If you’re even remotely into Japanese robot anime, you’ve probably heard someone yelling “GQuuuuuuX 続編期待 (GQuuuuuuX sequel, please)!” at least once in the wild corners of the internet. And if you haven’t, oh boy, you’re missing out on a whirlwind of hype, disappointment, and downright hilarious speculation that makes the community go totally bananas. This article is your golden ticket to understanding what the massive buzz is all about. Whether you’re a Gundam fanatic who can’t stop humming iconic theme songs, or a curious newbie figuring out why people are so enthralled by “未放送13話 (unbroadcast 13th episode)” in particular, stick around. We’re about to explore what Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX is, why exploding hashtags like “GQuuuuuuX 続編期待” emerged, and how the mind-bending phenomenon known as “集団幻覚 (collective hallucination)” took shape among fans who insist they’ve witnessed an episode that never really aired. And if that’s not enough, we’re also going to peek behind the curtain of the unbeatable “ガンプラ ビジネスモデル (Gunpla business model)” in the Gundam universe, shining a spotlight on how it powers everything from new series agendas to short-run fan obsessions. Ready to venture into the chaotic magic of Japanese subculture?

Introduction to the Enigma Called GQuuuuuuX

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, aired briefly between April and June 25, 2024, stormed into every corner of anime fandom with breakneck speed. Its extremely short run—originally set to conclude in 13 episodes—pulled viewers in with dazzling visuals and just enough mecha drama to get hearts pounding. Yet, it ended so abruptly that the community jolted into a wave of confusion: “Wait, that’s it? Where’s the second season?” Threads, chat comments, and entire forums dedicated to “ガンダム 2期 予測 (Gundam Season 2 predictions)” erupted within days of the final episode’s broadcast. People scoured the corners of the internet for leads on a surprise follow-up. Others theorized about unreleased specials or an alternate cut. And all of this soared to cosmic proportions when rumors about a “未放送13話” started popping up.

If you’re wondering why a single missing episode could spark so much fuss, you need to realize how crucial 13-episode structures can be in modern anime. Often, the 13th episode is where we get a final resolution or a teaser for the next storyline, so fans felt cheated. Discussion boards exploded with lines like “I swear I saw 13!” or “I remember GQuuuuuuX going berserk in the last ep!”—completely baffling those who had only watched 12 official episodes. Suddenly, the entire fandom seemed to believe in an episode that apparently didn’t exist. This phenomenon came to be dubbed “集団幻覚,” where groups of fans collectively remember—or claim to remember—something that never took place. Spooky? Hilarious? Both. Let’s unravel how that might have happened and why it helped catapult GQuuuuuuX to legendary status among newer Gundam entries.

The Rise of GQuuuuuuX: Flashy, Short, and Unforgettable

GQuuuuuuX introduces us to the young protagonist, Machu, who accidentally stumbles upon a mysterious Mobile Suit (MS) known as GQuuuuuuX. The name itself, by the way, is a mouthful of “Q” and “u” letters that exude a futuristic vibe—enough to make you think, “Is it alien or is it some next-level technology?” Over the course of the first few episodes, Machu finds himself entangled in a massive conflict with multiple opposing forces all wanting to claim GQuuuuuuX. In typical Gundam fashion, viewers get a hearty serving of intense bonds, moral dilemmas, and big questions about war and identity. But this time around, everything was crammed into a mere 12-episode format, concluding on June 25.

Many fans found this short run unsatisfying. They were used to modern Gundam series that span at least two separate seasons or have a clean second-cour announcement. GQuuuuuuX, by contrast, seemed to go “Boom!” then “Bye!” leaving the entire community shell-shocked. Rumors spread like wildfire on major platforms: “We only got half the story!” “The GQuuuuuuX’s ultimate form never got enough screen time!” “There’s a missing final boss fight!” With so many people convinced more had to be lurking behind the scenes, the question naturally became: Did the production company stealthily withhold an episode that concluded the arc properly?

The Mysterious “未放送13話” and the “集団幻覚” Phenomenon

The largest explosion of hype arrived when fans began referencing a “13th episode” that apparently wrapped everything up or teased a next arc. Only one problem: official sources insisted that only 12 episodes existed. Then people started referencing specific scenes, dialogues, and transformations that were supposedly part of this “未放送13話,” describing them in an uncanny level of detail. The internet latched onto this collectively, fueling both confusion and excitement.

