Since 2015's Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphan, there haven't really been any major Gundam series released. There were a couple of Gundam Build Divers series, along with some spin-off stories like Twilight Axis and Narrative, but for the most part, those are just minor releases. The fans want something big from the franchise for this new decade.
That is why the 2021's Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway's Flash, the first of the planned trilogy of movies, was such a major event for Gundam fans around the world. Finally, there's something to be excited about from this legendary mech franchise. However, it turns out that Hathaway's movies are not the only thing that the franchise has in store for fans. There are some major releases coming in 2022. So if you're a fan of the Gundam franchise, then you should be excited for what's to come this year.
Watch Classic Gundam Films for Free
Gundam.info is the official website for everything related to Gundam. From the anime to the books, manga, and plastic models, fans will find everything there. Other than a website, they also have a dedicated Youtube channel. On the Youtube channel, Gundam info often posts classic Gundam anime, such as Mobile Fighter G Gundam. It's not just clips or certain episodes either, but instead, fans can watch the entire series through their Youtube channel.
Earlier in February 2022, Gundam Info reached 1.9 million subscribers. To celebrate that momentous occasion and as a way to launch into the 2 million mark, they decided to release some iconic Gundam Movies and series for a limited time, specifically from February 26th to March 13th. Here fans will find the entire original Mobile Suit Gundam trilogy, both Gundam Thunderbolt movies, some classic movies like the Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam trilogy, Mobile Suit Gundam 0083, and also some new ones like Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative and Reconguista in G movies. All are available for free on their Youtube channel.
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury
A new Gundam series called Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury was recently announced. It is planned to be released around October 2022. There's not much information about this series for now. Not the story, the concept art, or even the staff. That being said, there are a couple of things that fans know for sure. Other than the October 2022 release, there's also the fact that Gundam: The Witch from Mercury is not a story from the Universal Century timeline. From what the franchise has produced so far, anything other than a UC story will have its own original timeline, such as Gundam Seed's Cosmic Era or Gundam IBO's Post Disaster Era. So it is highly likely that Witch from Mercury will be set in a new timeline as well.
Other than those facts, there are some assumptions that can be made about Witch from Mercury from what is known of the franchise thus far. Chief among them would be the number of episodes. Most Gundam series had around 40 to 50 episodes, often spread into two seasons, so fans can expect this new one to also follow the same template. Another thing that can be expected is The Witch from Mercury will certainly bring a new line of Gunpla with it. So that is another thing to look forward to.
New movie: Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan's Island
Other than the Hathaway's Flash trilogy, the Gundam franchise also has other new movies for fans. The movie, Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan's Island, is planned to hit Japanese theaters in June 2022. There's no information yet regarding the international release date or whether it will be aired on any international streaming platform.
Similar to The Witch from Mercury, there are not many details being announced yet regarding the story or the artwork from this movie. However, fans do know that the movie will be an expanded version of the 15th episode from the original 1979 Mobile Suit Gundam anime. This is why it is quite apt that this movie is also directed by the character designer of the original Mobile Suit Gundam and the director of Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin, Yoshikazu Yasuhiko.
Special Edition of Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphan
Although it's been seven years since its release, fans are still excited over Gundam IBO. The series has spawned various spin-off manga and games, countless Gunpla, and fans still devour them all. The next thing that will come to the IBO universe is a mobile game called Mobile Suit Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphan: Urdr-Hunt.
It is planned to be released in spring 2022 and with it also comes a special anime that will tie in the story from the original IBO to the world of Urdr-Hunt. There will be nine episodes in total, but it is unclear how long each episode will be. This short anime will be produced by the same people that worked on the original Gundam IBO.
It may be a small release, but plenty of fans are certainly excited and can't wait to see it. The same thing is true for the aforementioned new series and movie. After seven long years of no major release, the biggest mech franchise in the world will have a big year in 2022. It is no wonder why Gundam fans are so excited about this year.