A fan meeting commemorating the completion of Yasuo Ohtagaki's manga "Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt" was held on December 20th at LOFT9 Shibuya (Shibuya Ward, Tokyo), with appearances by Ohtagaki, anime director Hiroshi Matsuo, designer Yoshiyuki Seki, and writer Shinsuke Hiraiwa. The first season of the anime aired from 2015 to 2016, with the second in 2017, and many fans are clamoring for a sequel. Matsuo spoke about his thoughts on a sequel.
At a screening of the anime "Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt December Sky" held the previous day, anime producer Naohiro Ogata of Bandai Namco Filmworks said, "The fact that it's a film directed by Matsuo Hiroshi is a big factor. If there's a sequel, I'd like to see Matsuo in it. I'd like Matsuo to hear it tomorrow (at the fan meeting). I'd like to persuade Matsuo and do something."
Director Matsuo said, "There were many miracles that could only have happened at this moment in time that made it possible to make the Thunderbolt anime. All those people came together at that time and it was finally possible. If we are to make a sequel, I don't want there to be any difference (from the previous work). I don't want to make it at an awkward time. Personally, if we're going to do it, I want to do it properly. It won't be a compromise, it has to be the right timing."
Otagaki said, "Even ' Hathaway's Flash' took a long time to be made into an anime. It may be five or ten years from now, but there may be a possibility. If everyone continues to love it, there may be a chance someday. Please keep saying it! Thank you very much."
"Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt" is a manga by Otagaki, who is known for works such as "MOONLIGHT MILE." It depicts the battle between the Earth Federation Forces and the Principality of Zeon in the Thunderbolt Sector during the One Year War, as well as the battles between the Zeon remnants, the Federation, and the South Seas Alliance after the One Year War. It has been adapted into an anime and plastic model kit, gaining popularity. The series began serialization in "Big Comic Superior" (Shogakukan) in 2012, and the final episode aired in September of this year, bringing the curtain down on a 13-year run. The final 27th volume of the manga was released on December 19th. The series has sold over 6 million copies in total.