Some fans posted, “We saw GQuuuuuuX’s second-stage meltdown with our own eyes! Machu collapsed afterward!” Others shared elaborate fan art of GQuuuuuuX in a “berserk form,” insisting it was a reference to the canonical 13th episode. The deeper you looked, the stranger it got. Suddenly, it felt like half the viewers had vivid memories of an episode that official statements claimed never aired. This phenomenon got labeled “集団幻覚” because it was as if the entire fandom had collectively hallucinated the same fictional content.

Of course, a more down-to-earth explanation suggests that fans generated elaborate speculation online, and others hopped on board, further embellishing a grand imaginary scenario. In a dreamlike synergy, the fan community built an entire set of narrative details, mecha design evolutions, and new character arcs—none of which actually appeared in the official broadcast. Soon enough, people started joking that maybe it was a top-secret broadcast, maybe there was a region-locked streaming event at 3 AM, or maybe aliens hijacked the signal (hey, anything goes on internet forums!). Realistically, though, “集団幻覚” turned into a meme for describing how collectively creative or collectively confused a fan community can get when fueled by hype and incomplete information.

Short-Term Anime and the “ガンプラ ビジネスモデル”: A Money-Making Machine

Why would a major Gundam series cut its run short when there was obviously so much demand for more? Simple: “ガンプラ ビジネスモデル.” From the earliest days of Gundam, the synergy between the anime and the plastic models (“ガンプラ,” short for Gundam Plastic Model) has been at the core of the franchise’s commercial success. The formula is tried-and-true: release a brand-new series for a limited broadcast period, turn the main Mobile Suit into a must-have collectible, and watch fans throw their wallets at everything from standard kits to deluxe limited editions.

The brilliance lies in the fact that the Gundam franchise can maintain extremely high-quality animation and production values because a large chunk of the revenue comes from model kit sales rather than just TV ratings or streaming numbers. Diehard fans don’t hesitate to buy multiple versions of the same MS if it has variant color schemes or bonus weapon sets. They kitbash and paint the models, proudly posting their creations on social media for the world to applaud. This, in turn, promotes the brand further. Unlike many anime that rely heavily on disc or merch sales, the Gundam IP has a self-sustaining model-building ecosystem that never runs out of steam thanks to an enthusiastic adult fanbase. They watched Gundam as kids and grew up continuing to adore these giant mecha, so the nostalgia factor only elevates purchases.

For GQuuuuuuX, that was arguably the entire premise: push the titular GQuuuuuuX as the protagonist machine, concentrate marketing on that kit, and ensure it sells like crazy. And guess what? Fans absolutely hoarded it. Even the rumor that “We’re never getting a second season” didn’t damage the allure—it might have even driven kit sales further because fans wanted a piece of GQuuuuuuX’s short, blazing legacy. Many have speculated that because the kit sold out in multiple stores, the mission was accomplished from a business perspective. Why gamble on a second season with new mecha variations if the original GQuuuuuuX is already maxed out in popularity?

The One-Mecha-Focus Tactic in Recent Gundam Entries

Over the last few years, the Gundam series has periodically shifted to a more streamlined approach of focusing on a single, signature Mobile Suit for each new show. Sure, older Gundam series introduced so many suits that fans were drowning in a sea of spinoff Gunpla. But in that scenario, not all variations sold equally well, leading to the occasional leftover kits languishing on store shelves. Modern marketing wisdom says it’s simpler—and more profitable—to hype one hero mech that sells out in droves rather than produce dozens of variants that only the hardest of hardcore fans will buy.

With GQuuuuuuX, they took it a step further: not only was the show named after the star Mobile Suit, but the entire storyline revolved around Machu’s connection to it. We rarely see other suits overshadow it, and the final episodes gave GQuuuuuuX so much screentime that watchers couldn’t help but crave the actual model. So while some fans moaned, “Where’s the epic second season with a new GQuuuuuuX upgrade?” that might not have been a priority from the big-picture perspective. Sometimes less is more, especially when the hype wave is unstoppable for that short time.

Looking at “水星の魔女” and the Spin-Off “青春フロンティア”

To see how fluid the Gundam universe can be, just look at “機動戦士ガンダム 水星の魔女 (Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury).” This series shook up everything from the usual formula: we got a female protagonist, a school setting, and an overall vibe that felt fresh and distinct. This pivot enticed fans who weren’t typically into the standard Gundam war narratives. Then, as if that wasn’t a big enough curveball, it spawned a surprising spin-off called “青春フロンティア (Seishun Frontier),” focusing heavily on Academy life rather than high-stakes mecha battles.

