Forum - View topic

NEWS: Report: Gundam Unicorn Planned for Simultaneous World Release

IGLOO or Wing are about 1000% better than "Unicorn."

Do they not have a native English speaker on staff to say "oh, that might be a bad idea" when something like naming it Unicorn comes up? To me it's indicative of the problem that the industry has no idea how to appeal to anyone outside Japan. And have no problem continuing to make strides backwards or to a much smaller niche, otaku audience.

There are a couple examples where it's turning around like the few-day lag between releasing of FMA Brotherhood in Japan and the US or VIZ doing Rin-ne simultaneously. Those are amazingly awesome steps, and so is a simultaneous worldwide release of a new Gundam series. That's huge, and I wish this would've happened 5 years ago. But no matter what (and as sad as it is), if you call a giant robot show Unicorn in the US...who's gonna watch it? (Besides Gundam fans who would watch no matter what you call it.) IMO, they're wasting the opportunity here. You may as well call it Mobile Suit Pretty Pretty Princess.

I kind of hate to say it, but seriously... what kind of a name is Gundam Unicorn? UNICORN?

For years Bandai and Sunrise have toiled on how to make Gundam a hit in the West -- they've said as much a few times. But then you go and name a new series Unicorn? Really? REALLY JAPAN? I can't possibly be the only one that thinks they've *already* dug their own grave in terms of North American sales/viewers/whathaveyou with that name.

walw6pK4Alo wrote:

The other factor is that Gundam is still made for the otaku and fujoshi first. Mecha and over arching storyline for the guys, bishounen and their inane trifles with one another as well as their deep, dark, brooding, and mysterious past that's never really had any explaination. Rooting this in the Universal Century aims it more at the pure male otaku again, as it's the most widely explored and fanboy'd over. If you're a Gundam fan, UC is your biggest thing, and rightly so. We don't care what it's named, we already know the story since the books have been around, so we've accepted it. Stuff like MS IGLOO also isn't for anyone but the hardcore Gundam fans, no one bitches that an igloo is a ice shelter that inuits use to keep warm, and that just totally disconnects with North American viewership.

IGLOO or Wing are about 1000% better than "Unicorn."

Do they not have a native English speaker on staff to say "oh, that might be a bad idea" when something like naming it Unicorn comes up? To me it's indicative of the problem that the industry has no idea how to appeal to anyone outside Japan. And have no problem continuing to make strides backwards or to a much smaller niche, otaku audience.

There are a couple examples where it's turning around like the few-day lag between releasing of FMA Brotherhood in Japan and the US or VIZ doing Rin-ne simultaneously. Those are amazingly awesome steps, and so is a simultaneous worldwide release of a new Gundam series. That's huge, and I wish this would've happened 5 years ago. But no matter what (and as sad as it is), if you call a giant robot show Unicorn in the US...who's gonna watch it? (Besides Gundam fans who would watch no matter what you call it.) IMO, they're wasting the opportunity here. You may as well call it Mobile Suit Pretty Pretty Princess.

The bottom line is if it's Gundam, people will watch it. It could titled "Magical Girl Gundam-chan ~Pretty Kisses~" and you'll still have enough people watch it to do well. You people are making WAY too much deal of this Unicorn shit. It has a spike on its head, thus, Unicorn. Get over it, Japan ISN'T going for mass appeal with this, they're going for the loyal and devoted fanbase, THAT'S IT.

FullmetalCJ wrote:

I kind of hate to say it, but seriously... what kind of a name is Gundam Unicorn? UNICORN? For years Bandai and Sunrise have toiled on how to make Gundam a hit in the West -- they've said as much a few times. But then you go and name a new series Unicorn? Really? REALLY JAPAN? I can't possibly be the only one that thinks they've *already* dug their own grave in terms of North American sales/viewers/whathaveyou with that name.

The Unicorn, or Kirin in Japanese, is a majestic animal. The Twelve Kingdoms anime really shows this. It used to be that way in Western fantasy too. Just look at the way unicorns are treated in Harry Potter or the old Tom Cruise flick Legend. They represent strength and purity.

Personally, I think they have a bigger problem with the antagonist's name. Who is going to be able to take seriously a man named "Full Frontal?"

Truly a wise strategy in this shrinking global economy and the ever-decreasing anime market.

Frankly though, you're right - Gundam has never sold well enough in the US for the extremely stupid name "Gundam Unicorn" to really be a "problem". The only series that could have even remotely been called a "hit" (as has been mentioned) was Gundam Wing. So they could call it "Gundam AMERICA SUCKS" and it'd probably do just as well here as it ever has.

Also I fully expect there to be a series of puffy stickers and Trapper Keepers released as Gundam Unicorn merchandise.

Though you are right about Full Frontal. I mean the author could at least pretend this series takes place in an english speaking universe. Its as bad as some of the names Death Note gave us, especially that one novel which had Backyard Bottomslash as some poor guy's name.

This is very true, however unfortunate. I guess it's admirable that they keep trying, but with this one I've gotta think...why? But I suppose it's a headline when you can say you're doing a worldwide simultaneous launch.

"Full Frontal"? Please tell me you're exaggerating. *quickly googles* Oh hell no; you're not joking. Aww, man. I can already predict the terrible Taco Bell jokes that will come as a result of this (i.e. "I'm Fuuuull!").

Frankly put, this is one of the weirdest names I've heard for a Gundam series since ∀