by Get the latest anime news from October 2026! Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Witch of Circe returns to theaters, Star Detective Precure! collaborates with Ojamajo Doremi, and Aikatsu Stars! reveals a new 2027 movie.
- Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Witch of Circe Returns to Theaters in December
Release period: December 11–24, 2026
Fans of the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise will soon have another opportunity to watch Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Witch of Circe in Japanese theaters.
The film’s official website announced on October 15 that the second installment in the Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway theatrical series will receive a limited two-week re-release nationwide in Japan. The screenings will run from December 11 through December 24, 2026, ahead of the film’s general home-video release on January 27, 2027.
The theatrical event is intended to celebrate the upcoming Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, and DVD releases, giving audiences a chance to experience the movie again on the big screen.
For viewers who missed the original theatrical run, this re-release offers another opportunity to watch the film in a cinema setting. Returning fans can also revisit the story before adding the home-video edition to their collections.
What Is Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Witch of Circe About?
The Witch of Circe continues the story of Hathaway Noa, a central character in the Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway series.
The franchise is set in the Universal Century timeline, one of the principal settings of the larger Gundam universe. It explores a future shaped by space colonization, political conflict, military power, and the struggle between people living on Earth and those living in space.
Hathaway is involved with the anti-government resistance organization MAFTY, which opposes the policies of the Earth Federation. His actions place him in a complicated position where political ideals, personal convictions, and the consequences of violence frequently collide.
The film continues this conflict while developing the relationships and circumstances surrounding Hathaway and the people he encounters.
Directed by Shukou Murase, the movie maintains the franchise’s combination of large-scale mobile suit battles and more personal political drama. Rather than presenting its conflict as a simple struggle between heroes and villains, the story examines the consequences of competing ideologies and the difficult decisions made by those caught between them.
This approach is part of what distinguishes the Hathaway storyline from more straightforward mecha adventures.
Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, and DVD Release Details
The home-video editions are scheduled for release on January 27, 2027.
The announced formats include standard Blu-ray, a special limited-edition Blu-ray, a collector-oriented edition, 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, and DVD. Some editions include additional materials, such as event footage and other bonus content.
A limited-edition Blu-ray package containing a recording script is also planned for early availability in connection with the December theatrical re-release.
The official announcement additionally revealed that a special re-release commemorative stage event is scheduled for December 12, 2026. The event is expected to feature voice actors Kensho Ono, who plays Hathaway Noa, and Reina Ueda, who plays Gigi Andalucia, alongside director Shukou Murase and producer Keisuke Kasai.
- Star Detective Precure! and Ojamajo Doremi Announce Their First Special Crossover
Episode 39 airs October 25, 2026
Another major announcement concerns Star Detective Precure!, the 23rd television installment in the long-running Precure franchise.
The series will feature a special collaboration with Ojamajo Doremi in its 39th episode, titled “Ojamajo na Halloween♪”, scheduled to air in Japan on October 25, 2026.
The announcement is especially exciting because both franchises are associated with Toei Animation and have long histories in Japanese television animation. Despite their shared connection to magical-girl storytelling and their place in Japanese anime culture, this is their first official crossover of this kind.
The collaboration brings together a contemporary Precure series and a classic magical-girl franchise that originally began airing in 1999.
How Does the Crossover Fit Into the Story?
Star Detective Precure! follows Anna Akechi, the series’ protagonist, who travels from 2027 back to 1999. This time-travel premise creates a natural connection to Ojamajo Doremi, which began broadcasting in 1999.
The crossover will take place during the show’s Halloween storyline.
In Episode 39, Anna and her companions prepare costumes and accessories for a Halloween event in their shopping district. Following Anna’s suggestion, the neighborhood organizes its first Halloween celebration, filling the streets with people dressed in costumes and enjoying the festivities.
During the event, the group encounters a young girl named Hinano who has become separated from her mother. The situation provides the central setup for the episode’s story.
The special collaboration connects this modern mystery-themed Precure series with the world of Ojamajo Doremi, bringing together two generations of magical-girl fans.
Why Is This Collaboration Special?
Ojamajo Doremi first aired in 1999 and became known for its story of young girls learning magic while dealing with school, family, friendship, and growing up.
The Precure franchise, which began in 2004, has since developed into one of Japan’s best-known magical-girl anime properties, with multiple generations of heroines and different storylines.
Although the two franchises have different premises, both combine fantasy elements with stories about personal growth, friendship, and helping others.
The crossover is therefore more than a simple reference to an older series. It connects two important parts of Japanese magical-girl anime history.
The official announcement also revealed a newly drawn commemorative illustration by Yoshihiko Umakoshi, the character designer associated with Ojamajo Doremi and HeartCatch Precure!.
The special episode is scheduled for October 25, making it a notable event for fans who have followed either franchise over the years.
- Aikatsu Stars! Announces a New Theatrical Anime for January 2027
Japanese theatrical release: January 22, 2027
The Aikatsu! franchise is preparing to celebrate another major milestone with the announcement of a new theatrical anime titled Aikatsu Stars! — Progress of the Stars.
The movie is scheduled to open in Japanese theaters nationwide on January 22, 2027, as part of the 10th-anniversary project for Aikatsu Stars!.
The announcement was made during a fan meeting in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, on October 17, 2026. Alongside the release date, the production team revealed a new key visual and a full promotional trailer featuring the theme song “Five Stars.”
The film marks a major new chapter for a franchise that has spent years entertaining audiences through anime, games, music, and live events.
What Is Aikatsu Stars! — Progress of the Stars About?
