Gundam Archives

The Visionary Behind Gundam: Kunio Okawara

Kunio Okawara, a renowned mechanical designer, has left an indelible mark on the anime industry. Born on December 26, 1947, in Inagi, Tokyo, Okawara’s innovative designs have captivated audiences worldwide. This article delves into his remarkable journey, highlighting his contributions to the iconic Gundam franchise.

Early Years and Formative Experiences

Okawara’s fascination with design began during his university days at Tokyo Zokei University, where he studied graphic design and later switched to textile design. After graduating, he worked as a fashion designer at Onward Kashiyama Co. Ltd., where he also drew display backgrounds for their specialty store. This experience led him to take an art position at Tatsunoko Production, a prominent animation company.

The Birth of a Mechanical Designer

At Tatsunoko Production, Okawara was assigned to design enemy mecha for Science Ninja Team Gatchaman. This opportunity sparked his passion for mechanical design, and he soon became devoted to this field. His talent was recognized by art director Mitsuki Nakamura, who founded the internal “man Design Office” with Okawara. This collaboration earned Okawara the first-ever recorded industry credit of “mechanical designer.”

Sunrise, Inc. and the Dawn of Gundam

In 1978, Okawara left Tatsunoko Production to work as an independent contractor for mechanical design. He soon became a fixture at Nippon Sunrise (later known as Sunrise), where he collaborated with director Yoshiyuki Tomino on the Super Robot show Invincible Steel Man Daitarn 3. Tomino’s vision for a more realistic, practically-designed title mecha led to the creation of Mobile Suit Gundam, a show that would revolutionize the mecha design industry.

Gundam and Beyond

Okawara’s work on Mobile Suit Gundam sparked a model kit boom in Japan and inspired a new generation of mecha designers. He continued to design mecha for later entries in the Gundam franchise, as well as other Real Robot shows emerging from Sunrise. His designs have influenced numerous other mechanical designers, including Kazumi Fujita, Yutaka Izubuchi, and Hajime Katoki.

A Legacy of Innovation

Throughout his career, Okawara has pushed the boundaries of mecha design, experimenting with new concepts and ideas. His work on the Brave Series and Transformers franchises has further cemented his reputation as a visionary designer. In 2004, he was contracted by the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa, Ishikawa to design a head-mounted display used in the museum’s “SYS/O17” electronic exhibit.

Gundam Works

Okawara’s contributions to the Gundam franchise are numerous and varied. Some of his notable works include:

• Mobile Suit Gundam (1979)
• Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (1985)
• Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (1986)
• Mobile Suit Gundam F91 (1991)
• Mobile Fighter G Gundam (1994)
• New Mobile Report Gundam Wing (1995)
• Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (2002)
• Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (2007)

Trivia

When asked about his favorite work, Okawara chose his designs for Shipū! Iron Leager. This little-known fact highlights the diversity of his designs and his ability to create innovative concepts across various franchises.

References

For a comprehensive list of Okawara’s works and references, please visit the external links provided.

External Links

• [Kunio Okawara’s official website]
• [Sunrise, Inc.’s official website]
• [Gundam franchise’s official website]