{ "id": "ep7axcpzt3", "slug": "gundam-build-metaverse", "title": "Gundam Build Metaverse (ガンダムビルドメタバース)", "updated": "2026-11-01", "topic_path": [ { "id": "culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture" }, { "id": "culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series", "label": "Series and fictional screen worlds", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_anime_manga", "label": "Anime and manga", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_anime_manga" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_anime_series", "label": "Anime series, episodes, and franchises", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_anime_series" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_anime_series.anime_ovas_onas_streaming", "label": "OVAs, ONAs, and streaming-original anime", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_anime_series.anime_ovas_onas_streaming" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.asia.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_anime_series.anime_ovas_onas_streaming", "label": "Asia (other) · 2021 and later: OVAs, ONAs, and streaming-original anime", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_anime_series.anime_ovas_onas_streaming", "path": [ { "id": "geo.asia", "label": "Asia (other)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t2021", "label": "Asia (other) · 2021 and later", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t2021" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t2021.culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t2021.culture" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t2021.culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t2021.culture.performance" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t2021.culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t2021.culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series", "label": "Series and fictional screen worlds", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_anime_manga", "label": "Anime and manga", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_anime_manga" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_anime_series", "label": "Anime series, episodes, and franchises", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_anime_series" }, { "id": "geo.asia.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_anime_series.anime_ovas_onas_streaming", "label": "OVAs, ONAs, and streaming-original anime", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.asia.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_anime_series.anime_ovas_onas_streaming" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Gundam Build Metaverse (ガンダムビルドメタバース) is a 2023 three-episode ONA marking the Gundam Build series' 10th anniversary, directed by Masami Obari, following Rio Hojo and his Lah Gundam in the Gunpla metaverse, streamed on GUNDAM.INFO from October 6, 2023.", "snippet": "Gundam Build Metaverse (ガンダムビルドメタバース) is a 2023 three-episode ONA marking the Gundam Build series' 10th anniversary, directed by Masami Obari, following Rio Hojo and his Lah Gundam in the Gunpla metaverse, streamed on GUNDAM.INFO from October 6, 2023.", "node": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_anime_series.anime_ovas_onas_streaming", "markdown": "# Gundam Build Metaverse (ガンダムビルドメタバース)\n\n**Gundam Build Metaverse** (ガンダムビルドメタバース) is a three-episode Japanese original net animation (ONA) released in October 2023 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Gundam Build series, the [Gundam](https://www.edgepedia.org/gundam) franchise line centered on Gunpla, Bandai's plastic model kits of Gundam mobile suits[1](https://www.sunrise-inc.co.jp/work/detail.php?cid=498) • [2](https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2023/3/27/gundam-build-anime-plans-10th-anniversary-commemorative-3-episode-series). It was produced by Sunrise Beyond, planned by [Sunrise](https://www.edgepedia.org/sunrise-studio), and produced by Bandai Namco Filmworks and SOTSU, with Masami Obari as director[3](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V90yloBeenA).