You’ve read that right! Sunrise has announced the next mainline/non-Build Gundam series following 2015’s Mobile Suit Gundam IRON-BLOODED ORPHANS. And yes, we waited for seven years.
Still leaning towards longer titles and away from the single-letter trend during the 90s, the next Gundam series is Mobile Suit Gundam THE WITCH FROM MERCURY. The official website is also open though it only has the logo as seen here and the 2022 release date. Regardless, I’m very excited as we’ve been eager for the next mainline series after several Gundam Build ones. Keep watching this space as we get more information on THE WITCH FROM MERCURY!
Besides this, several other productions were also revealed.
First is Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island which is a movie slated for a 2022 release (probably before Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: Son of Bright) and is directed by Mobile Suit Gundam character designer and Gundam THE ORIGIN manga author Yoshikazu Yasuhiko. The movie would probably expand on the story told in episode 15 of Mobile Suit Gundam where Amuro has an encounter with Zeon-defector Cucuruz Doan.
Fun fact, Gundam director Yoshiyuki Tomino felt this episode was subpar when compared to the rest that he requested it be cut from the North American release of the series. So it’s interesting how Yazuhiko decided to flesh out a movie based on this single-episode story. Consequently, there was the Gundam THE ORIGIN spinoff manga Mobile Suit Gundam THE ORIGIN MSD: Cucuruz Doan’s Island which features the Principality of Zeon’s Y-02 Development and Training Team after Cucuruz Doan, their commander, deserted. Makes me wonder if this movie would be combining these storylines.
Finally, Mobile Suit Gundam IRON-BLOODED ORPHANS is finally getting the Special Edition compilation treatment that previous Gundam series had. There would be 9 specials in total and it will be released at the same time as the mobile app Mobile Suit Gundam IRON-BLOODED ORPHANS G. It will be broadcast in Spring 2022 and will also include scenes from Mobile Suit Gundam IRON-BLOODED ORPHANS Urðr Hunt, the new storyline featured in the mobile app.
If 2021 was a great year for mecha, it looks like 2022 would be a great year for Gundam! Call me totally excited!
