Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury
File:The Witch from Mercury.jpg Key visual of the series
機動戦士ガンダム 水星の魔女 (Kidō Senshi Gandamu: Suisei no Majo)
Genre	Mecha Military science fiction
Created by	Hajime Yatate Yoshiyuki Tomino
Original net animation
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury – Prologue
Directed by	Hiroshi Kobayashi
Produced by	Naohiro Ogata
Written by	Ichirō Ōkouchi
Music by	Takashi Ohmama
Studio	Sunrise
Released	July 14, 2022
Runtime	23 minutes
Anime television series
Directed by	Hiroshi Kobayashi Ryō Andō
Produced by	Naohiro Ogata
Written by	Ichirō Ōkouchi
Music by	Takashi Ohmama
Studio	Sunrise
Licensed by	Sunrise NA: Crunchyroll SEA: Medialink
Original network	JNN (MBS, TBS)
Original run	October 2, 2022 – present
Episodes	8

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury (Japanese: 機動戦士ガンダム 水星の魔女, Hepburn: Kidō Senshi Gandamu: Suisei no Majo) is a Japanese mecha anime series and the fifteenth mainline entry in Sunrise's long-running Gundam franchise. The series is directed by both Hiroshi Kobayashi and Ryō Andō and written by Ichirō Ōkouchi. It premiered in October 2022 on the JNN stations TBS and MBS.

The Witch from Mercury marks the first mainline Gundam TV anime production in seven years since Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans and the first TV series in the franchise to feature a female protagonist (fourth in the franchise overall after École du Ciel, SEED C.E. 73: Stargazer, and Twilight AXIS). The series revolves around themes of the dangers of emerging technologies alongside political corruption, criticism of capitalism and revenge.

Plot

In the distant future, humanity has advanced into space and switched to the new calendar system of Ad Stella (AS). The solar system was split between "Spaceians" and "Earthians", the inhabitants of space colonies and Earth, with a vast economic inequality between the two. Vanadis Institute created an advanced man-machine system called GUND, which would enable humans to survive in the harsh environment of space. But the Mobile Suit Development Council, led by the top mobile suit development companies, ordered a permanent ban on the development of the GUND Format. Council member Delling Rembran deployed the special forces team Dominicus to destroy the Vanadis research facility Fólkvangr, killing everyone aboard. Only two people narrowly survived: mobile suit test pilot Elnora Samaya and her daughter Ericht Samaya.

Ad Stella 122, 21 years after the Vanadis incident, Ericht; now under the alias Suletta Mercury, transfers from Mercury to the Asticassia School of Technology, an academic institute run by the megacorporation Benerit Group. Upon arrival, she encounters a girl escaping the institute, Miorine Rembran, who wants to escape from the controls of her father, Delling. As their paths cross in the academy with different ambitions and goals, Suletta will have to prove her worth as a pilot as she steps into the academy alongside the Gundam Aerial, a mobile suit built with the forbidden GUND Format technology.

Characters

Main characters

Ericht Samaya (エリクト・サマヤ, Erikuto Samaya) / Suletta Mercury (スレッタ・マーキュリー, Suretta Mākyurī)

Voiced by: Kana Ichinose

The series's main protagonist. Suletta is a 17-year old female Spaceian and a second-year student in the piloting department who transferred to the Asticassia School of Technology from Mercury. She is one of the two survivors of the Fólkvangr Incident, which caused the death of all the members of Ochs Earth Corporation and the termination of the "GUND Format" technology years ago. At Mercury, she was trained to be a Mobile Suit pilot from a young age and was later sent to the academy by her mother. She was shown to be a timid girl who has trouble communicating with people other than her mother.

Suletta pilots the XVX-016 Gundam Aerial, a GUND-ARM mobile suit developed by the Shin Sei Development Corporation on Mercury whose main feature are the "Bit Staves", remote controlled drones that can be used both for offense and defense.

Miorine Rembran (ミオリネ・レンブラン, Miorine Renburan)

Voiced by: Lynn

An attractive and academically distinguished second-year female Spaceian student in the management strategy department. Miorine is the only daughter of Delling Rembran, the president of the Benerit Group and chairman of the school's board. Her late mother was a botanist, and Miorine kept a small greenhouse on school grounds in her memory. She has a strong rebellious feeling towards her father, who barely acknowledges her beyond her status as his family.

