SEED FREEDOM: The Phenomenon That Won’t Be Stopped!
Interview with Liu Goto

Ever since its release on January 26, 2024, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM has been the hottest topic in town, showing no signs of slowing down. To commemorate the December 25 launch of the Blu-ray & DVD, we sat down for an interview with Liu Goto, who not only wrote the novel, but also contributed to the main script and produced various bonus materials for the film. From her impressions upon the movie’s debut to behind-the-scenes tales of the novel and special features, Goto opens up about her thoughts on FREEDOM.

ON THE FILM’S RECEPTION

――SEED FREEDOM has become one of the highest-grossing films in Gundam history. It’s been almost a year since its release. What’s your reaction to its overwhelming success?

Goto: Given that this new film builds on a series from twenty years ago, I never imagined it would generate this level of excitement.

In truth, from the moment I first read the outline left behind by Morosawa, I knew it would be spectacular, something fans would absolutely love. But even I didn’t anticipate it would blow up quite this much. It really made me appreciate anew just how vast the SEED fanbase is. I’m truly grateful for the privilege of being involved in a project like this.

――From stage greetings to special screenings, there were so many events. Were there any moments or episodes that left a strong impression?

Goto: I was invited to several stage greetings. Once, I traveled from Nagoya to Kyoto so I could see how audiences were reacting in different cities, which was a real thrill. I even got to chat a bit with the voice actors, it was an invaluable experience for me. Under normal circumstances, I’m just an ordinary person holed up at home, typing away in solitude.

Separately, when I heard Takanori Nishikawa would be appearing in an ice show, I couldn’t resist as a figure skating fan and bought a ticket right away. Seeing Nishikawa’s powerful live vocals fused with skating was phenomenal. I never dreamed I’d witness Hanyu perform Meteor right in front of me! (And Tanaka’s take on Char’s Counterattack was absolutely top-notch.) I might have been the most excited person in the entire arena.

THE FAST-PACED STYLE OF THE SEED FREEDOM NOVEL

――Your novelization of SEED FREEDOM, split into two volumes, has sold more than 300,000 copies (including digital). How did readers respond?

Goto: I kept an eye on reactions on social media and, by and large, people seemed to enjoy it, which was a relief. Novel-writing is my primary craft, after all (laughs). I matched the novel’s narrative speed to the film’s breakneck pace, aiming for that “no time to catch your breath” momentum. Some readers felt it went by too quickly, but hearing people say “I raced through it in no time!” is gratifying. My goal is to immerse them in the story without any sense of strain.

Right after publication, “Naturally, Neumann was at the helm” became a bit of a talking point. From my perspective, I thought, “Wait, that’s what caught everyone’s attention?” But in any case, I’m glad it sparked conversation. (laughs) Before the book officially came out, we did a small preview of Ogasawara’s illustrations for PR. It ended up getting covered by Oricon News, which took me by surprise. It’s probably a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me, and I feel a bit guilty for dragging Ogasawara into it.

――SEED and SEED DESTINY (published by Sneaker Bunko) also saw large reprints. What’s your reaction to that?

Goto: In this day and age, for people to go out of their way to purchase physical books is genuinely humbling. Some readers have told me, “SEED was the very first book I ever read,” and that makes me realize how serious the responsibility of a novelization can be. I hope that starting with the novelization might open the door for people to explore and enjoy many other books.

DRAMA CDs AND BRAND-NEW SHORT STORIES YOU CAN ENJOY TWICE

――Let’s talk about your newly written short stories included in the Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM Blu-ray Mighty Edition and the Limited Edition sets. There are three pieces, Two on the Run, Moonlight Valkyrie, and Neumann’s Logbook. Could you share any anecdotes from the writing process?

Goto: Initially, I was commissioned to write two short stories for theatrical distribution and one Drama CD. But then it turned out that all three short stories and three Drama CDs would be bundled together, resulting in quite a lavish package. Two on the Run and Moonlight Valkyrie were finalized before the film’s release. Meanwhile, the content for the Drama CDs wasn’t fully settled, so after the premiere, I suggested, “How about Neumann’s Logbook?”

By using Neumann’s point of view, I could include both the Archangel crew and the Orb crew, and also bring in Shinn, Luna, and Agnes, who were away for training. This offered more breadth. My only concern was how many voice actors we could actually feature. So I asked, “Is it okay if we add a bunch of characters?” and they answered, “By all means!” So I ended up writing in Kira, Lacus, and even Albert. It’s a pretty star-studded lineup. The director and I decided it’d be a great opportunity to flesh out Neumann’s character, so we concluded, “He’s slightly pessimistic, but there’s this hidden fire in him.” (laughs) I hope that side of him comes through.

Actually, with Neumann’s Logbook, I ended up including so many characters that before I knew it, the text got too long. We had to slim it down. On the Drama CD side, we cut a few scenes and lines. On the other hand, the director added a scene I couldn’t fit into the short story. As a result, the content differs slightly between the Drama CD and the written version.

