Hey there, fellow fans of giant robots, dramatic space politics, and all things that make our hearts beat so furiously it almost turns into a Detroit Techno rhythm. If you’ve been biting your nails and wondering, “So, are we EVER getting that sequel to 閃光のハサウェイ (Hathaway’s Flash), or is it gonna vanish into the void?” rest assured: the wait is over. The next installment is officially titled “Witch of Circe (キルケーの魔女),” and that alone has unleashed a storm of speculation and hype across the internet. If you’re even the tiniest bit curious about how “witches” keep popping up in the Gundam universe—or if you’re just craving more of that jaw-dropping animation and moody storyline—then this is the article for you. Sometimes it’s epic, sometimes it’s bizarre, and sometimes it’s so freaking cool we stay up all night discussing it on message boards (then regret it at work the next day). You’re about to find out why everyone is losing their minds over this return.

Why You Should Stick Around

You might be thinking: “Okay, but why should I read this?” Well, let me toss out a few reasons. One, there’s a lot going on in the world of Gundam, and the sudden reappearance of “魔女 (witch)” motifs is just the tip of the cosmic iceberg. Two, if you’ve heard rumors about a disastrous fated ending for Hathaway, you’ll want the lowdown on whether this movie might still stick to the original darkness or pull a cosmic-level curveball. Three, the trailer’s CG style, plus our lord and savior of OSTs—Hiroyuki Sawano (澤野弘之)—are fueling about 9,999 heated debates online. So whether you’re a casual viewer or a certified mecha maniac, buckle up. We’re going on a journey through backstories, controversies, and the labyrinth of “Wait, what?” that is likely to define Witch of Circe. If your heart starts pounding so hard it’s practically pounding out a Detroit Techno beat, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

The “Witch of Circe (キルケーの魔女)” and Its Greek Myth Connection

So we all remember the wave of commentary around 水星の魔女 (The Witch from Mercury) and that edgy moniker. Now we’ve got キルケーの魔女 plastered on Hathaway’s long-awaited sequel. If you’re into Greek mythology, you probably know Circe as the sorceress who turned men into pigs, toyed with a certain Odysseus, and basically exuded those cunning, mystical vibes that sometimes cross the line into “Seriously? She did WHAT?” fantasy territory. People on forums are like, “Wait, so are we combining the Greek pantheon with UC Gundam lore now?” and “Why does Gundam keep adopting ‘witch’ in titles?” Then again, many fans are having fun referencing other anime that dabble in mythological witches, like Fate or various magical girl series. When this sequel was first rumored, folks thought it’d be titled “Bright of Sun.” Then it pivoted to “Witch of Circe.” Talk about a 180 that left us going, “EXCUSE ME, hold up—how’d we get from a bright sunny vibe to potential gloom and doom laced with magical illusions?”

The big conversation piece is that this “witch” angle isn’t random. Hathaway Noa, who was basically forging a path as the leader of the anti-Federation group Mafty, has a knack for plunging headlong into moral catastrophes. If you pair that with an unsettling new faction, or a potent female presence who might follow Circe’s mythic footsteps, you get a storyline that’s likely to swirl Hathaway into an even darker corner. Already we see forum speculation: “Maybe there’s an elite team of unstoppable female pilots called the Witches of Circe?” “Could it be referencing some unstoppable, bewitching Mobile Suit that shatters everything in its path?” The official sources haven’t spilled the beans, so we’re left in that delirious state of hype where half the fun is guessing. And guess what? That’s the flavor we love, because sometimes not knowing is the biggest rush.

Remembering the Impact of the First Hathaway’s Flash

Back in 2021, 閃光のハサウェイ hit theaters and promptly exploded. Animators poured so much detail into everything, from the sinister shading across Hathaway’s eyes to the intricacies of the mecha fights, making it feel more real (or more heartbreakingly bleak) than many previous Gundam installments. The box office raked in over 22 billion yen, which spelled out “certified blockbuster” in bright neon letters. New fans who once labeled Gundam “too complicated” found themselves enthralled by the gritty storyline, the lavish visuals, and of course the soul-punching OST by 澤野弘之 (Hiroyuki Sawano). You couldn’t scroll Instagram or Twitter without tripping over countless “I can’t stop crying at this masterpiece” posts.

And then, the real explosion came when people started reading or hearing about the original novel’s famously grim ending, which basically says, “Don’t get too attached, buddy—people get executed here, and it doesn’t exactly wrap up in a warm fuzzy bow.” That’s right, Hathaway is sentenced to die. No magical Gundam pixie dust to save him. Fans began bracing for heartbreak while simultaneously hoping for a graceful twist. But after a year…two years…three years… all we got was radio silence. Some folks literally joked, “Umm, maybe they got too scared to adapt the rest?” or “Such a savage storyline. Maybe they’re stalling because the staff can’t handle the heartbreak.”

