“Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom” is a 2024 Japanese animated military science fiction action film created by Bandai Namco Filmworks and Sunrise, directed by Mitsuo Fukuda. Serving as a sequel to both Mobile Suit Gundam SEED and Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, the narrative unfolds one year after the events of SEED Destiny. Notable voice talents include Sōichirō Hoshi, Rie Tanaka, Akira Ishida, Nanako Mori, Kenichi Suzumura, and Maaya Sakamoto. Set in 75 C.E., amidst ongoing battles and turmoil, the story centers on the establishment of the world peace monitoring organization, Compass, led by Lacus Clyne. Kira Yamato and his comrades join Compass, intervening in conflicts worldwide. The plot intensifies as the Emerging Countries Foundation proposes a joint operation with Compass against Blue Cosmos headquarters.
Development of the film began in 2006, but production was delayed due to the health issues of main writer Chiaki Morosawa. Following Morosawa’s passing in 2016, production resumed, culminating in the film’s release on January 26, 2024. It achieved significant commercial success, grossing over US$30 million and becoming the highest-grossing film within the Gundam franchise.
CHARACTERS
- Kira Yamato is voiced by Sōichirō Hoshi in Japanese and Max Mittelman in English.
- Lacus Clyne’s Japanese voice is provided by Rie Tanaka, while her English voice is portrayed by Stephanie Sheh.
- Athrun Zala is voiced by Akira Ishida in Japanese and Chris Hackney in English.
- Cagalli Yula Athha’s Japanese voice is Nanako Mori, and her English voice is Cherami Leigh.
- Shinn Asuka’s Japanese voice actor is Kenichi Suzumura, and his English voice is Kieran Regan.
- Lunamaria Hawke is portrayed by Maaya Sakamoto in Japanese and Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld in English.
- Meyrin Hawke’s Japanese voice is Fumiko Orikasa.
- Murrue Ramius is voiced by Kotono Mitsuishi in Japanese.
- Mu Lu Flaga’s Japanese voice actor is Takehito Koyasu.
- Yzak Joule is voiced by Tomokazu Seki in Japanese and Daman Mills in English.
- Dearka Elsman’s Japanese voice actor is Akira Sasanuma.
- Agnes Giebenrath / Stella Loussier is voiced by Houko Kuwashima in Japanese and Kelly Baskin in English.
- Toyah Mashima’s Japanese voice is Ayane Sakura.
- Alexei Konoe is portrayed by Hōchū Ōtsuka in Japanese.
- Albert Heinlein’s Japanese voice actor is Jun Fukuyama, and his English voice is Ben Balmaceda.
- Hilda Haken is voiced by Michiko Neya in Japanese and Marin Miller in English.
- Herbert von Reinhard’s Japanese voice actor is Taiten Kusunoki.
- Mars Simeon’s Japanese voice is Junichi Suwabe, and his English voice is Bill Butts.
- Lin Shenqiang’s Japanese voice actor is Kentarō Tone.
- Daniel Harper’s Japanese voice is Yoshitsugu Matsuoka.
- Griffin Arbalest is portrayed by Win Morisaki in Japanese and A.J. Beckles in English.
- Orphee Lam Tao’s Japanese voice is Hiro Shimono, and his English voice is Alejandro Saab.
- Aura Maha Khyber is voiced by Yukari Tamura in Japanese and Lizzie Freeman in English.
- Ingrid Tradoll’s Japanese voice actor is Sumire Uesaka, and her English voice is AmaLee.
- Redelard Tradoll’s Japanese voice is Misato Fukuen.
- Shura Serpentine is portrayed by Yuichi Nakamura in Japanese and Zeno Robinson in English.
- Arnold Neumann’s Japanese voice actor is Isshin Chiba.
- Dalida Lolaha Chandra II is voiced by Katsumi Toriumi.
- Lio Mao is portrayed by Yuna Kamakura.
- Arthur Trine’s Japanese voice actor is Hiroki Takahashi.
- Abbey Windsor’s Japanese voice is Haruka Tomatsu.
- Erica Simmons’s Japanese voice is Michiyo Yanagisawa.
- Miriallia Haw’s Japanese voice is Megumi Toyoguchi.
- Walter de Lament’s Japanese voice actor is Shinshu Fuji.
- Hari Jagannath’s Japanese voice is Hiroya Egashira.
- Foster is voiced by Yurika Hino.
- The character Michael has no specified voice actor/actress provided.
- The information about production is not provided.
STORYLINE
In the year C.E. 75, a year following the cessation of the Second Alliance-PLANT War, remnants of the Blue Cosmos organization persist in launching attacks on various nations. In response, Compass, an organization dedicated to global peace under the leadership of Orb Chief Representative Cagalli Yula Athha and overseen by Lacus Clyne, is established to counter these threats. Mobile Suit commander Kira Yamato, along with his team comprising Shinn Asuka, Lunamaria Hawke, and Agnes Gibenrath aboard the battleship Millennium, is tasked with quelling these assaults. Meanwhile, Lacus aims to dismantle Blue Cosmos while seeking to relieve Kira from continued combat, haunted by the memory of PLANT Council Chairman Durandal.
An emerging nation, led by the Foundation government, proposes a collaborative effort with Compass to combat Blue Cosmos. As Lacus and Kira agree to participate, they rendezvous with the Foundation’s leadership. However, tensions arise as Kira faces scrutiny from Foundation members, leading to a confrontation with the Black Knights. Foundation proposes an operation with Earth Alliance and Compass to confront Blue Cosmos, yet Orphee, Prime Minister of Foundation, denounces Kira, asserting his unworthiness to be with Lacus.
During the operation against Blue Cosmos, Foundation double-crosses Compass, using Lacus to further its own agenda. Manipulated by Orphee’s psychic abilities, the Black Knights divert Kira away, leading to a clash where Kira is labeled a traitor and subsequently overwhelmed. Betrayals ensue as Agnes aids the Knights in defeating Kira, who later launches nuclear missiles from a commandeered outpost. The Archangel attempts to intervene but falls victim to Knight ambush, resulting in heavy losses and Lacus’s capture.
In the aftermath, Cagalli’s mediation efforts fail, and Compass’s activities are suspended. Athrun exposes Foundation’s true objectives, leading to a declaration of war and Kira’s decision to rejoin the fight. With Orb’s support, Compass launches into space. Orphee’s attempts to manipulate Lacus are thwarted, and as ZAFT and Earth Alliance resume hostilities, Lacus is freed, revealing Foundation’s deceit. A climactic battle ensues, culminating in the defeat of Foundation and the restoration of peace, symbolized by Lacus and Kira’s heartfelt reunion on a tranquil beach.