In that sense, if you pick up both, you’ll get to enjoy them twice as much.

Chronologically, it’s set after DESTINY but before FREEDOM (and after FREEDOM ZERO). It takes place just before Compass is officially formed, during the period when Shinn and the others are training on the Archangel. The team attends the Millennium’s launch ceremony, but overall, it’s a snapshot of their daily lives.

Though the title spotlights Neumann, he often ends up playing a supporting role. In the short story, however, nearly everything unfolds from his perspective. It’s one of those rare moments where we see the world through his eyes, including what he really thinks about everyone else. I hope you’ll enjoy that novelty. As for Two on the Run and Moonlight Valkyrie, I recall writing them sometime around last summer, before the film came out (though my memory might be fuzzy).

The title Two on the Run came from nothing more than a quick placeholder phrase I used to sum up the story before writing it, and somehow it stuck. Moonlight Valkyrie was just a temporary file name, then it ended up as the real title. Incidentally, the Two on the Run file was labeled “meeting.” I’m from Nagoya, so my knowledge of how to make authentic monjayaki was vague. Thankfully, I was watching the drama VIVANT around that time and saw Gaku Hamada preparing monjayaki in detail, which I used as reference.

Moonlight Valkyrie was commissioned specifically as a story focusing on Agnes. But if I had stuck strictly to her point of view, it would have become far too grim. So I added scenes of Shinn and Rey to help lighten the mood. It also serves as a prequel to FREEDOM ZERO.

AN ALL OUT EXPERIENCE AT THE RECORDING SESSIONS

――All three short stories were also turned into Drama CDs for the home video release. What was it like hearing them performed? Also, if there are any highlights you’d recommend for fans, please let us know.

Goto: I only tuned in remotely for the voice recording sessions, so I haven’t heard the final versions yet. Even so, it was quite an extravagant experience. Sitting at home listening to these brilliant actors perform was a real treat. During the rehearsal, Takehito Koyasu (Mu La Flaga) ad-libbed some entertaining interjections that had me laughing the whole time. Meanwhile, Jun Fukuyama had an incredibly fast-paced line that, frankly, I felt a bit bad about. I didn’t personally write that line, but I did suggest it, so… I’m sorry. (laughs) They’re all fantastic, so please be prepared to be dazzled.

And of course, Neumann talks—a lot. Some have said he speaks more here than in the entire series combined, which might actually be true. Be sure to savor every second of Isshin Chiba’s performance. Personally, I’m also a huge fan of Hilda this time around. When adapting Two on the Run and Moonlight Valkyrie into scripts, the director added several brand-new lines. Then for Two on the Run, I went in again and tweaked a few things. Those who’ve listened will know, but Cagalli’s outfit got changed to a miniskirt. It’s only conveyed via audio, which is a shame, but do picture it in your mind’s eye.

A side note: on a whim, I doodled Cagalli’s miniskirt look and posted it on social media. It got a bigger response than I ever expected. Emboldened by that, I ended up drawing Shinn, Luna, Kira, and Lacus as well. I’ve been taking digital art lessons from a friend, so… thank you, teach! I never imagined it would be used in such a way. For Moonlight Valkyrie, there was one scene featuring Ikeda. I felt bad asking him to record just that one part, so I suggested cutting it, but he graciously agreed to do it anyway, which really astonished me.

The voice of Leonard went to Ono, which made me think “Wow, that’s big!” But then I realized, “Oh no, his first line is something I wrote.” (laughs) I feel both honored and apologetic. In any event, I’m blown away by how star-studded the cast is. Even though I wrote it, I keep thinking, “This is incredible. What a luxury!”

ANTICIPATION FOR ZERO AND MESSAGE TO FANS

――SEED FREEDOM ZERO is a prequel. Whatever you can share about your hopes for it would be wonderful.

Goto: Naturally, before writing the SEED FREEDOM screenplay, I read the script for ZERO. So let me say this straight:

You ABSOLUTELY MUST watch it. It’s going to be fantastic!!

I’m excited already. To be honest, I wish it had been adapted before FREEDOM, in a perfect world, maybe as a manga or something. Morosawa’s nuanced character work and the brilliant twists in the script are truly her hallmark. I’m thrilled it’s finally getting the screen adaptation it deserves. (And since I’m not working on it, I get to watch as a fan—much more relaxing!)

I can’t wait.

――Lastly, could you share a few words for everyone who has enjoyed SEED FREEDOM?

Goto: Thank you for sticking with us for twenty years. I feel honored to have contributed to SEED FREEDOM and all the other related works. I hope you’ll also enjoy the Drama CDs and short stories. Seeing everyone’s enthusiasm is the greatest reward I could ask for.

Source: Gundam Ace No.270, February 2025 (pages 18-21)