Calif., Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bandai Namco Filmworks Inc. today announced that MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED FREEDOM ZERO, the newest film in the GUNDAM SEED series and a prequel to MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED FREEDOM, is scheduled to open in North American theaters in February 2027. Matthew Erickson, Matt Hill and Sam Vincent will voice Shinn Asuka, Kira Yamato and Athrun Zala, respectively, in the English-language version
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The North American theatrical release window and English voice cast were announced during the GUNDAM Showcase 2026 @ NYC panel at New York Comic Con 2026, held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York. A recording of the panel is available on the Popverse YouTube channel.
The film is a prequel to MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED FREEDOM, which earned more than 5 billion yen and drew 3 million admissions to become the highest-grossing theatrical release in Gundam history. The teaser visual centers on Shinn Asuka, one of the main characters of MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED DESTINY. Its screenplay was written during the production of SEED FREEDOM by series composition writer Chiaki Morosawa, Shigeru Morita and director Mitsuo Fukuda.
- North American theatrical release scheduled for February 2027.
- English voice cast announced: Matthew Erickson as Shinn Asuka, Matt Hill as Kira Yamato and Sam Vincent as Athrun Zala.
- Teaser visual and new trailer released, together with comments from the Japanese cast and director Mitsuo Fukuda.
- The MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED Series Grand Prix 2026 fan vote opens Oct. 8, 2026 (PDT).
Watch the teaser here: https://youtu.be/FEeahlHaGyk
Assets are available here.
Story
After the collapse of the Destiny Plan proposed by Dullindal, which would have decided people’s fates based on genetics, Cagalli, the chief representative of the Orb United Emirates, has been working to bring about a peaceful new order by establishing a global peace monitoring agency called COMPS (Pronounced Compass).
C.E.74. The great war is over, but Shinn has yet to decide what course he should follow. Then a mobile suit which has survived many past battlefields is transferred from ZAFT to COMPS’s temporary base on Onogoro Island. That night, however, the Strike Freedom Gundam is stolen by persons unknown.
To stop the situation from escalating, to recover the stolen machine, and for the sake of everything they must protect, Shinn and his comrades once again throw themselves into battle…
Characters
Joining Shinn Asuka are Lunamaria Hawke, his academy classmate, and Agnes Giebenrath, who made her debut in GUNDAM SEED FREEDOM. Leonard Valway, who makes his first appearance in an animated work in this title, also joins the story.
Kira Yamato, Athrun Zala and Yzak Jule also return.
Shinn Asuka
Shinn joined ZAFT after losing his family during the invasion of Orb. He was used by Dullindal to oppose Kira and his comrades, but they were reconciled after the war. Shinn decided to join COMPS to seek a world without war, and is now training in Orb alongside the Archangel.
Lunamaria Hawke
A ZAFT pilot who was Shinn’s academy classmate, and fought alongside him aboard the Minerva. Lunamaria is a reliable person with a strong personality. After the previous war, she decided to join COMPS along with Shinn. She still continues to watch over him closely as they train aboard the Archangel.
Agnes Giebenrath
A ZAFT pilot who was Shinn’s classmate and Lunamaria’s friend during their academy days. Known as the “Moonlight Valkyrie,” Agnes plays a public relations role for the military. She visits Orb on a mission to transport the Strike Freedom and Infinite Justice.
Leonard Valway
One of the “Reds” who ranked in the top ten at military academy, Leonard is known as the “Raging Lion.” He accompanies Agnes to Orb on a mission to transport the Strike Freedom and Infinite Justice.
Kira Yamato
Caught up in a war, Kira fought for the Earth Alliance Forces, but then became an independent force fighting alongside Lacus to end the conflict. He rejected the Destiny Plan and helped defeat Dullindal, but is now wondering what he should do to help a world which is still in chaos.
Athrun Zala
As a ZAFT soldier, Athrun found himself enemies with his childhood friend Kira, but came to realize the emptiness of hatred and chose to fight by Kira’s side. After the war, he remained with the Orb forces. He also supports Cagalli with activities such as intelligence gathering as part of Terminal.
Yzak Jule
A ZAFT pilot who was Athrun’s academy classmate, as well as his rival. Yzak is currently an intelligence officer at PLANT staff headquarters. He visits Orb on a mission to transport the Strike Freedom and Infinite Justice.
Mobile Suits
The Strike Freedom and Infinite Justice Gundam return from DESTINY, joined by a new mobile suit, the GOUF Ignited Custom. Further character and mecha details are available on the MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED FREEDOM ZERO website: https://en.gundam-official.com/seed/freedom/
Japanese Voice Cast and Staff Comments
Kenichi Suzumura (Japanese Voice of Shinn Asuka):
To everyone who’s loved and supported the Gundam SEED series for so long, thank you so much!
I’m really happy that we get to bring you a new story again after “SEED FREEDOM.”
This time, it’s the story of the time leading up to that one.
If you’ve seen “FREEDOM,” I think you’ll enjoy the characters’ words and relationships all over again, from a different angle.
Personally, I’d still really love for you to keep an eye on Shinn! I did my best to put his earnest feelings and inner conflict into his voice.
Watch “ZERO” and you’ll want to watch “FREEDOM” again. I’d be happy if that kind of fun spreads. Please go take in their story in theaters!