\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Format | Original net animation, 3 episodes of about 24 minutes each, released fortnightly[1](https://www.sunrise-inc.co.jp/work/detail.php?cid=498) • [4](https://mechaalliance.com/gundam-build-metaverse-ep-1-review/) |\n| Streaming | All 3 episodes streamed on GUNDAM.INFO and the franchise's official YouTube channel from Friday, October 6, 2023[1](https://www.sunrise-inc.co.jp/work/detail.php?cid=498) • [2](https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2023/3/27/gundam-build-anime-plans-10th-anniversary-commemorative-3-episode-series) |\n| Occasion | 10th anniversary of the Gundam Build series, which began with Gundam Build Fighters in October 2013[2](https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2023/3/27/gundam-build-anime-plans-10th-anniversary-commemorative-3-episode-series) |\n| Director / staff | Director Masami Obari; series composition Noboru Kimura; music Yuki Hayashi[3](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V90yloBeenA) |\n| Protagonist | Rio Hojo (ホウジョウ・リオ), voiced by Chika Anzai, builder of the original Gunpla Lah Gundam[1](https://www.sunrise-inc.co.jp/work/detail.php?cid=498) • [3](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V90yloBeenA) |\n| Setting | A metaverse service for the Gunpla world, set a few years after Gundam Build Divers Re:Rise[1](https://www.sunrise-inc.co.jp/work/detail.php?cid=498) • [5](https://www.reimarufiles.com/2023/05/12/gundam-build-series-celebrates-10-years-with-the-build-metaverse-special/) |\n| Purpose | Anniversary celebration tied to the Gundam Metaverse Project, whose Gunpla Colony virtual space began a test opening in October 2023[2](https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2023/3/27/gundam-build-anime-plans-10th-anniversary-commemorative-3-episode-series) • [6](https://www.bandainamcoent.co.jp/pdfs/FINAL_GUNDAM%20CONFERENCE%20SPRING%202023_Release.pdf) |\n\n## Spoilers\n\n### Premise and story\n\nThe story is set in a new internet service for the Gunpla world: a metaverse space in which users move avatars, interact with other users, fight Gunpla battles, and can even buy real Gunpla[1](https://www.sunrise-inc.co.jp/work/detail.php?cid=498). The boy Rio Hojo enters this new world, learning Gunpla building technique from Seria Urutsuki (ウルツキ・セリア) in the real world and Gunpla battle know-how from the Masked Lady (マスクレディー) in the metaverse[1](https://www.sunrise-inc.co.jp/work/detail.php?cid=498). After completing his original Gunpla, the Lah Gundam, Rio encounters former champions of Gunpla battle inside the metaverse space[1](https://www.sunrise-inc.co.jp/work/detail.php?cid=498).\n\nThe series is set a few years after the events of *[Gundam Build Divers Re:Rise](https://www.edgepedia.org/gundam-build-divers-re-rise)*, in a world where the metaverse was created for Gunpla[5](https://www.reimarufiles.com/2023/05/12/gundam-build-series-celebrates-10-years-with-the-build-metaverse-special/). As an anniversary tribute, its main attraction is the return of past Build protagonists: episode 1 features Riku, Sarah, Ayame, and Momo from *Build Divers* and Meijin Kawaguchi the 3rd from *Build Fighters*, and the series was announced as featuring the main characters of *GUNDAM BUILD FIGHTERS*, *GUNDAM BUILD FIGHTERS TRY*, *GUNDAM BUILD Divers*, and *GUNDAM BUILD Divers Re:Rise* taking part in new Gunpla battles[4](https://mechaalliance.com/gundam-build-metaverse-ep-1-review/) • [7](https://www.bandainamcoent.co.jp/pdfs/%E2%80%9CGUNDAM%20Conference%20AUTUMN%202023%E2%80%9DThe%20GUNDAM%20Metaverse%20will%20be%20open%20for%20a%20limited%20time%20from%20Friday%2C%20October%206%2C%202023%20in%20Japan%20and%20in%20the%20United%20States%21.pdf). Rio is written as an ordinary modeler who improves bit by bit, unlike expert builders such as Sei Iori or skilled fighters such as Hiroto Kuga[4](https://mechaalliance.com/gundam-build-metaverse-ep-1-review/).