A blend of music, video, and live readings! The “Gundam THE ORIGIN The Red Melody – Eve of Destiny Premium Screening –” Report

The “Mobile Suit Gundam THE ORIGIN The Red Melody – Eve of Destiny Premium Screening –” was held on November 5^th (Sat) in the concert hall of Tokyo Opera City Tower located in Hatsudai, Tokyo.

The event was held twice, once in the afternoon and once in the evening, and a piano, violin, and cello performance was held in addition to the fastest screening of this volume of Mobile Suit Gundam THE ORIGIN IV Eve of Destiny. A live reading drama and talk show were also held by the main cast members.
It was a fitting conclusion to the “Char and Sayla Arc” that began in February 2015. We will now report on the luxurious and gorgeous details of the event.

On this day, fans of THE ORIGIN gathered in large sums in the concert hall of Tokyo Opera City Tower. One can tell the hall is high-class, not only from its exclusive use as a classical hall, but also through its layout and decorations. With key animations displayed in the venue lobby, the lobby was overflowing with excitement, both before and after the screening event.

A piano trio performance began 10 minutes before the event. A solemn atmosphere was quickly brought forth, indicating the natural feeling of tension that rose for the beginning of the event.
When it was time for the event to begin, the pianist moved to the pipe-organ that was situated on the upper deck of the stage. It was a brilliant performance that announced the rise of the curtains. Next, the event transitioned into a live reading from the main cast. Mr. Shuuichi Ikeda (Char Aznable), Ms. Saori Hayami (Lalah Sune), Ms. Megumi Han (Sayla Mass), Mr. Shigeo Kiyama (Ramba Ral), and Ms. Akeno Watanabe (Kycilia Zabi) entered the stage.

A live reading of lines that linked together the Char and Sayla Arc up until now to Episode 4 “Eve of Destiny” occurred on stage, further raising the anticipating for the OVA. Live music was inserted at every turn as if to add flair to the voice drama and impressively illustrated scenes related to THE ORIGIN were shown one after the other on the screen that was lowered on stage. It can be said that the progression of the subject matter from both sight and sound can be reflected on as a highlight of the voice drama.

Once the cast exited the stage, the showing began. The finale of the Char and Sayla Arc was decorated with a variety of subjects and the story became the connective stepping-stone for its continuation, the Loum Arc. Many mobile suit battle scenes were depicted in the OVA and it could be said that this is a great feature of Eve of Destiny.

Even if we pay attention to characters such as the parent-child pair Tem and Amuro Ray or Fraw Bow, the highlight of Mobile Suit Gundam is its successive introduction of familiar characters. This time as well, we can affirm that the quality went above and beyond expectations.

Once the screening was over, Mr. Ikeda and Ms. Hayami appeared on both sides of the pipe-organ. The dialogue between Char and Lalah voiced by the two was added at the end of the screening and brought forth an extraordinarily extravagant time indicated by the generous applause from the audience that echoed throughout the hall.

The MC stood on stage and began the talk show in the second portion of the event. Mr. Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, credited as the General Director, also went up on stage alongside the cast members that participated in the live voice drama.

All cast members that participated in the recordings of this volume spoke their thoughts one at a time. Ms. Megumi Han, the only member that did not participate in this recording, said, “I believe it is because I did not participate in this recording that I was able to look at the story objectively.”

Lastly, Mr. Yasuhiko was asked to make a comment. He spoke of his gratitude towards the fans and afterwards clarified that although he was reflecting on this work, which began in the beginning of 2014, the Loum Arc was already beginning.

After the comments were finished, Ms. Hiroko Moriguchi, singer of Episode 4’s theme song “Beyond Space,” went up on stage as a special guest. She performed “Beyond Space” as well as “Day by Day… Surely,” an image song of the relationship between Char and Lalah. Her clear singing voice that hadn’t changed at all since her debut spread throughout the hall as if wrapping one in its tenderness.

The cast and Mr. Yasuhiko then went up on stage once again. One by one, they spoke of their enthusiasm for the Loum Arc, which is scheduled to be shown in the fall of 2017.

Lastly, Ms. Hiroko Moriguchi enthusiastically sang “ETERNAL WIND ~Smile in the Shining Wind~”, the theme song for Mobile Suit Gundam F91, as the encore. As the audience was wrapped in her great singing voice, the event concluded.

The Mobile Suit Gundam THE ORIGIN IV Eve of Destiny screening event, advanced Blu-ray theater sales, and priority delivery fees will begin on November 19^th (Sat) at 15 theaters nationwide.

The “Red Melody” event consisted of the progress of the animation called THE ORIGIN and the audience extensively sensed the world that is to come. Although the Loum Arc will not begin until the fall of next year, we are looking forward to another event like this being held again.

▲The latest Gunpla from Mobile Suit Gundam THE ORIGIN was also on display at the venue.
[Theater Limited Edition] HG RCX-76-02 GUNCANNON FIRST TYPE (IRON CAVALRY COMMANDER) Goes on sale November 19 / 2,100 yen (tax included)
HG RCX-76-02 GUNCANNON FIRST TYPE (IRON CALVARY SQUADRON) Goes on sale November 19 / 1,944 yen (tax included)
HG MS-05S CHAR’S ZAKU I Goes on sale December 10 / 1,836 yen (tax included)
HG MS-04 RAMBA RAL’S BUGU Goes on sale December 3 / 1,836 yen (tax included)

▲Preorders for the first limited edition of the “Mobile Suit Gundam THE ORIGIN IV Blue-ray Disc Collector’s Edition” was also being accepted at the event. An event-only original B2 poster was distributed as a special gift. In addition to that, a lottery where one could win a signed poster was also held.

▲Preorders were also being received for the analog LP sized theatrical theme song CD. An original poster of Ms. Hiroko Moriguchi was distributed as a special gift.

▲As for the Gundam Fan Club, seat covers and duplicate key animations were distributed to members as a special limited edition gift. Memorial codes for newly admitted members at the event were also distributed.