Asticassia School of Technology

Guel Jeturk (グエル・ジェターク, Gueru Jetāku)

Voiced by: Yōhei Azakami

An heir to Jeturk Heavy Machinery, one of the group's three branches, and a third-year student in the piloting department. Guel has a rough temperament and is quick to anger. As the ace pilot of Jeturk House, he has absolute confidence in his own skills, including the rank of "Holder" to signify his status as the top duelist at the school, which also makes him Miorine's fiancée, a position he loses to Suletta after he is defeated by her. After knowing more about Suletta, Guel becomes infatuated with her, to the point of asking her in marriage. Due to his repeated defeats, he was kicked out of the Jeturk House, now living solely away from the group.

Guel pilots the MD-0032G Guel's Dilanza, a heavily modified Dilanza developed by the Jeturk Heavy Machinery and used primarily for close combat. He later switches to the more powerful MD-0064 Darilbalde, also focusing on close combat.

Elan Ceres (エラン・ケレス, Eran Keresu)

Voiced by: Natsuki Hanae

The top pilot backed by Peil Technologies, one of the group's three branches and a third-year student in the piloting department. In truth, Elan's attendance in school and participation in duels is secretly performed by Enhanced Person no. 4, an unregistered body double created to handle the stresses of the GUND-Format technology. Number 4 a taciturn and solitary person, who does not open his heart to anyone in school. He has an interest in Suletta due to her relation to the GUND Format tech. After his defeat against her, he was disposed by Peil Technologies in preparation for the next Enhanced Person body double.

As a Mobile Suit pilot, he pilots the FP/A-77 Gundam Pharact, a long-ranged sniper unit developed by Peil Technologies using the GUND-Format tech.

Shaddiq Zenelli (シャディク・ゼネリ, Shadiku Zeneri)

Voiced by: Makoto Furukawa

An adopted child of the CEO of Grassley Defense Systems, one of the group's three branches. A third-year student in the piloting department who leads Grassley House. Although still a student, Shaddiq has shown his skill in business and is a candidate for next generation executive.

He pilots the Michaelis, a mobile suit developed by Grassley Defense Systems as a successor to the Beguir-Beu.

Nika Nanaura (ニカ・ナナウラ)

Voiced by: Yume Miyamoto (episodes 1–9), Haruka Shiraishi (episode 10–present)

An Earthian second year student in the Mechanics department who was born on Earth. She develops an interest in both Suletta and the Aerial.

Chuatury Panlunch (チュアチュリー・パンランチ, Chuachurī Panranchi)

Voiced by: Miyu Tomita

A first-year Earthian student representing Earth House, a group that represents Earthian workers. She is shown to be rough and hateful against Spacians who do discriminate Earthians and sometimes can get into fights.

She pilots the MSJ-105CC Demi Trainer Chuchu Custom as her main mobile suit, equipped with a sniper rifle for ranged combat.

Martin Upmont (マルタン・アップモント, Marutan Appumonto)

Voiced by: Junya Enoki

Nuno Kargan (ヌーノ・カルガン, Nūno Karugan)

Voiced by: Tasuku Hatanaka

Ojelo Gabel (オジェロ・ギャベル, Ojero Gyaberu)

Voiced by: KENN

Till Nys (ティル・ネイス, Tiru Neisu)

Voiced by: Kōhei Amasaki

Lilique Kadoka Lipati (リリッケ・カドカ・リパティ, Ririkke Kadoka Ripati)

Voiced by: Konomi Inagaki

Aliya Mahvash (アリヤ・マフヴァーシュ, Ariya Mafuvāshu)

Voiced by: Miyuri Shimabukuro

Benerit Group

Delling Rembran (デリング・レンブラン, Deringu Renburan)

Voiced by: Naoya Uchida

A former military man who used his influence with Cathedra to plan and order a raid on the Fólkvangr lab where the "GUND Format" technology was being developed, to stop the research before it was finished and the Ochs Earth Corporation along with it. Many years later, Delling became the President of the Benerit Group, a consortium of the most powerful corporations throughout known space. In addition, Delling created the Asticassia School of Technology, both to solidify his influence and train the next generation of elites. Delling's Darwinian philosophy that only the strong deserve to survive extends to the policies of his business, his school, and even his own daughter, declaring that only the strongest mobile suit pilot is worthy of marrying her.