\n\n## Production\n\nThe staff credits announced with the promotional video include Noboru Kimura on series composition, character design by Hirona Okada, Yoriko Goto, and Ippei Gyobu with supervision by Kenichi Onuki, mechanical design by a team including Kunio Okawara, Kanetake Ebikawa, and Takayuki Yanase, and music by Yuki Hayashi, who had also composed for *Build Fighters* and *Build Fighters Try*[3](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V90yloBeenA) • [8](https://anilist.co/review/22548). [Chika Anzai](https://www.edgepedia.org/chika-anzai) voices Rio, and Rio Tsuchiya voices Seria Urutsuki[3](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V90yloBeenA). The opening theme, \"Hikari no Kaze,\" is by BACK-ON, and the ending theme, \"Days of Birth,\" is by LINKL PLANET[8](https://anilist.co/review/22548).\n\nThe project was announced in March 2023 at the GUNDAM Conference SPRING 2023 as part of the video rollout for the Gundam Build series' 10th anniversary, alongside the Gundam Metaverse Project[6](https://www.bandainamcoent.co.jp/pdfs/FINAL_GUNDAM%20CONFERENCE%20SPRING%202023_Release.pdf). Bandai Namco stated that the anime, the Gunpla model kits, and the GUNDAM Metaverse Project would all be integrated with one another for the anniversary[6](https://www.bandainamcoent.co.jp/pdfs/FINAL_GUNDAM%20CONFERENCE%20SPRING%202023_Release.pdf). All three episodes were released in advance at the GUNDAM Metaverse and the \"GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE -EAST-\" event venues before streaming[7](https://www.bandainamcoent.co.jp/pdfs/%E2%80%9CGUNDAM%20Conference%20AUTUMN%202023%E2%80%9DThe%20GUNDAM%20Metaverse%20will%20be%20open%20for%20a%20limited%20time%20from%20Friday%2C%20October%206%2C%202023%20in%20Japan%20and%20in%20the%20United%20States%21.pdf).\n\n## Connection to the Gundam Metaverse Project\n\nThe Gundam Metaverse Project is one of the three pillars of \"GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE -ROAD TO 2025-\", Bandai Namco's project toward the 45th anniversaries of the Gundam series and Gunpla[6](https://www.bandainamcoent.co.jp/pdfs/FINAL_GUNDAM%20CONFERENCE%20SPRING%202023_Release.pdf). Its first component, the \"Gunpla Colony\" virtual space colony with sections themed on anime, Gunpla, e-sports, and music, was scheduled for a test launch in October 2023, the same month the anime streamed[2](https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2023/3/27/gundam-build-anime-plans-10th-anniversary-commemorative-3-episode-series) • [6](https://www.bandainamcoent.co.jp/pdfs/FINAL_GUNDAM%20CONFERENCE%20SPRING%202023_Release.pdf). The test launch planned to open the 3D space together with a Gunpla EC shop for buying real Gunpla and a Gunpla scanning feature for turning physical models into 3D data, plus an automatic translation function and an AI character named \"Mellow\"[6](https://www.bandainamcoent.co.jp/pdfs/FINAL_GUNDAM%20CONFERENCE%20SPRING%202023_Release.pdf). The metaverse opened for a limited time from October 6, 2023 in Japan and the United States[7](https://www.bandainamcoent.co.jp/pdfs/%E2%80%9CGUNDAM%20Conference%20AUTUMN%202023%E2%80%9DThe%20GUNDAM%20Metaverse%20will%20be%20open%20for%20a%20limited%20time%20from%20Friday%2C%20October%206%2C%202023%20in%20Japan%20and%20in%20the%20United%20States%21.pdf).