Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury
| Company type | Anime television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Animation, Entertainment |
| Founded | October 2022 |
| Founder | Sunrise |
| Headquarters | Japan |
| Products | Anime television series, manga, light novels, model kits |
| Parent | Sunrise |
| Website | gundam-thewitchfrommercury |
is a Japanese mecha anime television series and represents the fifteenth principal installment in the extensive Gundam franchise produced by Sunrise. Under the direction of Hiroshi Kobayashi and Ryō Andō, with a script penned by Ichirō Ōkouchi, it was broadcast from October 2022 through July 2023.
The narrative unfolds in a universe where corporate entities control the space economy. It revolves around Mobile Suits known as "GUND-ARMS" ("Gundams"), which are sophisticated weapon systems created from adapted health technology called "GUND." This technology was originally developed to aid individuals with disabilities resulting from living in space environments.
The Witch from Mercury marks the first mainline Gundam series released during Japan's Reiwa era, arriving seven years after Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans. It is also notable for featuring the franchise's inaugural female and LGBTQ lead character. The series delves into themes such as capitalism and political corruption, drawing creative influence from Shakespeare's The Tempest and historical early modern witch trials, which also shape the concept behind the Gundam technology.
Setting
Taking place within the Ad Stella (AS) calendar system, humanity has colonized space but remains divided between "Spacians," those born in space colonies, and "Earthians," individuals native to Earth. The expansion of the space industry alongside Earth's environmental degradation has exacerbated economic inequalities between these groups. A key resource named Permet, prized for its ability to facilitate information linkage, has propelled technological progress, including advancements in Mobile Suit development. Dominant megacorporations govern this era, concentrating on innovations tailored for Spacians while intensifying social and political tensions with Earthians.
Plot
In Ad Stella 101, researchers at Vanadis Institute pioneered "GUND," a brain–computer interface designed to allow users to operate artificial limbs and organs, enhancing human adaptability to space conditions. This initiative, financially supported by mobile suit manufacturer Ochs Earth, evolved into the militarized "GUND Format," integrated into "GUND-ARMS" mobile suits that augment pilot capabilities but resulted in significant pilot injuries and fatalities.
Consequently, the Mobile Suit Development Council—comprising leading manufacturers—imposed a complete prohibition on the GUND Format. Delling Rembran, president of Benerit Group and council member, dispatched an elite squad known as Dominicus to annihilate Vanadis' Fólkvangr facility, killing all personnel except test pilot Elnora Samaya and her daughter Ericht. The female-dominated development team became marginalized and labeled as "witches."
By Ad Stella 122, two decades after the Vanadis incident, Suletta Mercury relocates from Mercury to attend Asticassia School of Technology, an institution operated by Benerit Group. There she encounters Miorine Rembran, who aims to break free from her domineering father’s control and is engaged to renowned mobile suit duelist Guel Jeturk. Suletta faces the challenge of proving her skills as a pilot while operating Gundam Aerial, a mobile suit constructed using forbidden GUND Format technology.
Production and release
Sunrise initially announced the series during the 2nd Gundam Conference held on September 15, 2021, as part of Bandai Namco Group's "Gundam Project." This marks the first primary Gundam television installment in seven years, succeeding the 2015–2017 Iron-Blooded Orphans series. To engage a global teenage audience, Bandai Namco partnered with external collaborators known as "G-PARTNER." A teaser unveiled on March 29, 2022, introduced the central mecha alongside a female lead character and announced a prologue episode scheduled for July 14, 2022. On June 17, Sunrise revealed comprehensive details including the storyline, principal characters, creative team, and broadcast dates. The production team featured director Hiroshi Kobayashi, co-director Ryō Andō, scriptwriter Ichirō Ōkouchi, character designer mogmo (with animation adaptations by Marie Tagashira, Shuri Toida, and Hirotoshi Takaya), and mech designers such as JNTHED. Producer Naohiro Ogata emphasized the academy backdrop and highlighted that this is the franchise’s inaugural Gundam series with a female protagonist, aiming to draw in new audiences. Information about the Prologue episode was disclosed at the "Gundam Next Future - Link the Universe-" event on July 14.
