Twenty years passed since the news that a theatrical film had been greenlit. At long last, Gundam SEED FREEDOM was released.
Just when everyone had nearly given up hope that it would ever come out, an X tweet from Takanori Nishikawa—who not only sang the theme songs but also appeared as a voice actor, and who loves Gundam—sparked it all, and word that the film was in motion spread like wildfire all at once.
Nishikawa had reportedly been approached to handle theme songs for Gundam works after Gundam SEED too, but he turned them all down, saying, 'I'm the Gundam SEED guy.' A man of loyalty. This is what 'a man other men fall for' looks like.
Gundam SEED began in 2002 with its first season, 'Mobile Suit Gundam SEED,' airing across all 50 episodes. Built on the concept of a 21st-century First Gundam, it established an entirely new image of Gundam and was a huge success. It was so popular that in 2004 a sequel, 'Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY,' aired—again across 50 episodes. But honestly, perhaps because this one wasn't very well made, even after news of a theatrical film came out, no real follow-up reports surfaced for a long time afterward.
That said, the popularity of the MS (Mobile Suits—the robots in Gundam works) was tremendous, and the Strike Freedom that appeared in Gundam SEED DESTINY boasts considerable popularity among all Gundams, with a coolness that always lands it near the top of the rankings. (Personally, my favorite MS in the Gundam SEED line is the Perfect Strike.)
Because Gundam SEED's screenwriter, Chiaki Morosawa, passed away in February 2016, a film adaptation seemed hopeless. But in 2022, follow-up news was suddenly announced, and fans rejoiced. Liu Goto took over from Morosawa, respected her plot, pushed the production forward, completed the screenplay, and reportedly even finished the novelization.
As for the film itself, it was once again made to delight fans—it was released without revealing who pilots which MS until it hit theaters, and once the lid was lifted, it turned out to be a giant festival of a movie. The fact that the Rising Freedom, the only MS confirmed to be piloted by Kira and revealed first, wasn't terribly popular makes sense in hindsight—this is exactly why. Of course the fans were going to love it!
Following 'SEED' and 'SEED DESTINY,' the music is once again handled by Toshihiko Sahashi.
The score is full of nostalgia too, with tracks like 'Sortie! Destiny' that arrange songs from the older works. Have a quick listen.
'Decisive Battle for Freedom,' which closes out the soundtrack, is hot-blooded and great too! This is the very essence of SEED music—a melody that retains a certain nostalgia while pulling off both fierceness and tenderness in one cool package.
Well then, let's part ways while watching the film's teaser.
Quoted from the official site https://www.gundam-seed.net/freedom/
