It has been announced that the anime film Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM has surpassed ¥5 billion ($33.5 million) in box office revenue and drawn over 3 million attendees.

The Mobile Suit Gundam SEED series, which first aired as a 50-episode TV show in October 2002, was the first Gundam production of the 21st century. The story follows a war between two factions: the genetically modified humans known as Coordinators, represented by ZAFT, and the unmodified humans, known as Naturals, represented by the Earth Alliance. The series focuses on the protagonist Kira Yamato, a Coordinator, and his struggles and growth throughout the conflict.

The series captivated its original fan base and attracted a significant female audience, achieving a peak viewership rating of 8.0%. It also sparked a second wave of Gundam model kit (Gunpla) popularity, especially among elementary school children, establishing itself as a “new generation Gundam series.”

In October 2004, the sequel TV series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY began airing, surpassing its predecessor with a peak viewership rating of 8.2%. The cumulative sales of the series' physical media exceeded an astonishing 4 million units, and the series extended its influence beyond TV, becoming a cultural phenomenon through music, events, and more.

The latest installment, the theatrical film Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM, serves as a continuation of Gundam SEED DESTINY. It follows the ongoing war and introduces new stories involving Kira, Athrun, Shinn, and others. By the end of May, the film had already grossed ¥4.9 billion ($32.8 million) and drawn 2.9 million attendees. Following this, a "limited edition" version of the film was released with over 500 updated cuts of footage. The first release runs from September 20 to October 3, while the second will be available from November 1 to November 14. Each version features different epilogue scenes.

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM Official Web Site

Source : ORICON NEWS