In his revamp of the Transformers series for Skybound Entertainment, writer and artist Daniel Warren Johnson openly recognizes the impact of Mobile Suit Gundam. In issue #4 of Transformers, Johnson pays tribute to a scene from Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team, where a Gundam pilot uses his mech's severed arm as a weapon. He also credits the Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin manga as a major influence on his vibrant and dynamic portrayal of giant robots in action in Transformers.
Daniel Warren Johnson recently revealed that the Energon Universe series of Transformers draws inspiration from the famous mecha anime franchise, Mobile Suit Gundam. In Transformers #4, Johnson pays homage to Gundam by referencing a scene in which Optimus Prime rips off his own arm to use as a weapon. This is reminiscent of a similar moment in Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team, where a Gundam pilot uses the detached arm of mech in a climactic battle.
Johnson expressed his love for Gundam and credited it as one of his favorite shows. He mentioned that he wouldn't be drawing robots as an adult without the influence of Gundam and encouraged others to watch the series if they haven't already. Additionally, he acknowledged Gundam's impact on his work through commentary on his channel, specifically mentioning Mobile Suit Gudam: The Origin manga by Yasuhiko Yoshikazu as another source of inspiration from the franchise.Johnson shared that the robot art inspired him to create a dynamic Transformers comic series. He admired Yoshikazu's of robot action and drew confidence from the Gundam series, an influential franchise known for its "real robot" subgenre. The Gundam series which began in 1979, revolves around a war involving "mobile suits," distinguishing itself from previous giant robot shows by portraying mechas as tools of warfare rather than-powered heroes.
Johnson paid homage to the Gundam series in Transformers #4, particularly referencing 08th MS Team and drawing parallels between the two iconic franchises. The grounded approach in Johnson's work mirrors the style of Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin The 08th MS Team, reflecting his reverence for these revered works within giant robot fiction.