Voice actor Soichiro Hoshi (Kira Yamato), director Mitsuo Fukuda, and producer Hisakazu Tanaka attended a special stage greeting on the first day of the second commemorative screening of the anime film *Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM* (to be released on January 26).

During the event, a letter from Akira Ishida, who voices Athrun Zala, was read aloud by the MC as he was unable to attend. In the letter, Ishida reflected, "Even during the stage greeting at the time of the original release, I strongly felt the anticipation of the fans for SEED. Now, with this special edition being created and shown again in theaters, and with so many people coming to watch it, I once again feel the anticipation and passion you all have for SEED. I'm extremely grateful for the good fortune of being involved in such a work."

He also congratulated Athrun on his birthday, which was on October 29, saying, "Happy birthday, Athrun! I'm glad to have walked my voice acting career as part of you." Speaking as Athrun, he declared, "I will continue supporting Cagalli in my small way so that the world moves in the right direction, without betraying the support from all of you. Please, everyone, take a moment to think about a world without war where we can live in peace."

At the event, it was also announced that the special edition included newly produced scenes and that *Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM ZERO* was in production. Director Fukuda revealed, "My work is almost done. After all, it was ready 20 years ago," expressing his gratitude to the fans for supporting *FREEDOM* and making the production of the new work possible.

Full Letter from Akira Ishida

"To everyone in attendance, thank you very much for gathering for the special edition screening of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM today.

This special edition has been updated with more than 500 cuts of footage. I wonder how many of you noticed? For those seeing it for the first time because you missed the original version, I hope you enjoyed seeing it in what is now an ideal form. And for those who came to the theater multiple times to watch the original version, I believe it provided a fresh opportunity to re-evaluate the movie and accept it as a new source of enjoyment.

Even during the stage greetings for the original release, I strongly felt the anticipation of the fans for SEED. Now, with this special edition being created and shown again in theaters, and with so many people coming to watch it, I once again feel the anticipation and passion you all have for SEED. I'm extremely grateful for the good fortune of being involved in such a work.

However, I must confess here that, even when Athrun's birthday was mentioned during the original stage greetings, I honestly didn’t realize the significance at the time. I only fully understood when someone in the audience called out, 'October 29!' I apologize for that.

So, the day before yesterday was Athrun's birthday. Belatedly, I want to say, 'Happy birthday, Athrun! I'm glad to have walked my voice acting career as part of you.' I believe that fans across the country also thought of him on October 29, and that sentiment surely reached him.

Today, in place of Athrun, who is in a unique situation where he cannot directly speak, allow me to express gratitude on his behalf:

'Thank you very much for sharing so many warm wishes. I am deeply touched by everyone's thoughtfulness. Going forward, I will continue supporting Cagalli in my small way so that the world moves in the right direction, without betraying the support from all of you. Please, everyone, take a moment to think about a world without war where we can live in peace.'

By the way, how old does that make Athrun now?"

Source : ORICON NEWS