Soichiro Hoshi (Japanese Voice of Kira Yamato):
We had the recording sessions around the time “SEED FREEDOM” was in theaters, so I’m excited that it’s finally getting released.
I felt nervous in all sorts of ways during “FREEDOM,” but strangely, I’m feeling pretty relaxed this time.
I hope all the fans who’ve been waiting can enjoy it soon.
Akira Ishida (Japanese Voice of Athrun Zala):
Alright, everyone, now it’s time for “ZERO”!
Thank you for the warm reception of “FREEDOM.”
I’m sure some of you were left wondering what on earth happened between “DESTINY” and “FREEDOM.” Well, “SEED FREEDOM ZERO” is here to answer all of that and put those nagging questions to rest. Don’t miss it!
Daisuke Ono (Japanese Voice of Leonard Valway):
My connection to “GUNDAM SEED” goes back exactly 20 years, to “STARGAZER.” Back then, I voiced Sven, a Natural in the Earth Alliance. This time, I’m playing Leonard, a Coordinator in ZAFT. Having experienced both sides, there’s a perspective I can see now that I couldn’t before. I’m so happy to be part of “GUNDAM SEED” again after all this time!
Director Mitsuo Fukuda:
“With 20 Years of Yearnings”
This is the final work completed by my late wife Chiaki Morosawa, the series composition writer. Until not long ago, I was halfway resigned to the idea that the screenplay might forever remain on the shelf, but now it has been actually made into a film thanks to the ardent support of all the fans. This story shows the characters’ yearnings that Chiaki was so eager to depict, and links together “DESTINY” and “FREEDOM.” I sincerely hope that everyone will enjoy it.
MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED Series Grand Prix 2026
To mark the release of MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED FREEDOM ZERO, the “MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED Series Grand Prix 2026” opens Oct. 8, 2026 (PDT). This year’s Grand Prix ranks memorable character moments. Fans can vote for scenes featuring 55 characters from the MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED and MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED DESTINY television series and the film MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED FREEDOM.
Voting will be open from Oct. 8 through Nov. 30, 2026 (PDT). Results are scheduled to be announced in December 2026.
To vote, visit the special website at https://en.gundam-official.com/seed/special/gp2026/, select a character and choose the scene that means the most to you, then press the Vote button. A YouTube button on each entry plays footage of key scenes and lines. Fans may vote once per character per day.
English Voice Cast
Shinn Asuka: Matthew Erickson / Kira Yamato: Matt Hill / Athrun Zala: Sam Vincent
Japanese Voice Cast
Shinn Asuka: Kenichi Suzumura / Lunamaria Hawke: Maaya Sakamoto / Agnes Giebenrath: Houko Kuwashima / Leonard Valway: Daisuke Ono / Kira Yamato: Soichiro Hoshi / Lacus Clyne: Rie Tanaka / Athrun Zala: Akira Ishida / Cagalli Yula Athha: Nanako Mori / Yzak Jule: Tomokazu Seki / Dearka Elthman: Akira Sasanuma / Murrue Ramius: Kotono Mitsuishi / Mu La Flaga: Takehito Koyasu
Staff
Planning & Production: SUNRISE / Original Concept: Hajime Yatate, Yoshiyuki Tomino / Director: Mitsuo Fukuda / Screenplay: Shigeru Morita, Chiaki Morosawa, Mitsuo Fukuda / Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Hisashi Hirai / Chief Mechanical Animation Director: Satoshi Shigeta / Mechanical Design: Kunio Ohkawara, Kimitoshi Yamane, Manabu Shintani, Zenseava, Takuya Io / Color Design: Akemi Nagao / Art Directors: Shigemi Ikeda, Yukiko Maruyama / CG Directors: Mitsuhiro Sato, Kensuke Kushida / Monitor Graphics: Azusa Tamura, Jiro Kageyama / Directors of Photography: Takeshi Katsurayama, Ryo Iijima / Offline Editing: Yukiko Nojiri / Sound Director: Sadayoshi Fujino / Music: Toshihiko Sahashi / Produced by Bandai Namco Filmworks / Distributed by Bandai Namco Filmworks and Shochiku Co., Ltd.
About MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED FREEDOM ZERO
MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED FREEDOM ZERO is the newest addition to the GUNDAM SEED series and serves as the prequel to MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED FREEDOM, the theatrical film that opened Jan. 26, 2024, and became the highest-grossing theatrical release in Gundam history in Japan. Set in the Cosmic Era—a future in which genetically enhanced ‘Coordinators’ and unaltered ‘Naturals’ are locked in war—the SEED series follows Kira Yamato, his childhood friend Athrun Zala, and Shinn Asuka, the protagonist of SEED DESTINY, as they navigate the escalating conflicts that culminate in SEED FREEDOM. SEED FREEDOM ZERO is the prequel to the film SEED FREEDOM. The story is based on a script written during the production of SEED FREEDOM by original creators Chiaki Morosawa and Shigeru Morita, together with director Mitsuo Fukuda.
Official Gundam Links
GUNDAM Official Website: https://en.gundam-official.com/
Gundam Official X: https://x.com/GundamInfoNA
GUNDAM SEED FREEDOM ZERO：https://en.gundam-official.com/seed/freedom/
GUNDAM SEED series Official Site (JP): https://gundam-official.com/seed/
GUNDAM SEED series Official X (JP): https://x.com/SEED_HDRP
© SUNRISE