Then suddenly, early 2025 announcements shattered that hush with a new trailer—and whoosh. Instead of the rumored title “Bright of Sun,” they slapped on “Witch of Circe (キルケーの魔女).” Cue meltdown. Everyone starts tweeting half-panicked takes: “Wait, so are we going full Greek tragedy?” “What in the mecha cosmos is going on with witches?” “Why is the world of Gundam suddenly wizardy? We already have witch references in 水星の魔女, plus that so-called Witch Aces from side stories, plus the random notion that other female pilots have been labeled ‘witches’ for ages. Next, we might get Uranus no Majo or Neptune no Majo!” The meltdown’s unstoppable, but that’s the chaotic fun of being a fan.

The Witch Boom: A Gundam Tradition With a New Name?

Speaking of “witch mania,” we gotta address the elephant in the cosmic room: Gundam has quietly had “special female pilots with borderline supernatural abilities” for a long time, but only in the last few years has the franchise leaned so openly into calling them “witches.” Slap that label on your lead, and suddenly the entire story becomes a stage for social outcast commentary, identity struggles, and big-time epic showdowns. 水星の魔女 gave us Suletta Mercury, whose unscrupulous foes branded her a “witch” to degrade her. She overcame that label, faced shady corporate politics, and soared beyond the naysayers.

Now, in Hathaway’s era—set in the Universal Century—this callback to “witches” might carry a different vibe. The speculation is that someone or some group is about to unleash unholy havoc, possibly enthralling or “bewitching” Hathaway in a new psychological or emotional dimension. People are connecting dots: “What if the new witches are an entire squad with advanced psycommu systems, referencing how Circe herself manipulated men in myths?” Another angle: “Circe manipulated Odysseus; maybe a new female character manipulates Hathaway until his rebellious cause either implodes or turns monstrous.” And of course, the question is: how does Gigi Andalusia, that mysterious star from the first film, factor into this swirling storm?

Bad Endings and Hathaway’s Dangerous Fate

Now, let’s talk about the monstrous elephant in the room: the original novel’s big reveal that Hathaway is put to death. Quite literally, it’s one of the most shocking endings in the main Gundam timeline. Imagine you survived old-school tragedies like Char’s Counterattack, only to discover an even bleaker destiny for your new hero. Some fans actually revere this savage final blow as the pinnacle of “realistic consequences for terrorism,” insisting that it’s a necessary reflection of how the Universal Century punishes rebellion. Others find the entire ordeal too grim, hoping the film adaptation offers a lifeline—maybe some final moment that spares Hathaway or redefines how he meets his end.

Years of no news gave fans time to spin endless “What If” scenarios. “What if Gigi orchestrates a last-second rescue?” “What if Hathaway goes to trial, but the Federation’s corruption gets exposed, so he’s exiled instead of executed?” “What if in the anime timeline, he never kills certain characters, so the Federation spares him?” The discussions on message boards were practically on fire. Some love the heartbreak of a no-mercy ending, others crave redemption, and still others want a half-hidden, ambiguous finale. There’s no official statement clarifying this yet—but if the movie stays faithful to its new “Witch of Circe” flourish, maybe they’ll rewrite some essential arcs. That’s the tightrope the creative team must walk: how to keep the soul of the original novel while also hooking a new generation.

##Sawano’s Music: Why Fans Are Obsessed
Oh boy, we can’t talk about Hathaway’s Flash without praising that unstoppable force known as 澤野弘之 (Hiroyuki Sawano). The man’s compositions are like sonic adrenaline. Crank up the volume, and you’ll feel your own soul dancing on the edge of drama. The first film’s soundtrack practically overshadowed the visuals at times, making everything more majestic, more heartbreaking, and ironically more “final episode-ish,” as netizens like to meme. Sawano’s signature style—thunderous choir, racing drumlines, powerful instrumentals—has a way of turning even a quiet moment into an epic highlight.

Naturally, the second film is presumed to have an even more “Sawano on steroids” approach, given that the stakes and drama are ramping exponentially. If you hopped on Twitter after the teaser dropped, you’ve seen the trending hashtags: #Sawanoisms #Hathaway2 #WitchOfCirce #SoReadyToCry. People are poised to remix the new tracks, produce fanmade AMVs, or create endless “when the Sawano track hits” memes. One of the best parts of a new Hathaway film is bracing yourself to get goosebumps at IMAX volume. People even talk about skipping the regular screenings and going straight for the best sound system money can buy. Because if you’re going to watch giant robots blasting each other in space, might as well let the music flatten you against your seat like a G-force test, right?

