Yasuo Ohtagaki's manga Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt came to an end with the 20th issue of the serialized magazine Big Comic Superior (Shogakukan), released on September 26th, bringing the curtain down on its 13-year run. The issue is titled a "completion commemorative issue" and has been generating a lot of buzz due to the Thunderbolt Gundam appearing on the cover.
◇The following contains spoilers.
"Final Chapter: Thunderbolt Gundam" was published in full color across 24 pages. When the cover of issue 20, which featured the final chapter, was revealed, some fans wondered if it was an homage to the pose of the ZZ Gundam from "Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ." Some had predicted the appearance of a "Thunderbolt version of ZZ," but it was revealed to be a new machine called the Thunderbolt Gundam.
In "Thunderbolt," Anaheim Electronics (AE) declares itself an independent nation, the Titans. The Thunderbolt Gundam is AE's prototype transforming mobile suit (MS), equipped with a Psycommu system derived from the Zeong. The "AE" and "Titans" logos are designed on the shoulders.
It is piloted by Team Thunderbolt, consisting of Io Fleming, Lily Sirena, and Callisto. The final episode also features a spectacular transformation scene, which is one of the highlights. Some fans were reminded of the S Gundam due to its form and transformation mechanism.
By the way, the final episode features a scene that will be irresistible to fans of the Gundam series, including the appearance of a familiar MS from Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam.
Although the series has ended, to commemorate the release of the final 27th volume of the manga on December 19th, a screening of the animated film "Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt DECEMBER SKY" will be held at Shinjuku Piccadilly (Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo) on the same day. It has also been announced that a fan meeting for Otagaki will be held at LOFT9 Shibuya (Shibuya Ward, Tokyo) the following day, the 20th.
It was also announced that Otagaki's next original work will begin in the summer of 2026. Expectations are high for Otagaki's new work.