Hardcore enthusiasts might say, “This is not the Gundam I know!” but it’s exactly that chance to branch out which makes the brand so timeless. It’s a bit like saying, “We know Gundam is about epic space conflicts, but we’re also going to produce slice-of-life or even romantic comedy spinoffs because hey, that’s a surefire way to rope in more potential fans.” Adapting the brand to new niches keeps it alive across generations and interest groups.

In comparison, GQuuuuuuX had a narrower, more intense format: big mecha action, condensed storytelling, unstoppable momentum. That also made it more of a stand-alone phenomenon that you could binge in a single weekend. This approach fosters speed-run style hype: watch the show, love the main mech, buy the Gunpla, and watch your social feeds go wild with 13th-episode conspiracies.

Why a Second Season for GQuuuuuuX Probably Won’t Happen

With all that in mind, why are so many people (including me) concluding that “GQuuuuuuX 2期” is a long shot? Two primary reasons:

First, the “ガンプラ ビジネスモデル.” If the main goal was to shine a giant spotlight on the star suit, sell the associated kit like hotcakes, and wrap up while demand is still high, then mission accomplished. Stretching things out with a second season might overshadow or dilute the success of the original GQuuuuuuX model. Sure, they could try marketing a new upgraded version—maybe “GQuuuuuuX Reborn.” But the risk is that introducing too many variations too fast can cause consumer confusion or stagnation in hype. Companies sometimes prefer a flash-in-the-pan approach so that fans have fond, undivided memories of a single badass suit.

Second, story completion. If you watched the broadcast episodes all the way to the final day of June 25, you’d notice a reasonably definitive finale. Machu’s character arc reached its natural endpoint, and the major conflict was resolved. True, some fans want more closure or a deeper look at the big reveals in the theoretical 13th episode. But many others feel that continuing that story might be “蛇足,” or unnecessary padding. They point out that the show’s brevity was its strong point. Why ruin that tight narrative with forced expansions?

Of course, there’s a chance that GQuuuuuuX’s brand equity might see some revival in the form of an OVA, spin-off story, or cameo in a bigger Gundam crossover. After all, cameo appearances are a popular Gundam tradition. But a full-blown second season with the same cast and central conflict seems unlikely. In fact, some fans believe that if anything, GQuuuuuuX might appear in a future multi-series event that brings back iconic suits for a cameo battle or references that “phantom 13th episode” just to troll fans in a meta way.

Fan Culture, “続編期待,” and the Charm of Unfinished Legends

For many watchers, part of the Gundam experience is collectively freaking out over new announcements, scanning forums for leaks, and reading fan theories about possible “lost” episodes. The “続編期待” phenomenon is almost a rite of passage. Even older Gundam installments faced waves of speculation or fan campaigns demanding either sequel series or official side stories. GQuuuuuuX, with its ephemeral broadcast and swirling rumors, took that phenomenon to comedic extremes.

People have posted entire watchlists online like: “These are the crucial scenes to watch to fully appreciate the non-existent 13th episode!” Others have ironically noted, “I can’t believe how epic the mech’s meltdown was in 13. Best Gundam moment of all time!”—as though confidently stating it enough times might make it real. The result is an odd synergy of memes, fan art, and online in-jokes that sustain the show’s presence long after it ended. If you stare at the flurry of content for too long, you might start questioning your own memories. Did you somehow miss an after-credits scene? MSG boards, Reddit, Twitter, and basically every corner of the net keep the rumor mill going at full throttle.

What’s more, this entire mania demonstrates how a passionate community can spin speculation into a phenomenon that even the show creators might not have anticipated. The so-called “集団幻覚” that fans claim to have simultaneously experienced could also reflect how deeply viewers immerse themselves in fictional worlds. In the digital age, if enough people believe something and produce content about it, it starts to feel real—an interesting sociology lesson, courtesy of anime fandom.

How the “未放送13話” Managed to Live On (in Fan Art and Headcanons)

It’s not like the 13th episode’s rumored content vanished into the night. On illustration-sharing sites, you can find countless sketches of GQuuuuuuX in some super-charged “final form,” allegedly referencing the show’s great unseen climax. There are also fan comics depicting how Machu and other side characters parted ways in a dramatic final showdown. Certain YouTubers have even created self-made “Episode 13” videos, splicing clips to make a pseudo-official product that ironically fosters even more confusion. Some watchers come away believing that maybe, just maybe, they stumbled upon legitimate footage.

