Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Urdr-Hunt

Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Urdr-Hunt
Theatrical release poster for the compilation film
Created by
Video game
DeveloperBandai Namco Entertainment; Sunrise Beyond
PublisherBandai Namco Entertainment
Directed byTatsuyuki Nagai
Music byMasaru Yokoyama
GenreRole-playing; Visual novel
PlatformiOS; Android
ReleasedNovember 15, 2022 (2022-11-15) (Japan-only)[1][2]
Anime film
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Urdr-Hunt – Path of the Little Challenger
Directed byTatsuyuki Nagai
Produced by
  • Masakazu Ogawa
  • Yasunori Fujiwara
Written byMichihiro Tsuchiya
Music byMasaru Yokoyama
StudioSunrise
Released
  • October 31, 2025 (2025-10-31) (Japan)

Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Urdr-Hunt (Japanese: 機動戦士ガンダム 鉄血のオルフェンズ ウルズハント, Hepburn: Kidō Senshi Gandamu Tekketsu no Orufenzu Uruzu Hanto), sometimes rendered as Urðr Hunt,[Note 1] is a multimedia spin-off of Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans and part of the Gundam franchise. It was initially released in Japan on November 15, 2022 (2022-11-15) within the Iron-Blooded Orphans G mobile app for iOS and Android,[1][2] and is being adapted into a theatrical compilation film, Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Urdr-Hunt – Path of the Little Challenger (機動戦士ガンダム 鉄血のオルフェンズ ウルズハント -小さな挑戦者の軌跡-, Kidō Senshi Gandamu Tekketsu no Orufenzu Uruzu Hanto -Chīsana Chōsensha no Kiseki-). The film will use the game’s animated footage and is scheduled to premiere in Japan on October 31, 2025 (2025-10-31), followed by a limited North American release.[3]

Plot

Set between the first and second seasons of the original anime, the story follows Wistario Afam, a young man born and raised on Radonitsa, a penal colony orbiting near Venus.[4][5] Life on Radonitsa is harsh, with residents descended from criminals and political dissidents exiled during the Post Disaster era.[1][2] Wistario dreams of improving his colony’s future and restoring dignity to its people. When a mysterious girl named Korunaru Kōsa arrives, she speaks of the “Urdr-Hunt,” a perilous contest tied to the hidden legacy of the Gundam Hajiroboshi.[4] Drawn into the hunt, Wistario crosses paths with smugglers, Mars-based interests, and remnants of Gjallarhorn while traveling from Venus to Mars. He learns of Tekkadan’s exploits second-hand, and his choices pull Radonitsa into the shifting balance of power that defines the Post Disaster era.[1][2]

Gameplay

The game combines visual novel storytelling with menu-driven role-playing video game missions.[4][1] Episodes alternate between animated cutscenes, dialogue choices, and tactical battles using mobile suits with distinct weapon loadouts and abilities.[4] Between missions, players allocate resources to upgrade suits and crew within the Iron-Blooded Orphans G app hub.[1][2]

A total of twelve episodes of Urdr-Hunt were released through the Iron-Blooded Orphans G mobile app between November 15, 2022 and January 11, 2024.[6][7]

Characters and mecha

  • Wistario Afam — A compassionate and determined young man from Radonitsa who becomes the pilot of the Gundam Hajiroboshi. Driven by a desire to restore dignity and improve life on his colony, he reluctantly embraces his role in the Urdr-Hunt.[1][2]
  • Korunaru Kōsa — A mysterious figure who arrives on Radonitsa and introduces Wistario to the Urdr-Hunt. Her knowledge of the Gundam Hajiroboshi and the hidden legacy behind it propels the plot forward.[4][5]
  • Cyclase — A veteran mercenary and seasoned mobile suit pilot. While initially a pragmatic and cautious ally, he becomes a critical mentor and tactical support during Wistario’s journey.[4]
  • Calappa — A skilled technician and mobile worker operator based in Radonitsa. Resourceful and loyal, Calappa is instrumental in maintaining and upgrading the Gundam Hajiroboshi for Wistario’s battles.[1]
  • Gundam Hajiroboshi — A Gundam Frame mobile suit uncovered on Radonitsa, nicknamed the "First Star." Equipped for both melee and ranged combat, it symbolizes hope and the potential for change within the colony.[4][5]

Media

Mobile game

The project was first announced in January 2019 alongside the launch of the Iron-Blooded Orphans G app, which combined the content related to the original series with a new side story titled Urdr-Hunt and was developed by returning main staff from the television anime.[4][5]

According to a producer relay interview on Dengeki Online, the app was intended to be accessible and engaging for all fans, with Tatsuyuki Nagai directing and Hajime Kamoshida handling series composition. The development included original Mobile Armor designs and integrated interactive elements unique to the mobile format.[8]

Producer Masakazu Ogawa remarked that the production schedule was tighter than typical for television: the app’s first episode structure was “packed with more than a standard TV episode,” requiring staff to push the project schedule to the limit.[8]

The game was officially available only in Japan through the Japanese App Store and Google Play, and remained Japanese-language only. Overseas players could access it by creating Japanese store accounts; no localized version was published. The film is planned for Japanese theaters on October 31, 2025 (2025-10-31). A limited North American theatrical run has also been announced.[3]

The service for Iron-Blooded Orphans G, including the Urdr-Hunt narrative, concluded on January 11, 2024. Bandai Namco Entertainment announced the impending shutdown in November 2023, ceasing all in-app purchases of currency and subscription passes by October 31, 2023.[9]

Japanese media commentary attributed the service’s discontinuation to a combination of technical disruptions early in its lifecycle and game-balance issues that impaired player retention. One Dengeki Online retrospective highlighted how repeated maintenance—often unscheduled—eroded user trust, while certain PvP matches could extend well beyond 30 minutes, creating frustration and prompting many players to disengage.[10]

Film

As part of the notification of the discontinuation of the mobile app, Sunrise officially announced in November 2023 that Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Urdr-Hunt would be adapted into an animated film.[11] This marked the project’s transition from mobile-only content to a cinematic format.

