Mobile Suit Gundam the Witch from Mercury

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury is a 2022–2023 anime series that marks a significant evolution in the Gundam franchise. Set in the Ad Stella (AS) calendar, the story unfolds in a future where numerous corporations have established a vast economic system in space. The narrative centers on Suletta Mercury, a young girl from the remote planet Mercury, who transfers to the Asticassia School of Technology, an institution operated by the Benerit Group, a conglomerate dominating the mobile suit industry. Upon her arrival, Suletta becomes entangled in the school’s dueling system, which is integral to its hierarchy and governance. She pilots the Gundam Aerial, a mobile suit developed using the controversial GUND Format technology, which enhances pilot capabilities but has dangerous side effects. The series delves into themes of corporate control, technological ethics, and the personal struggles of its characters, particularly Suletta and her interactions with Miorine Rembran, the daughter of the Benerit Group’s president. The Witch from Mercury is notable for introducing a female protagonist in the mainline Gundam series and for its exploration of LGBTQ+ themes, marking a progressive step in the franchise’s storytelling.