The return of the famous franchise Mobile Suit Gundam is just around the corner with the premiere of the new anime Gundam GQuuuuuuX, scheduled for April 8 in simulcast through Amazon Prime Video. The series, co-produced by the renowned Studio Khara, is directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki and features a script by Yoji Enokido, based on an original story by Hideaki Anno. This premiere represents a significant step for Amazon, which seeks to position itself as a serious competitor against established platforms like Netflix and Crunchyroll in the distribution of anime.
Streaming series or movies in theaters?
Before its streaming debut, Gundam GQuuuuuuX had a special screening in Japanese theaters with a shortened version titled Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX – Beginning. However, the lack of an official release date for its theater premiere could negatively impact interest in the film, as the simultaneous release of the anime on streaming may diminish its exclusivity. The question then arises of which version to choose to enjoy this story: the streaming or the theater version.
As the release date approaches, concerns arise about how the streaming series will influence the reception of the movie. If Gundam GQuuuuuuX reaches the audience before the theatrical release, there is a risk that the film will lose its main appeal: the opportunity to witness the story of the first episodes on the big screen. However, the visual spectacle that the series promises could be a sufficient incentive for fans to consider a trip to the cinema, even if they have already seen the episodes streaming, leading to a dilemma between the different ways of consuming the content.