As part of the game's 10th-anniversary initiative, Bandai Namco Filmworks announced Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Urdr-Hunt – Path of the Little Challenger at San Diego Comic-Con 2025. The film is a theatrical compilation of animated content from the app, re-edited with new footage. Core creative staff, including director Tatsuyuki Nagai and composer Masaru Yokoyama, returned for the project. It is scheduled for release in Japan by BNFW on October 31, 2025, with a limited theatrical run in North America.[12]

Additionally, a short anime titled Makuai no Kusabi (幕間の楔, lit. Wedge of the Interlude) will be screened alongside the main feature in a theatrical double bill. Produced as part of the Iron-Blooded Orphans 10th anniversary project, it features returning characters Mikazuki Augus and Orga Itsuka and spans between seasons one and two.[13][14]

Release timeline

Medium Release date Details
Mobile game November 15, 2022 (Japan) Launched inside the Iron-Blooded Orphans G app; service ended January 11, 2024.[1]
Theatrical compilation film October 31, 2025 (Japan); limited North America Re-edited version with new footage; part of the 10th-anniversary project.[3]

Reception

Japanese games press responded positively to the app’s animated story component at launch. Dengeki Online’s review praised the accessibility of the format and described the app as worthwhile “even setting the game aside,” noting that the new animated episodes and recap features would appeal to returning fans of the TV series while remaining approachable to lapsed viewers.[15]

Pre‑release coverage on Famitsu App highlighted strong early interest, reporting staff continuity from the TV series and milestone engagement (e.g., “supporters” counts and PV view metrics) during the run‑up to launch.[16][17]

Notes

  1. ^ Official English materials use the spelling Urdr-Hunt for both the game and the compilation film titles. Japanese promotional materials present the title in katakana as ウルズハント (Uruzu Hanto). Some fan and unofficial sources render the title as Urðr Hunt, but this form does not appear in official Japanese or English branding.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Gets Spinoff App & Anime". AnimeHerald. January 6, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "ついにサービス開始！「機動戦士ガンダム 鉄血のオルフェンズG」に「端白星＜前編＞」登場". ggame.jp (in Japanese). バンダイナムコエンターテインメント. November 16, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "Mobile Suit Gundam: New Theatrical Releases, Anniversary Projects, Manga and More Announced at San Diego Comic Con 2025". Gundam.info. July 25, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "Iron-Blooded Orphans G App Announced with New Side Story Urdr-Hunt". Anime News Network. January 6, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d "アプリ『鉄血のオルフェンズ G』と新作ストーリー『ウルズハント』発表". Gundam.info (in Japanese). January 6, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  6. ^ "特別編集版『機動戦士ガンダム 鉄血のオルフェンズ ウルズハント -小さな挑戦者の軌跡-』10月31日公開！". AV Watch. August 8, 2025. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  7. ^ "「機動戦士ガンダム 鉄血のオルフェンズG」は、2024年1月11日12時をもちましてサービスを終了いたしました。". Official IBO G Twitter (X). January 11, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  8. ^ a b "『機動戦士ガンダム 鉄血のオルフェンズ ウルズハント』プロデューサー小川正和インタビュー". Dengeki Online (in Japanese). June 29, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  9. ^ "Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans G Game Ends Service in January 2024". Anime News Network. November 1, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  10. ^ "「鉄血のオルフェンズG」はなぜ終了したのか？ メンテ多発とPvP疲れが引き金か". 電撃オンライン. September 18, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  11. ^ "Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Urdr-Hunt Spin-off Gets Anime Movie". Anime Corner. November 7, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  12. ^ "Mobile Suit Gundam: New Theatrical Releases, Anniversary Projects, Manga and More Announced at San Diego Comic Con 2025". Gundam.info. July 25, 2025. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  13. ^ "Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans gets new commemorative short alongside Urdr-Hunt film". GUNDAM.INFO. August 7, 2025. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  14. ^ "New Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans short to screen with Urðr Hunt film". ComicBook.com. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  15. ^ "アプリ「機動戦士ガンダム 鉄血のオルフェンズG」レビュー。完全新作ストーリーはボリュームあるファン必見のデキ！". 電撃オンライン (in Japanese). December 1, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  16. ^ "『機動戦士ガンダム 鉄血のオルフェンズ ウルズハント』TVシリーズスタッフが再集結して開発するスマホアプリが発表！". ファミ通App (in Japanese). January 6, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  17. ^ "『機動戦士ガンダム 鉄血のオルフェンズ ウルズハント』応援団20万人突破＆PV200万再生". ファミ通App (in Japanese). March 14, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
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