This unstoppable wave of user-generated content is reminiscent of how urban legends expand in the digital realm. Everyone adds their own twist, and soon, multiple versions of the nonexistent “13th episode” pop up, each with unique details about how GQuuuuuuX underwent meltdown or how new foes infiltrated Machu’s colony. The lines between fan fiction, parody, and genuine belief start to blur. And the best part: it’s genuinely fun. Fans love reimagining how the story might conclude, and that sense of collaborative creativity is a huge reason why the Gundam fandom remains lively, decade after decade.

When Gunpla Meets “幻の13話”

One of the coolest outcomes of this entire fiasco is how it’s sparked a wave of custom builds in the Gunpla community. People have started modeling what they call “GQuuuuuuX Final Berserk Mode,” complete with extra thruster pods, menacing claws, or color schemes that represent an unleashed force. These builders put insane effort into constructing a version of the mecha that, ironically, was never canonized on screen. Yet, they treat it as if it’s an actual product of the show. They paint it in deep reds and blacks, wanting to showcase a meltdown aesthetic that they read about in rumored 13th episode synopses.

And you can see the effect on social media: “Check out my custom ‘13th Episode GQuuuuuuX’ kit!” garners likes, retweets, and hype. Even fans who disbelieve in the existence of an unbroadcast episode can’t help but appreciate the creative spin. It’s turned into a mini sub-fandom where people compete to see who can best depict the nonexistent scenario through masterful model artistry. This synergy of anime rumor-lore and real-world hobby has heavily boosted the sense of a living, breathing community. Again, from a business standpoint, Bandai probably isn’t complaining—any marketing that sells more Gunpla is good marketing, even if it originates from speculation about a phantom storyline.

Comparing “GQuuuuuuX 2期 予測” to Other Gundam Continuations

Historically, the Gundam series is no stranger to second seasons, side stories, or reboots. Fans often point to “機動戦士ガンダム00” or “鉄血のオルフェンズ (Iron-Blooded Orphans)” to show how a strong first season can evolve into a multi-part saga, sometimes staging multiple cour arcs that deliver an ongoing narrative. So why not replicate that formula for GQuuuuuuX? It’s partly because those older shows had main suits that evolved throughout the story or had separate arcs spaced out over more than one anime season. GQuuuuuuX, on the other hand, soared into popularity swiftly, sold its titular mecha massively, then concluded with minimal leftover threads. That’s arguably by design. It’s almost a demonstration of a more modern, bite-sized Gundam formula.

On top of that, “ガンダム 2期” rumors have historically needed some sort of official teaser or a mid-season break that says, “We’ll be back.” GQuuuuuuX ended with total finality. There was no “To be continued” message, no abrupt cliffhanger, no trailing line from Machu hinting at the next battleground. All signs point to a legitimate one-season wonder—well, a 12-episode wonder with a questionable “13th” swirling around fan imaginations. The result is this bizarre but entertaining gap between fan hopes and official silence.

The Inexplicable Power of Gundam Fandom

At this point, it’s crucial to appreciate just how unstoppable the Gundam brand is. It’s not your run-of-the-mill mecha series. Decade after decade, it’s been an ever-expanding universe of anime, manga, light novels, video games, and of course Gunpla that made model kit history on a global scale. The brand invests in fresh angles, from psychological drama to space-opera epics, ensuring that each new iteration resonates with a slightly different segment of the audience.

One reason fans are fiercely protective of any new entry—be it GQuuuuuuX or Water Witch or anything else—is the emotional investment in that synergy between story and Gunpla building. It’s never just about passively watching an anime. It’s also about physically recreating your favorite suit, painting it in your own style, discussing color combos with fellow enthusiasts, and maybe even trotting that kit out to a local competition or expo. That’s precisely why short-run series can work so well. As long as fans get their adrenaline rush from the new MS and can replicate it in Gunpla form, the cycle is successful. But if you announce a second season that doesn’t really add enough new content or fails to pull off fresh mecha designs, the magic might fizzle.

Watering the Hype with Memes and “If-Only” Posts

The fact that “GQuuuuuuX 続編期待” hashtags are flooding the net has become a bit of an inside joke. People post things like “Listen up, tomorrow’s TOTALLY the big day they announce Season 2, right??” only to come back the next day with, “Nope, guess not. Well, there’s always next month!” That sense of comedic frustration keeps the pot stirring. Gundam fans transform these let-downs into memes, crossing GQuuuuuuX with random pop culture references. You might see a thumbnail of The Avengers but replaced with the GQuuuuuuX mecha featuring text like “We’re in the Endgame now: Episode 13 awaits.”

