The highly anticipated second film in the Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway trilogy, officially titled Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe, has been delayed, with its new theatrical release date set for January 30, 2026, in Japan. The delay was confirmed during New York Comic Con 2025, where Bandai Namco Filmworks also unveiled a new trailer and key visual for the upcoming anime feature.
This sequel was originally expected to premiere in Japan by the end of 2025. North American screenings are slated to follow the Japanese release.
What is Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway?
Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway is a cinematic trilogy adapting Yoshiyuki Tomino’s 1989-1990 novel series Mobile Suit Gundam: Senkō no Hathaway / Hathaway’s Flash. These novels are set in the Universal Century timeline, serving as a direct sequel to the 1988 film Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack. The narrative follows Hathaway Noa, the son of Bright Noa, who takes on the alias Mafty Navue Erin to lead an anti-Earth Federation movement against the government’s deepening corruption.
The First Film’s Success and Delays
The first film, Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash, was initially scheduled for a 2020 release but faced multiple delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It eventually premiered in Japan on June 11, 2021, and was later made available on Netflix starting July 1, 2021. The movie achieved significant box office success, grossing over 2 billion yen domestically and becoming one of the highest-earning Gundam films. It garnered critical acclaim for its stunning visuals, intricate production, and emotionally charged human drama.
Plot of the First Film
The initial installment introduced Hathaway Noa, posing as a plant inspector, as he travels to Earth and becomes embroiled in a hijacking incident, encountering Federation officer Kenneth Sleg and the enigmatic Gigi Andalucia. His actions are driven by his commitment to the anti-Earth Federation group “Mafty.”
The Sorcery of Nymph Circe: What to Expect
The second installment, Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe (Japanese title: Kido Senshi Gandamu Senko no Hasawei Kiruke no Majo), continues Hathaway’s story and his resistance against the Earth Federation. The title itself has been noted for potentially carrying a double meaning, referring both to the elite Federation task force “Circe” that hunts Mafty, and symbolically to Gigi Andalucia’s enigmatic influence on Hathaway and Kenneth.
Returning Staff and Cast
The main cast, including Kensho Ono as Hathaway Noa, Reina Ueda as Gigi Andalucia, and Junichi Suwabe as Kenneth Sleg, are confirmed to return. The film will also see the return of much of the first film’s staff, including director Shukou Murase and screenwriter Yasuyuki Mutou, with Hiroyuki Sawano composing the music. New additions to the staff include Yuichi Kuboki joining Takako Suzuki as color key artists, Yoshinori Sayama for display designs, Yoshihisa Ōyama as the new compositing director of photography, and Manabu Kamitōno directing the visual effects.
Significance within the Universal Century
The Hathaway trilogy is a crucial component of Sunrise’s “UC Next 0100” project, which aims to expand and connect the Universal Century timeline. The films bridge the narrative gap between Char’s Counterattack and Mobile Suit Gundam F91, detailing the decline of the Earth Federation and the evolution of mobile suit technology. Fans can expect intensified battles and new mobile suit designs, including the formidable RX-105 Xi Gundam, which features advanced experimental technology.
The delay positions Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe as a key release in early 2026, further building anticipation for the continuation of this critically acclaimed Gundam saga.
