KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 — The atmosphere at GSC LaLaport BBCC on Saturday was electrifying, as Gundam enthusiasts gathered for the gala premiere of Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe.

Celebrated Japanese voice actor Kensho Ono made a special appearance after the screening of the highly anticipated film, a sequel to the 2021 hit Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway.

Ono reprised his voice role as titular protagonist Hathaway Noa.

Marking the voice actor’s first visit to Malaysia, he appeared at both the 12pm and 1pm sessions, with the event drawing an estimated 350 Gundam fans.

Malay Mail attended the 1pm session, where fans arrived with Gundam merchandise and greeted Ono with loud cheers and applause.

Among the event’s highlights was a Q&A session, during which Ono shared his first impressions of Malaysia.

“There’s so much greenery. That’s what really stood out to me,” he said.

“From the airport onward, I was looking outside the car the whole time, and my impression was just: there’s greenery everywhere.

“Even when the plane was landing, from the runway already, everything was so green,” he added.

When asked about his favourite moments in The Sorcery of Nymph Circe, Ono said the ending scene stood out most to him.

He also cited an early argument scene involving another character, while the film’s 30-minute battle sequence left a particularly strong impression on him.

He said he became so absorbed in the intensity of the battle scene that he “forgot to breathe” while watching it.

When asked about similarities between himself and Hathaway Noa, Ono joked that they at least shared the same voice.

However, he added that the real similarity lay in Hathaway’s habit of having lengthy internal monologues.

“I recently realised I do the same thing myself,” he said.

“Sometimes when people say something to me, apparently, I don’t react outwardly at all.

“But in my head, I’m responding and having a whole conversation already.”

Ono also revealed that Hala Morley was his personal favourite character in The Sorcery of Nymph Circe.

He described her as “a very Japanese, modern-like character who is not afraid to speak her mind,” adding that she also stood out among Japanese audiences.

The session continued with a live dubbing performance by Ono, followed by a lucky draw in which five attendees won exclusive Gundam-themed prizes.

The event concluded with a group photo, with Ono thanking Malaysian fans for their support and expressing hope that he would return to Malaysia someday.

A Gundam sequel set to bring fans back to cinemas

Malaysia’s Gundam fanbase was clearly on display at Saturday’s gala premiere, with fans showing strong enthusiasm for the long-running franchise.

The Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway franchise is adapted from novels written by Yoshiyuki Tomino.

Fans who enjoyed the first film adaptation appeared to appreciate the sequel, judging by the enthusiastic reactions from audience members after the screening.

Wu Zonghan, a 19-year-old student from China studying in Malaysia, said he had followed Gundam throughout his life and watched many of its films, adding that the sequel had only deepened his interest.

“I am very lucky to see this,” he said.

Ali Hakim, 26, from Terengganu, said he was not originally a follower of the series, but became interested through the films and his hobby of building Gunpla models.

“I’m very happy that I can be here today,” he told Malay Mail.

He said he first watched the first Hathaway instalment on Netflix and was captivated by its drama, politics and storytelling — elements central to the Gundam franchise.

He described the sequel as “worth the wait.”

Directed by Shûkô Murase, Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe was released in Japan on January 30, 2026, where it grossed over 840 million yen (RM25.2 million) during its opening weekend.

The film will be released in cinemas nationwide starting May 21.