Fans of the Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway trilogy will need to wait a little longer for the next installment, as the second film, officially titled Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash – The Sorcery of Nymph Circe (Kido Senshi Gandamu Senko no Hasawei Kiruke no Majo), has been confirmed for a theatrical release in Japan on January 30, 2026. This announcement, made alongside a new teaser trailer, marks a shift from previous reports of a Winter 2025 release window.
The Road to The Sorcery of Nymph Circe
The highly anticipated sequel continues the narrative established in the first film, Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash, which premiered in Japan on June 11, 2021, after several delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial film was a significant success, grossing over 2 billion yen domestically and earning critical acclaim for its animation and mature storytelling. It later became available on Netflix in select territories starting July 1, 2021.
The Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway film series is based on a trilogy of novels written by Gundam creator Yoshiyuki Tomino, originally published between 1989 and 1990. These stories are set in the Universal Century timeline, specifically in UC 0105, twelve years after the events of Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack, making it a direct sequel to the 1988 film. The trilogy follows Hathaway Noa, the son of the legendary Earth Federation hero Bright Noa, as he operates under the pseudonym Mafty Navue Erin, leading a terrorist organization named “Mafty” against the corrupt Earth Federation.
What the New Trailer Reveals
The recently released teaser trailer for Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash – The Sorcery of Nymph Circe offers a glimpse into the next chapter of Hathaway’s rebellion. It showcases sweeping visuals of futuristic cityscapes, intense aerial battles, and introduces new mobile suits, along with familiar and new characters. The trailer hints at a darker, more urgent tone, promising heightened tension and visual spectacle, expanding on the political and emotional complexities of the narrative.
While specific plot details remain under wraps, the visual cues and confirmed title suggest a continuation of the first film’s intense action and psychological depth, focusing on Hathaway Noa’s ongoing struggle against the Earth Federation.
Production Details and Staff
Production for the second Hathaway film was confirmed in January 2025 during Shochiku’s 130th Anniversary Lineup Announcement Event. The core staff from the first film are returning for The Sorcery of Nymph Circe. Shukou Murase is directing, with Yasuyuki Mutou handling the screenplay. Character designs are by pablo uchida, Naoyuki Onda, and Shigeki Kuhara, based on original designs by Haruhiko Mikimoto. Mechanical designs are attributed to Hajime Katoki, Kimitoshi Yamane, Seiichi Nakatani, and Nobuhiko Genma, with original mechanical designs by Yasuhiro Moriki and Kazumi Fujita. Hiroyuki Sawano is composing the music, continuing the impactful score from the first movie.
The delay pushes the release further into 2026, building anticipation for fans eager to see how Hathaway’s story unfolds in this critically acclaimed Gundam trilogy.