Vim Jeturk (ヴィム・ジェターク, Vimu Jetāku)

Voiced by: Tetsuo Kanao

The president and CEO of Jeturk Heavy Machinery, and father to Guel. He's an ambitious person who sees Delling as a thorn to his personal agenda, especially his philosophies.

Sarius Zenelli (サリウス・ゼネリ, Sariusu Zeneri)

Voiced by: Atsushi Ono

The president and CEO of Grassley Defense Systems, and Shaddiq's adopted father.

Nugen (ニューゲン, Nyūgen)

Voiced by: Masako Katsuki

One of four co-CEOs of Peil Technologies.

Kal (カル, Karu)

Voiced by: Kazue Komiya

One of four co-CEOs of Peil Technologies.

Nevola (ネボラ, Nebora)

Voiced by: Yoko Soumi

One of four co-CEOs of Peil Technologies.

Golneri (ゴルネリ, Goruneri)

Voiced by: Kimiko Saito

One of four co-CEOs of Peil Technologies.

Belmeria Winston (ベルメリア・ウィンストン, Berumeria Uinsuton)

Voiced by: Ayumi Tsunematsu

An employee of Peil Technologies and a former member of Vanadis Institute. Belmeria was the handler of Elan Ceres. Following Elan's loss to Suletta, she pleaded with the Peil CEOs to spare him, to no avail.

Kenanji Avery (ケナンジ・アベリー, Kenanji Aberī)

Voiced by: Yōji Ueda

A pilot stationed in the group's Dominicus special forces squad. He was among the soldiers who raided the Fólkvangr lab, killing many people there.

Kenanji pilots the CEK-040 Beguir-Beu, a mobile suit developed by Grassley Defense Systems armed with remote controlled pods which disables mobile suits using GUND Format systems.

Vanadis Institute / Ochs Earth

Elnora Samaya (エルノラ・サマヤ, Erunora Samaya) / Prospera Mercury (プロスぺラ・マーキュリー, Purosupera Mākyurī)

Voiced by: Mamiko Noto

Ericht's mother and a test pilot employed by Ochs Earth, a company that researched and developed the GUND-Format technology for use in Mobile Suits. In the past, she had a GUND right arm transplanted by Cardo in order to save her life. Following the Fólkvangr Incident, she escaped the destruction of the institute and went into hiding. Years after the incident, she joined Shin Sei Development Corporation on Mercury in order to continue development on the GUND-Format and was eventually appointed as their president. She also went under an alias as well, as she dons a mask to hide her true identity as Lady Prospera.

Elnora herself test piloted the XGF-02 Gundam Lfrith, a GUND-Format Mobile Suit developed by the institute. However Elnora wasn't unable to activate it until it's Permet Code was connected to Ericht.

Nadim Samaya (ナディム・サマヤ, Nadimu Samaya)

Voiced by: Hiroshi Tsuchida

Ericht's father who sacrificed himself to give Elnora and Ericht a chance to escape.

Cardo Nabo (カルド・ナボ, Karudo Nabo)

Voiced by: Miyuki Ichijou

The inventor of GUND Format technology, she was one of the biggest proponents of Gundam development to aid space exploration and developed the Gundam Lfrith. She is killed when Fólkvangr is raided by Cathedra.