CG, Effects, and the Fierce Internet Debate

As soon as the trailer dropped, half the comments on social media were like: “OMG those mecha animations are glorious!” and the other half were: “Hmm, that scene felt a bit stiff. Did they push the CG too far?” The CG debate is unstoppable—some viewers favor old-school hand-drawn mecha fights as a visual treat, while others love seeing how cutting-edge digital effects push realism to new frontiers. The first Hathaway’s movie was praised for an elegant meld of 2D and 3DCG, so the production team has a high bar to clear. We know from scattered staff interviews that they’re pushing for an even bigger sense of immersion. But with higher ambition comes higher scrutiny.

The hype machine is unstoppable, but so is the worry: “Oh no, what if it’s that uncanny style we hate?!” Meanwhile, calmer voices remind us that even if the CG occasionally looks rough in a teaser, the final product might be refined to near-perfection by release day. Past interviews suggested they want to harness more advanced motion capture for the Mobile Suits, so we might see them move with an eerily humanlike fluidity. Honestly, if I can watch a Gundam stomping around while brandishing funnel missiles, or a Penelope Gundam with luminous thrusters scorching the night sky, I’m in. Let’s face it: half of us watch mecha anime just to see giant robots do ridiculously cool stuff. So if the final cut brings that to the big screen with mind-blowing detail—count me in. CG naysayers, you do you, but I might be busy squealing with delight.

How New Fans Got Hooked: Social Media’s Role

The first movie introduced a wave of new “ガンダム初級者” fans. For them, 閃光のハサウェイ was like a bolt from the blue, proving that, yes, you can jump into the Universal Century timeline without knowing every single storyline from 1979 onward. The film was sleek, modern, with crisp character designs and a more cinematic pace. People discovered it on streaming platforms or heard about it through viral tweets: “Yo, I’m not a Gundam pro, but this Hathaway movie is dope, go watch it!” Even the older fans welcomed the newbies, sharing watch guides or explaining references like “this is the kid from Char’s Counterattack, but grown up and super confused about his place in the world.”

Next thing you know, these new fans started digging deeper, learning about the legendary Tomino novels, the older TV series, and the broader mecha lore. Apologies to their wallets, but they might’ve bought Gunpla kits or OST albums. And guess what? When the sequel was announced, the hype soared even more. It’s mesmerizing to see a fandom bridging that gap between old guard “I watched the original Mobile Suit Gundam in the ‘80s” folks and fresh viewers who just realized “Gundams are pretty rad?!?” This synergy breathes new life into the entire franchise, ensuring that when Witch of Circe finally hits, we’ll have lines of fans of all stripes crowding the theaters, from the hardcore cosplayer who can name every variant of Rick Dom, to the newbie who’s just there for the heartbreak and booming Sawano beats.

The Witch Motif’s Cultural Resonance

At this point, we can’t ignore the broader questions: “Why do witches keep popping up in Gundam?” “Is this just a marketing gimmick to build on the success of 水星の魔女?” Possibly. But there’s also that deeper theme: witches in many cultures symbolize those who are misunderstood, ostracized, or mystically empowered in ways the mainstream can’t handle. Gundam has always flirted with the ideas of “Newtypes” or “enhanced humans,” pushing them to the boundaries of acceptance. Labeling them “witches” draws a direct line between these outcasts and older myths of persecuted magic-wielders.

Circe, specifically, was no benevolent fairy. She was cunning, sometimes cruel, sometimes helpful if it suited her whim. That unpredictability might echo in the new film’s storyline: maybe the “witch” is an unorthodox figure who manipulates or challenges both the Federation and Mafty, leaving Hathaway torn. Or maybe the film focuses on illusions—since Circe in Greek myth often used illusions or potions. The internet is abuzz with every angle. Fans are squealing “Pls no more tragic female leads,” “Wait, or do we want that?,” and “OMG I can’t handle if this theme gets as dark as the novel’s ending.” The fandom whiplash is real.

Walking the Tightrope: Will They Keep It Grim?

Let’s cut to the chase: If you know the original novel, Hathaway’s story ends brutally. Like, zero happy tears, only gut-wrenching sorrow. So the million-dollar question is: Does Witch of Circe keep that bullet train heading straight to Tragedy Town, or do we see a cinematic pivot to create something that stands apart from the source? The first movie was faithful but also switched around some sequences and emotional beats. So everything’s possible.

