On This Day in Anime

Five years ago, Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan's Island arrived, a feature film reimagining a forgotten episode from the original Mobile Suit Gundam series. Directed by Hiroyuki Sano, it delves into the story of Cucuruz Doan, a deserter hiding with a group of orphaned children on a remote island, and Amuro Ray's encounter with them during the One Year War.

The film aims to flesh out a narrative that was famously skipped in the original broadcast due to budget constraints, presenting a more character-driven and introspective look at the Gundam universe. Its critical reception was mixed, but it offered long-time fans a chance to see a beloved mecha narrative explored with modern animation techniques.