To commemorate the upcoming release of Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe on January 30, 2026, a special screening of the 2021 film Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway with an on-stage greeting was held at LaLaport Fukuoka. Kensho Ono, who voices Hathaway Noa, and Reina Ueda, who voices Gigi Andalucia, appeared before the audience, delivering live narration featuring lines from the film and energizing the venue from the moment they walked on stage.

Ono greeted the gathered fans by saying that, since it had been about five years since the previous film’s stage event, he could now speak freely about Chapter 1 without worrying about spoilers. Ueda added that there were things she could finally talk about precisely because five years had passed. The event began in a relaxed atmosphere as they reminisced about their favorite scenes and memories from the previous installment. When asked what they wanted viewers to pay attention to in the new film, Ono encouraged first-time viewers to watch with a seasoned Gundam fan and ask about the meaning behind certain lines, then watch again to discover new layers, describing the experience as “witnessing a page of history.”

When discussing highlights of the latest film, Ono noted that, while the characters were moving separately in Chapter 1, the new film begins after Hathaway successfully rejoins Mafty. He explained that Hathaway’s increased time for introspection brings his emotions to the surface, which is one of the film’s defining elements. Ueda was also asked about her widely praised delivery of Gigi’s final line, “Hathaway Noa,” in the teaser trailer, which has surpassed six million views since its release on October 10. She shared that she performed the line by carefully weighing each sound while keeping a sense of fluidity in mind.

Ueda offered a message to fans eagerly awaiting the film, saying that the story felt as though previously disconnected points were finally linking together, allowing audiences to see new sides of characters influenced by Hathaway. She encouraged fans to discuss and theorize about the film after watching, noting that the unfolding events are unpredictable. The film opens soon, and she hopes audiences will visit theaters. Ono followed by expressing how happy he was that the film will finally be shown to the public. He emphasized the careful and realistic portrayal of Hathaway’s inner struggles and human relationships, including the less flattering aspects of human nature. He concluded by asking fans to look forward to its January release.

A lighting ceremony was also held for the life-size ν Gundam statue’s limited Winter 25–26 illumination. The statue, displayed at LaLaport Fukuoka, is the tallest among all life-size Gundam statues in Japan at 24.8 meters and is the first ever installed in the Kyushu region, drawing fans from across Japan and abroad. For a limited time until March 13, 2026, the statue’s objects and lighting are themed after the Ξ Gundam, the mobile suit piloted by Hathaway in The Sorcery of Nymph Circe. The “Nu” in Nu Gundam comes not from the English word “new,” but from the Greek letter ν (nu). The Ξ (xi) in Ξ Gundam is the next Greek letter after ν and was chosen to symbolize the legacy inherited from the ν Gundam.

Looking up at the towering statue, Ono reflected on how powerless civilians must feel during mobile suit battles, comparing the view to a scene from Hathaway in which citizens flee as mobile suits clash in the city. Ueda added that the Penelope is far larger, noting how terrifying such a sight would be from Gigi’s perspective and recalling her fear in the film’s city battle sequence.

During the talk session, Ono spoke about the challenges of performing Hathaway in the first film, when the character often showed only his well-mannered public persona and rarely revealed his Mafty identity, which created a difficult contrast. In The Sorcery of Nymph Circe, Hathaway’s inner darkness becomes more pronounced, making it challenging to express subtle, unsettling nuances without being overly explicit. He also shared that director Shuko Murase had told him from the beginning that “Hathaway is broken,” prompting Ono to convey a sense of gradual, perceptible dissonance rather than overt instability.

Regarding how their performances evolved in the new film, Ono said viewers would see a more relaxed Hathaway after reuniting with Mafty, compared to the armored demeanor he carried in Chapter 1. Ueda explained that, while Gigi projected an air of confidence in the first film, the new installment reveals the emotional haze she had been unaware of. Reading the script, Ueda realized how different Gigi appears this time, and she aimed to portray the character's intuitive side and moments of unconscious clarity.

The lighting ceremony climaxed with the illumination of the life-size ν Gundam statue, triggered by Ono and Ueda’s reenactment of the lines, “Go on, press that button,” and “We can make this work!” The crowd responded with loud applause. In his closing remarks, Ono expressed gratitude for the day’s event and said that discussing Gundam throughout the day made him feel the reality of the film’s approaching release. Returning to Fukuoka for work also brought him personal joy. He encouraged audiences to come to theaters once the film opens on January 30. Ueda added that participating in the event made her deeply appreciate the legacy of the Gundam franchise, especially after touring the exhibits at LaLaport. She expressed her hope that many people will experience the film in theaters when it opens next year.

Source : ORICON NEWS