Gundam SEED Freedom Prequel Announced!

Article at a glance:
Gundam SEED Freedom Zero, a prequel project to SEED Freedom, was announced after the recent re-screening, with a 20-year-old script confirmed by director Matsuo Fukuda.
SEED Freedom grossed over 5 billion Yen, making it the highest-grossing Gundam movie in Japan, fueling the demand for more SEED content.
While I’m happy for more SEED, I wonder why Sunrise/Bandai Namco isn’t focusing on fresh series like Witch from Mercury instead of revisiting old franchises. But if Freedom Zero is good, I’m all for it!

Gundam SEED Freedom is the sequel movie to Gundam SEED and Gundam SEED Destiny. Freedom became one of the highest-grossing movies in Japan and recently, it was recently screened for a second time. And well, with this screening, comes the revelation that a prequel project for Freedom is in production. Japan loved Gundam SEED so we are getting more SEED content and you know what? I don’t mind. Yes, I have my concerns but I will go over them later.

First, let’s go over all the news. There’s not much, since this is just the initial announcement. I am mainly making this article because I wanted to talk about my thoughts on Gundam in general. So yeah, welcome back to another news article and today we are talking about Gundam SEED Freedom Zero! Let’s get started!

What do we know about Gundam SEED Freedom Zero?

Following the second screening of SEED Freedom special edition yesterday (1st November), a prequel project called SEED Freedom Zero was revealed to be in production. The director, Matsuo Fukuda later revealed that the script for the prequel was completed 20 years ago. SEED Freedom was released in Japan on 26th January and it grossed over 5 billion Yen (about 32 million USD). Making it the highest-grossing Gundam movie.

My Thoughts

So I don’t mind SEED getting more content. I love SEED and it is probably my favorite Gundam in general. Generic choice, I know but hey, I really like it. But my thing is, why is Sunrise/Bandai Namco so set on adding sequels/reboots to existing Gundam series instead of adding new ones? We haven’t had a new AE Gundam since Witch from Mercury which I do find a little odd. Maybe we will get more after they’re done with the whole SEED thing? I am aware that they are putting old unused scripts for these recent SEED movies but still.

I know a lot of people think that Sunrise is milking Code Geass as well because of its popularity but I don’t think that’s necessarily the case. They created the reboot timeline specifically to experiment with sequels, they made as much clear when they decided to put out the reboot movies. The original story of the show is done and dusted and it is perfect as is. SEED is a whole different case though.

That is all for now

But yeah, a beloved franchise like Gundam SEED getting repeated new entries, especially all these years later after the original series does raise some eyebrows. But hey, as long as it is good, I am here for it. SEED Freedom was pretty damn good from what I’ve heard so if Freedom Zero is equally good, I don’t see why people would have any issues, So yeah, I understand where those concerned are coming from, and I don’t disagree with them. I am just a little more optimistic than them. So yeah, let me know what you guys think, and see ya!

Also, check out this week’s manga recommendation here!