McDonald’s Japanese branch is teaming up with Mobile Suit Gundam to deliver a new selection of burgers and sandwiches inspired by the Red Comet.
Char Aznable trades in his red Zaku for an all-beef patty and a sesame seed bun in a new collaboration between Gundam and McDonald’s.
McDonald’s Japan debuted a new trio of burgers inspired by Mobile Suit Gundam‘s original antagonist. The first of the surprisingly good looking burgers is slathered in a garlic teriyaki sauce, which is colored red to match the color of most of Char’s mobile suits. The second item on the menu, a double-cheeseburger, isn’t exactly red red but evokes the color through the use of spicy cheese slices topped with chopped jalapenos. Last but not least, is the “Newtype” burger, which features three beef patties, a possible reference to Char’s custom Zaku, which was said to be three-times faster than the standard version, and three slices of white cheese, which could also be interpreted as an homage to Char’s rival and fellow Newtype, Amuro “The White Devil” Ray. The new burgers will be served in wrappers decorated with a Zaku design.
Shuichi Ikeda, who has been voicing Char ever since the original 1979 anime series, reprised the role for the latest McDonald’s commercial. Ikeda most recently voiced the character in Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island, which premiered in Japan earlier this month. The movie, which is a feature-length remake of the 15th episode of the original show, reunited Ikeda with Toru Furuya, who has voiced Amuro Ray for the last 40 years. Notably, Char was not part of the original episode, but was integrated into the film version’s expanded retelling of the story. Details about the film’s release outside of Japan have yet to be announced.
Mobile Suit Gundam was created by writer and director Yoshiyuki Tomino and first debuted in 1979. The series was originally swiftly cancelled after its premiere, but was able to make a comeback thanks to reruns and the popularity of Bandai’s plastic model kits. The sci-fi mecha series is now widely considered to be one of the most influential anime of all time, and has spawned a multiple sequel and spinoff shows, movies, and a merchandising empire of tie-in models, toys, and video games.
Gundam is set to have a big year, as in addition to Cucuruz Doan’s Island, the franchise will debut its first all-new anime series since 2017’s Iron-Blooded Orphans, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury. The new show, which is set in a brand new continuity and features a female protagonist, is set to debut later this fall. Bandai Namco will also launch Gundam Evolution, a free-to-play team-based shooter that the company hopes will replicate the success of games such as Apex Legends and Overwatch.
Several Gundam series can be streamed on the franchise’s official YouTube channel, while a selection of the series’ more notable entries, including Char’s Counterattack and the 2021 film Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway, are available for streaming on Netflix.
Source: YouTube
Michael is one of CBR’s Anime News Editors, a Link main in Smash Bros., and once tried to eat 100 tacos in one sitting (He tapped out after about thirty.) After working for several years as a writer and copy editor for companies like an advertising agency and a music label, Michael has come to CBR to pursue his true passion: sharing his love for giant robots and collectible monsters.
