Gundam GQuuuuuuX Dominates as Japan's #2 Film, Overtaking the Legendary First Trilogy Finale!
Discover how GQuuuuuuX's 2.5 billion yen earnings compare to Gundam Seed FREEDOM's 5.3 billion yen—uncover the competition!
Gundam GQuuuuuuX Soars at the Box Office
The Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- anime film has made waves at the Japanese box office, amassing over 2.5 billion yen (approximately $16.5 million) within just 31 days of its release on January 17. This impressive figure makes it the second highest-earning film in the Gundam franchise, only behind Gundam Seed FREEDOM, which has earned 5.3 billion yen to date.
Surpassing the Competition
The film has now overtaken the all-time earnings of Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space, which grossed 2.3 billion yen in 1982. Furthermore, it makes GQuuuuuuX the highest-earning Gundam film, trailing only Gundam Seed FREEDOM. This latter film had an initial run grossing 4,796,455,740 yen, and with special edition screenings, it has reached a staggering 5,301,101,120 yen cumulative.
Upcoming Special Footage
Beginning this Saturday, audiences can look forward to special footage hinting at the story's continuation after the film.
The Plot Unfolds
The story follows Amate Yuzuriha, a peaceful high school student living in a space colony. Her life takes a turn when she meets a war refugee, Nyaan, leading her to the underground world of illegal mobile suit dueling in a sport called Clan Battle. Taking on the alias Machu, Amate finds herself piloting the GQuuuuuuX in intense battles. The arrival of an unidentified Gundam mobile suit and its pilot, Shūji, complicates matters even further.
Behind the Scenes
The film is directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki (known for FLCL and Gunbuster 2: Diebuster), with script supervision by Yōji Enokido (who worked on Bungo Stray Dogs and Ouran High School Host Club). Hideaki Anno (famous for Evangelion) is also part of the writing team, while character designs are crafted by Take from Katanagatari.
The mechanical designer of the film is Ikuto Yamashita, renowned for his work in Evangelion and Shin Kamen Rider.
Box Office Debut
On its debut, Gundam GQuuuuuuX topped the Japanese box office, selling 352,500 tickets and grossing 598,832,300 yen (around $3.83 million) in its first three days.
North America Release
In exciting news for fans outside Japan, GKIDS has acquired the theatrical distribution rights for Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-. The film will hit theaters in North America on February 28, with one-night-only IMAX screenings on February 26.
:::{.source} Source: Oricon :::