Mitsuo Fukuda,
“Mobile Suit
GUNDAM SEED FREEDOM”
Director
Shares a Future with
Honda’s Gold Wing
Mitsuo Fukuda,
“Mobile Suit
GUNDAM SEED FREEDOM”
Director
Shares a Future with
Honda’s Gold Wing
The Mobile Suit GUNDAM SEED anime series began TV broadcasting in 2002 as the new era Gundam. As its latest episode, Mobile Suit GUNDAM SEED FREEDOM was released in theatres on January 26, 2024. In the movie, the main characters Kira Yamato and Lacus Clyne are depicted riding on a Gold Wing. Mitsuo Fukuda, himself a motorcycle enthusiast, was the one who picked the Gold Wing as the main character’s bike of choice.
But why Gold Wing? And what are motorcycles like in the future? Mitsuo Fukuda shares his thoughts.
text＝SHIGEKI UENO
photography＝SEIICHIRO KITAMURA
Mitsuo Fukuda
Born on October 28, 1960, Fukuda is a director, animation director, and scriptwriter. In 1979 he joined Japan Sunrise Co., Ltd. (now Bandai Namco Filmworks Inc.), where he worked on setting production, and later went freelance, gaining a wide range of experiences. He directed the TV animation series “Mobile Suit GUNDAM SEED” and “Mobile Suit GUNDAM SEED DESTINY”, followed by the feature film “Mobile Suit GUNDAM SEED FREEDOM”.
On the day of the interview, Fukuda arrived the studio on a motorcycle wearing riding gear, as seen in the photograph. He apparently commutes to the studio by motorcycle, sometimes even when it is raining.
What Motorcycles Symbolize
In the movie, the Gold Wing appears in the scene where the main couple talks seriously and confides in each other their problems. It is rare for a motorcycle to play a key role in such an important scene, animated or live-action. It may be more common to use a car interior instead.
Fukuda：
I think motorcycles symbolize freedom. Exactly like the movie title. Kira and Lacus, despite their young age, are on an important mission that will determine the fate of mankind, and they seem like a calm couple, but in reality, they both value their personal freedom.
I think motorcycles symbolize freedom. Exactly like the movie title. Kira and Lacus, despite their young age, are on an important mission that will determine the fate of mankind, and they seem like a calm couple, but in reality, they both value their personal freedom.
The Mobile Suit GUNDAM SEED series is set in the Cosmic era, where humans live in space and some have acquired superior abilities through genetic manipulation. In this future world, what is the role of motorcycles?
Fukuda：
On Earth, nuclear power is banned by a device called a neutron jammer, so there is a worldwide shortage of electricity. On the other hand, space colonies can use solar power. Electric cars are the main means of transportation for daily life in the colonies, but I thought that internal combustion engines would remain for motorcycles, which are vehicles for pleasure.
However, I envision the fuel being replaced by hydrogen. There may be coal and petroleum left on Earth, but the cost of transporting them to space is not worth it. So the Gold Wing that Kira is riding is definitely a reciprocating engine. In pursuit of reality, we recorded the sound of a real horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine using a Gold Wing.
I personally want the internal combustion engine to survive in the future. I believe that once a technology is lost, it is difficult to bring back.
* Most mobile suits in the cosmic era are powered by batteries.
The engine sounds used in the movie were recorded with the help of Honda at the production team’s request.
The Gold Wing in the movie looks identical to the real thing. Is there a feature you would like to see in motorcycles of the future?
Fukuda：
A bike that doesn’t fall over? Motorcycles are fun, but they are a bit difficult. I also think that motorcycles are inherently rooted in our daily lives. So, if motorcycles can be easier to ride regardless of physical fitness or age, they would become more popular. AI technology is developing, the way to control motorcycles could evolve according to the rider by collecting more and more data.
Fukuda was aware of the first generation Gold Wing GL1000 (yellow model)
Gold Wing, the Best Bike for Dates
From what you have said so far, you have a strong passion for motorcycles. What made you fall in love with bikes?
Fukuda：
For our generation, the first time we became aware of motorcycles was when we watched super heroes on TV as kids. At that time, many adults around me were riding motorcycles, so it felt natural. I was also influenced by manga. I think it was Bari Bari Densetsu.
What motorcycles have you ridden?
