There is a lot of buzz about the production of a new work in the popular anime series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM ZERO. The Mobile Suit Gundam SEED series has produced Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY, and Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM. SEED FREEDOM ZERO is the "story after" SEED DESTINY, and a prequel to SEED FREEDOM. What will the new work be like?
◇The plan itself has been around for a while
The production of SEED FREEDOM ZERO was announced on November 1st at a stage greeting for the special edition of SEED FREEDOM, held at Grand Cinema Sunshine Ikebukuro (Toshima-ku, Tokyo).
Director Mitsuo Fukuda said, "My work is almost done. That's because I made it 20 years ago. I was offered to make a movie (SEED FREEDOM) with a plot similar to that of MSV. The script was done. About half the storyboards are done. The oldest storyboard is from 20 years ago." He revealed that the project itself had existed for a long time.
It was originally planned as an OVA (original video animation), but the medium is currently undecided. It was a shelved project, but after the success of "SEED FREEDOM," it was decided to produce it.
According to Director Fukuda, the beach scene of Kira and Lacus in "SEED FREEDOM" and the first battle scene were "transplanted" from the storyboard of "SEED FREEDOM ZERO."
◇The Freedom Robbery Incident is a Hot Topic
"SEED FREEDOM" is set in C.E. (Cosmic Era) 75, two years after "SEED DESTINY." As it is a "story after" of "SEED DESTINY," it will be some kind of story that took place in the two years between then and now.
When the production of "SEED FREEDOM ZERO" was announced, the phrase "Freedom Robbery Incident" trended on social media. In "SEED FREEDOM," Cagalli mentions the incident by saying, "Orb also owes them a debt for the Freedom Robbery Incident six months ago." Some fans speculated that the film might depict the "Freedom Robbery Incident," which was not shown in the anime.
A teaser trailer was shown at the end of the second special edition screening of "SEED FREEDOM," but it was not explicitly stated that the "Freedom Robbery Incident" would be depicted, so it is possible that it will be a completely different story.
Although the production of "SEED FREEDOM" was announced in 2006, there were no further updates for a long time after that. After about 18 years since the announcement, it was released in January of this year. We're happy that "SEED FREEDOM ZERO" is being produced, but there are probably many fans who are saying, "Please release it sooner next time!"
