Wikipedia

Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative

Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative (Japanese: 機動戦士ガンダムNT (ナラティブ), Hepburn: Kidō Senshi Gandamu NT (Naratibu)) is a Japanese animated mecha science fiction film produced by Sunrise and distributed by Shochiku. Released as part of the Gundam franchise, it is based on the 11th Gundam Unicorn novel, Phoenix Hunting.[3] It was directed by Toshikazu Yoshizawa (Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt) and written by Harutoshi Fukui, with character designs by Kumiko Takahashi, Sejoon Kim, Hajime Katoki, and Eiji Komatsu.[4] The film was released in Japanese theaters on November 30, 2018.[5]

Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative
Official illustration used for the Final Theatrical Poster of the film, showing the main cast and the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex
Japanese name
Kanji機動戦士ガンダムNT (ナラティブ)
Transcriptions
Revised HepburnKidō Senshi Gandamu NT (Naratibu)
Directed byToshikazu Yoshizawa
Screenplay byHarutoshi Fukui
Story byHarutoshi Fukui
Based onPhoenix Hunting
by Harutoshi Fukui
Gundam
by Yoshiyuki Tomino & Hajime Yatate
Starring
CinematographyKentaro Waki
Edited byDaisuke Imai
Music byHiroyuki Sawano
Production
company
Sunrise (Studio 1)
Distributed byShochiku
Release date
  • November 30, 2018 (2018-11-30)[1]
Running time
89 minutes
CountryJapan
LanguageJapanese
Box office$6 million[2]

Story

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In UC 0096, the conflict dubbed the "Laplace Incident" ended with the dissolution of the Neo Zeon remnant group "Sleeves". Both the Unicorn Gundam and the Banshee were supposedly dismantled. With the original draft of the Universal Century Charter revealed, the existence of Newtypes and their promised rights have become known to the public. One year later, in UC 0097, the world is largely unchanged despite these revelations. The reappearance of the RX-0 Gundam unit 3 Phenex, "brother" to the Unicorn and Banshee, two years after it disappeared, triggers the Federation to launch Operation "Phoenix Hunt" to capture the mobile suit. Minister Monaghan Bakharo of the Republic of Zeon secretly directs a Zeon unit to the same objective through his operative Ellic Hugo. Mineva Lao Zabi, the figurehead "princess" of Zeon, calls out Monaghan's ambitions, though she cannot directly intervene.

The powerful corporation Luio & Co. assigns Michele Luio and pilot Jona Basta along with the RX-9 Narrative Gundam to assist the Federation. Michele and Jona's childhood friend, Rita Bernal, is believed to be in control of the Phenex. Rita, Michele, and Jona were declared the "Miracle Children" after predicting the colony drop from Zeon's "Operation British" at the opening of the One Year War, saving many lives. Michele and Jona know that only Rita displayed true Newtype precognition. The Federation and Zeon teams detect the Phenex within a college colony at Side 6. The two sides race to the scene, though the Phenex is nowhere to be found. Piloting a Sinanju Stein, Zeon pilot Zoltan Akkanen, a failed product of the project that created Full Frontal, attacks Jona and the Narrative Gundam and inflicts serious damage to the colony. Zoltan summons the II Neo Zeong mobile armor to help him destroy Jona, and the massive armor breaches the hull of colony. The conflict ends after the Phenex finally appears and disrupts the encounter before escaping.

In the aftermath of the disastrous events within the colony, Minister Monaghan instructs Ellic to flee her ship as he intends to blame the event on rogue Sleeves remnants and have the Federation destroy the rest of the force. Zoltan overhears the communication and murders Ellic. He suffers a psychotic break and launches in the II Neo Zeong with no greater intent than mass destruction. Michele reveals she orchestrated the encounter in the colony in order to draw out the Phenex. As teenagers, she, Rita, and Jona became victims of the vicious Cyber Newtype experiments by the Titans. Michele had arranged for her own adoption by Luio & Co. after tricking Jona into helping her sacrifice Rita to extreme experimentation, intending to free Rita with Luio & Co. resources. However, after the dissolution of the Titans, the Federation continued to use Rita as the test pilot of the Phenex, eventually leading to her disappearance when the Phenex went berserk during a test. She believes she will be absolved of her guilt over Rita when she unlocks the key to immortality within the Phenex—the ability of a psycho-frame to absorb the soul of a dying person, as has happened with the Phenex and Rita, who died after escaping with the Phenex.

The Federation fears Zoltan’s assault will cause a rain of debris on Earth even more devastating than Operation British. Jona, Michele, and the Federation forces sortie to defeat Zoltan, joined by the Phenex. The II Neo Zeong proves too powerful and is on the verge of defeating the combined forces. Michele sacrifices herself to protect Jona's heavily damaged Narrative Gundam. Banagher Links arrives in the ARX-014S Silver Bullet Suppressor, intervening to allow Jona to enter the Phenex' empty cockpit. The united souls of Jona, Rita, and Michele drive the Phenex's psycho-frame to contain the destructive power of the II Neo Zeong's own psycho-frame, killing Zoltan and saving the Earth. Jona is released from the Phenex before it speeds away at incredible speed, and is rescued by Banagher, who encourages Jona that the story is not over yet. The RX-0 Unicorn Gundam, believed to have been dismantled, is shown to be sealed away by Mineva and Banagher, in case it needs to be called on again.