On one side, we have purists chanting, “Let it be a cautionary tale.” On the other, folks are chanting, “We want a glimpse of hope, please!” This tension is basically fueling raging discussions that can go on for ten thousand pages if you let them. The repetition always comes back to: “If Hathaway is truly doomed, how do they handle it on screen? A tragic fade-out? Or a swirling meltdown with super intense visuals, culminating in some final parting words from Gigi?” Meanwhile, the official staff remains coolly silent, letting our imaginations run wild. It’s a masterclass in hype generation. And yeah, it’s working.

Sawano–2.0: The Meme-ification of Dramatic OSTs

Inflate the hype factor further by adding what we can only assume will be a heart-shattering new soundtrack. Online jokes compare Hiroyuki Sawano’s music to a giant “emotional meltdown button” that the staff can press anytime they need the audience to spontaneously cry or gasp. There are entire memes about how, “You can paste Sawano’s tracks onto literally any anime scene, and it’ll instantly look and sound like the final boss arc.” No shade intended. We live for that intensity, let’s be honest.

Now imagine them doubling down on that approach for the sequel. The trailer snippet we heard includes some new chant or choral arrangement that triggered an avalanche of reaction videos: “Dude, the second that choir started belting, I felt my soul ascending.” That’s basically the brand. If the final act of this film involves Hathaway and some unstoppable witch-like force colliding under swirling orchestral chaos, you better believe the entire theater’s going to be possessed by it. Some folks will rush to record cover versions on YouTube or do elaborate fan-edits. Remember how Attack on Titan fans took Sawano’s tracks and made them practically a subculture of their own? We might see that phenomenon repeated, especially if the film delivers heartbreak of legendary proportions.

The CG Battle Showdown and the “Just Let Me See Some Giant Robots!” Crowd

All right, but let’s not forget those of us who live for the mecha brawls. The indomitable Xi (クスィー) Gundam, the monstrous Penelope, plus who knows how many new Mobile Suits might rear their heads this time around. We had a taste in the first film of gritty, high-octane battles. That’s presumably expanding in Witch of Circe. The question is: do they dare push CG to new heights for these large-scale showdowns, or do they blend it with a heavier dose of traditional animation? Some insiders said they’re stepping up the realism, but with that realism might come a certain “CG-ness” people love to critique.

No matter what, there’s a huge slice of the fanbase that says, “I don’t care if it’s CG or 2D or stop-motion with clay figurines. I just want epic mecha battles on the biggest screen possible!” It’s that primal thrill of seeing beam rifles and funnel missiles lighting up the starry sky. This sequel presumably invests more in that spectacle, maybe sprinkling in some jaw-dropping set pieces reminiscent of space dogfights in the best Gundam tradition. If you prefer the day-to-day politics and dramatic dialogue, that should still be central—especially with Hathaway’s moral dilemmas. But if you’re also here for “pew pew boom,” you’ll get your fix. That’s the unique synergy of Gundam: talky political drama meets massive weapon-laden mecha collisions.

A Quick Look Back: “Now Everyone’s a Gundam Fan?”

There was a time when folks associated Gundam with a certain niche audience, but thanks to modern marketing, streaming, and unstoppable social media hype, that’s changed. Hathaway’s Flash, surprisingly, became a gateway for younger viewers. People tuned in for Sawano’s name or the promise of crisp animation, then discovered the labyrinthine charms of the Universal Century timeline. Now they’re the ones spamming Twitter with theories about whether the “witch motif” might connect across different Gundam timelines or if we might see Easter eggs referencing The Witch from Mercury cast. The cross-pollination among fans is real: you’ll see “Hathaway novices” and “UC veterans” all in one place, passionately analyzing. That’s the magic of a well-timed sequel: it fuels new watchers to catch up on old lore. By the time Witch of Circe hits, we’ll have a legion of fans who crave more “evil illusions, big conspiracies, potential heartbreak, and epic mecha duels.”

The Countdown to 2025 Winter: Hype, Chaos, and Witchy Vibes

If there’s one thing we can say for sure, it’s that the hype train to 2025 has left the station at breakneck speed. People are already planning watch parties, rewatching the first Hathaway’s Flash, analyzing every single second of the teaser, or making memes about how they can’t handle another “魔女 (witch)” til their favorite pilot gets a break. As if. This is Gundam, folks. We feed on the drama. We feed on the heartbreak. And we definitely feed on the unstoppable possibility that Circe-level trickery is about to blow the entire storyline open.

Meanwhile, fans who are deeply attached to the original’s catastrophic ending are busy preaching, “Seriously, brace yourselves. This is not your typical mecha hero’s journey.” Then there are those crossing their fingers for even the faintest glimmer of hope. Is the Federation truly this unstoppable juggernaut of oppression? Will Mafty’s cause be redeemed? And how in the galaxy does a “witch” possibly tip the scales? Will Gigi remain at Hathaway’s side, or do we see her overshadowed by an even more intense presence? The questions swirl around, unstoppable. That’s half the thrill—uncertainty fueling never-ending speculation. If you’re like me, you’ll be reading so many fan theories at 2 a.m. that you end up oversleeping for your next morning’s alarm. And let’s face it: we’re not even sorry.

