Screenings scheduled in 56 countries and territories.
The "Mobile Suit Gundam Seed FREEDOM" anime film has achieved a phenomenal box office debut, earning 770 million yen (roughly $5.20 million USD) in just two days of release. The highly anticipated picture, which premiered in Japan last Friday, has already sold over 500,000 tickets and is set for international success.
According to the most recent report from Gundam Info, this achievement marks a key milestone in the Gundam franchise.
On January 28th, a stage welcome ceremony was conducted in Tokyo's Shinjuku Piccadilly to commemorate the film's success. Cast members Soichiro Hoshi (Kira Yamato), Rie Tanaka (Lacus Clyne), Akira Ishida (Athrun Zala), Sumire Uesaka (Ingrid Tradoll), and Win Morisaki (Griffin Arbalest) attended the event. Takanori Nishikawa and director Mitsuo Fukuda also spoke, discussing the film's release, highlights, and soundtrack. The ceremony was a joyous affair, with smiles and excitement from both the cast and the audience.
Director Fukuda also praised the strong start to the fans who have continued to support him for 18 years (since the transmission of "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY"), adding, ''The people who have been waiting are smiling. "I made it with that in mind."
When asked how he feels now that the film has finally been released, Hoshi says that, while he was concerned about the possibility of spoilers, he felt that his anxiety about the film's release had been alleviated and that it had been well received by the comments on various social media platforms, saying things like "I am overwhelmed with emotion." and "I didn't make it, but I'm proud," he explained. Director Fukuda stated that this film was made possible by the hard work of the youthful staff who are fans of the SEED series, and it demonstrates that the team and cast collaborated to produce a quality product.
Soichiro Hoshi stated,
"This work is packed with 18 years of love for SEED from the creator and everyone who has been waiting for it."
As "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM" continues in theaters, it is poised to become a landmark entry in the Gundam franchise, attracting fans around the world with its intriguing tale, breathtaking animation, and distinctive music.
The excellent performance of "Mobile Suit Gundam Seed FREEDOM" demonstrates the Gundam series' long-term popularity and cultural significance. Fans have expressed overwhelming support for the franchise's most recent installment, demonstrating a strong, ongoing interest in the series' distinct blend of mecha action, profound storytelling, and intricate character development.
The film's popularity demonstrates the Gundam franchise's history and capacity to grow and connect with new generations of fans while maintaining its core following. This remarkable opening weekend not only establishes a new standard for future Gundam releases, but it also underlines the franchise's standing as a staple of the anime industry.
As "Mobile Suit Gundam Seed FREEDOM" continues its theatrical run, it is likely to draw even more spectators, both long-time Gundam fans and newbies alike, promising to be a watershed moment in the Gundam universe's illustrious history.
The film's successful opening also beats the previous record established by "Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway," which in June 2021 sold 259,074 tickets and grossed over 523,943,800 yen (around US$4.77 million) in its initial three-day run. Notably, "Hathaway" ranked third in ticket sales during its opening weekend, becoming the first Gundam film since the classic 1988 movie, "Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack," to exceed the 1 billion yen mark, eventually grossing over 2.21 billion yen.
SOURCE: GUNDAM INFO | ANN
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