When fans think of space colonization, they often imagine scenes fromMobile Suit Gundamwith giant space colonies orbiting Earth, humanity boldly expanding into the cosmos. But according to Yoshiyuki Tomino, the visionary behind the franchise, those dreams are best left in science fiction. During a panel at Spacetide 2025 in Tokyo, Tomino delivered a sobering verdict: humans will never be able to live in space.
His statements may come as a shock given his legacy, according toThe Sankei Shimbun, butTomino clarified that his decades of reflection on the issue have led him to one conclusion, that space is simply too cruel, too dangerous, and too unforgiving for long-term human habitation.Far from endorsing Martian dreams, Tomino took direct aim at high-profile space colonization advocates, including those like Elon Musk, calling their plans amateurish at best.
Tomino Rejects the Mars Dream as Unrealistic
Tomino Calls Out “Amateurs” Behind Mars Dreams
During his talk with JAXA professor Yoshifumi Inatani, Tomino didn’t mince words.He called the idea of colonizing Mars a fantasy pushed by people who haven’t considered the brutal realities of space.In his view, anyone proposing Mars immigration without fully understanding the conditions is, quite simply, a “simpleton.”
He raised a critical question often ignored in optimistic plans: “What are you going to use for fuel when you want to return [to Earth]?” Without infrastructure, Mars becomes a one-way ticket. Tomino emphasized that there are no supply stations, no refueling hubs, and no safety nets, just isolation in a barren, inhospitable world.
He argued that supporters of Mars colonization severely underestimate the logistics involved. Establishing a livable outpost on a planet with no existing base, no backup systems, and no easy access to Earth is, in his words, an effort led by “a bunch of amateurs.”
Even Gundam’s Creator Doesn’t Believe in Space Living
Gundam’s Message Was Fiction, Not a Blueprint
ThoughGundamis rooted in the concept of space-based societies, Tomino revealed he never truly believed in the possibility. For over 20 years, he privately explored whether space colonization could actually work. In the end, he found no viable solution. “Even after 20 years of thinking about it, I couldn’t find a way,” he admitted.
This realism marks a sharp contrast with public imagination and space billionaires' grand ambitions. Rather than investing in distant fantasies, Tominorecommended Japan focus on more achievable goals. Missions in low Earth orbit, fostering scientific cooperation, and sending youth and experts into near-Earth space offer far more tangible benefits.
For Tomino, the truth is clear, that space may inspire awe, but living there is a far harsher story thanGundamever told.
Tomino’s commentary stands as a powerful reality check. His science fiction helped define generations of space dreamers, but now, he urges humanity to look at the stars with a critical eye. For Tomino, the truth is clear, that space may inspire awe, but living there is a far harsher story thanGundamever told.