When Witches, Greek Myths, and Gundam Politics Collide

One of the wildest aspects of this new film is how it merges the gritty political drama that defines the Universal Century with the flamboyant concept of “魔女.” Circe, in Greek myth, is cunning, powerful, and sometimes even twisted. Throw her name onto a Gundam title, and it suggests a storyline less about sunshine and more about illusions, traps, moral labyrinths. Doesn’t that sound perfect for Hathaway, who’s already precariously juggling his identity as Mafty? We can’t forget he’s also the son of Bright Noa, the legendary Federation officer. That father-son conflict—plus a potential web of illusions or manipulations—could brew up a tragedy so intense we might need multiple tissues. Or maybe it leads to a brand-new resolution that no one saw coming. We can only guess.

Final Thoughts Before the Big Storm Hits

At this point, I feel like if you read all the way here, your hype gauge is close to maxing out. I mean, just listing all these angles—witch motifs, the lingering possibility of a brutal bad ending, the CG debate, the unstoppable blasting of Sawano’s music—can get the adrenaline pumping. People are stocking up on relevant Gunpla, furiously rewatching the original film, and combing through fan wikis for evidence that might predict how the new story unfolds. Meanwhile, more casual fans who just discovered Gundam are about to see exactly why old-timers said, “Buckle up, the Universal Century can be savage.”

Come 2025 winter, we’ll presumably flock to theaters, maybe in cosplay, maybe with bags full of merch, definitely with hearts wide open for the heartbreak or the surprise redemption (if we get one). Each new tweet from the production staff is dissected as if it’s the Rosetta Stone. People are dusting off their Greek mythology knowledge to interpret the “Circe” motif in ways that’d make your old lit professor proud. Some fans are even practicing lines like “No way we’re getting a happy ending—this is all illusions!” The hype is so real that you might find yourself wide awake at 3 a.m., your brain looping that short trailer clip with Sawano’s new track. Let’s be honest: we live for that mania.

And if it does, indeed, stay loyal to the heartbreak… well, theaters might echo with sobs and shell-shocked silence. Or if somehow there’s a redemption arc that defies the novel’s gloom, expect an uproar of “OMG they changed EVERYTHING!” either in furious protest or wild delight. Either way, the fandom’s about to pass out from emotional overload. So, maybe take your vitamins, plan your mental health breaks, and brace for a cinematic collision of witches, mecha war, Greek myth references, and gasp-inducing music that might rattle you to your core. That’s what awaits us, and every second until that release date is a tantalizing countdown we can’t help but love.

Still feel your heart thumping like a nonstop Detroit Techno track? Join the club. The mecha cosmos has never been quite this charged, and we can’t wait for the sparks to fly. Stay vigilant for more teased footage, carefully drop your predictions on social media, and keep that hype engine running—even if it means you’ll be stuck refreshing your feeds at all hours. After all, this is Gundam. This is Witches. This is Circe. And above all, this is the moment we’ve been waiting for: the triumphant, chaotic, witch-laden return of Hathaway’s Flash.

閃光のハサウェイ 続編『キルケーの魔女』が動き出す！――CGの賛否、魔女モチーフ、そして原作バッドエンドをめぐる物語

誰もが「もう続報こないんちゃうん？」と半ばあきらめかけていた『閃光のハサウェイ 続編』に、ついに新情報がやってきました。しかも副題はまさかの『キルケーの魔女』。いや、最近ガンダムに“魔女”が多すぎるとツッコミを入れたくなる方もいると思いますが、そのへんも含めてとんでもなくおもしろい展開が待ち受けているようです。ここまで“魔女”を推しまくるガンダム、いったいどうなるのか気になりすぎませんか？前作の時点で新規ファン（いわゆるガノタ初級者）を大量獲得しておきながら、今回はさらに攻めた印象。筆者自身も「え、また魔女？…けど気になる！」と、胸がドキドキを通り越してデトロイト・テクノみたいにビート刻んでおります。