Nyla Bertran (ナイラ・バートラン, Naira Bātoran)

Voiced by: Sachiko Kojima

Wendy Olent (ウェンディ・オレント, Uendi Orento)

Voiced by: Yō Taichi

Production and release

The series was first revealed by Sunrise at the 2nd Gundam Conference held on September 15, 2021, under Bandai Namco Group's "Gundam Project". It is the first mainline series in 7 years since Iron Blooded Orphans with Bandai Namco Group cooperating with external partners called "G-PARTNER" to bring young people in their teens all over the world. A Teaser PV was released on March 29, 2022, revealing the main mecha and a female character alongside a prologue episode that premiered on July 14, 2022. On June 17, Sunrise revealed the series's main plot, characters, staff, and a confirmed air date alongside an overview for the Prologue Episode. The staff working in the series were composed by director Hiroshi Kobayashi, with Ryō Andō serving as co-director; Ichirō Ōkouchi overseeing and writing scripts; mogmo designing the characters; Marie Tagashira, Shuri Toida, and Hirotoshi Takaya adapting mogmo's designs for animation; JNTHED, Kanetake Ebikawa, Wataru Inada, Ippei Gyōbu, Kenji Teraoka, and Takayuki Yanase designing the mechs; Shinya Kusumegi, Kanta Suzuki, and Seizei Maeda animating the mechs. Producer Naohiro Ogata mentioned in an online press conference that the story will be set in an academy and that it will feature the first female main protagonist in the mainline series, and that he will create a work that is conscious of the increase in new fans. On July 14, information regarding the Prologue episode were revealed at "GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE -LINK THE UNIVERSE-", which was the first public event for "PROLOGUE".

The series' story and theme were all done by Ōkouchi, Kobayashi and Andō themselves, basing it on the tech companies competing for profits and control in the industry alongside elements from Witch trials in the early modern period, reflecting the theme surrounding the GUND-Format technology and the people involved in its research, comparing it to a "curse" by the normal people. It was also decided the series will be given a high-school setting during the middle of its production by Okouchi himself, in which he answered some criticisms regarding the franchise saying that "He was conscious of making it enjoyable for all ages by simultaneously drawing the main character of the story, the young generation's personalities, and the adult drama. In addition, considering the time period, the weight of the content, and the fact that some viewers avoid the death scene, we are conscious of the ease of viewing, but as long as it is a Gundam, the story has dark turning points and disturbing stories." Other elements such as character designs and mecha designs were also fully fleshed out, notably the main protagonist Suletta, who is the first main protagonist in a Gundam TV series who is female.

Media

Anime

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury officially premiered on all JNN stations in Japan, including MBS and TBS on October 2, 2022, with the Prologue episode premiering on July 14, 2022, 4 months before the series' airing. Yoasobi performed the series' opening theme "Shukufuku" (祝福, "The Blessing") while Shiyui and Ryo performed the ending theme "Kimi yo Kedakaku Are" (君よ 気高くあれ, "You be noble"). Takashi Ohmama composed the music for the series.

At the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con, it was announced that the series will be simulcasted outside of Japan. Crunchyroll licensed the series through Sunrise. Medialink licensed the series in Southeast Asia and is streaming it on their Ani-One Asia YouTube channel, Netflix, and bilibili. It is also being streamed on GundamInfo YouTube channel on Asia and Oceania.

