The MSD project continues apace! We report from the Gunpla Expo "Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin" panel!

A Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin panel, presented by Bandai's Hirofumi Kishiyama and Mizuki Fukuda, Hobby Japan's Seiji Okamura, and Sunrise producer Osamu Taniguchi, was held at Gunpla Expo World Tour Japan 2015 on November 23rd.

▲ From left: Hirofumi Kishiyama, producer Osamu Taniguchi, Seiji Okamura, Mizuki Fukuda

First up was a look at the ongoing series of The Origin Gunpla. Commenting on the lineup on screen, Mr. Okamura mentioned that he "never expected to see the High Mobility Zaku in action", and producer Taniguchi noted that "(the Zaku's) appearance in part 1 was a specific request from general director Yasuhiko. We were confused at first, but now I'm glad we put it in."

An HG version of the Dom Demonstrator from The Origin's Mobile Suit Discovery in-universe technical documents was announced, and alongside it, a mysterious mobile suit overlaid with the phrase "Now Planning" was shown. The presenters hinted at its identiy with comments like "Looks Feddie", "Definitely doesn't seem Zeon", and "imagine it from the silhouette." Mr. Okamura built hype by noting "... [his] first guess was the Zanny, but that doesn't seem quite right."

Next up was a screening of "Gundam Rising: Gundam The Origin Target U.C. 0079", followed by discussion of the new MG RX-78-02 Gundam (Gundam The Origin Ver.)

Mr. Kishiyama let slip that "this was the first time MG and animation planning were combined", allowing for a Gundam able to move just as it does on screen. Producer Taniguchi spoke of "the importance of capturing author Yasuhiko's style", pointing out the humanlike flexibility of the new kits and the "strong, yet kind" face of the Gundam.

As for what's next in Gundam Rising, which will be seen next Spring in Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin III? Producer Taniguchi hopes you'll "look forward to it".

Last but not least, a trailer for the third part was screened, answered by spontaneous applause.
Mr. Okamura "shivers just imagining the YMS-03, in full motion instead of the single panel it was seen in in the comics", while producer Taniguchi said "[his] hair stood on end while cutting the trailer... III is action-packed, with plenty new to watch for even as a fan of the comics."

The Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin II: Artesia's Sorrow Blu-ray Collector's Edition will be available from Bandai Visual beginning November 26th. Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin III will hit theaters in Spring 2016.