では、2025年冬公開予定の劇場アニメ『機動戦士ガンダム 閃光のハサウェイ キルケーの魔女』とは、どういう映画になりそうなのか？前作からのつながり、気になるバッドエンド問題、澤野弘之 音楽のインパクト、ネット掲示板での賛否両論、そしてガンダム 魔女のモチーフ大渋滞まで、ありとあらゆるポイントをフレンドリーにまとめてみました。ガンダムマニアはもちろん、最近「え、ガンダム？ちょっと興味あるかも…」と思い始めた方にも刺さること請け合いです。「また魔女か～！」と茶化しながらも、読むとちょっとワクワクが止まらないかもしれません。そこで全開でいきましょう。思わず深夜にテンション爆上がり、翌朝寝不足になるかもしれませんが、それでも止まらない語りを最後までお付き合いください！

キルケーの魔女とは何者？――副題の意味とギリシャ神話の絡み

最近は『水星の魔女』や「魔女と呼ばれた撃墜王」、さらにはシイコ・スガイまで、ガンダム界ではやたらと“魔女”づいています。今回の新作はまさかの『キルケーの魔女』。キルケーと言えばギリシャ神話の魔女で、男性を豚に変えたり、魔力で英雄オデュッセウスを翻弄したりする“ちょっとヤバい”存在です。ネット上では「Fateにもキルケーいるよね」とか「神話の魔女ネーミングをガンダムにもってくるのか！」なんて声が飛び交っています。しかも最初は『ブライトオブサン』なんて副題が噂されていたのに、なぜに突然“魔女”？

ファンの考察や掲示板の熱量を見るに、「キルケーの魔女」という副題は、ハサウェイを飲み込む謎の勢力、あるいは女性キャラや部隊の存在を示唆している可能性が高いと言われています。そもそも前作でのハサウェイ・ノアは反地球連邦運動「マフティー」のリーダーとしてテロ活動に身を投じ、ギギ・アンダルシアとの奇妙な関係性もあいまって混沌の渦中にいました。そこへ“魔女”という強力フレーバーが上乗せされるとなると、物語はさらにダークかつドラマチックに加速しそう。ネット上でも「魔女部隊、女性キャラ最強説」「水星の魔女と世界線がつながってるん？」などの盛り上がりが止まりません。

閃光のハサウェイ 続編がなぜここまで待たれた？――前作の衝撃と興行収入

前作『機動戦士ガンダム 閃光のハサウェイ』が2021年に公開された際、あのシリアスな展開と圧倒的映像表現で、従来のガンダムファンはもちろん、これまでガンダムを通り過ぎてきた層まで一気に取り込んだ印象があります。興行収入22.3億円という数字も、ガンダム映画ではまさに大ヒット。SNSでは「作画ヤバい」「澤野弘之 音楽が神すぎる」と騒がれ、ネットミームとしても「ハサウェイは何回見ても泣ける」といった声が増殖。さらに「バッドエンド原作でしょ…映画どうなるの？」とファン同士の議論が燃え上がりました。そこから数年間、続編の話がまっっったく進まず、抱えきれない期待だけがモヤモヤと積み上がっていたわけです。

そして2025年になり、ようやく特報映像が来た！と思ったら「キルケーの魔女？ え、どゆこと!?」となり、SNSで「これは単なるサブタイトル変更じゃなくて、相当な展開があるのでは？」と混乱と興奮が入り乱れ、まさに祭り状態。4年越しの続編なので、そりゃ盛り上がるに決まってます。「ブライトオブサン」はどこ行ったんや、とツッコミを入れたくなる気持ちもありますが、新しいタイトルに切り替えた以上は深い意味があるに違いない、と考えるのもファン心理。ファンアートや二次創作で“魔女”モチーフを盛りまくる人もいて、まさに“お祭り”真っ最中って感じです。

ガンダム 魔女の系譜――なぜ“魔女”がこんなにも多いのか

『水星の魔女』で一気に光が当たった“魔女”モチーフ。あちらではスレッタ・マーキュリーが魔女呼ばわりされ、それが社会的不条理とか差別とか、いろんな要素と結びついていました。実はガンダムシリーズには、“ちょっと特殊な能力を持つ女性”や“異端視されたパイロット”が何度も出てきましたが、近年それを露骨に“魔女”として名指ししているのが面白いところ。ファンのあいだでも「ガンダム 魔女増えすぎだろ！」と盛り上がり、「またこっちにも魔女かい！」ってノリが定番ミーム化しています。掲示板の定番ツッコミで言えば「次は土星の魔女か？ はたまた冥王星か？」みたいな。

では本作『キルケーの魔女』の“魔女”は何を象徴するのか？ ネットの考察だと、ハサウェイの運命を大きく変える女性キャラや部隊が“魔女”的存在として登場するんじゃないか、とも言われています。ハサウェイ＝マフティー側が必死に戦う中、連邦や敵対勢力の“魔女”が強烈な打撃を与える…みたいな予感がある。そこにギギ・アンダルシアも絡むと、余計に人間関係が複雑になりそう。前作でもギギの存在感は異質でしたが、“魔女”の二文字が加わると、さらにグイッとダークに加速しそうで怖い。いや、怖いけど見たすぎる、というこのジレンマ！

