Harsh Warnings from Gundam Creator Yoshiyuki Tomino: "Japan is Becoming Authoritarian"
One of the most respected figures in the anime world, the creator of the Mobile Suit Gundam series, Yoshiyuki Tomino, continues to shake the agenda with his recent interviews. The 84-year-old master director, in the May 2026 issue of Animage magazine and on various platforms he has attended, has issued harsh warnings not only about fictional universes but also about the dark trajectory of the real world. Tomino expressed his concerns, particularly regarding the Russia-Ukraine war and potential conflicts he predicts could erupt in Iran in 2026.
One of Tomino's most notable criticisms was directed at his own country, Japan. Describing the Japanese government as "authoritarian," the director pointed to the example of Nazi Germany, reminding that authoritarian regimes often gain legitimacy through elections. Tomino stated, "An uninformed mass really creates problems," pointing to the dangers of the public remaining indifferent to political processes. According to him, politics is not a field where you can "leave everything to someone else and step aside"; on the contrary, it is a process where every individual must take responsibility for world peace.
Being quite outspoken towards the fans of the Gundam brand he created, the master director believes that the anti-war message at the core of the series is not sufficiently understood. Stating that many fans focus only on "cool robot battles" and keep themselves at the level of "military otaku," Tomino also expressed that this situation is his own responsibility. Criticizing modern anime creators for not having real war experience, the director argues that current productions have become "picture books" (fantasies) disconnected from reality.
Yoshiyuki Tomino, who spent his childhood during World War II and never forgot the fear he experienced while fleeing from bombs, emphasizes that war is not just a clash, but a massive system consisting of industry, logistics, and production. Not losing hope in future generations, the director believes that today's children will grow up seeing these "stupid wars" and, by the time they reach their 30s, could evolve into a new type of human with developed empathy, similar to the Newtype concept in the Gundam universe. Tomino is currently working on a new project that reflects conflicts in regions such as Ukraine and Israel, questioning whether humanity can break this social cycle.