Voice cast

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Character Japanese English[6][7]
Jona Basta Junya Enoki Griffin Puatu
Michele Luio Tomo Muranaka Erika Ishii
Emiko Dunn (young)
Rita Bernal Ayu Matsura Brianna Knickerbocker
Mauri Naoki Tamanoi TBA
Iago Haakana Kazuya Nakai Chris Tergliafera
Franson Takanori Hoshino Phillip Reich[8]
Amaya Setsuji Satō TBA
Delao Yūki Arai Zeno Robinson[9]
Pavel Takahiro Shimada TBA
Taman Wataru Komada Brandon Winckler[10]
Abayev Kazuhiro Yamaji TBA
Brick Teclato Makoto Furukawa Daniel J. Edwards
Zoltan Akkanen Yūichirō Umehara Stefan Martello
Ellic Hugo Aya Endō Faye Mata
Monaghan Bakharo Masaki Terasoma TBA
Mineva Lao Zabi Ayumi Fujimura Stephanie Sheh
Suberoa Zinnerman Hideaki Tezuka J. David Brimmer
Banagher Links Kōki Uchiyama Steve Staley
Martha Vist Carbine Tomoko Shiota Ellyn Stern
Flaste Schole Rikiya Koyama Patrick Seitz
Takuya Irei Hiro Shimono Robby Duncan Sharpe
Quattro Bajeena Shūichi Ikeda Keith Silverstein

Production and promotion

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The film project was first teased by Sunrise after they registered the domain name "gundam-nt.net" on April 5, 2018.[11] It was formally announced during an official live stream at Gundam Base Tokyo on April 20, 2018, which revealed the teaser trailer for the film as well as the characters. Included in the announcement were the titular mobile suit, the Narrative Gundam, alongside redesigned versions of the Sinanju Stein and the Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex.[12] The film is the first in Sunrise's "UC NexT 0100" project, which will cover the events of the next 100 years in the Universal Century timeline.[13] Aside from the film, two additional Gundam projects were also revealed by Sunrise: a film trilogy adaptation of Yoshiyuki Tomino's Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway's Flash novels and an overseas live-action sequel to Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn. Fukui jokingly told the audience to "pretend you didn't see that".[14]

On August 15, the film's theatrical poster was revealed alongside the new cast and voice actors for the upcoming film. The initial date of release in theaters was also revealed.[15] Upon the release of the theatrical poster, netizens in Twitter created parody pictures due to the bizarre poses of the main characters in the poster,[16] based on the 16th century sculpture The Rape of the Sabine Women.[17] In a cross-promotion with Gen Urobuchi's film Godzilla: The Planet Eater, a special theatrical poster was unveiled alongside merchandise and advanced pre-orders of tickets for both films,[18][19][20] and a special trailer for the crossover was later aired.[21] Sunrise later aired the final film trailer on November 29, 2018.[22]

Media

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Film

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The film premiered in theaters across Japan on November 30, 2018. Odex announced they will distribute the film in theaters across Southeast Asia, with screening dates being announced at a later date.[23] An English dub is also announced to be in the works, with NYAV Post producing it and Oscar Garcia set to be the ADR Director of the dub.[24][25] The film was released in theaters on the United States on February 19, 2019 for one night only.[26] The film's ending theme song is titled "Narrative" by Hiroyuki Sawano and LiSA. The film was licensed for release by Anime Limited in the U.K. for the 30 of November 2020.[27]

Merchandise

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Part of the film's merchandise will be released under Bandai's long running Gunpla line of scale models, with the High Grade Universal Century versions of the Narrative Gundam, Sinanju Stein, and the Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex announced for a Fall 2018 release.[28]

Video games

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In Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. 2, Narrative Gundam (B-Packs and C-Packs) is a playable unit and later supplanted by the Sinanju Stein (Narrative unit). In Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. 2 XBoost, Unicorn Phenex was later added as a playable unit.

Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative is one of the entry series of Super Robot Wars 30.

Critical reception

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Kim Morrissy of Anime News Network gave the film an overall rating of B, praising the film's interesting concept and tie-in with Gundam Unicorn while criticizing its sparse characterization and weak character animation.[29]

