2nd Gundam Hathaway Film Tops 1st Film's Box Office After 29 Days

Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe Achieves Box Office Success

The second film in the Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway project, titled Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe, has achieved significant box office success in Japan. Since its release on January 30th, the film has sold over 1,343,651 tickets, generating a revenue of 2,240,747,860 yen, which is approximately US$14.4 million.

Box Office Ranking and Gundam Film History

In its fourth weekend, the film ranked #6 at the Japanese box office. This performance places The Sorcery of Nymph Circe as the #4 Gundam film in Japan in terms of revenue. It follows behind Mobile Suit Gundam Seed FREEDOM from 2024, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- from 2025, and Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space from 1982.

Initial Success and Delayed Release

The film opened strongly, securing the #1 position during its opening weekend. In its first three days, it sold 511,500 tickets and earned 849,068,760 yen, which is approximately US$5.43 million. The release was initially planned for 2025 but was later moved forward.

Storyline and Themes

Bandai Namco Filmworks describes the film as continuing the story of Hathaway Noa. The narrative explores his internal conflict between his feelings for Gigi and his dedication to MAFTY. Kenneth is preparing to suppress MAFTY, and Gigi's presence is set to significantly impact the destinies of both men. The film promises a space opera filled with drama, combat, and emotional depth. The film will eventually arrive in US theaters, though a date is yet to be confirmed.

Returning Cast and Staff, New Additions

The main cast and the majority of the staff from the first film returned for this sequel. Yuichi Kuboki joined Takako Suzuki as a color key artist. Yoshinori Sayama is credited for display designs, building upon his contributions to the first film. Yoshihisa Ōyama took on the role of compositing director of photography, and Manabu Kamitōno directed the visual effects.

Theme Songs and Music

American RB artist SZA's 2022 song Snooze serves as the opening theme song for the film. SennaRin performs the insert song ENDROLL, in collaboration with Yōhei Kawakami of Alexandros.

Trilogy and Future Installments

The Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway project is planned as a trilogy. The second part initially had a working title of Kidō Senshi Gundam Senkō no Hathaway: San of Bright. Producer Ogata explained the multiple meanings of the Japanese katakana characters San, which can be interpreted as sun or son, referencing Hathaway Noa's relationship to Bright Noa. Ogata also mentioned that the second part will contain deviations from Yoshiyuki Tomino's original novel series.

First Film's Success and Delays

The first film in the trilogy premiered in Japan in June 2021, after facing three prior delays. Originally scheduled for release in July 2020, it was postponed due to COVID-19. Further delays occurred in April 2021, pushing the release from May 7 to May 21, and then again due to the extended state of emergency in Japan.

Initial Box Office Performance of the First Film

The first Hathaway film sold 259,074 tickets for 523,943,800 yen, approximately US$4.77 million, in its first three days. It ranked #3 in terms of tickets sold during its opening weekend. It became the first Gundam film since 1988's Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack to surpass the 1 billion yen mark.

Cumulative Earnings of the First Film

As of October 10, 2021, the first film had earned a cumulative total of 2,209,628,200 yen, which is about US$19.57 million, in the Japanese box office. Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- has since exceeded this total.

Streaming and Television Broadcast

Netflix U.S. began exclusively streaming the first film in July 2021. A four-episode re-cut television broadcast version of the film premiered on Nippon TV's AnichU programming block on January 5.