The narrative and thematic elements were crafted by Ōkouchi, Kobayashi, and Andō, drawing inspiration from competitive dynamics within the technology sector as well as motifs from William Shakespeare's The Tempest and historical early modern witch trials. This creative direction symbolizes the "curse" metaphor associated with GUND-Format technology and its impact on researchers. Ōkouchi selected a school environment to widen appeal while preserving the darker storytelling traditionally associated with the Gundam franchise. Importantly, The Witch from Mercury stands as the first television series within Gundam to feature a female lead and ranks as the fourth overall in the franchise to do so after École du Ciel, SEED C.E. 73: Stargazer, and Twilight AXIS.
Anime
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury debuted across all Japan News Network (JNN) affiliates nationwide—including MBS and TBS—from October 2, 2022, through July 2, 2023, airing within the network’s reinstated programming block. The series’ Prologue episode was broadcast on July 14, 2022, approximately four months prior to the main series premiere. Its second season commenced on April 9, 2023. The first opening theme was performed by Yoasobi, while Yama provided the second opening theme titled "Slash." The initial ending theme featured performances by Shiyui and Ryo, followed by Aina the End delivering the second ending theme "Red:Birthmark." Takashi Ohmama composed the soundtrack for the series.
At San Diego Comic-Con in 2022, it was announced that international simulcast rights had been secured. Outside East Asia, Crunchyroll offered worldwide streaming access. In Southeast Asia, Medialink acquired licensing rights and streamed episodes on Ani-One Asia’s YouTube channel as well as platforms such as Netflix and Bilibili. Additionally, viewers in Asia and Oceania could watch via the GundamInfo YouTube channel. The English dub premiered on Crunchyroll on January 30, 2023; this marked the first Gundam dub produced by Texas-based voice talent formerly associated with Funimation before its rebranding under Sony’s Crunchyroll umbrella. Beginning February 16, 2024, Azteca 7 started broadcasting a Spanish-dubbed edition of the series, making it one of a select number of broadcasters worldwide to offer this localization.
An official web novel titled , authored by Ichirō Ōkouchi, was published by Sunrise on October 2, 2022. The English translation, completed by Eriko Sugita, was made available on November 10, 2022. This narrative serves as a connecting piece between the Prologue and the main storyline, presented from the viewpoint of Gundam Aerial. A live reading event featuring Kana Ichinose was uploaded to YouTube on November 13, 2022. The anime has also been adapted into an ongoing light novel series in Kadokawa Shoten's Gundam Ace magazine starting November 26, 2022, written by Yūya Takashima with artwork by Shūei Takagi, encompassing both the Prologue and main arcs.
A supplementary manga titled , created by Kō Yoneyama with illustrations by Chika Tōjō and original character designs from mogmo, began serialization in Kadokawa Shoten's Gundam Ace magazine on March 25, 2023. Set in A.S. 106, five years subsequent to the Vanadis incident, it centers on witch Vilda Miren and pilot Kiyu Lavot operating the XGF-01[II3] Gundam Lfrith Jiu. In December 2024, a further spinoff manga titled was announced for launch in Comic Newtype slated for spring 2025.
Merchandise
The franchise extends Bandai Spirits' established Gunpla lineup through plastic model kits produced at 1/144 scale. Key releases include the High Grade and SDEX Gundam Aerial kits in 2022, followed by a 1/100 scale Full Mechanics model in 2023. Collectible action figures are offered within the Chogokin, Robot Spirits, and Gundam Universe series.
Bandai revealed that the High Grade Gundam Aerial achieved the highest initial sales among HG TV series lead Gundam models, earning the title of best-selling Gunpla kit for 2022. The High Grade Gundam Calibarn subsequently topped sales charts in 2023.
After the series debut, Sunrise collaborated with Yamazaki Baking on a promotional campaign inspired by online memes associating shortages of Gundam Aerial model kits at Akihabara’s Bic Camera store with YBC Aerial corn chips.
Video games
Both Gundam Aerial and Suletta were featured as limited-time event units in the mobile title Mobile Suit Gundam UC Engage. Additionally, Gundam Aerial was included as downloadable content (DLC) in the action RPG SD Gundam Battle Alliance. It also appeared as a playable unit in the arcade game Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. 2 OverBoost, before being replaced by Gundam Pharact and Darilbalde from later seasons.