Episode list

No.	Title	Directed by	Written by	Storyboarded by	Original air date
0	"Prologue" (Japanese: 機動戦士ガンダム 水星の魔女「PROLOGUE」)	Teruo Sato	Ichirō Ōkouchi	Hiroshi Kobayashi	July 14, 2022 (2022-07-14)
In the far future, humanity develops GUND technology, which allows humans to directly connect their brains to machines to control them, revolutionizing prosthetics. However, GUND technology is also weaponized and installed in special mobile suits called GUND-ARMs, or "Gundams", which is a controversial move since humans have trouble handling the mental strain of controlling them, resulting in crippling injuries and even death. The company Ochs Earth is secretly commissioned to build Gundam Lfrith in a project led by Dr. Cardo Nabo, who believes Lfrith will be the next step in GUND development that will allow humanity to expand into space. However, Lfrith's test pilot, Elnora Samaya, has so far been unable to activate Lfrith. Meanwhile, Ochs Earth's sponsor, the Mobile Suit Development Council, decides to pull their support for the project and instead forms a regulatory body called Cathedra to suppress Gundam development. Cathedra's leader, Delling Rembran, authorizes a military assault on the Ochs Earth research station holding Lfrith. Nabo and most of the staff are killed in the fighting, while Elnora and her daughter Ericht take shelter in Lfrith. Elnora is shocked when Lfrith activates in response to Ericht's biosigns, and the infant Ericht unknowingly commands Lfrith to destroy several Cathedra mobile suits. Ericht's father Nadim then sacrifices himself to give Elnora and Ericht time to escape the area while Rembran declares in a speech that Cathedra will destroy all Gundams.
1	"The Witch and the Bride" Transliteration: "Majo to Hanayome" (Japanese: 魔女と花嫁)	Ryō Andō	Ichirō Ōkouchi	Hiroshi Kobayashi	October 2, 2022 (2022-10-02)
Suletta Mercury is in transit to the Asticassia School of Technology when she notices a stranded astronaut and takes off in her Gundam Aerial to rescue them. However, the astronaut headbutts her in the cockpit, claiming she was trying to escape. Suletta finally arrives at the school to discover the girl she rescued was Miorine Rembran. She later discovers Miorine's reason for escaping, that the right to her hand in marriage was given to a popular yet ill-tempered duelist named Guel Jeturk. Miorine's father, Delling Rembran, is the head of the Benerit Group that created the school and holds influence over the most powerful companies throughout space. Furthermore, he designed the school policies so that anything can be settled via mobile suit duels, from simple apologies to his own daughter's hand in marriage. When Guel shows up to destroy Miorine's greenhouse and force her to live with him, Suletta slaps him and accepts his duel challenge. As Guel prepares to duel Suletta, his father Vim plants a bomb on Delling's shuttle and plans to assassinate him to solidify Guel's status as the heir to Delling's corporate empire. Guel is surprised to discover that Miorine stole the Aerial to challenge him herself, but fights her anyway. Despite Miorine's conviction, she is not used to Aerial's controls, and quickly falls, until Suletta speeds onto the scene on a hoverbike and forcibly takes the cockpit herself, unlocking the core features of Aerial and cutting Guel's Dilanza into several pieces. Vim calls off the assassination plot shortly after hearing news that Guel lost in the duel. Under the school rules, not only does Suletta win Guel's Holder emblem and uniform, but also becomes Miorine's fiance.
2	"Cursed Mobile Suit" Transliteration: "Noroi no Mobiru Sūtsu" (Japanese: 呪いのモビルスーツ)	Tatsuma Minamikawa	Ichirō Ōkouchi	Tomoki Kyoda	October 9, 2022 (2022-10-09)
Following the duel, Suletta is arrested under suspicion of using an illegal Gundam. Ceres House head Elan Ceres becomes interested in Suletta and visits her in confinement, though he is adamant about not having feelings for her. Delling takes charge of the investigation and launches an inquiry into Aerial's manufacturer, the Shin Sei Development Corporation. As she feels conflicted about Suletta's arrest, Miorine is informed that her father has decided to transfer her out of Asticassia. Furious, she runs into the smugglers she previously hired to help her escape and has them take her to her father. At the hearing, Shin Sei's CEO, Suletta's mother Prospera Mercury, defends the company, stating that Aerial was built with drone technology and is not a Gundam. However, Delling remains unconvinced just as Miorine intrudes. Angry at her father controlling her life, she challenges him to a duel: if her side wins Suletta's charges will be dropped; if Delling wins Miorine will follow his wishes. Vim, having been blackmailed by Prospera, votes in favor, causing a split amongst the Benerit Group and forcing Delling to agree. Afterward, Miorine informs Suletta that she will have to win the duel lest she will be expelled.
