Taro Yamamoto, leader of the Reiwa Shinsengumi political party in Japan, has sparked controversy by dressing up as Quattro Bajeena from the iconic Mobile Suit Gundam franchise in a campaign video. The quirky skit, aimed at promoting candidate Maya Okamoto and addressing issues like the unpopular Qualified Invoicing System affecting creatives, received mixed reactions. While some fans appreciated the humor, others criticized the use of Gundam for political purposes and questioned whether proper permissions were obtained from the franchise's production studio, Sunrise Studios. The studio responded, clarifying they did not endorse the campaign or give permission for the character's usage.

Why did Taro Yamamoto's Gundam cosplay cause a backlash?

The backlash stemmed from mixed opinions on using culturally significant characters for political purposes, with many questioning the appropriateness of associating with an antihero character like Quattro Bajeena.

Mobile Suit Gundam, created by Yoshiyuki Tomino, debuted in 1979 and revolutionized the mecha genre in anime. It focuses on the moral complexities of war, featuring rich character development and political intrigue. The series has spawned numerous sequels, films, and spin-offs, solidifying its place in pop culture and continuously influencing anime and gaming even decades after its initial release.