【2026 Latest】This is the Correct Order to Watch Gundam! The Shortest Route Leading to "Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway's Flash – The Witch of Circe" and a Thorough Review

On January 30, 2026, the second installment of the trilogy, "Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: Flash – The Witch of Circe," was released in theaters across Japan. Following the huge success of "Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX" in 2025, this latest film has also achieved record-breaking numbers, earning 15.3 billion yen at the box office and attracting 914,106 viewers in just 11 days after its release (according to Kogyo Tsushinsha).

However, due to the long history of the Gundam franchise, it can be daunting for new fans who often wonder, "Where should I start?"

In fact, until recently, I myself had only watched the original TV anime series "Mobile Suit Gundam" once about 15 years ago, and I hadn't even seen the first part of "Hathaway's Flash." So, for those who want to watch this second installment but are worried they won't enjoy it without knowing the previous story, I'm here to share the shortest viewing route to fully enjoy "The Witch of Circe," along with a review that delves into the core of the latest film!

*If you purchase or reserve products introduced in this article, a portion of the sales may be returned to FUN! JAPAN.

Conclusion: What You Absolutely Need to Know Before Watching "Kirke’s Witch"

The Gundam series can be broadly divided into two main branches: "Another Gundam" works, which each have their own independent worldviews (for example, "GQuuuuuuX," "The Witch from Mercury," "SEED," etc.), and the "Universal Century (U.C.)" works, which depict a continuous history starting from the original in 1979.

"Hathaway's Flash" is a story that follows the legitimate lineage of the "Universal Century." Therefore, if you watch it without any prior knowledge, you may miss the essence of the story, such as "Why did the protagonist, Hathaway, become a terrorist leader?" or "Why is this girl, Gigi, drawn to Hathaway?"

But don't worry! You don't need to watch all the dozens of works. To fully experience the impact of "The Witch of Circe," there are only three stories you need to see.

The Shortest Route! Theatrical Viewing Guide Leading to Hathaway

① Mobile Suit Gundam (Theatrical Trilogy)

Source: Animate (Left・Center・Right)

The origin of it all, commonly known as "First Gundam." While the TV series consists of 43 episodes, you can grasp the story, the personalities of the characters, and their relationships by watching the condensed movie trilogy ("I", "II: Soldiers of Sorrow", and "III: Encounters in Space").

Why You Should Watch It

This is where Hathaway's father, Bright Noa, appears. Bright is a military officer who has served as the captain of the space battleship to which Gundam belongs, and is a comrade-in-arms of Amuro Ray, the protagonist of "Mobile Suit Gundam." Together with the young Amuro and his rival, Char Aznable, Bright survived the harsh era of war.

In the "Hathaway's Flash" series, understanding the struggles Hathaway faces in the shadow of such a "great father" makes it essential to witness Bright's battles in his youth.

② Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack

This is the most important work you cannot avoid when talking about the character Hathaway. Released in 1988, this film depicts the final confrontation between Amuro and Char, but it is also the origin story of "young Hathaway Noa."

Why You Should Watch It

At the age of 13, Hathaway suffers an irreparable trauma involving his first love, Quess Paraya. Why did he lose hope in the Earth Federation government and eventually join the anti-Earth Federation organization, Mafty Navue Erin, using it as his alias as the group’s leader? All of his motivations are packed into this movie.

Often referred to as "Char's Counterattack," this work is highly regarded among Gundam fans, with many calling it their favorite in the entire series.

③ Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway's Flash (Part 1)

This is the previous installment, released in 2021. From here, the visual quality takes a dramatic leap, establishing its status as "Gundam for adults."

Why You Should Watch It

Set in Davao, Philippines, this is the fateful prologue where Hathaway, Colonel Kenneth of the Earth Federation Forces, and the mysterious girl Gigi meet. The second part, "The Witch of Circe," begins directly from the final scene of this first part. In this work, you can once again appreciate Kenneth's mix of friendship and suspicion toward Hathaway, as well as the presence of Gigi, the "goddess of fortune (or perhaps a witch)."

Flowchart: The Best Order to Watch Gundam Depending on Your Purpose

We have introduced five theatrical releases, but here are some optimal routes tailored to your lifestyle and interests.

A. Fastest Route! For Those Who Want to Head to the Theater Right Now (Approximate Viewing Time: 3 hours 35 minutes)

• Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack (120 min)
• Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway's Flash (95 min)

💡Point: This route is for those who want to grasp only the minimum context. As long as you understand Hathaway's personal struggles, you can immerse yourself in the latest film's drama even if you skip the finer details.

B. For Those Who Want to Deeply Understand Story Trivia and Background (Approximate Viewing Time: 10 hours 30 minutes)

• Mobile Suit Gundam (Movie Trilogy) (I: 140 min / II: 134 min / III: 141 min)
• Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack (120 min)
• Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway (95 min)

💡Point: This route is for those who want to savor the story more deeply, even if it takes a bit more time. What are "Newtypes" and "Minovsky Particles" that appear in the story? What are the relationships and histories of Amuro, Char, and Bright (Hathaway's father), the main characters from the original series? By understanding the background knowledge and foreshadowing that connect to this work, you'll enjoy the series even more.