But the beauty there is that a portion of the fanbase is having a blast precisely because the second season doesn’t actually exist. It gives them an unlimited sandbox where they can fill in the blanks and pretend they alone hold the key to the legendary “13th episode.” It’s half performance art, half collective longing for more. If out of nowhere in two years an official OVA did come to light, it might ironically break the fun illusions built by fan creativity.

Learning from “集団幻覚” Past and Present

This is not the first time a fandom has convinced itself that something existed when it really didn’t. In other anime spheres, you’ll sometimes see references to “Mandela effect,” named after the phenomenon in which large groups of people collectively misremember certain events or details. The difference here with GQuuuuuuX is that fans are pushing the boundary from misremembering details to misremembering (or simply inventing) an entire piece of content. Coupled with the mecha mania at the heart of Gundam culture, this rumor escalated to a point where entire fan comics are circulated as if they’re official storyboards.

People love mysteries, especially in a setting as layered as Gundam’s. They want hidden truths, lost episodes, or even small hints that the creators intended us to see. Because the anime ended so fast, these conspiracies flourish. One day, if the GQuuuuuuX production staff decides to address the rumor directly in an interview—maybe revealing, “We never wrote a 13th script, folks!”—even that official statement might not quell the fervor. Fans would just say, “Oh, that’s exactly what they want us to think.” And the mania continues. If anything, the continuous speculation is free publicity that keeps GQuuuuuuX relevant long after other short-term anime would typically fade away.

Wrapping Up the GQuuuuuuX Inquiry…Or Not

Let’s be real: the show ended. The official materials don’t give us any reason to believe a sequel is on the horizon. The story was (relatively) neat and tidy, and the “ガンプラ ビジネスモデル” likely reached its objective. GQuuuuuuX mania soared, its Gunpla sold, and fans continue to be enthralled by the possibility of that intangible “未放送13話.” From a financial perspective, it’s a success story. From a narrative perspective, the abrupt finale might even be part of its unique charm.

It’s quite possible the fervor around GQuuuuuuX will spawn some cameo later in a future Gundam side project. The franchise loves weaving sly references into anniversary specials or multi-series crossovers. Imagine Machu popping up for a second, acknowledging that “13th episode fiasco” with a wink. The meta-lovers among us would cheer in delight, while the confused might scratch their heads. The mere possibility keeps speculation swirling. In the meantime, the “集団幻覚” myth continues to expand across the web, each new wave of fan-created content adding more color to the nonexistent plot.

The biggest takeaway from this entire saga is just how powerful the Gundam brand remains and how fiercely fans defend their illusions and hopes. If you’re itching for a second season, sincerely or ironically, maybe your best move right now is to buy that GQuuuuuuX Gunpla kit, paint it midnight black, and create your personal take on Episode 13’s meltdown scene. Share it online, soak in the likes, and relish the weird and wonderful fact that, in a sense, we as fans are writing a brand-new legacy around a show that may never see a second season. Who knows—perhaps that collective imagination is exactly what the Gundam universe thrives on. After all, it’s not the first time fandom’s passion has turned illusions into cultural artifacts, and it certainly won’t be the last.

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機動戦士Gundam GQuuuuuuX、2期はなぜ来ない！？

日本のロボットアニメを代表する存在として多岐にわたるシリーズを展開してきたガンダム。2024年4月から6月25日にかけて放送された最新作『機動戦士Gundam GQuuuuuuX（ジークアクス）』は、短期間かつ高品質な映像表現で多方面から話題をかっさらいました。でも、あっという間に最終回を迎えてしまい、「え、続編は？」「2期っていつ来るの？」と大勢がそわそわしているのが現状です。

未放送とされる13話や“集団幻覚現象”なるキーワードがネットをワイワイ騒がせているではありませんか。筆者も最初はスマホ片手に「じつはスペシャル版が放送されるんじゃない？」なんて期待していた口ですが、いろいろ掘り下げていくと「いや～、これは2期こないっぽい」という結論に至りました。

そこで、この特集ではGQuuuuuuXの放送状況や噂の13話の存在、ガンダム 2期 予測にまつわるファンの熱狂ぶりといったあれこれを語りながら、最終的に「ガンダムシリーズにおけるビジネスモデル」と「物語の完結性」を軸にして、2期がなぜ作られないと考えられるのかを真面目に考察していきたいと思います。“ガンプラ ビジネスモデル”というキーワードも交えつつ、筆者が全力で語ります。

