You’ve seen the trailers. The gritty, Unreal Engine 5-rendered mud. The terrifying, red-eyed "White Devil." But as you sat down to watch the latest Netflix hit, you might have noticed something... different. Unlike almost every other entry in this 45-year-old franchise, the Gundam Requiem for Vengeance cast didn’t start in a recording booth in Tokyo.
This is the first time a Gundam series was written and performed in English first.
It changes the vibe. It feels less like a traditional space opera and more like a claustrophobic war movie. This shift wasn't just a gimmick; it was a deliberate choice by director Erasmus Brosdau and writer Gavin Hignight to make the One Year War feel "real" to a global audience. If the voices sounded uncannily natural, it’s because the actors weren't just reading lines. They were performing motion capture, pouring their physical presence into the digital Zakus and weary Zeon soldiers we see on screen.
The Faces Behind the Red Wolf Squadron
At the heart of the story is Captain Iria Solari. She isn't your typical wide-eyed Gundam protagonist. Honestly, she’s exhausted.
Celia Massingham (who you might recognize as Hedy Lamarr from Legends of Tomorrow) brings a weighted, maternal authority to Solari. Because the series uses motion capture, Massingham’s facial expressions and subtle movements are baked directly into the character. It makes those quiet moments inside the cockpit feel far more intimate than standard 2D animation usually allows.
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Supporting her is a ragtag group of Zeon leftovers that actually feel like people you’d meet in a motor pool, not just "Pilot A" and "Pilot B."
- Lavance plays Kneeland LeSean. He’s the hothead. Every squad has one, but Lavance gives him a cynical edge that makes his loyalty feel earned rather than scripted.
- James Watt voices Reid "Chubs" Ghelfi. He’s the veteran, the guy keeping morale from bottoming out when the Federation’s Gundam EX starts tearing through their friends like tissue paper.
- Daniel Wishes takes on Kale Zavaleta. He’s the marksman. In a show where every shot counts because resources are literally crumbling, his calm delivery provides a necessary anchor.
Why the Japanese Dub Is Still a Big Deal
Even though English is the "native" tongue for this specific project, the Japanese Gundam Requiem for Vengeance cast is stacked with heavy hitters. For the purists who can't imagine a Zaku without Japanese dialogue, Bandai Namco Filmworks didn't phone it in.
They cast Nanako Mori as Solari.
If that name sounds familiar to recent Gundam fans, it’s because she took over the iconic role of Cagalli Yula Athha in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom. Having an actor with that kind of "Gundam royalty" pedigree lends Solari an immediate sense of importance.
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The rest of the Japanese lineup is equally impressive. You’ve got Shōya Ishige (LeSean), Shunichi Maki (Chubs), and Takeo Ōtsuka as the pacifist doctor Ony Kasuga. Interestingly, Ōtsuka is a rising star in the seiyuu world, recently known for playing Lauda Neud in The Witch from Mercury. It’s a fun "if you know, you know" moment for fans who track the franchise's recurring talent.
The Unseen Cast: The Mechanical Menace
We have to talk about the "pilot" of the Gundam EX.
Most people expect a heroic teenager. Instead, the show treats the Gundam like a slasher villain. For much of the series, the pilot is a faceless, silent executioner. This was a genius move. By focusing the Gundam Requiem for Vengeance cast primarily on the Zeon side—the "losers" of history—the show turns the franchise's hero into a monster.
When you finally see the pilot, it’s a jarring reminder of how the Universal Century treats its children. The visual of a young boy (played by Kole Yadon) staring out from the cockpit of a killing machine hits differently when you’ve spent five episodes watching him murder people you’ve grown to like.
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Behind the Scenes: The Crew that Built the Frontlines
The "cast" isn't just the people in front of the mics.
Erasmus Brosdau, the director, came from a heavy gaming background (Crysis, Ryse: Son of Rome). You can feel that in the pacing. The sound direction by Hiroaki Yura—who also did the motion capture for Solari’s violin scenes—is incredible. He’s a professional violinist in real life, so when you see Solari playing, those finger movements are actually his.
Then there’s the music. Wilbert Roget II composed the score.
If you’ve played Helldivers 2 or Mortal Kombat 11, you’ve heard his work. He brings a heavy, orchestral dread to the European front. It’s a massive departure from the jazz-infused chaos of Gundam Thunderbolt or the synth-pop of the 80s entries. It sounds like a requiem. Basically, the music is as much a character as the mobile suits themselves.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Watchlist
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world the Gundam Requiem for Vengeance cast brought to life, here is how you should approach it:
- Watch the English version first. Since the mouth movements and physical performances were captured in English, it’s the most authentic way to see the actors' work.
- Check out the Japanese dub for a "classic" feel. If you’re a long-time fan, Nanako Mori’s performance gives the show a different, more traditional "Newtype" gravitas.
- Look for the "Gundam EX" pilot's eyes. Pay attention to how the camera frames the pilot compared to how it frames Solari. One is treated as a human, the other as a ghost in the machine.
- Listen to the soundtrack separately. Wilbert Roget II's score is available on most streaming platforms. It’s great for understanding the tonal shift this series took compared to the rest of the UC timeline.
The performances here prove that Gundam doesn't need to be "anime" in the traditional sense to be effective. By focusing on the gritty reality of the infantry and the people caught in the crossfire, this cast has carved out a unique, dark corner in a very crowded universe. Enjoy the 0079 European front—just don't get too attached to anyone. It is a "Requiem," after all.