Mobile Suit Gundam Is Growing, And It Deserves a DOOM Crossover ASAP
Without a doubt, Mobile Suit Gundam is having a moment. Indeed, in the past year alone, five anime series, videos, and movies related to the Gundam franchise have been released, marking a well-deserved renaissance for the mother of all mecha anime. With its growing popularity, there has never been a better time to capture the "hearts and minds" of a new generation of fans – and there’s no better way to accomplish this than through a crossover with an equally iconic franchise.
As recommended by illustrator, die-hard Gundam fan, and X user @Windforcelan, there’s no better candidate for a Gundam collaboration than the equally iconicDOOM video game franchise. In an October 2024 post to his X account, @Windforcelan shared a jaw-dropping reimagining of Don Ivan Punchatz’s legendary cover art for the original video game. Instead of Doom Guy fending off an assault by demons, @Windforcelan’s version features Mobile Suit Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance’s Gundam EX fending off an assault by Zeon's old-school mechs.
Mechs Meet Mayhem - A Gundam x DOOM Crossover Would Be Epic
The Two Franchises Share Important Similarities That Would Make for a Fascinating Collaboration
While @Windforcelan's fan art serves as an impressive tribute to their love of Gundam, it also inadvertently sparks a compelling concept for a Gundam crossover. Although some might view the differing universes of the two franchises as a potential obstacle, this hurdle can be easily overcome by leveraging Gundam's propensity for alternate realities. Specifically, it's conceivable that a reality-spanning threat, akin to DOOM's demons, could emerge and pose a danger to both Earth and Zeon, paving the way for an epic collaboration.
At first glance, the two franchises may seem incompatible: one is a political action-thriller disguised as a mecha battle series, while the other is a sci-fi horror saga following space marines as they battle a demonic horde from Hell. However, a deeper analysis reveals that they share thematic and atmospheric similarities that could make for a truly compelling crossover. In other words, nothing —creatively or imaginatively— stands in the way of a Gundam-DOOM crossover. And given the epic potential of such a story — if placed in the right hands — it’s a tale that deserves to be told.
Gundam x DOOM Are A Match Made In Mecha-Demon Heaven
Both Series Explore the Consequences of War and the Effects It Has on Those Involved
There’s an unmistakable theme in both franchises: regardless of which side you’re on, war is hell. Gundam conveys this through the trials and tribulations of its pilots, showcasing the profound impact of war on those who fight in it. Requiem for Vengeance, in particular, highlights the various consequences of war on its combatants. Conversely, in DOOM, the Doom Slayer and his comrades are quite literally battling endless hordes from Hell on their own. Suffice it to say, both franchises offer powerful insights into the horrors of war and the toll it takes on those on the front lines.
Furthermore, both stories feature humanity facing an existential threat from "extraterrestrial" beings. They also share a common narrative thread, where powerful warriors must defeat formidable enemies that seek to subjugate humanity. In both universes, these enemies demand absolute domination, forcing humans to "bend the knee" in submission. These parallels provide a rich foundation for a thoughtful and engaging collaboration. Although no official crossover has been announced, @Windforcelan's work demonstrates the exciting potential for such a Mobile Suit Gundam - DOOMproject.
Sources: @Windforcelan
Mobile Suit Gundam - Season 1
- Release Date
- April 7, 1979
- Network
- Nagoya TV
- Series
- Mobile Suit Gundam
- Episodes
- 43
Doom (1993)
- Released
- December 10, 1993
- Developer(s)
- id Software
- Franchise
- DOOM
Your comment has not been saved