The block that gave us Gundam is signing off for the last time.

Earlier today, Japanese TV network Nagoya TV / Metele announced that they will end their Sunday morning anime block in September. In October, the slot will be replaced by a news show. By the time it signs off for the last time, the block will have hosted 42 anime titles.

According to Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, the block was cancelled as a result of decreased ratings due to a declining birth rate.

The slot made its debut in 1977, with Sunrise’s inaugural in-house title Muteki Chōjin Zambot 3. Two years later, the block became the home of the original Mobile Suit Gundam which, despite having low ratings at the time, has grown into a massive marketing juggernaut that spans anime, film, video games, toys, and much more.

This would cement a legacy of robot and toy-based shows on Nagoya TV, including B-Daman and Dinosaur King.

Source: Asahi Shimbun