Gundam Aerial is scheduled to be part of a bundle pack in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III. Moreover, Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. 2 Infinite Boost offers Gundam Aerial Rebuild as a playable mech featuring two pilot slots.
Critical response
The Witch from Mercury has received acclaim for its narrative quality, character development, animation style, voice performances, intense drama, inclusion of yuri themes, and innovative approach to the traditional Gundam formula. IGN awarded season one a score of 9/10, praising its dramatic storytelling and striking visuals. Polygon described it as the "definitive Gundam series," appealing widely across the franchise’s fanbase. Kim Morrissy from Anime News Network highlighted its emotional resonance. Harry Nugraha of Game Rant found the school life elements somewhat lacking but commended the exhilarating battle sequences and noted improvement over time. Vulture ranked season one as the third best anime release of 2022. Following season two’s conclusion, Tsunehiro Uno from PLANETS critiqued the show for not fully resolving earlier shortcomings such as average direction and limited thematic exploration, observing that conflicts were reduced to subtle references within the school setting.
Mamiko Noto’s performance as Prospera earned praise for its dramatic flair and layered characterization. Gizmodo compared Prospera to iconic franchise antagonist Char Aznable, highlighting their shared masked duality. Christopher Farris of Anime News Network commended her portrayal as a compelling villain with an engaging narrative arc.
The English-language dub generated controversy due to casting white voice actress Jill Harris as Suletta Mercury—a character implied to have Middle Eastern or North African heritage—reflected in her father’s name Nadim Samaya which draws from Arabic, Hebrew, and Indian cultural origins.
Audience Response to Season One Finale
The conclusion of Witch from Mercury Season One saw Suletta operating the Gundam Aerial to decisively eliminate a terrorist, a moment that caught many viewers off guard due to its graphic nature. Notable were Suletta's hands covered in blood and Miorine's stunned expression. The episode's stark depiction of violence prompted comparisons to a significant turn in Code Geass, another series involving writer Ichirō Ōkouchi. Both shows sparked trending discussions across social media platforms as fans reacted to the unexpected scene. Additionally, Japan's Broadcasting Ethics & Program Improvement Organization received complaints from parents concerned that the explicit content was inappropriate for its 5:00 PM broadcast time, when children are typically watching.
Criticism Regarding Production Conditions for Season Two Finale
Following the release of Season Two, Episode 24, The Witch from Mercury encountered criticism due to the unusually large number of 94 key animators credited for this final episode—a figure considered excessive for a standard half-hour animated television installment. Character designer Marie Tagashira publicly commended most of her peers but notably excluded several individuals in her social media post, leading fans and media outlets to speculate about possible production mismanagement and concerns over excessive overtime.
Omission of Same-Sex Marriage Reference
In July 2023, an interview published in Gundam Ace magazine featured voice actress Kana Ichinose mentioning the marriage between Suletta and Miorine. On the same day as the finale, the official English-language Gundam Twitter account also identified Miorine as Suletta’s wife. This recognition triggered the hashtag スレミオ結婚 (SuleMio Marriage) to trend widely in Japan.
A few days afterward, however, the digital edition of the interview removed any mention of their marriage, provoking backlash from fans who maintained that the relationship status was clearly established by both the anime’s concluding scene and official commentary. Kadokawa later described this inconsistency as a "proofreading error" and dismissed the marriage reference as "editorial speculation." An official statement suggested that interpretation of the series' events remains open-ended, which frustrated viewers given that Suletta and Miorine’s union was explicitly shown through their wedding rings and Ericht referring to herself as Miorine's sister-in-law.
The September 2023 editions of Animage and Animedia included comments from voice actresses Mamiko Noto and Lynn discussing Ericht’s role as an in-law. Subsequently, five months later, the final Blu-ray release featured an interview with director Hiroshi Kobayashi who confirmed that Suletta and Miorine are indeed married by the story’s end. This official confirmation reignited enthusiasm around the SuleMio Marriage hashtag within Japan.