C. For Those Who Want to Deeply Explore the "Universal Century (U.C.)" Series (Approximate Viewing Time: 71 hours 5 minutes)

• U.C. 0079: Mobile Suit Gundam (25 min × 43 episodes)
• U.C. 0085–87: Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (25 min × 50 episodes)
• U.C. 0088: Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (25 min × 47 episodes)
• U.C. 0093: Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack (120 min)
• U.C. 0096: Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (25 min × 22 episodes)
• U.C. 0105: Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway's Flash (95 min)

💡Point: This route is for those who want to become Gundam enthusiasts. However, even this is still just an introduction. The three series—Zeta, ZZ, and Unicorn—feature protagonists other than Amuro and Char, but members from the original series, including Amuro, appear or are mentioned. By understanding the flow of characters and historical background from Mobile Suit Gundam to Hathaway, you can fully immerse yourself in the world of the series.

Where Can You Watch Past Gundam Works?

In Japan, you can mainly watch on UNEXT, Bandai Channel, and DMM TV, as well as some titles on Netflix and Amazon Prime.

If you are watching from overseas, please note that some streaming services may have regional restrictions, so be sure to check the available services in your area.

Main Official Overseas Streaming Services

• Netflix: Netflix appears to be the main platform for streaming the Gundam series overseas. Titles such as "Requiem for Vengeance" and "Hathaway" are exclusively available in over 190 countries worldwide.
• Crunchyroll: One of the largest streaming ranges in the world, covering North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, South America, and more. Available titles vary by country, so please check. It was not available for viewing from Japan.
• Prime Video: From April 2025, "Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX" will be exclusively available on Prime Video in over 240 countries and regions (excluding Japan and Vietnam), but please check for other Gundam titles.

[Author's Review] How Did "The Witch of Circe" Change Gundam's History?

From here, the review is by the author who actually watched the film. *While avoiding major spoilers, there will be some discussion of the story’s core elements.

Visuals: Realism Beyond Live-Action, Surpassing the Boundaries of "Anime"

The highlight is, of course, the battle between the sister mobile suits, Xi Gundam and Penelope Gundam! The night battle scenes, which were highly praised in Part 1, are even more realistic and detailed in this film. Fans on social media are raving, saying, "It feels like I'm actually sitting in the cockpit of a Gundam, fighting in the battle myself!"

Characters: The Relationships Surrounding Hathaway and Gigi

This time, Hathaway is depicted as being deeply troubled. While throwing himself into battle, he also struggles as a young man, and this realistic portrayal of Hathaway will remind those who watched the original "Mobile Suit Gundam" of Amuro Ray.

The relationship between Hathaway, Gigi, and Kenneth also evokes memories of the dynamics between Amuro, Lalah*, and Char, or Hathaway, Quess, and Char. For those who have seen "Char's Counterattack," there are plenty of surprising scenes that will make you go, "Ah!"

*Lalah is a girl who appears in the original "Mobile Suit Gundam." Char recognized her talent, and she also shared a deep connection with Amuro.

Intense battle scenes, intricate mechanical designs, complex and subtle human relationships, and the emotional turmoil of youth... This is the true essence of Gundam! Be sure to experience "The Witch of Circe" in theaters.

By the way, the photo shows the second week’s theater bonus. In Japan, if you go to see a movie right after its release, you can often receive a special bonus for free. For popular titles like Gundam, the bonuses change each week—first week, second week, third week, and so on—and since they are limited in quantity and not for sale, some fans visit the theater multiple times just to collect them.

Experience "Gundam" in Japan! The Latest Must-Visit Spots in 2026

After watching the movie, keep the excitement going by visiting the life-size Gundam statues. They were a hot topic at EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai (now ended). As of 2026, here are the two must-visit holy sites for Gundam fans.

1. Tokyo Odaiba: Life-Size Unicorn Gundam Statue

This statue at DiverCity Tokyo Plaza remains the symbol of Gundam tourism in Japan.

Highlights

The scheduled "transformation" performance. Although, according to the story, this mobile suit predates Hathaway’s era, experiencing its sheer size firsthand gives you a real sense of how terrifying the mobile suits in the movie truly are as weapons.

Gundam Base Tokyo

This official Gunpla complex is located right behind the statue. Boasting one of the world’s largest selections, not only can you purchase products, but there are also spaces to build your Gunpla on the spot and areas that recreate the factory for learning, making it enjoyable for both children and adults.

• Official site for the Life-Size Unicorn Gundam Statue
• Official site for Gundam Base Tokyo

2. Fukuoka: Life-Size ν (Nu) Gundam Statue

This statue is located at LaLaport Fukuoka, and in the story, it is the mobile suit piloted by Amuro in "Char’s Counterattack."

Highlights

The "RX-93ff ν Gundam" is unique to this location. Here, you can experience the reality of the mobile suit that Hathaway looked up to in "Char’s Counterattack."

Gundam Park Fukuoka

The facility features simulators you can only experience here, as well as extensive exhibits covering the latest Gundam information. It is also conveniently located just a short distance from Fukuoka Airport, which has many LCC flights from across Asia.

• Click here for the official site of the life-size ν (Nu) Gundam statue
• Click here for the official site of THE GUNDAM BASE FUKUOKA

Witness "The Witch of Circe" in Theaters!

"Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway's Flash – The Witch of Circe" is a human drama that depicts the visually stunning and terrifying battle scenes, the struggles of a young man named Hathaway caught between ideals and reality, and the cruel yet beautiful world that surrounds him.

If you review the previous works using the "shortest route" introduced here, every line of dialogue and every fleeting expression of the characters in the movie theater will hit you with many times more impact!

If you are in Japan now, or planning to visit soon, be sure to experience this work—currently captivating anime fans across Japan—on the big screen this winter in 2026.

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