\n\n## Gunpla tie-ins\n\nNew model kits tied to the series were unveiled at the Shizuoka Hobby Show, with staggered 2023 release dates and prices[5](https://www.reimarufiles.com/2023/05/12/gundam-build-series-celebrates-10-years-with-the-build-metaverse-special/):\n\n- Entry Grade 1/144 Lah Gundam, October 2023, JPY 1,000\n- Entry Grade 1/144 Build Strike Exceed Galaxy, October 2023, JPY 1,100\n- HG 1/144 Shin Burning Gundam, November 2023, JPY 2,400\n- SDCS F-Kunoichi Kai, November 2023, JPY 1,800\n- HG 1/144 Gundam 00 Diver Arc, December 2023, JPY 2,500\n- HG 1/144 Plutine Gundam, December 2023, JPY 2,300\n\n## Reception\n\nViewer response was mixed to negative. An AniList review scored the series 37/100, calling it a promotional vehicle for the metaverse platform and praising mainly the episode 3 action animation and Yuki Hayashi's reuse of past themes[8](https://anilist.co/review/22548). A [Letterboxd](https://www.edgepedia.org/letterboxd) reviewer noted the many returning characters from past Build series but found the result uneven and short[9](https://letterboxd.com/film/gundam-build-metaverse/reviews/). A more favorable view from the hobby side describes the series as a crossover celebration condensing ten years of the Build universe into three episodes, primarily a vehicle for new kit releases[10](https://www.mechauniverse.com/gunpla-build-list).\n\n## References\n\n1. [ガンダムビルドメタバース｜作品紹介｜サンライズ (Sunrise work page)](https://www.sunrise-inc.co.jp/work/detail.php?cid=498)\n2. [Gundam Build Anime Plans 10th Anniversary Commemorative 3-Episode Series, Crunchyroll News (March 27, 2023)](https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2023/3/27/gundam-build-anime-plans-10th-anniversary-commemorative-3-episode-series)\n3. [GUNDAM BUILD METAVERSE PV, GUNDAM CHANNEL INTL (YouTube, September 14, 2023)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V90yloBeenA)\n4. [Gundam Build Metaverse Ep 1 Review, Mecha Alliance (October 11, 2023)](https://mechaalliance.com/gundam-build-metaverse-ep-1-review/)\n5. [Gundam Build Series Celebrates 10 Years with the Build Metaverse Special, The Reimaru Files (May 12, 2023)](https://www.reimarufiles.com/2023/05/12/gundam-build-series-celebrates-10-years-with-the-build-metaverse-special/)\n6. [New Episodes of the GUNDAM BUILD Series / Announcement on the GUNDAM Metaverse Project, Bandai Namco Entertainment press release (GUNDAM Conference SPRING 2023, March 27, 2023)](https://www.bandainamcoent.co.jp/pdfs/FINAL_GUNDAM%20CONFERENCE%20SPRING%202023_Release.pdf)\n7. [Announcement on Video Rollout, Bandai Namco Entertainment (GUNDAM Conference AUTUMN 2023)](https://www.bandainamcoent.co.jp/pdfs/%E2%80%9CGUNDAM%20Conference%20AUTUMN%202023%E2%80%9DThe%20GUNDAM%20Metaverse%20will%20be%20open%20for%20a%20limited%20time%20from%20Friday%2C%20October%206%2C%202023%20in%20Japan%20and%20in%20the%20United%20States%21.pdf)\n8. [CodeBlazeFate's review of GUNDAM BUILD METAVERSE, AniList](https://anilist.co/review/22548)\n9. [Reviews of Gundam Build Metaverse (2023), Letterboxd](https://letterboxd.com/film/gundam-build-metaverse/reviews/)\n10. [GUNPLA Build List, Mecha Universe](https://www.mechauniverse.com/gunpla-build-list)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Series and fictional screen worlds › Anime and manga › Anime series, episodes, and franchises › OVAs, ONAs, and streaming-original anime*\n\n*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/gundam-build-metaverse", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/gundam-build-metaverse.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Gundam Build Metaverse (ガンダムビルドメタバース)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/gundam-build-metaverse. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Gundam Build Metaverse (ガンダムビルドメタバース)](https://www.edgepedia.org/gundam-build-metaverse)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/gundam-build-metaverse](https://www.edgepedia.org/gundam-build-metaverse). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Gundam Build Metaverse (ガンダムビルドメタバース)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/gundam-build-metaverse. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Gundam Build Metaverse is a 2023 three-episode ONA marking the Gundam Build series' 10th anniversary, directed by Masami Obari, following Rio Hojo and his Lah Gundam in the Gunpla metaverse, streamed on GUNDAM.INFO from October 6, 2023." }