Box office

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Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative grossed $4,615,833 in Japan, $1,230,831 in China, and $259,224 in the USA, bringing its worldwide total to $6 million.[30]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "『ガンダムUC』の続編となる劇場版『機動戦士ガンダムNT』11月に公開". Archived from the original on 2018-04-24. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
  2. ^ "Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative Box Office". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  3. ^ "2つの短編ストーリーを収録した小説最新巻「機動戦士ガンダムUC（11）不死鳥狩り」3月26日発売！". Archived from the original on 19 October 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  4. ^ "Gundam NT Unveiled as New UC Anime Set After Unicorn". Archived from the original on 2018-04-24. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
  5. ^ "Gundam NT Anime's Teaser Reveals Cast, November 30 Opening". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 2018-12-06. Retrieved 2019-01-23.
  6. ^ "Win a Pair of VIP Tickets to the Mobile Suit Gundam NT Movie Premiere in LA!". gleam.io. Archived from the original on 2019-07-07. Retrieved 2019-07-07.
  7. ^ GundamInfo (2019-01-31), Mobile Suit Gundam NT (Narrative) Long Trailer (EN dub), archived from the original on 2021-04-27, retrieved 2019-07-07
  8. ^ Reich, Phillip (2019-02-19). "Hope everyone who's watching #GundamNT tonight are loving it! A lot of talented folks put a lot of work into it. You can hear me as Franson and a slew of other random voices. It was a joy to work on this and @stephaniesheh was a wonderful director. Thanks @nyav_post". @PhillMReich. Archived from the original on 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2019-07-07.
  9. ^ Robinson, Zeno (2019-02-19). "God is GOOOD. If you're watching #GundamNT today or have already seen it, I play Delao and several other citizens throughout the film! HUUUUGE HUGE thank you to @stephaniesheh and @nyav_post for the wonderful opportunity to be a part of such a legendary franchise". @childishgamzeno. Archived from the original on 2021-04-27. Retrieved 2019-07-07.
  10. ^ Winckler, Brandon (2019-02-19). "Hey yall! Wanted to let you know about the fact I got to work on the newest Gundam film. I voice Taman, and a whole bunch of other peoples in Gundam Narrative! It's in theaters today only!
    Go and check it out. :) Plus my best bud @GriffinPuatu voices Jona, the main character!"    . @BWincklerVA. Archived from the original on 2020-11-11. Retrieved 2019-07-07.
  11. ^ "'Gundam-Nt.net' Domain Registered Under Sunrise". Archived from the original on 2018-04-24. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
  12. ^ "『機動戦士ガンダムＮＴ（ナラティブ）』2018年11月劇場公開！ 『機動戦士ガンダムＵＣ』のその先を描く - ファミ通.com". ファミ通.com. Archived from the original on 2018-04-24. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
  13. ^ "「ガンダムシリーズ 新作発表会」でシリーズ最新作『機動戦士ガンダムＮＴ』と最新プロジェクト情報を発表". GIGAZINE. 2018-04-20. Archived from the original on 2020-04-21. Retrieved 2018-04-20.
  14. ^ "Gundam: Hathaway Film Trilogy, Overseas Gundam UC2 Drama Teased". Archived from the original on 2019-04-12. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
  15. ^ "Gundam NT Anime's Teaser Reveals Cast, November 30 Opening". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 2018-12-06. Retrieved 2019-01-23.
  16. ^ Ashcraft, Brian. "Thank Gundam For This Photo Meme". Kotaku. Archived from the original on 2018-09-07. Retrieved 2019-01-23.
  17. ^ "Gundam NT Anime Visual's Bizarre Pose Creates Internet's Latest Trend". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 2018-12-07. Retrieved 2019-01-23.
  18. ^ "'Godzilla' and 'Gundam' Join Forces For Official New Poster". Anime. Archived from the original on 2019-01-27. Retrieved 2019-01-23.
  19. ^ Komatsu, Mikikazu. ""Golden" Collaboration Art Features Gundam, Godzilla, and King Ghidorah". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on 2018-11-29. Retrieved 2019-01-23.
  20. ^ "Godzilla, Gundam Anime's Golden Goliaths Gleam in Collaboration Visual". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 2019-01-12. Retrieved 2019-01-23.
  21. ^ "Gundam Tries to Take Down Godzilla in Crossover Commercial". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 2019-02-03. Retrieved 2019-01-23.
  22. ^ "Gundam NT Anime's Long Promo Video Previews Theme Song". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 2019-02-26. Retrieved 2019-01-23.
  23. ^ "Odex to Screen Gundam NT Anime in Southeast Asia". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 2018-09-05. Retrieved 2019-01-23.
  24. ^ "Gundam NT Anime's Long Promo Video Previews Theme Song". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 2019-02-26. Retrieved 2019-01-23.
  25. ^ Fathom Events, MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM NT (NARRATIVE) Extended Trailer, archived from the original on 2019-06-04, retrieved 2019-02-01
  26. ^ "MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM NT (NARRATIVE)". Fathom Events. Archived from the original on 2019-02-02. Retrieved 2019-02-01.
  27. ^ "Mobile Suit Gundam NT (Narrative) - Blu-ray Collector's Edition". Archived from the original on 2020-11-01. Retrieved 2020-11-04.
  28. ^ "機動戦士ガンダムNT：話題の新作のUCガンダム3号機がガンプラに ナラティブガンダム、シナンジュ・スタインも - 毎日新聞". Archived from the original on 2018-04-25. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
  29. ^ Morrissy, Kim (2018-12-21). "Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative Review". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 2019-06-02. Retrieved 2019-06-25.
  30. ^ "Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative Box Office". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
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Preceded by Gundam metaseries (production order)
2018 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Universal Century
U.C. 0097 		Succeeded by
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