The latest installment in the Gundam anime franchise, ‘Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX (Zeek Ax)’, has made history with its theatrical pre-release version, ‘Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-’, which premiered on January 17, 2025.

As of February 17, 2025, the film has attracted 1.55 million viewers and earned over ¥2.5 billion ($16.5 million) in box office revenue. This surpasses the ¥2.3 billion ($15.2 million) grossed by ‘Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space’ (1982), making it the second highest-grossing Gundam movie of all time.

How Does It Compare to Other ‘Gundam’ Films?

The top-grossing film in the Gundam series remains ‘Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM’, released in 2024, which set a record 42 years after ‘Encounters in Space’, earning a total of ¥5.38 billion ($35.5 million).

Additionally, during the weekend of February 14–16, 2025, ‘GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-’ ranked 7th in audience attendance, according to Kōgyō Tsūshinsha (Japan’s Box Office Reports).

Story Overview: ‘Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX’

The film follows Amate Yuzuriha, a high school girl living peacefully in a space colony. Her life changes when she meets Nyaan, a young war refugee, leading her into the underground world of illegal mobile suit duels, known as ‘Clan Battles’.

🌠 Key Plot Points:
Amate, under the alias ‘Machu’, pilots the mysterious GQuuuuuuX, engaging in brutal battles.
A secretive Gundam piloted by a boy named Shuji appears, putting her at the center of a major conflict.
As the Galactic Military and Space Police close in, Amate finds herself fighting not just for survival, but for a new era in space.

Collaboration Between Studio Khara & Sunrise

This new Gundam series is a collaborative project between Studio Khara and Sunrise, the same studios behind the Evangelion and Gundam franchises, respectively. The TV anime version is scheduled to air on Nippon TV, while the theatrical version was specially edited with select episodes reconstructed for the big screen.

🎬 Production Team:
Director: Kazuya Tsurumaki (Evangelion Rebuild Series, Gunbuster 2)
Series Composition: Yoji Enokido (FLCL, Ouran High School Host Club)
Mechanical Design: Ikuto Yamashita (Evangelion, Blue Submarine No. 6)

🎤 Voice Cast:
Amate Yuzuriha (Machu): Tomoyo Kurosawa
Nyaan: Yui Ishikawa
Shuji Ito: Shinba Tsuchiya

The Rise of Theatrical Pre-Release Anime Films

Theatrical pre-releases of TV anime episodes have been gaining popularity, with some achieving major success.

📌 Examples of Successful Pre-Release Films:
‘Demon Slayer: World Tour Screening – To the Swordsmith Village’ (2023)

💰 Earned ¥2.0 billion ($13.2 million) in 10 days
🎟️ Attracted 1.47 million viewers
‘Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-’

🎖️ Now the second highest-grossing Gundam movie of all time
With its box office success, ‘GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-’ proves that the Gundam franchise continues to thrive, captivating both longtime fans and a new generation of viewers.

Source : ORICON NEWS