As one of the most iconic mecha series ever, Mobile Suit Gundam has long inspired both sci-fi fans and scientists alike. Its influence is so profound that Japan recently initiated a project to send a functional talking robot modeled after the series’ mascot, Haro, into orbit. Further developments in Gundam-inspired scientific advancements were reported by Japanese media on June 9.
According to The Japan Agricultural News, researchers at Tohoku University’s School of Engineering are exploring the practical applications of technology inspired by the Beam Saber—a fictional weapon used by mobile suits in the Gundam universe—for lunar agriculture. Their research focuses on using Beam Saber-inspired plasma technology to enhance plant growth, improve resistance to pests and diseases, and ultimately enable crop cultivation on the Moon.
The initiative is led by Professor Toshiro Kaneko, a dedicated Gundam enthusiast and frequent contributor to Gundam-related scientific projects. Notably, Kaneko co-authored Mobile Suit Gundam Universal Century vs. Modern Science, a book examining the real-world feasibility of Gundam technologies.
In the Gundam universe, Beam Sabers are high-energy weapons that utilize Minovsky particles (a fictional substance central to many in-universe technologies) shaped into plasma by an electromagnetic field. In reality, plasma is a state of matter formed when gases or other materials undergo high ionization, releasing charged particles.
While the plasma in Tohoku University’s research isn’t being weaponized, it is being harnessed for agricultural purposes. Last year, the team demonstrated that dinitrogen pentoxide (N2O5) produced via plasma technology can promote rice growth, mimicking the fertilizing effects of nitric acid. The technology also bolstered the immune systems of thale cress plants, making them more resilient to diseases and pests. Currently, the researchers are evaluating its impact on strawberries using a solar cell-powered plasma generator.
Kaneko believes that plasma technology could revolutionize space agriculture. He suggests that creating plasma-generating devices on the Moon could drastically cut costs associated with transporting Earth-based fertilizers. Last year’s Osaka Expo featured Kaneko’s research on lunar plasma agriculture, titled Space Agriculture Using the Beam Saber, as part of the Gundam Next Future Pavilion.
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