バッドエンドはどうなる？――原作小説の処刑エピソードと映画の行方

原作小説『閃光のハサウェイ』といえば、最大の特徴は“主人公が最終的に処刑されて物語が終わる”という怒涛のバッドエンド。大抵のガンダム作品なら「主役がニュータイプの力や仲間の絆で奇跡を起こしました！」となりがち…なのに、ハサウェイは容赦なく死刑宣告を受けるんですよね。これはガンダムシリーズ全体でも屈指の暗さ。読者からは「救いがない…」「まじでつらい…」と衝撃を受ける声が相次ぎ、一部では「いやこれこそ富野節の真髄だ！」と深読みする人もいたり。

映画ではこの結末がどうなるのか？そこが最大の焦点です。前作からすでに「映画限定の改変があるかも」「原作再現で本当に処刑しちゃうの…？」とファン同士の議論が絶えませんでした。SNSや考察ブログでも「救われないようでいて、実はギギが何かするんじゃないか」「ラストは原作と違うオチになるはず」とか、想像の大喜利状態。二次創作でも「ハサウェイがもし生き延びていたら…」的なIFストーリーがあふれています。筆者としては、どんなオチになろうが“あの重苦しさと美しさ”が存分に込められるのを期待しているところ。バッドエンドでも名作は名作なんですよね。

澤野弘之 音楽の正体――なぜネットでミーム化するのか

『閃光のハサウェイ』といえば、やはり澤野弘之 音楽が強烈に印象に残った方も多いのではないでしょうか。重厚なオーケストラサウンドとハイテンションなシンセリズムがガツンと融合して、まるで“脳が焼かれる”かのような快感を味わった人もいるはず。SNSでは「澤野サウンド」「澤野無双」なんて言われ、YouTubeでのサントラ再生数も軒並み高い。さらにファンメイドのMAD動画なんかも熱い人気を誇っており、ネット上で「澤野の曲を流すと一気に最終回感が出る」なんてミームが定着するほど。一度聴いたらクセになるんですよね、あの疾走感。

今回の『キルケーの魔女』でも、当然そのサウンドが炸裂すると期待されています。特報映像で流れた短いBGMにも、新たなメロディラインを感じ取ったファン多数。「またあの澤野節でクスィーガンダムが暴れるのか」「早くIMAXで音に溺れたい！」など、SNS上では狂騒の嵐です。前作のBGMがネタ化されたこともあって、公開後にはますます“新曲のMAD作りました”系の動画が増えそうな予感。ライブでぜひ聴きたい、という声も多く、澤野弘之音楽だけでチケット買う価値があるでしょ、という人も少なくありません。

ガンダム CG 評判と賛否――映像美への挑戦と制作の苦労話

特報映像が出た瞬間から、「CGがちょっと固いかも？」とか「いや、これ前作よりリアル寄りじゃない？」とか、さまざまな声が吹き荒れています。要するに今回はCG表現をさらにアップグレードしつつ、手描きパートとの融合を深めようとしているスタイルらしい。でも新技術に挑戦すればするほど「え、なんか不自然じゃない？」「ここだけ3DCGくさくない？」と突っこまれがちなのも事実。

前作の映像美があまりに高評だっただけに、続編はより厳しい視線が集中しているのかもしれません。ファンが期待値を爆上げしてしまっているので、少しでも粗を見つけると「大丈夫か？」とザワつく模様。でも、すでに一部スタッフが「最高のクオリティを目指して試行錯誤している」とメディアでコメントしているらしく、本編完成時にはさらに洗練された映像を見せてくれるはずだ！と筆者は信じています。そもそも、どんなクオリティでもガンダムが大画面でドカーンと動けば、もうそれだけで見応えアリっていう意見も無視できません。ぶっちゃけ、筆者はMSが爆音でメガ粒子砲ぶっ放すだけでニヤニヤが止まりませんので、早く劇場で浴びるように見たい気持ちです。

新規ファン急増のワケ――SNSが生む“ガンダム初心者でも楽しめる”空気

実は『閃光のハサウェイ』が公開された当時、「ガンダムって敷居が高いイメージあったけど、これは見やすかった！」という新規ファンが大勢生まれたようです。その理由として、映像のモダンさやドラマの重厚さが“短編映画”っぽい感覚で受け取られたこと、そして音楽やキャラクターデザインが今っぽく洗練されていた事などが挙げられています。さらにSNSやYouTubeでの拡散力も大きかった。友人の投稿やトレンドで「観てみようかな」と手軽に思わせるパワーがあったわけですね。

