Bandai Namco Filmworks officially unveiled a new teaser visual for Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe, the second film in the Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway anime project, at San Diego Comic-Con International. The film is confirmed to debut theatrically in Japan in winter 2025, with North American screenings to follow.
A Highly Anticipated Sequel
The second Gundam Hathaway movie has been a long-awaited follow-up to the critically acclaimed first film, which premiered in June 2021. The initial movie garnered significant box office success in Japan, becoming the first Gundam film since 1988’s Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack to exceed 1 billion yen at the box office, ultimately earning over 2.2 billion yen (approximately US$19.57 million). The first film was also exclusively streamed by Netflix in the U.S. starting July 1, 2021.
The Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway film series is a trilogy adapting the novels written by Gundam creator Yoshiyuki Tomino, which were originally published between 1989 and 1990. The story is set in the Universal Century timeline, specifically in UC 0105, twelve years after the events of Char’s Counterattack. It follows Hathaway Noa, the son of the renowned Earth Federation hero Bright Noa, as he leads a new rebel faction called Mafty against the increasingly corrupt Earth Federation. Under the pseudonym Mafty Navue Erin, Hathaway aims to assassinate corrupt Earth Federation government officials who have contributed to Earth’s pollution and enforced a harsh “Man Hunter” policy. Hathaway pilots the advanced RX-105 Xi Gundam, a mobile suit capable of atmospheric flight due to its Minovsky Craft capabilities.
Returning Staff and Cast
Most of the main staff and voice cast from the first film are returning for The Sorcery of Nymph Circe. Shūkō Murase is directing the film, with Yasuyuki Muto handling the screenplay and Hiroyuki Sawano composing the music. Kensho Ono will reprise his role as Hathaway Noa, alongside Reina Ueda as Gigi Andalucia and Junichi Suwabe as Kenneth Sleg. New additions to the staff include Yuichi Kuboki joining Takako Suzuki as a color key artist, Yoshihisa Ōyama as the compositing director of photography, and Manabu Kamitōno directing the visual effects. Yoshinori Sayama, who contributed to the first film, is credited for display designs.
Plot and Production Insights
While specific plot details for The Sorcery of Nymph Circe remain under wraps, the released teaser and trailer suggest a continuation of the first film’s intense action and psychological depth, promising heightened tension and visual spectacle. The second film is expected to deviate somewhat from the original novels, potentially as a truncation of the story. Producer Naohiro Ogata previously hinted that the next stage of the film series would be set in Australia, with the director reportedly using a flight simulator to scout locations due to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The movie’s original tentative title was Kidō Senshi Gundam: Senkō no Hathaway: San of Bright, where “San” could be interpreted as “sun” or “son,” referencing Hathaway’s lineage.
The production of the second film was confirmed in January 2025 at a Shochiku Anniversary Event, with Bandai Namco Filmworks producer Naohiro Ogata confirming its development. The film’s official title, Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe, was revealed along with the initial teaser.