3	"Guel's Pride" Transliteration: "Gueru no Puraido" (Japanese: グエルのプライド)	Ryō Andō Shinnosuke Itō	Ichirō Ōkouchi	Ryō Andō	October 16, 2022 (2022-10-16)
Suletta is reinstated as a student for the upcoming duel, which will be a rematch against Guel. Vim has arranged for Guel to pilot a more advanced mobile suit equipped with an AI, the Darilbalde. It is also revealed that Prospera blackmailed Vim into helping her by threatening to expose his plan to assassinate Delling. Meanwhile, Sarius Zenelli becomes suspicious of Prospera and orders his son Shaddiq to investigate Suletta. At the time of the rematch, Elan oversees Suletta and Guel as they prepare to face each other. However, at the start of the match, Guel realizes the controls of his Darilbalde have been hijacked by the onboard AI, which makes all of the piloting decisions for him. In addition, the arena's fire suppression systems suddenly activate, neutralizing the power of Aerial's beam weaponry and putting Suletta at a significant disadvantage. Miorine quickly realizes that Vim has hacked the fire suppression system, and when Elan refuses to stop the duel, she hijacks a mobile frame and disables the system. With her weapons operational again, Suletta begins pushing back the Darilbalde. Not content to let the AI fight for him, Guel takes back control of the Darilbalde and fights back with all of his strength, with Suletta narrowly prevailing over him. At the conclusion of the duel, Suletta is impressed with Guel's piloting skill and shows her respect to him. Inspired by Suletta's sportsmanship, Guel becomes infatuated with her and asks for her hand in marriage, much to Suletta's shock.
4	"Unseen Trap" Transliteration: "Mienai Jirai" (Japanese: みえない地雷)	Shouji Ikeno	Ichirō Ōkouchi	Susumu Nishizawa	October 23, 2022 (2022-10-23)
Everybody is shocked by Guel's proposal, including Suletta who rejects him. On the next day, however, Guel denies holding any attraction to Suletta. Later, a mobile suit exam is held but Suletta instantly fails due to her lacking a support crew. Another student, Chuatury "ChuChu" Panlunch also attempts it but fails as well due to her mobile suit's camera having been sprayed over by bullies, blinding her. It is revealed ChuChu resents Spacians due to the discrimination Earthians like her suffer. As a result, when Suletta asks the students of Earth House to assist her, ChuChu chases her off. Miorine agrees to assist her, prompting Suletta to confide in her about her dream of founding her own school on Mercury. The next day, Suletta and ChuChu take the makeup test. However, the same bullies have now blinded Suletta's mobile suit, and the proctors refuse to let Miorine remove the paint. After numerous failed retries, Suletta breaks down from the pressure, causing ChuChu to assault the two bullies on her behalf and resulting in a fight that forces the makeup test to be rescheduled. Afterward, with ChuChu's begrudging acceptance, Suletta is welcomed into the Earth House.
5	"Reflection in an Icy Eye" Transliteration: "Kōri no Hitomi ni Utsuru no wa" (Japanese: 氷の瞳に映るのは)	Kiyoshi Egami	Ichirō Ōkouchi	Hiroshi Kobayashi Shinya Watada Kiyoshi Egami	October 30, 2022 (2022-10-30)
Suletta and Earth House witness Elan win a duel against three opponents. During a meeting between the Peil Technologies leaders, it is revealed that Elan is actually a genetically modified human designed to pilot Gundams. Elan is ordered by his superiors to investigate Suletta, and he accepts since he believes she is an artificial human like him. Elan then invites Suletta to spend time with him on their day off, which leads to many students to interpret it as Elan asking her on a date. Elan asks Suletta about Aerial, and she explains that she considers Aerial part of her family. He then convinces Suletta to let him pilot Aerial and he tests its control systems and realizes it is in fact a Gundam, but also realizes it doesn't create data storms like other Gundams, meaning Suletta is not enhanced like he is. Elan loses interest in her and coldly rejects any friendship, breaking Suletta's heart. Guel witnesses this and challenges Elan to a duel, which he readily agrees. Guel fields his Dilanza against Elan's new Pharact, but Elan reveals the Pharact is a Gundam and easily defeats Guel. Elan then challenges Suletta for posession of Aerial.
6	"A Gloomy Song" Transliteration: "Uttōshii Uta" (Japanese: 鬱陶しい歌)	Akihiro Saito	Ichirō Ōkouchi	Akihiro Saito	November 6, 2022 (2022-11-06)
