MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM HATHAWAY: A Sublime Spy Thriller With Mecha

The Gundam franchise has been around for over 40 years, and it’s been feeling as though this mecha monolith has been losing its edge over the years. Far from the days of compelling space opera amid a war of robots, Gundam has become so tinkered with for spiritual spin-offs and side stories that it feels like an anime epic and more as a brand.

All that being said, Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway may be one of the best Gundam films since the original trilogy.

The Universe Has Changed

The film takes place within the Universal Century timeline, a few years since the events of Char’s Counterattack. The Earth Federation has won the long-running war between Earth and the space colonies. That victory, however, has led to Earth becoming a much different place in terms of its military control, environmental goals, and its authoritarian influence.

This is a pretty unique angle to take Gundam. Previous Universal Century stories have usually been about the Earth Federation versus the Principality of Zeon with the Federation generally posed as the heroes. Now that they’re in full control, however, their influence is called into question.

The Federation’s authoritarian rule has led to a terrorist by the name of Mafty taking steps to combat the Federation’s misguidance. They stage hostage bombings, hijackings, and giant robot skirmishes in the name of trying to preserve the Earth. At their core, Mafty seems to be combating the Federation’s reluctance and stubbornness about fixing environmental issues.

Unlikely Heroes

The first encounter with Mafty happens on a space transport preparing to land on Earth. While en route, costumed terrorists take over the spacecraft and declare themselves to be fighting for Mafty. Aboard that craft is Hathaway Noa, the son of revered White Base Captain Bright Noa.

Though Hathaway never joined up with the Federation, he did aid a fellow officer in defeating Mafty and taking back control of the shuttle in a daring shootout. Hathaway has different motivations, however, because those terrorists were not working for Mafty. He knows this because, well, Hathaway is a core leader of the terrorist group.

On that shuttle, Hathaway also meets Gigi Andalusia, a mysterious and beautiful woman who seems to be trying to figure him out. She follows him back to the hotel after Hathaway has gained the trust of the Federation, if not for his father’s legacy then for his foiling of Mafty. He’s not so sure, however, that he can trust someone as aloof as Gigi, unsure if she’s either sexually attracted to him or has some other motive.

Ideas as Big as Mecha

It would be so easy for a film like this to become highly pretentious, and it wouldn’t be the first time a Gundam entry would fall into such a trap. It wasn’t uncommon for Gundam films and series to become lost in monologues about humanity and philosophy, where the very human nature of the tale becomes lost in platitudes.

Thankfully, Hathaway doesn’t have this issue by ensuring this picture remains as more of an exciting thriller than a somber epic. Hathaway Noa finds himself committed yet conflicted to his mission of toppling the Federation. He wants to strike out but weighs the risks of how certain attacks will place him and civilians in danger. This makes his relationship with Gigi all the more complicated to figure out.

Hathaway also finds himself uneasy about getting so close to Federation Officer Sleg. While most of the Federation treats Hathaway with respect and distance, Sleg keeps finding ways to get closer. He may also find more info in sticking close to the adoring Gigi.

An Understated Gundam Story

In a move that feels similar to the third Patlabor movie, this film uses the giant robot angle sparingly. There are a handful of mecha battles but they’re kept limited in the same way that a potent spy thriller works its way up to that car chase or shootout. Hathaway is a Gundam film that never loses its focus and realizes the story is more about the politics of this reforming Earth rather than what new Gundam model can be pushed out for merchandising.

The few giant robot battles present are rather exciting. One of the first battles finds Mafty engaging with Federation mecha around a populated city. Hathaway experiences this carnage from the ground, trying to save Gigi from the chaos of crumbling buildings and fiery rubble.

The finale finds Hathaway engaged in a mobile suit battle that provides a suitably thrilling climax. Thankfully, this battle is posed more as a conflict of loyalties and questioning of duty versus political leanings. It’s a resolve that ultimately fits the complex world Hathaway occupies and why his fight may not be a simple one of fighting against one evil force. It’s a sentiment that perfectly reflects the nature of the original Gundam series, where the chaos of clashing ideologies has collateral damage that can’t be ignored.

A Standalone Sci-Fi Spy Thriller

For taking place in the Universal Century timeline, I was surprised how little of the lore Hathaway relies on for its tale. Though I’m very much engaged with this Gundam timeline, I’m tempted to declare that you don’t need much foreknowledge to jump into this film.

Hathaway being the son of Bright plays a role in his public perception but the legacy of Bright doesn’t need to be acknowledged to understand the story. All you need to know is that Hathaway’s father was a big deal in the Federation. You also don’t need to worry yourself with trying to comprehend the Jedi-like powers of the Newtypes, considering they’re briefly mentioned in conversation. Long story short, they’re Jedis that don’t play much of any role in this story.

Even for being so light with linkage to over four decades of Gundam, the film not only manages to establish its own world but explore more of its intricacies and philosophies. Hathaway’s crusade is not a simple one and it’s treated with a mature level of doubt and concern.

Gundam Goes Gorgeous

The animation for such a feature is phenomenal. Everything from the space shuttle interior to the decadence of the hotel is given an astounding level of detail. I particularly dug how the zero-gravity environment of seating on the shuttle handled devices in place for meals and drinks to be had in a rather classy way. The little nuances of the hotel are also beaming with shadow and specularity that is jaw-droppingly beautiful.

That same level of detail is brought into the mecha battles as well. While they’re brilliantly lit and staged, the many mechanical components and digital displays have a fantastic level of sound design. Far from the simplistic clangs and beeps of budgeted Gundam productions, the variety of believable bouts for metal-on-metal action feels exciting on a level where most mecha anime relies more on exaggeration than detail.

Conclusion: Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway

Hathaway may be one of the best Gundam movies ever made for being far more than a space opera with mecha, or a pretentious contemplation between war scenes. Pushing the giant robot franchises into the genre of a spy thriller may be a risky gamble for a genre known mostly for action but it was a risk well worth taking. It’s intelligent without being meandering in ideals and thrilling without being bombastic or incoherent.

This is said to be the first film in a trilogy, based on the novel series by series creator Yoshiyuki Tomino. Having finally witnessed his written work finally make the jump into animation, Tomino has noted that he’s pleased with the adaptation. The future is looking a little brighter for one of the top anime franchises, where bigger ideas will succeed over the bigger robots.

Did you see Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway? How does it stack up when compared to the rest of the Gundam franchise? Is it the best or worst Gundam film? Let us know in the comments below.

Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway is currently streaming on Netflix.

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