{"id":66447,"date":"2026-07-21T12:38:49","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T11:38:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/?p=66447"},"modified":"2026-07-21T12:39:33","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T11:39:33","slug":"freedom-means-becoming-part-of-history-the-first-gundam-base-store-opens-in-london","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/en\/freedom-means-becoming-part-of-history-the-first-gundam-base-store-opens-in-london\/","title":{"rendered":"Freedom Means Becoming Part of History: The First Gundam Base Store Opens in London"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\"\"<\/a>
The credit is Bandai \/ Barry Video<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Boy in the Japanese Mountains and the Stories of Mobile Suit Gundam<\/em>: Diplomat Masaki Ikegami<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

At the official opening ceremony, of course, the guests cut the ribbon. But one of the brightest moments of the day was the speech by Japan\u2019s ambassador, Hiroshi Suzuki. This serious man, a diplomat, suddenly recalled his childhood and told an extraordinary story. He grew up in the mountains of Japan, where the television signal simply did not reach his home \u2013 the rocks blocked it. But every new episode of Mobile Suit Gundam was retold to him by a relative who lived in another city. And now, decades later, that very boy, who had once discovered Gundam through someone else\u2019s retellings, found himself opening the first British Gundam Base. In this story, which itself feels like the script of a tender Japanese anime, everything that the franchise has become over nearly half a century \u2013 and everything fans love it for \u2013 was unexpectedly gathered together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Created by director Yoshiyuki Tomino, Hajime Yatate and the studio Sunrise in 1979, MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM has long ceased to be simply an anime about giant robots. It changed the very genre of science fiction, turning it into a story not so much about machines as about people \u2013 a story about war, responsibility, choice, hope and freedom. Over the decades of its existence, Gundam has grown into a vast universe with its own eras, heroes and conflicts, one that continues to expand even today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And perhaps that is exactly what is felt most strongly in the new store. Of course, it has everything one expects from an official Gundam Base: exclusive models, limited editions and display cases featuring the work of professional modelers. The works are astonishing \u2013 precise, slightly ironic and made with great love. Here, robots battle among the stones of Stonehenge; there, a huge machine stands near the Scottish Glenfinnan Viaduct, along which a train crawls. Gundam becomes part of an entirely different cultural space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creativity and Imagination Come Together in Gundam: Alvias Poon<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/a>
Photo by Ana Tomskaya<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
Photo by Ana Tomskaya<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
Photo by Ana Tomskaya<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Just before the doors of the UK’s first Gundam Base opened to the public, we spoke with Bandai Senior Brand Manager Alvias Poon about why Gundam continues to resonate nearly fifty years after its debut, how stories and creativity can bring people together, and what he hopes every first-time visitor will take away from the experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gundam was born in an era shaped by the fear of war. Nearly fifty years later, what do you think the franchise means to people today?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gundam has always been about more than robots or battles. At its heart, it tells stories about people, their choices, their relationships, and the future they want to create.Nearly fifty years later, I believe Gundam continues to resonate because it encourages people to look beyond simple ideas of right and wrong and to understand different perspectives. Those human stories remain relevant regardless of generation or geography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many iconic franchises fade with time, but Gundam continues to inspire new generations. What do you think people keep searching for in these stories?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every generation discovers Gundam in its own way. Some people are attracted by the characters and stories, others by the mechanical design and world-building, and many discover it through building Gunpla. The franchise continues to evolve while remaining welcoming to new audiences. That ability to offer something different to every generation is one of Gundam\u2019s greatest strengths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can stories, anime and even hobbies like Gunpla make people kinder, more empathetic, or more understanding of one another?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We believe stories and hobbies have a unique ability to connect people across cultures, languages and generations. Many friendships begin through a shared passion, and Gunpla communities around the world are wonderful examples of people learning from one another and sharing their creativity. If Gundam and Gunpla can help bring people together and inspire creativity and connection, that is something we are very proud of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most important battles in Gundam are often not fought by machines, but by the people inside them. Is that what makes Gundam timeless?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The human element is certainly one of the reasons many people connect so strongly with Gundam. While the settings and technology may evolve, audiences continue to relate to the<\/p>\n\n\n\n

characters, their journeys and their relationships. That ability to connect emotionally with people across generations is one of the reasons Gundam continues to inspire fans around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People don\u2019t need giant robots in real life. Yet millions of people around the world love Gundam. What do people actually find in Gundam?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer is probably different for every fan. Some people are inspired by the mechanical design and engineering imagination. Others connect with the characters and stories. Many enjoy the creativity and craftsmanship involved in building Gunpla. Gundam offers a place where storytelling, creativity and imagination come together, and that experience becomes something personal for every individual fan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If someone enters Gundam G-Base having never watched Gundam before, what is the one feeling you hope they will leave with?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Curiosity. Whether someone is a lifelong fan or discovering Gundam for the very first time, we hope they leave wanting to explore more \u2013 perhaps to watch a series, build their first Gunpla, or simply learn more about this world and its stories. The Gundam community exists across generations and around the world, and we hope everyone who visits feels welcome to become part of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gundam Is Open to Everyone: Seasoned Collectors, Newcomers, and Families with Children<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/a>
Photo by Ana Tomskaya<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
Photo by Ana Tomskaya<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