Prospera meets the Peil Technologies scientist responsible for Elan, Belmeria Winston, who was also a Vanadis member. Belmeria admits that she was forced to work for Peil and asks why Prospera is still seeking revenge for what happened 21 years ago, while Prospera counters by asking how many test subjects preceded Elan. Meanwhile, Guel is disowned by his father and kicked out of the Jeturk house for his loss against Elan. The Earth House helps build a maneuvering thruster pack for the Aerial to aid Suletta in the upcoming duel. During a checkup, it's revealed that the current Elan Ceres is actually a body double for the real Elan, surgically altered to look like him, and that the current Elan's body can only survive the strain of one more battle. Wanting to connect with Elan, Suletta sings a birthday song for him over the Peil House PA. On the day of the duel, Suletta states that if she wins, Elan must tell her more about himself. The duel then commences, with both pilots being forced to push their mobile suits to their limits. Elan seemingly ensures his victory when he destroys Aerial's thruster pack, but the Aerial's GUND-BITs release an energy pulse that disables the Pharact, causing Elan to see the GUND-BITs as ghostly images of children. Suletta comes out the victor, and Elan opens up by admitting he just remembered someone who once celebrated his birthday, with Suletta ensuring him that she and many others will do so as well. The next day, Suletta waits to meet up with Elan, but unbeknownst to her, Peil Technologies is preparing to dispose of Elan due to his failure, planning on replacing him with another surgically-altered double.
7	"Shall We Gundam?" Transliteration: "Sharu Ui Gandamu?" (Japanese: シャル・ウィ・ガンダム?)	Shunichi Yoshizawa	Kō Yoneyama	Masahiko Ōkura	November 20, 2022 (2022-11-20)
Still worried about Elan, Suletta is invited to the "Incubation Party", an annual meeting for startups held by the Benerit Group and she decides to attend in order to meet him again. During the party, Suletta meets the original Elan, passing as the Elan she knew, who deceives her into believing that he is fine. The CEOs of Peil Technologies take both Elan and Suletta to the stage, where they confirm that Pharact is a Gundam, who reacted to Aerial during their fight, proving that it is a Gundam too, and while admitting that they also built a Gundam against the law, demands that Aerial must be scrapped. To protect Aerial, Miorine announces that she will start a new company called GundArm Inc. to research safe applications for the Gund-Arm technology. She fails to get any investment at first but manages to fund the company after earning her father's approval. Afterwards, Prospera reveals to Suletta the truth about Aerial, that it is actually a Gundam.
8	"Their Choice" Transliteration: "Karera no Saitaku" (Japanese: 彼らの採択)	Yoshio Suzuki Masakazu Sunazawa Shouji Ikeno Ryo Ando	Yasuhiro Nakanishi	Hiromitsu Kanazawa	November 27, 2022 (2022-11-27)
Miorine recruits the members of Earth House for the new company and makes it their base of operations. To learn more about the GUND format technology, she consults with both Prospera and Belmeria for information but both she and the rest of her companions are at doubt about working in a company that sells weapons. Meanwhile, Shaddiq makes repeated offers to buy out GundArm since he believes Gundams are the future of the Benerit Group, but Miorine refuses. However, upon learning more about Cardo Nabo and her intentions, Miorine decides that the focus of her company will be improving the GUND format for medical applications which was its original purpose. Having convinced the others about her vision, Miorine prepares to launch her company, until she learns that Shaddiq had the school regulations altered to prevent that, intending to seize Aerial and all technology related to it for himself.
9	"If I Could Take One More Step Toward You" Transliteration: "Ato Ippo, Kimi ni Fumidaseta nara" (Japanese: あと一歩、キミに踏み出せたなら)	Unknown	Unknown	TBA	December 4, 2022 (2022-12-04)

Merchandise

Alongside other merchandise releases, the series was given a line of Gunpla model kits as 1/144 High Grade models. An HG and SDEX model of the Gundam Aerial have been released, and a 1/100 scale Full Mechanics kit is set to release in 2023. Also, both Robot Spirits and Chogokin figure versions of the Gundam Aerial were also announced.

Shortly after the release of the series, Sunrise partnered with Yamazaki Baking for a cross-promotion following a string of Internet memes stemming from the Bic Camera branch in Akihabara stocking empty shelves of the Gundam Aerial model kit with YBC Aerial corn chips.

External links

• Official site (in Japanese)
• Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia