Maruchan Cup Noodles Announce Limited-Edition Gundam Collaboration

Toyo Suisan has announced a limited-edition national release, starting November 17th, of special collaboration products featuring their popular cup noodles "Maruchan Akai Kitsune Udon" and "Maruchan Midori no Tanuki Ten Soba" with "Gundam Zeek Axh," a new game from the popular anime series "Mobile Suit Gundam."

This collaboration introduces two distinct products: "Char's Akai Kitsune Udon," named after Char Aznable, famously known as "The Red Comet," and "Sharia Bull's Midori no Tanuki Ten Soba," inspired by the Principality of Zeon's ace pilot, Sharia Bull.

"Char's Akai Kitsune Udon" comes with a "Char's Special Ichimi" chili pepper, boasting a piquant spiciness fitting its namesake. Meanwhile, "Sharia Bull's Midori no Tanuki Ten Soba" includes "Sharia Bull's Special Aosa" (sea lettuce), whose enticing oceanic aroma is sure to whet the appetite. Adding to the authenticity, the regional variations in dashi (broth) flavor between East and West Japan have also been preserved, a meticulous detail that fans are sure to appreciate.

The packaging features newly drawn illustrations depicting Char and Sharia Bull enjoying their respective cup noodles. A playful hidden detail is also incorporated: when the two packages are placed side-by-side, the letters "M.A.V." appear.

This unexpected collaboration announcement has generated considerable buzz on social media, with fans expressing their excitement through comments like, "I want Char's Akai Kitsune so bad!" and "I'm sure I'll be 5 times faster after eating it!" There's also widespread surprise and praise for the unique concept, with remarks such as, "Even Sharia Bull finally gets a dedicated product!" and "It's rare to see a collaboration where red and green match so well."

As these are limited-edition products, fans are undoubtedly eagerly anticipating the November 17th release date. Don't miss this opportunity to get your hands on "The Red Comet" and "Zeon's Ace" cup noodles in stores and savor their unique flavors.

The Context

Toyo Suisan is a major Japanese food company, and Maruchan is one of their most popular brands, particularly known for its instant noodles and cup noodles. "Akai Kitsune Udon" (Red Fox Udon) and "Midori no Tanuki Ten Soba" (Green Raccoon Dog Tempura Soba) are iconic, long-selling cup noodle products in Japan, distinguished by their distinct flavors and the color of their packaging (red for udon, green for soba).

"Mobile Suit Gundam" is a highly influential and globally recognized Japanese anime franchise centered around giant piloted robots (Mobile Suits) and interstellar warfare. Char Aznable, often referred to as "The Red Comet," is one of the series' most iconic anti-heroes, known for his red-colored Mobile Suits and exceptional piloting skills, which often leads to the fan joke about him being "3 times faster" (here exaggerated to "5 times faster"). Sharia Bull is another pilot from the Principality of Zeon, a recurring antagonist faction in the Gundam universe.

The collaboration specifically references the new game "Gundam Zeek Axh." The inclusion of "Ichimi" (a type of Japanese chili pepper) and "Aosa" (sea lettuce) as special toppings adds to the unique culinary aspect. The mention of regional dashi (broth) variations highlights the meticulous attention to detail, as dashi flavors indeed vary significantly between East and West Japan, a fact well-known to Japanese consumers. The hidden "M.A.V." letters on the packaging add a playful fan-service element to this unique cross-over event.