Mobile Suit Z Gundam - Define #1

Mobile Suit Z Gundam: Define was launched in 2011 within the pages of Gundam Ace, serving as a serialized manga retelling of the original 1985 anime series. Illustrated and written by Hiroyuki Kitazume, who previously worked as an animator and character designer for the original Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, the series was designed to revisit the complex political conflicts of the Gryps War with a refreshed artistic vision and expanded character depth.

The design philosophy behind Define focuses on updating the aesthetic of the Zeta Gundam universe while retaining the high-stakes, melancholic tone of the original narrative. Kitazume’s style is noted for its fluid, clean linework that emphasizes the human element of the pilots amidst the brutal mechanical warfare. It was received by the fanbase as a respectful, if stylistically distinct, reimagining that bridges the gap between classic animation sensibilities and modern manga storytelling.