"Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: Circe's Witch" hit Japanese theaters yesterday (January 30th) to rave reviews from fans, with box office success hotly anticipated.
To celebrate the premiere, an event was held in Tokyo on the 31st, featuring the star-studded cast and crew. Voice actors Kensho Ono (Hathaway Noa), Reina Ueda (Gigi Andalucia), Junichi Suwabe (Kenneth Sleg), and Soma Saito (Lane Aim) were all on stage, joined by director Shukou Murase and producer Keisuke Kasai, to chat with the audience.
Since it was a post-screening event, Junichi Suwabe kicked things off with a laugh, addressing the audience who had just finished watching the intense film: "So, what did you all think of this refreshing youth movie?" The quip immediately got the whole crowd laughing.
Director Shukou Murase candidly admitted the production process was a nail-biter: "Two months ago, I was seriously wondering if I'd have to get down on my knees and apologize here. But thanks to everyone's help, I can finally stand here properly." He spoke with a relieved smile.
Kensho Ono also shared his keen interest in audience reactions: "I was really looking forward to this film, but I was also super curious about what everyone would think. So, ever since the earliest screenings, I've practically been glued to the 'Hathaway' hashtag." He chuckled wryly, adding, "I saw a lot of comments saying, 'Hathaway really needs to see a doctor.'"
He quickly followed up, "But then I thought, maybe that means the story and performances really hit home, and people truly felt Hathaway's internal struggles. Seeing everyone share their feelings without spoilers really put my mind at ease."
Reina Ueda nodded in agreement, saying she'd also been poring over comments: "So many people were writing about their feelings towards Hathaway." She then laughed, "And the reactions to Gigi were incredibly polarizing! Some people loved her even more, while others started to dislike her. But I think that's precisely the charm of Gigi's character, and it's all reflected in everyone's comments."
It's safe to say everyone has been waiting for this one for ages! While it's already out in Japan, there's no word yet on an international release, so fans will just have to wait and see if it gets picked up by distributors.
via： 《機動戰士鋼彈 閃光的哈薩威》官方X