Photo by Ana Tomskaya<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The new store is a paradise for geek modelers \u2013 believe me. But collecting is not the only thing that matters here. Alongside incredibly complex kits on the shelves are small Entry Grade models, designed for those who have never assembled Gunpla before. These models can be put together without special tools, without complicated instructions and without the fear of ruining an expensive kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The simplest box takes only a few minutes. The parts are packed in transparent bags, perfectly fitted to one another; a peg slides into a slot with a distinctive click, settling into place without resistance. No ugly production marks \u2013 sprues \u2013 no burrs. Gradually, from separate elements, the familiar silhouette of a Gundam appears. It is an astonishing feeling: the construction set itself helps the user take the first step. This is where it becomes clear that Gunpla is not only, and not simply, collecting. It is an invitation to creativity and to surfing the unexplored expanses of a growing universe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then the real creativity begins: next to the models, on a separate little shelf, are the finest brushes, decals, special markers, tools for working plastic and sandpaper so fine it almost feels smooth. A toy store turns into an artist\u2019s workshop: here is the foundation \u2013 now invent your own Gundam. Welcome to an extraordinary world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is exactly why Camden feels like the ideal location for the first British Gundam Base. Yes, it is one of London\u2019s most visited markets, attracting thousands of tourists every day. But there seems to be another reason, too. For many decades, Camden has remained a place where music shops, vintage stores, rare comic book shops, antiques, design studios and alternative culture coexist. In short, unusual passions surprise no one here, and so Gundam does not look like an outsider \u2013 it feels as though it has always been part of this place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most surprising discovery of the day was not even the models, but the people who came to the opening. In the queue by the wall of the former Stables Market stood teenagers and families with children, experienced collectors and those who, perhaps, had only recently heard the word Gunpla for the first time. People of different ages and professions met one another, photographed the displays, discussed their favorite series and simply rejoiced at the opening. There was no sense of a closed club that one could enter only after many years of familiarity with the franchise. On the contrary: Gundam is open to everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Freedom: The Idea at the Heart of Takanori Nishikawa’s Songs<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/a>
The credit is Bandai \/ Barry Video<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In an interview with LC, singer Takanori Nishikawa spoke about what the word FREEDOM means to him \u2013 a word that became the name of one of the most famous Gundam songs, a new film and his song. And it seems the whole day became the answer: freedom is the opportunity to find your own path. Remember the boy in the mountains of Japan who waited for someone to retell him each new episode? Now he is Japan\u2019s ambassador to the United Kingdom, and he has come to Camden to give that dream to someone else. Perhaps this is why Gundam has continued to live for almost fifty years: it invites you not merely to watch history, but to become part of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musician Takanori Nishikawa has been one of the voices of the Gundam SEED series for more than twenty years. His songs have accompanied several generations of the franchise\u2019s fans, and the composition \u201cFREEDOM\u201d became the main theme of the film Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM (2024). At the opening of the first British Gundam Base, we spoke with the artist about why freedom, for him, is impossible without peace; why people must learn to hear one another; and how music helps overcome the distances between cultures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last year, your song \u201cFREEDOM\u201d was released and became the main theme of the film Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM. What does freedom mean to you personally?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through my music, I hope to convey a message that is different from the themes typically associated with Gundam\u2014one of love, peace, and meaningful human connections. Freedom is one of the most important ideas I try to put into my songs. It is not just the title of a composition, but a value that runs through all of my work. I want to believe that music can remind people that hurting one another is not the answer. It is far more important to preserve our humanity and strive for mutual understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does Gundam mean to you today?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For me, Gundam is an opportunity to tell people about my work and to stay connected with fans around the world. Thanks to this universe, I am able to meet people even when thousands of kilometers separate us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, distance is no longer an obstacle: music, animation and modern technologies help us communicate and understand one another better. I hope that Gundam will continue to unite fans \u2013 not only in Japan, but also in Europe and all over the world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The United Kingdom\u2019s first official The Gundam Base store opened in London\u2019s Camden Market \u2013 a space dedicated to one of Japan\u2019s most famous anime franchises. The ceremony brought together representatives of Bandai Namco, Deputy Head of Mission Minister of the Embassy of Japan Masaki Ikegami, Bandai Namco Europe Ltd representative John Mackenzie and Kazu Kojima, and musician Takanori Nishikawa, whose voice has accompanied stories from the Gundam universe for more than twenty years, as well as hundreds of fans \u2014 some of whom had arrived as early as five in the morning. For a store opening in London, that may not sound unbelievable. But watching the people in line, you quickly understand: all of them \u2013 these wonderfully different people \u2013 had come to Camden not so much to shop as to feel that \u201cwe are all at home here.\u201d And their home is the Gundam universe, whose doors are hospitably open to anyone who wanders toward its warmly flickering light \u2013 even if that light is electronic.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":91,"featured_media":66448,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[144],"tags":[],"type_post":[184],"column":[],"class_list":["post-66447","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66447","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/91"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=66447"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66447\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":66457,"href":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66447\/revisions\/66457"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/66448"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66447"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=66447"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=66447"},{"taxonomy":"type_post","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/type_post?post=66447"},{"taxonomy":"column","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/column?post=66447"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}