GQuuuuuuXとは何だったのか？

まずは機動戦士Gundam GQuuuuuuXの基本情報です。タイトルの最後に“GQuuuuuuX”と入っているように、シリーズを象徴する主人公機がそのまま作品名にもなっているというインパクトが特徴でした。放送期間は2024年4月～6月25日で、多くの視聴者の予想より短い全13話構成。当然のように地上波の主要テレビ局でオンエアされただけでなく、大手動画配信プラットフォームでも配信され、リアルタイム視聴を逃してもすぐ追いかけられる環境が整備されていました。

物語としては、少年マチュが偶然手にした謎のMS（モビルスーツ）GQuuuuuuXをめぐる壮大な戦いが描かれます。バトルシーンはもちろん、キャラクター同士のドラマもやや重めのテイストで評判を呼びました。とはいえ12話が終わった段階で「ん？ 13話は？」と首を傾げたファンが多数。実は13話は形式上“未放送扱い”となっているのです。これが後述の“集団幻覚”という騒動を引き起こす最大の火種でした。

幻の13話と集団幻覚現象

GQuuuuuuXにおいて、最も混沌度マシマシのキーワードが「未放送13話」。どうやら本編は全13話の予定だったはずが、実際は12話で幕を閉じ、最終回が6月25日に放送された段階で完パケ状態になってしまった……とされています。ところがSNSやイラスト投稿サイトでは「私、13話、ちゃんと見たよ？」とか「13話のGQuuuuuuXは暴走形態になった」なんて書き込みが続発し、二次創作のイラストまで量産されているのです。

これを指してネット民の一部は、“集団幻覚”と呼び始めました。要は「みんなで同じ幻のエピソードを空想で補完し始め、まるですでに本当に放送されたかのように盛り上がった」という感じ。実はこうした現象、過去にも某番組でも似たようなケースが語られたことがあるんですが、GQuuuuuuXの場合は特に「未放送13話が超衝撃的内容だった」とか「謎の新型MSが現れた」といった噂が混沌に拍車をかけています。

結果的に「見てないはずの13話について、ファンが盛り上がり続ける」という不思議な空気ができあがり、発売前の同人作品やファンアートでも13話設定が当たり前のように使われるようになりました。これはガンダムシリーズにまつわる“都市伝説”めいたノリそのもので、まさにネット文化が生んだお祭りと言えそうです。それにしても、こんな熱狂が起こるなんて、やっぱりガンダムというタイトルの影響力は強烈です。

ガンダムシリーズの最新ビジネスモデル

短期間で話題のアニメを放送し、主人公機のプラモデルを売り込む。ガンダムシリーズが積み上げてきた成功パターンは意外とシンプルと言われています。そもそも初代ガンダム誕生当時も「プラモデルなどのおもちゃ展開」を見据えた戦略があったのは有名ですが、現代ではガンプラを愛好するコミュニティがぐっと大人の層に広がり、製作を趣味とする人がどっしり定着しています。

つまり、放送後に関連商品が売れない他アニメとは違い、「ガンプラが出るなら買いまくる！」という固定ファンが確立していれば、それだけでしっかりした収益が見込めるわけです。新シリーズを作るための予算も回収しやすく、しかもガンプラの塗装や改造などを楽しむ層は熱量が高い。彼らが買い支えてくれるおかげで、ガンダムシリーズは安定した高クオリティを維持してアニメを作れるという図式になっています。これこそ“ガンプラ ビジネスモデル”と呼ぶにふさわしい仕組みで、作品と模型が二人三脚で走り続けるわけですね。

もっとも、すべてのMSが同じように売れるかといえば、話はそう甘くありません。結局のところ、物語でカッコよく描かれる“主人公機”のガンプラが断トツに売れる。同時にライバル機や脇役のMSはよっぽど強烈なインパクトでもない限り、主人公機ほどの売上には届きにくい。その実情を踏まえると、「いかに主人公機を人気者に仕立て上げるか」がガンダムシリーズのビジネスにおいて死活問題なのです。

主人公機ガンプラが売れる理由

例えばGQuuuuuuXは作品名からして「この機体が主役ですよ！」と強烈にアピールしています。外見はやや奇抜ながらも、独特のフォルムが多くの人を虜に抱え込み、大人から子どもまで「組み立てて飾りたい！」となるわけです。また、物語序盤から最後まで主人公が乗り続けるため、作品を象徴するアイコンになりやすいんですよね。

