The nationwide screenings of the first completely new movie in the "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED" series in about 20 years, "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM" (released on January 26th), will end today, the 23rd.

The "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED" series, which originally aired from October 2002 with a total of 50 episodes, was the first Gundam TV series produced in the 21st century. The story revolves around the conflict between genetically modified humans (Coordinators) and ordinary humans (Naturals), divided into the military organizations ZAFT and the Earth Alliance. Through this war, the series depicts the struggles and growth of the Coordinator protagonist, Kira Yamato. The series not only captured the existing fan base but also attracted a large female audience, achieving a peak viewership rating of 8.0%. It also sparked a second Gunpla boom among elementary school children, establishing itself as a "new generation Gundam series."

Furthermore, the sequel TV series "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY," which aired from October 2004, surpassed its predecessor with a peak viewership rating of 8.2%. The cumulative package sales of the series exceeded an astounding 4 million units, and the series became a phenomenon across Japan, transcending the bounds of TV anime with its music, events, and more.

The completely new theatrical release "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM" continues the story from "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY," featuring new adventures of Kira, Athrun, Shinn, and others in a world still embroiled in conflict. The film has grossed over 4.7 billion yen.

Source : ORICON NEWS