Gundam Style

JP de la Rama
10 minutes ago
3 min read

When Miscommunication Becomes Unexpected Magic

Now I see a Gundam dancing the Gangnam style in my dreams!

“Sometimes miscommunication isn’t a mistake—it’s the birthplace of magic.”

Setting the Stage

This week, I figured I’d lighten the mood.

We’ve all had heavy weeks — deadlines, politics, AI creeping into everything, and the economic rollercoaster that is freelancing in the Philippines.

But in the middle of that chaos, something hilarious and oddly profound happened: I was dancing with my daughter.

She suddenly burst into the Gangnam Style dance — you know, the one that went viral a decade ago — but she shouted:

“Gundam Style!!!”

I stopped mid-dance, confused, then burst into laughter.

“No! It’s Gangnam Style!” I told her, still laughing.

But she doubled down: “Gun…dam…STYLE!”

I was on the floor.

It was one of those perfectly silly moments that unexpectedly reminds you why you keep going, even when the world feels like it’s burning. But more than that — it made me reflect on something deeply relevant to us artists.

Because what she said wasn’t wrong. It was a collision of two worlds she was familiar with: my collection of Gundam figures… and the song her friends dance to at school.

Bandai Hobby - Mobile Suit Gundam - RX-78-2 Gundam ver. 2.0, Bandai Spirits RG 1/144 Model Kit

It was pure, innocent reinterpretation. And it was oddly brilliant.

The Problem Behind the Laughter

This reminded me of a challenge I often face in my own work: creative miscommunication.

When working on a comic book — especially one from a different culture, language, or storytelling tradition — there are moments when what the writer imagines and what the artist interprets don’t quite match.

It’s not because either side is wrong.

We’re just coming from different lived experiences, different symbols, different references. It’s like my daughter merging Gundam and Gangnam — it makes total sense in her head, even if it wasn’t what was originally intended.

As an illustrator, I’ve encountered this many times. I’d draw a scene with the emotion I felt was appropriate — only to be told by the writer that it missed the mark entirely. Or that I’d drawn something too “Western” for a culturally Asian setting. Or too “old-school” for a modern script.

It can feel frustrating. But here’s what I’ve learned:

Miscommunication isn’t always a mistake.

Sometimes, it’s an opportunity to re-align, refine, and even innovate.

Clearer Collaboration, Better Creativity

This is where communication becomes not just important — but essential.

Here are a few tips I’ve picked up as an artist who often works with international clients and writers:

1. Ask more questions than you answer.

Don’t assume you got it right. Dig deeper. What is the tone of this scene? What cultural references are at play? What emotional beats must hit?

2. Don’t be afraid to interpret — but offer that interpretation clearly.

“Here’s how I saw this page — let me know if this direction works.” That one sentence can open the door to powerful collaboration.

3. Leave space for feedback — early.

Send roughs. Share thumbnails. Collaborate in sketches before you fully render. It saves time and prevents emotional meltdowns down the road.

4. Embrace happy accidents.

Sometimes the “Gundam Style” moments give birth to fresh ideas. If your mistake is visually interesting, don’t throw it out. Pitch it. You never know.

FINAL THOUGHTS

At the heart of art is interpretation — and interpretation is messy, personal, and wonderfully human.

My daughter’s unintentional remix of a K-pop dance with a 1980s mecha franchise might be the funniest thing I’ve heard all week… but it also reminded me why I love this job.

Creativity isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection — even if it starts with a misunderstanding.

So whether you’re working with a writer from another country, building your own story, or just dancing around your living room trying not to trip on plastic Gundam models — remember: there’s beauty in the chaos.

Keep creating.

Keep miscommunicating.

And keep finding meaning in the mix.