さらにメーカー側から見れば、「短期間で主人公機を一気に目立たせ、ガンプラを売り抜く」のが効率的。一昔前なら複数のクールに渡って各種MSを矢継ぎ早に登場させ、バリエーション豊富な商品を並べる方式も考えられました。でもやってみると「どれが真の看板MSか分からなくなる」「ファンの財布が限界を迎える」などの問題が発生しがち。結果として主人公機以外のガンプラが在庫を抱えてしまうケースもあるようです。だったらもう最初から“主人公機推し”でいこう、と割り切るのも納得といえます。

しかも最近はSNSで世界中がリアルタイムに盛り上がる時代。短期集中で作中のMSを1～2機ほど大々的に印象づけてガンプラを売り出す方が、話題の波を一気に作りやすいメリットもあるというわけです。他のキャラが乗る機体をいろいろ出しても結局「それよりも主人公機が欲しい！」という声が多く、ニーズが分散しない方が企業にとっても収益が安定しやすいのは明らか。

水星の魔女とスピンオフ学園モノ「青春フロンティア」

ところでガンダムシリーズの中でも大胆にコンセプトを変化させてきたのが「機動戦士ガンダム 水星の魔女」です。あれは奇抜な学園舞台と女性主人公の登場が話題を呼び、「なんか今までのガンダムと雰囲気違うんだけど！？」とファンがザワつきました。そしてそのスピンオフとして「青春フロンティア」という学園モノが公開されるという驚きの展開。どうやらこれはパラレルワールド設定らしく、メインのMS戦をほぼ封印したキャラ同士の青春ドラマが描かれるようです。

「いや、ガンダムといえば壮大なロボットバトルでしょうよ！」と思う人もいるでしょう。でもあえてMSがほとんど出てこないとなると、学園ラブコメや青春ものが好みの層にもアピールできる。ロボットバトルだけがガンダムのすべてではない、という多様化を象徴している作品ですね。これはブランド全体の裾野を広げる戦略、言い換えれば新たな客層を味方に引き込む狙いにも思えます。まるで「ガンダムだからといって布教しにくいわけじゃないんだよ、むしろこんなのもアリでしょう？」と新しい楽しみ方を提示している感じです。

なぜGQuuuuuuXの2期がないのか（予測）

「GQuuuuuuX 続編期待」などの声がとにかく熱いですが、筆者としてはどうしても「2期は来ないんじゃん？」と推測しています。それには大きく二つの理由があると考えます。

ひとつめはビジネス戦略面。さっき言ったようにガンダムは“主人公機のガンプラを集中的に売る”ことが肝。GQuuuuuuXも放送開始前から話題づくりがされて、あちこちでプラモデル関連のPRが走っていましたが、最終回付近でガンプラはかなり売り切れ状態になったという噂もあります。つまり、この時点でメーカー的には「主役メカを大ヒットさせる」という目的がほぼ達成されているのではないかと。2期を作って新たな機体を投入するとか、改修型GQuuuuuuXを発売するとか、やり方はあるでしょう。だけど、それがかえって人気分散のリスクを高める恐れも否定できません。主人公機のブランド価値を保つには、短期集中でピークを作ったあとにスッと引くほうが美味しい場合があるのです。

ふたつめは物語としてきれいに完結している風だという点。実際12話時点でマチュとGQuuuuuuXの戦いはきっちりカタがついていて、エンディングも後味良くまとめられていました。「この続きがあるとしたら蛇足になりそう」というファンの声も少なくありません。ガンダム 2期 予測に関する議論の場でも、「あのラストで終わってくれたからこそ神作品なのに」という意見がちらほら見受けられます。

もちろん、世の中には「新主人公機を投入して第2クール目突入！」みたいな手段もあるでしょう。けれど、すでに“GQuuuuuuX”という名前を冠したアニメとしては、もう十分に役目を果たしたとも考えられるのです。作品名＝主人公機というインパクトのおかげで、そのMSの鮮度を保てるのはあまり長くありません。むしろここで終わり切ることこそ、ガンプラ ビジネスモデルの成功例としてはベターではないかと思います。