Aikatsu Stars! originally began airing in 2016 and follows aspiring idols as they develop their talents, form friendships, and work toward their dreams in the entertainment industry.
The series centers on Yume Nijino and other young performers who train, compete, and grow through their participation in idol activities.
Rather than focusing exclusively on competition, the story explores the effort involved in pursuing a dream. Characters must develop their skills, overcome setbacks, support their friends, and discover what kind of performers they want to become.
The new film continues this spirit by bringing the characters together for another important stage in their lives.
According to the official synopsis, graduation is approaching for Yume and her companions when Elsa from Neo Venus Ark invites them to participate in a major live event called Venus Jamboree. The event brings together top idols from around the world.
The story also introduces the mysterious ship Petit Venus Ark, adding another element of intrigue to the characters’ upcoming adventure.
As the idols prepare for the event, they must balance busy schedules with questions about their futures and their continued commitment to performing.
This premise gives the film an opportunity to revisit the characters’ ambitions while exploring how their relationships and goals have changed over time.
New Key Visual and Theme Song Revealed
The newly released key visual depicts Yume and the other characters moving toward their respective futures.
The image reflects the film’s themes of growth, new beginnings, and the choices that come with moving into another stage of life. It also highlights the celebratory nature of the 10th-anniversary project.
The main trailer features the theme song “Five Stars,” giving fans an early preview of the film’s musical direction.
Music is an essential part of the Aikatsu! franchise, where performances and songs are closely tied to the characters’ development. The film’s music will therefore be an important part of how the story connects with longtime viewers.
ME Members Appointed as Publicity Ambassadors
The announcement also confirmed that three members of the Japanese idol group ≠ME—Hana Ogi, Hitomi Suzuki, and Shiori Nagata—have been appointed as publicity ambassadors for the film.
Their role is to support promotional activities and help introduce the new movie to a wider audience.
The collaboration is fitting for a franchise centered on idols and musical performances. Bringing real-world performers into the promotional campaign helps connect the fictional world of Aikatsu Stars! with contemporary idol culture.
The new film is a major event for the franchise’s 10th anniversary, and the combination of a theatrical release, new music, promotional visuals, and idol-group participation provides several ways for fans to celebrate.
- Detective Precure! The Movie Hosts a Special Staff Talk in Tokyo
Event held October 15, 2026
The theatrical side of the Precure franchise also received attention this month through a special screening of Star Detective Precure! The Movie: The Mysterious Garden and the Secret of Two.
The event took place at Shinjuku Wald 9 in Tokyo on October 15, 2026, and included a staff discussion following a special audience-participation screening.
Director Hanako Ueda, screenwriter Yoshimi Narita, Toei Animation producer Mao Nakagawa, and ABC Animation producer Kanako Tada attended the event and shared behind-the-scenes information about the film’s production.
The screening was organized as a fan-oriented event, allowing audiences to enjoy the movie in a more interactive atmosphere and hear directly from members of the creative team.
What Did the Production Team Discuss?
The staff talk offered an opportunity to explore the creative decisions behind the film, including the story’s themes, character development, and the process of translating the Precure franchise’s familiar appeal into a theatrical experience.
For fans, these discussions can provide a better understanding of the work involved in making an animated movie.
An anime film requires coordination between writers, directors, animators, producers, voice actors, and many other members of the production team. Each department contributes to the final result, from the structure of the story to the appearance of individual scenes.
Events featuring staff members also allow audiences to learn more about the intentions behind specific creative choices.
The screening was another reminder of the continuing importance of theatrical events in Japanese anime culture, where special presentations and post-screening discussions give fans opportunities to engage with the people responsible for their favorite works.
Additional event information was published through Shinjuku Wald 9.
What These Four Announcements Tell Us About the Anime Industry
Taken together, these announcements highlight several ways anime franchises continue to connect with audiences.
First, theatrical re-releases give established films a second opportunity to reach viewers. In the case of Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Witch of Circe, the December screenings also create momentum ahead of the January home-video launch.
Second, crossovers allow long-running franchises to celebrate their histories. The Star Detective Precure! and Ojamajo Doremi collaboration connects a current television series with a classic title that helped shape magical-girl anime for an earlier generation.
Third, anniversary projects provide a reason to revisit familiar characters while introducing new stories. Aikatsu Stars! — Progress of the Stars celebrates a decade of the series while moving Yume and her companions toward their next stage of life.
Finally, staff talks and special screenings offer a different kind of fan experience. They bring audiences closer to the creative process and can help deepen appreciation for the work involved in anime production.
These developments demonstrate that anime franchises do not rely on new episodes alone to maintain audience interest. Films, anniversary projects, special collaborations, home-video releases, and fan events all play a role in keeping their communities active.
October 2026 has delivered several noteworthy announcements for anime fans.
Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Witch of Circe will return to Japanese theaters for two weeks beginning December 11, ahead of its January 27, 2027 home-video release.
Meanwhile, Star Detective Precure! will collaborate with Ojamajo Doremi in its October 25 episode, creating a special crossover between two important magical-girl franchises.
Aikatsu Stars! — Progress of the Stars is scheduled to premiere in Japanese theaters on January 22, 2027, bringing Yume and her companions back for a new anniversary movie.
Finally, the special staff screening of Star Detective Precure! The Movie has provided fans with a behind-the-scenes look at the creative work involved in the franchise’s latest theatrical adventure.
Whether you enjoy mecha action, magical-girl stories, or idol anime, these announcements offer plenty to look forward to over the coming months.
With new releases, special collaborations, and anniversary celebrations on the horizon, the end of 2026 and the beginning of 2027 are shaping up to be exciting periods for anime fans.
