圧倒的強…". 電撃オンライン (in Japanese). October 19, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i Cayanan, Joanna (October 1, 2024). "Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance Animation Reveals Japanese Trailer, Dub Cast". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Loo, Egan (July 3, 2023). "Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance Animation Unveils Teaser, 6-Episode Net Release, Story Setting". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 3, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h "機動戦士ガンダム 復讐のレクイエム 公式サイト". 機動戦士ガンダム 復讐のレクイエム 公式サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Mobile Suit Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance, A New Original Series Created Using Unreal Engine 5, to be Streamed Worldwide!". Gundam.info. July 3, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  13. ^ "Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance Trailer – Coming to Netflix October 17". Netflix (About). July 25, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  14. ^ a b c "機動戦士ガンダム 復讐のレクイエム：制作の裏側　世界に向けたこれまでにないガンダム　"怖いガンダム"を表現". MANTANWEB (in Japanese). October 20, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  15. ^ a b "『機動戦士ガンダム 復讐のレクイエム』制作陣鼎談インタビュー｜「また違ったガンダム、また違った一年戦争の作品として楽しんでもらえれば嬉しいです」". アニメイトタイムズ (in Japanese). October 23, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  16. ^ a b "A Sneak Peek of the Special Interview with Director Brosdau and the Production Staff of Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance, Featured in CGWORLD Dec. 2024 Issue!". Gundam.info. November 11, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  17. ^ "「CGWORLD 2024年12月号」掲載『機動戦士ガンダム 復讐のレクイエム』MSのモデリングについての特別インタビューの一部が到着！". Gundam.info (in Japanese). November 16, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  18. ^ ""GUNDAM.INFO BOX GLOBAL" Special interview with Kimitoshi Yamane. Mechanical supervisor of "Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance"". Gundam.info. December 10, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  19. ^ "Netflix to Stream Mobile Suit Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance Worldwide". Netflix. December 1, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  20. ^ "Netflix Streams Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance in 2024". Anime News Network. December 1, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  21. ^ "Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance Animation Reveals New Trailer, Visual, October 17 Debut (Updated)". Anime News Network. July 25, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  22. ^ "New Characters Including Yuri Kellerne and Additional Info from NYCC 2024 Panel Report". Gundam.info. October 21, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  23. ^ "Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance Begins Streaming Exclusively on Netflix from October 17th!". Gundam.info. July 26, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  24. ^ "機動戦士ガンダム 復讐のレクイエムのアニメ情報・感想・評価". Filmarks (in Japanese). Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  25. ^ "Netflix「機動戦士ガンダム 復讐のレクイエム」レビュー". mono-post.com (in Japanese). October 23, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  26. ^ "[感想] 機動戦士ガンダム 復讐のレクイエム". SquareWheel.jp (in Japanese). October 25, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  27. ^ Barder, Ollie (October 18, 2024). "'Gundam: Requiem For Vengeance' Review: A Flawed, Ersatz 'Gundam' Show". Forbes. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  28. ^ "Netflix's Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance Review – A '90s OVA Wannabe". Den of Geek. October 17, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  29. ^ "Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance — Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
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