The Regild Century (R.C.) is an era that takes place chronologically after the Universal Century (U.C.) in the Gundam franchise. This timeline is primarily explored in the series Gundam Reconguista in G, directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, the original creator of Gundam. The story of this era focuses on humanity’s reconstruction after a series of devastating conflicts that occurred at the end of the U.C., leading to the collapse of many space colonies and an ecological crisis on Earth.
During the Universal Century, humanity had expanded its civilization into space, establishing numerous colonies at strategic locations known as Lagrange Points. These colonies, based on the O’Neill Cylinder design, were massive cylindrical structures that rotated to generate artificial gravity and housed millions of people. However, the constant wars between the Earth Federation and various factions, such as the Principality of Zeon, led to widespread destruction of these colonies and severe ecological destabilization on Earth.
The Birth of Regild Century
After these catastrophic events, humanity entered a period of decline and recovery. The Regild Century marks the rebirth of human civilization after this collapse. In this new era, Earth has begun to recover ecologically, and society has imposed strict restrictions on technological development, known as the "AG Technology Taboo," to prevent repeating the mistakes of the past.
Unlike the Universal Century, where space colonies were numerous and widely distributed, in the Regild Century, the reconstruction of these structures was more limited and controlled. One of the most significant colonies of this era is Venus Globe, a group of space colonies orbiting Venus. These colonies represent one of humanity’s few successful efforts to establish habitats beyond Earth’s orbit during this era.
Venus Globe
Venus Globe is a series of colonies orbiting Venus that have developed a relatively advanced society compared to Earth in the Regild Century. These colonies are self-sufficient and have maintained technologies that are considered forbidden on Earth due to the AG Technology Taboo. Moreover, Venus Globe is the source of the enigmatic "Photon Batteries," an essential energy source for the societies of the Regild Century.
The Role of Capital Tower and SU-Cordism
On Earth, Capital Tower, a space elevator that dates back to the Universal Century, has been restored and plays a crucial role in Regild Century society. This structure not only facilitates the transport of resources from space but has also become a central religious symbol in the faith known as "SU-Cordism." This religion promotes reliance on Photon Batteries and reinforces the AG Technology Taboo, arguing that unchecked technological development was the cause of past calamities.
Challenges in Rebuilding Space Colonies
The reconstruction of space colonies in the Regild Century faced multiple challenges. The distrust of advanced technology, reinforced by the AG Technology Taboo, limited innovation and the development of new colonies. Additionally, resource scarcity and the priority of Earth’s ecological restoration meant that efforts focused more on planetary sustainability rather than space expansion.
Although the number of space colonies in the Regild Century is limited compared to the Universal Century, their existence symbolizes humanity’s resilience and adaptability. Venus Globe, in particular, stands out as an example of how human communities can thrive in extraterrestrial environments while maintaining a balance between technological use and sustainability.
In conclusion, the first space colonies of the Regild Century represent a new chapter in humanity’s history in space. Learning from past mistakes, these colonies aim to establish societies that value sustainability and technological moderation, ensuring that the disasters that marked the end of the Universal Century are not repeated.