Mobile Suit Gundam is really just a televised anime series. Created and led by Yoshiyuki Tomino, it was launched in Japan on Nagoya Broadcasting Network on April 7, 1979, and lasted until January 26, 1980, spanning 43 events. This was the Gundam series, which has been adapted in to numerous sequels and spin offs. Back in 1981, the show split into three pictures and was re-edited for theatrical release. Yoshikazu Yasuhiko created the characters, and Kunio Okawara was responsible that the RX-78-2 Gundam, including the giant robot. The movie was released on February 22, 1981.