by The latest installment in the acclaimed Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash trilogy, Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash — Circe’s Witch, is making waves in theaters across Japan. Since its nationwide release on January 30, 2026, the film has achieved a major commercial milestone — surpassing ¥2 billion (2 billion yen) in box office revenue and drawing more than 1.2 million viewers within just 22 days.
Screening in both standard 2D and IMAX® formats, the film has received widespread praise for its breathtaking visuals, powerful sound design, and emotionally complex storytelling. Early success suggests it could outperform its predecessor and become one of the highest-grossing Gundam films of all time.
A Landmark Sequel in the Gundam Universe
Circe’s Witch is the second chapter of the cinematic trilogy adapting Yoshiyuki Tomino’s novel Hathaway’s Flash, part of the long-running Universal Century timeline of the Gundam franchise.
The story continues the journey of Hathaway Noah, leader of the anti–Earth Federation movement known as Mafty. Haunted by past events and driven by radical ideals, Hathaway wages a covert war against the oppressive Federation government.
His path becomes entangled with two pivotal figures:
- Gigi Andalusia — a mysterious young woman with an uncanny intuition and ambiguous motives
- Colonel Kenneth Sleg — a skilled Federation officer determined to capture Mafty
This triangle of ideology, attraction, and conflict forms the emotional core of the narrative.
Strong Connection to Char’s Counterattack
The film draws heavily from the events of Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack, which depicted the final clash between legendary rivals Amuro Ray and Char Aznable.
As the son of Bright Noah, one of the original series’ most important characters, Hathaway represents the next generation struggling to reconcile the consequences of that earlier conflict. The trilogy explores themes such as:
- The morality of revolution
- Environmental destruction
- Political extremism
- Personal guilt and responsibility
- The cost of war on civilians
This mature storytelling sets Hathaway’s Flash apart from more action-focused entries in the franchise.
Box Office Success and Audience Reception
In just over three weeks, Circe’s Witch has:
- Earned over ¥2 billion at the box office
- Attracted more than 1.2 million moviegoers
- Approached the lifetime earnings of the first film (¥2.23 billion)
- Generated strong repeat viewership
Industry analysts note that if the momentum continues, the film could easily surpass its predecessor and set a new benchmark for the trilogy.
Word-of-Mouth Expands Beyond Gundam Fans
One of the most surprising aspects of the film’s success is its appeal to audiences unfamiliar with Gundam. Social media platforms have been flooded with positive reactions, including comments such as:
- “I don’t usually watch Gundam, but the music and atmosphere are incredible.”
- “Even without knowing the backstory, the film is gripping.”
- “Gigi is adorable — I didn’t expect to love the characters this much.”
This crossover appeal suggests the film functions effectively as both a franchise entry and a standalone cinematic experience.
IMAX® Screenings Deliver a Premium Experience
IMAX® screenings have been particularly praised for elevating the film’s impact. Viewers highlight:
- Massive scale of mobile suit battles
- Hyper-realistic sound design
- Immersive cockpit perspectives
- Detailed environmental destruction
- Deep bass and weapon effects
Some audiences described the audio as feeling less like cinematic sound and more like real battlefield noise — a testament to the production team’s attention to realism.
Among the Highest-Grossing Gundam Films
Only a handful of Gundam titles have surpassed the ¥2 billion mark in Japan. These include:
- Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space (1982)
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash (2021)
- Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM (2024)
- Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- (2025)
By joining this elite group, Circe’s Witch has secured its place in Gundam history.
Production Staff
The film is produced by Sunrise (Bandai Namco Filmworks), with distribution handled jointly by Bandai Namco Filmworks and Shochiku.
Key staff members include:
- Original Work: Yoshiyuki Tomino & Hajime Yatate
- Director: Shukou Murase
- Screenplay: Yasuyuki Muto
- Character Design: pablo (based on designs by Haruhiko Mikimoto)
- Mechanical Design: Hajime Katoki, Kimitoshi Yamane, and others
- Music: Hiroyuki Sawano
- Animation Production: Sunrise
Sawano’s score, blending orchestral intensity with electronic elements, has been singled out as one of the film’s standout features.
Main Voice Cast
- Hathaway Noah: Kensho Ono
- Gigi Andalusia: Reina Ueda
- Kenneth Sleg: Junichi Suwabe
- Lane Aim: Soma Saito
- Gaumman Nobile: Kenjiro Tsuda
- Keria Dace: Saori Hayami
- Iram Masam: Shunsuke Takeuchi
The cast delivers nuanced performances that emphasize the story’s psychological depth and political tension.
Why This Film Matters for Anime Fans
Mature Storytelling
Unlike many mecha anime, the film prioritizes human drama and ethical dilemmas.
Cinematic Production Values
The movie’s visual fidelity rivals big-budget live-action films.
Accessibility for New Viewers
While part of a long-running franchise, the film can be enjoyed with minimal prior knowledge.
Cultural Impact
Its success demonstrates the continued global relevance of the Gundam brand.
Final Thoughts
Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash — Circe’s Witch is not just a successful sequel — it is a landmark event for the franchise. By combining political drama, emotional storytelling, and cutting-edge animation, the film has captured both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
With box office numbers still climbing and strong word-of-mouth support, the movie is poised to become one of the defining anime films of 2026.
As anticipation builds for the trilogy’s final chapter, all eyes remain on how far this cinematic juggernaut will go.