ガンプラ文化を支える20代から30代男性たち

短期集中でアニメを作り、主人公機のプラモデルへファンの購買意欲を向かわせる……この方程式が成り立つのは、ガンプラというホビーが単なる“おもちゃ”を超えた存在に進化してきたからです。特に20代から30代のファンたちは子どもの頃からガンダムシリーズに触れ、大人になってもプラモデルを組む楽しさを知っています。筆者の周囲にも「仕事終わりの夜はガンプラ作りが至福」とのたまう人が何人も。

ガンプラは無塗装でパチ組みするもよし、専用の塗料でカスタムカラーに塗るもよし、さらに改造パーツを装着するもよし。SNSを見れば完全オリジナルの“派手盛り改造機”が何百、何千と公開されており、腕に覚えのある猛者たちが自分なりのガンダムスタイルを披露するのが当たり前です。これが「作って飾る」という枠を越えたコミュニティ文化を形成し、イベントや展示会で盛り上がる土台にもなっています。

そうやって、ガンプラを軸にした深いファン層がしっかり根付いていることで、短期アニメが放送されれば「あ、ガンプラ買おう！」とスイッチが入りやすい流れが生まれるわけですね。GQuuuuuuXに関しても「未放送13話をガンプラで再現してみた」「GQuuuuuuXの最終形態を自作した」などのテーマでSNSにアップする人がいて、ファン同士が「おお、すげえ！」と盛り上がる光景をちょくちょく見かけます。そこにこそビジネスとカルチャーが完全に融合したガンダムの強さが凝縮されているように感じます。

ネット上の続編期待とミームの広がり

GQuuuuuuXは放送後、Yahoo!知恵袋あたりでも「どう考えても2期はあるはずでは？」「続編いまかいまかと待ってます！」との問いが何度も書き込まれ、回答者たちも「いや、公式アナウンスがない以上わからない」「ファン的には欲しいけど…」といったやりとりを展開しています。ファンコミュニティが盛り上がっているということはつまり、作品への愛着が強い証しということでもあるのでしょう。筆者としてもこの熱狂が嫌いなわけじゃないです。

また、SNSを賑わすミーム文化も面白いです。「13話はもう幻の回だから、俺たちみんな幻覚見てるんだよ」みたいなネタが拡散されたり、主人公機GQuuuuuuXをパロディ化したキャラクターが他のアニメ作品のOPに飛び入り参加している風のコラ画像が作られたり。こうした創作が縦横無尽に回り続けることで、作品の寿命は大幅に伸びていきます。正式な続編がないからこそ、ファンが自由に妄想を広げて盛り上がる余白がある、とも言えるかもしれません。

まとめ～なにげにすごいGQuuuuuuXの無限の可能性

結局のところ、“GQuuuuuuX 続編期待”は続くけれど、実際に2期が制作される確率は極めて低いように見えます。短期放送で話を完結させ、主人公機のガンプラを集中販売する戦略は、ガンダムシリーズがここ数年で培ってきた成功ルートと言えますし、マチュとGQuuuuuuXの旅路は12話できっちり終わった感があるのも事実。いつまでもダラダラ引っぱるより、一発で爪痕を残す形で退場するほうが、ビジネス的にも作品的にも“おいしい”わけですね。

とはいえ、未放送13話の幻は終わりなき拡散を続け、集団幻覚というコミカルで熱い形でみんなの心をつかんでいます。ファンアートや動画配信での妄想設定によって、ある意味で“13話はみんなの頭の中で放送され続けている”状態とも言えそうです。そしてもしかしたらいつの日か、思いがけないコラボや外伝で“13話”が公式に何かしら説明される可能性がゼロとも限らないのがガンダムの奥深さ。

筆者自身は、「GQuuuuuuXよ、一度きりの舞台で華々しく散っても、そのエネルギーはファンの心の中に生き続ける」のがいちばん美しい形だと感じています。ガンダム 2期 予測はたしかにワクワクする話題ですが、ビジネスモデルやストーリーテリングという観点でも、「ここで終わるからこそ完成度が高い」と思うのです。もちろん、今後また新しいガンダム作品が登場したら、それも短期ローテで主人公機を全力プッシュするでしょう。そのたびに新たなガンプラが生まれ、ファンたちは夜な夜なニッパー片手にプラ板や接着剤と格闘するわけです。というわけで、もし「未放送の13話があるなら今すぐ観たい！」と叫んでいる方がいたら、まずはプラモデルを組み立てながら想像を膨らませるのもアリかもしれません。いつの日か実現するかもしれない新世界に向けて、いっしょにワクワクしていきませんか。