Hiroyuki Tamakoshi’s Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket manga has officially resumed its serialization with a planned three-chapter return. The much-anticipated comeback was announced in Kadokawa’s Monthly Gundam Ace magazine, with the first new chapter having been published on June 26. This marks the end of a hiatus necessitated by author Hiroyuki Tamakoshi’s ongoing battle with cancer.
The Road to Resumption
The manga, which offers a fresh perspective on the classic 1989 Original Video Animation (OVA) series, went on hiatus in December 2023. This pause followed an earlier hiatus in September 2022, when Tamakoshi first disclosed his diagnosis of stage 3 cancer and began chemotherapy. Although the manga briefly resumed in May 2023, the author’s health challenges recurred, leading to another suspension of publication as his liver cancer spread, requiring a third operation in January of this year.
Despite these significant health hurdles, Tamakoshi has demonstrated remarkable dedication to his work. In a message shared in Monthly Gundam Ace, he confirmed that he has been drawing these new chapters while continuing his chemotherapy treatment. He expressed a desire for readers to experience these three chapters, noting that he has a “stock” of them ready for publication. Tamakoshi also reassured fans of his commitment to the series, stating his aim to resume more regular work within the year and to announce further serialization once he has sufficient chapters compiled.
A Unique Perspective on a Beloved Story
The Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket manga initially launched in Monthly Gundam Ace in June 2021. Unlike previous adaptations, Tamakoshi’s manga retells the poignant story of the One Year War from the viewpoint of Christina Mackenzie, a crucial character in the original OVA. This narrative choice provides a deeper insight into Chris’s experiences, complementing the established perspectives of the young boy Alfred “Al” Izuruha and the Zeon soldier Bernard “Bernie” Wiseman.
The original Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket OVA is celebrated for its intimate, personal portrayal of war, focusing on the human cost rather than large-scale conflicts. Set in the Universal Century 0079, it follows Al, an 11-year-old boy living in a neutral space colony, whose life is irrevocably altered when a prototype Federation Gundam arrives and a Zeon commando team is dispatched to destroy it. The manga’s continuation promises to further enrich this acclaimed narrative by delving into Chris’s journey and emotional landscape during this tumultuous period. Fans eagerly await the unfolding of these new chapters, a testament to Tamakoshi’s perseverance and the enduring appeal of the Gundam 0080 saga.