Fukuda：
When I was young, I rode motorcycles because I couldn’t afford a car, but it wasn’t until I was over 50 years old and obtained my heavy motorcycle license* that I began to ride motorcycles other than scooters. I rode an NC700, NC750, X-ADV, and just recently, when the production of Mobile Suit GUNDAM SEED FREEDOM reached its peak, I bought a Rebel 1100. I ride my motorcycle to the studio almost every day, like today.
* The Japanese license system is divided into a ordinary motorcycle license (400cc or smaller) and a heavy motorcycle license (for larger motorcycles).
Rebel 1100 launched in 2020 (not necessarily the same model / color as Fukuda’s Rebel)
It’s clear from the bikes you’ve ridden that you are quite a Honda fan. Why, out of all the bikes in the world, did you select the Gold Wing as Kira Yamato’s bike?
Fukuda：
I have ridden a Gold Wing only once, and even though it weighs about 400 kg, it handles and turns surprisingly well. The engine revs up well, but is quiet and has less vibration than an ordinary car, and is very comfortable to ride. The audio system is also amazing.
Above all, the rear seat is really comfortable. I thought it was the perfect bike for a young couple with little time to enjoy. There is plenty of stowage room in the trunk and side cases, so you could take a tent and a basket full of lunch boxes on a date.
* In the movie, Kira and Lacus are busy, high-ranking officials of an international organization.
In animation, the contrast between the motorcycle and people makes it difficult to portray the motorcycle as a vehicle.
Around 300 drawings were prepared for the Gold Wing riding scene.
Motorcycles Harder to Draw than Mobile Suits(?)
There are lots of mechas such as mobile suits in the movie. Is it hard to express a motorcycle in animation?
Fukuda：
To be clear, motorcycles are hard to draw. There are lots of lines, and the three-dimensional construction is complex. If I am not careful, it may take more time and effort to draw a bike than a single mobile suit. So I asked Honda, “Can I have the Gold Wing’s CAD data?”
That didn’t happen, so I drew the Gold Wing, including the riding scene.
Fukuda says the Gold Wing’s double-wishbone suspension, which is faithfully depicted in the movie, is one of his favorite features.
Photos of fond memories on in Kira’s room. In one photo, there is a HAWK 11.
Finally, you have worked on many robot anime besides the “Mobile Suit GUNDAM SEED series, but are there any similarities between such robots and other mechas, and motorcycles?
Fukuda：
Basically, the main characters in most robot anime have ridden motorcycles.
I think that people who like robots and mechas also like vehicles. They’re all machines, and the logic behind their movement is something that can be seen and understood. Especially with motorcycles, you can see the suspension, brakes, wiring, and so on. You can check these parts yourself, and since you can’t put the bike through a car wash, you have to wash it yourself. You grow attached to it. I think it is more familiar to people than a car, and it has a stronger association with the lead role.
There is a photo of Lacus astride her Hawk 11, and I imagine that it was taken when she took delivery of it. I had the idea of making the cockpit of the machine she rides in the final battle in the shape of a motorcycle because I had already decided that Lacus is also a bike rider.
C.E. (Cosmic Era) - an era in which two types of people exist: genetically-engineered Coordinators, who are born with superior physical abilities and brains, and Naturals, who are born without genetic adjustments. The Mobile Suit GUNDAM SEED series depicts the battle between the Coordinators and Naturals during the C.E. period. Following “Mobile Suit GUNDAM SEED” (TV broadcast from 2002 to 2003), which is set in C.E.71 (in the far future), and “Mobile Suit GUNDAM SEED DESTINY” (TV broadcast from 2004 to 2005), set in C.E.73, “Mobile Suit GUNDAM SEED FREEDOM,” set in C.E.75, is the long-awaited feature film with a completely new story. In Japan, theatrical release began on January 26, 2024, with plans to expand to theatres in 56 countries and regions.
C.E.75, the battle still rages.
The independence movement, invasion by Blue Cosmos.
In order to bring peace, the Compass, a world peace monitoring organization, is established with Lacus as its first leader, and Kira and team take part in the battles as members of the organization.
The emerging Kingdom of Foundation proposes a joint operation against the Blue Cosmos stronghold.
Official website (in Japanese):
https://www.gundam-seed.net/freedom/