そうした新規ファンは「よく知らないけどガンダム 魔女って何？」「あ、これが噂の水星の魔女と関係ある？」と興味を寄せるうちに、過去作にも手を伸ばすケースが増えています。結果としてガンダムシリーズ全体の人気がもう一段階レベルアップしている感じ。制作サイドも「これを機にガンダム沼にハマってね！」とばかりに、ビジュアルブックやストーリー解説本を続々投入している印象。SNSでは「いや私、ハサウェイでガンダムデビューしました」みたいな人を本当によく見かけます。これが“巷で増殖したガンダム初級者”なのか…と妙に納得してしまう状況です。

魔女モチーフはどこへ行く？――水星の魔女、シイコ・スガイ、そしてキルケー

改めて“魔女”と呼ばれるキャラクターや部隊がガンダムでなぜこんなに増えたかを振り返ると、やはり『水星の魔女』のインパクトが大きいでしょう。スレッタ・マーキュリーは社会や大人たちの陰謀に翻弄されながら、魔女のレッテルを背負いつつ仲間と運命を切り拓こうとしました。シイコ・スガイに至ってはスピンオフか関連設定で“魔女”呼ばわりされるほどの強力パイロットぶりと言われています。つまりガンダムにおける“魔女”は、“特殊な力を持って周囲から煙たがられながらも戦う存在”の象徴っぽく描かれがち。そこにはアイデンティティや差別、異端性などのテーマが投影されているので、現代社会ともリンクしているのかも。

では今回の『キルケーの魔女』ではどんな“魔女”が出てくるのか…公式情報はまだ詳しく語られていませんが、SNSでは「また魔女に苦しめられるハサウェイを見たくない…」「ギギとの三角関係的な展開になるのか…」など妄想が止まりません。魔女という一言が入るだけで、ファンタジックな雰囲気が高まりがち。それをガンダムのリアル政治ドラマにぶつけるんだから、そりゃカオスで楽しそうですよ。スタッフがどこまで“魔女”を前面に出すか、最後の最後まで気になるところです。

まとめ――ハサウェイの運命は？“魔女”は何をもたらす？待ち遠しすぎる2025年冬

4年ぶりの続編発表に加えて、まさかの副題『キルケーの魔女』。それだけでもお腹いっぱいなくらい情報量が多いのに、原作バッドエンド問題や澤野弘之 音楽への高い期待、ガンダム CG 評判の賛否両論、そしてネット上の“魔女”ネタ祭り。あまりにも盛りだくさんで一気に脳内処理が飽和しそうです。でも、ファンとしては「待ってました！」のひと言に尽きるんですよね。いつか本編を映画館で見て、ものすごい衝撃を受けて、翌日SNSで感想を共有する…そんな体験が尊いんです。だからこそ、制作難航の噂にも負けずに完成を迎えてほしい。一刻も早く劇場の暗闇でハサウェイと“魔女”たちの激突を味わいたいところです。

もし原作通りのバッドエンドになったら…きっと映画館では「やっぱり…」と声にならない嘆息が響くのかもしれないし、ワンチャン改変があれば大騒ぎ必至。そして澤野弘之の新サウンドにどっぷり浸かりながら、クスィーガンダムやペーネロペーの勇姿を目撃するなんて考えただけでワクワクが止まりません。そりゃあネット上で「映画館で号泣確定」「まじでハンカチ何枚いるんや」と盛り上がるのも当然でしょう。

いずれにせよ、2025年冬に向けて話題はグングン加速していくはずです。まだ続報待ちの部分は多いものの、ファンが自由に想像や考察を膨らませて「どうなるんだ？」を楽しむのもガンダム文化の醍醐味。“魔女”というキーワードだけでここまでテンションが爆上がりするんだから、実際にスクリーンで目撃する時にはいったいどれだけ興奮するんでしょうね。いやホンマ、めっちゃ楽しみやないかい！（ここで関西弁を挟むほど待ちきれない雰囲気）

最後まで読んでくださった方、ありがとうございます。もし新情報が解禁されたら、思う存分ヤバい盛り上がりを見せてくれるに違いありません。あなたも今のうちに前作のブルーレイや配信を観て、音楽をリピートして、バッドエンドを噛み締めておきましょう。ハサウェイの覚悟と未来、そして“魔女”が鍵を握るだろう続編が、どんなドラマを描くのか。筆者自身も夜更かし上等で盛り上がり続ける所存です。2025年冬、全ガンダムファンが再び熱狂の渦に巻き込まれる瞬間をどうかお楽しみに！