Even though we’ve been getting plenty of exciting new Gundam
projects these last few years including The Witch From Mercury and SEED
Freedom, the one Gundam story everyone has been waiting for is Part 2 of the
Gundam Hathaway Trilogy. Originally
intended for a Summer 2020 release but delayed due to the Pandemic, Mobile Suit
Gundam Hathaway dropped in the Summer of 2021 in Japan and on Netflix and took
fans into a new struggle as the Earth Sphere crossed the UC0100 line. It’s been five years since the first part of
this new saga arrived and fans have been eagerly wanting to see where the
rebellion of Hathaway Noa goes from here.
To get you caught up before we send Mobile Suits into the ocean (judging
from the trailers), today’s Top 5 Wednesday will be looking at the Top 5 Things
to Remember Before Seeing Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph
Circe.
Originally, Gundam Hathaway began life as Mobile Suit
Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash, a light novel trilogy written by Gundam creator Yoshiyuki
Tomino in the late 80’s and early 90’s.
The Anime adaptation was likewise announced as a trilogy project back in
2018 as part of Gundams “UC Next_100” Project.
It’s safe to assume that each film will cover one novel in the series.
Having never read them myself, I only know
some scant details, particularly the ending.
Still, anticipation for this sequel is pretty high and has been for a
while.
Here’s hoping we don’t have to
wait five or more years for the conclusion to the Gundam Hathaway saga.
#4-A Direct Sequel for Char’s Counterattack
Despite taking place 12 years afterward, Gundam Hathaway
acts as a direct follow up to Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack.
During that film, Char Aznable took control
of Neo Zeon and launched an attack on the Earth Federation, both looking to
accelerate mankinds exodus into space and to settle things once and for all
with his rival, Amuro Ray.
Hathaway had
a supporting role in events because of his attachment to Quess Pariyah, who
became Char’s protegee.
Ultimately,
Quess was killed by Amuro’s girlfriend, Chan Agi, causing an enraged Hathaway
to kill her.
The events of this Second
Neo Zeon War are referenced a lot (and I mean A LOT) in Gundam Hathaway and
have clearly played a key factor in making Hathaway the man he is today.
#3-The Current state of the Earth Federation
The Earth Federation has always walked a tight rope
between good and evil in the Universal Century.
Gundam Hathaway seems to find the organization taking a more sinister
turn as we edge past UC0100.
We see
Federation supported security troops harassing Spacenoids citizens on Earth and
Federation Mobile Suit Forces seem to cause more collateral damage across the
city of Davao than Mafty.
Even new
Commander Kenneth Sleg isnt opposed to some rough interogations before using
prisoners as shields in battle.
It’s not
on the same unforgivable level as the Titans from Zeta Gundam.
However, the Earth Federation looks to be in
the early stages of its corruption that will eventually lead to it’s seriously
diminished state seen in both Gundam F91 and especially Victory Gundam.
#2-Mafty is the new Zeon?
Ehhhhh that might be a stretch but still Mafty seems to
be filling the violent void finally left behind by Zeon.
According to Hathaway, the goal of Mafty (aka
himself), is to push Humanity to head into space not to accelerate evolution
into Newtypes but instead to escape the fate of a planet that’s becoming
increasingly polluted to the point where Earth might be uninhabitable in about
1000 years time.
While they aren’t dropping
Colonies on the planet to make a point, Mafty’s uprising are sparking more
violent actions from groups that act in their name, such as the shuttle
hijacking that opens the first film.
There’s
word that a massive force dedicated to helping Mafty out is massing near
Australia which is probably where a lot of the action of The Sorcery of Nymph
Circe will be taking place.
Whatever
happens, will Hathaway succeed where Char failed or is he even more misguided?
#1-Gigi: The Second Coming of Quess Pariyah?
Quess Pariyah was Hathaway’s love interest in Char’s
counterattack.
She acted like an
enlightened brat and promptly ditched Hathaway and Amuro when Char looked at
her and said “hey.”
Fast forward to the
present and we meet Gigi Andalusia, a bewitching beauty who floats back and forth
between ethereal and childish at the drop of a dime.
Her actions and words strike a chord with
Hathaway, making him reminisce about his long lost love, Quess.
Gigi has quickly deduced that Hathaway is Mafty
and she does have Newtype potential.
The
question is: Will Gigi be Hathaway’s downfall or trump card in his little
revolution?
The trailers for the second
movie confirm that some of Hathaway’s group know about Quess and that Hathaway’s
crusade is inspired by her.
Personally,
I say that’s not a good thing and Hathaways inductiveness about Gigi could be
his ultimate downfall.
I mean Kenneth
did name his new unit Circe because of Gigi.
Is her “sorcery” legit?
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