Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway's Flash
Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway's Flash, also known as Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway, is a trilogy of Japanese novels written by Yoshiyuki Tomino and published by Kadokawa Shoten under the Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko imprint from February 1989 to April 1990, totaling three volumes. Part of the Gundam media franchise and set in the Universal Century timeline, it follows Hathaway Noa, who assumes the alias Mafty Navue Erin and leads an anti–Earth Federation movement.
A three-part theatrical film adaptation was announced by Sunrise as part of the "UC NexT 0100" project during the franchise's 40th anniversary presentation in November 2018. The first film premiered in Japan on June 11, 2021, and later streamed on Netflix beginning July 1, 2021. The second film released theatricaly in Japan on January 30, 2026.
Plot
In Universal Century 0105, twelve years after the Second Neo-Zeon War, the Earth Federation remains deeply corrupt, and environmental degradation continues unchecked. A terrorist organization named Mafty emerges, targeting privileged officials through acts of political violence. Its leader, Mafty Navue Erin, is revealed to be Hathaway Noa—son of Federation officer Bright Noa—who pilots the prototype RX-105 Ξ Gundam in his campaign against systemic corruption.The Federation responds by forming the “Circe Unit,” commanded by Colonel Kenneth Sleg, with Lane Aim piloting the RX-104FF Penelope to stop Mafty's insurgency.
During Mafty's hijacking of Haunzen Flight 356, Hathaway encounters Gigi Andalucia, who quickly discerns his identity despite his alias—an encounter that deeply affects his path.
Characters
Main characters
;Hathaway Noa;Gigi Andalucia
;Kenneth Sleg
Mafty
;Iram Masam;Emerelda Zubin
;Gawman Nobil
;Fencer Mayne
;Golf
;Raymond Cain
;Civet Anhern
;Hendrix Hiyo
;Maximilian Nikolai
;Kenji Mitsuda
;Max Harriet
;Mihesssia Hence
;Kelia Dace
;Quack Salver
Earth Federation Forces
;Lane Aim;Ray Lagoid
;Minacce Questarghino
Earth Federation government
;Hiram Mescher;Eyinstein
;McGovern
Davao Criminal Police Organization
;Hundley Yeoksam;Geise H. Hugest
Others
;Amuro Ray;Quess Paraya
;Mace Flower
;Bright Noa
;Mirai Noa
Media
Novel
Hathaway's Flash was first conceived by Yoshiyuki Tomino in 1988 following the production of Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack film. However, Hathaway's Flash is meant more as a sequel to the novel Beltorchika's Children, the second/third novel version of Char's Counterattack. Moriki Yasuhiro provided the mobile suit designs while character illustrator Haruhiko Mikimoto joined the project as character designer.The three novels of the series were released between February 1989 and April 1990 under the Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko label.
Manga
A manga adaptation by Uroaki Sabishi, that serves as a sequel to Uroaki's manga adaptation of Beltorchika's Children, began serialization in Gundam Ace on April 26, 2021, after the prologue was released on March 26, 2020. The series ended its first part on June 26, 2023.Films
A three-part film adaptation by Sunrise was first teased back in April 2018 upon the unveiling of Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative. The film was later formally announced during the Gundam 40th Anniversary press conference in November of the same year. The first film was originally scheduled to be released on July 23, 2020, but it was delayed to May 7, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film was delayed again to May 21, 2021. A third delay was announced on May 17, with a new date not set at the time. The film was finally released on June 11, 2021, in theaters in Japan and China. Netflix obtained streaming rights for the first film, which was released on July 1, 2021, in select territories. A second film in the series was teased after the first film's release, but production had stalled due to the pandemic. The film, subtitled as The Sorcery of Nymph Circe, was released on January 30, 2026.The films are directed by Shūkō Murase, with Yasuyuki Mutou writing scripts. Alexandros | performed the first film's main theme "Senkou". Yōhei Kawakami and SennaRin performed the second film's theme "ENDROLL". Hiroyuki Sawano
composed the music for all three films.
Yoshiyuki Tomino stated on an interview, "30 years after I wrote those novels, they are finally being adapted into film. As the author, I am so happy". He also noted that "he real world hasn't progressed, and may even have regressed. Because of all the Gundam fans who gave this story the chance to reemerge, its themes can pierce through society today."