Exploring Hiroyuki Sawano's Approach to Music Production for 'Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway': "I Want to Bring Out the Entertainment Value Through Sound Even More"

Composer Hiroyuki Sawano, who handled the music for 'Mobile Suit Gundam UC' and 'Mobile Suit Gundam NT', is well-known among Gundam series fans. In particular, "UNICORN" from 'Mobile Suit Gundam UC' remains memorable for many as a magnificent soundtrack that elevated the story.

Following the 2021 film 'Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway', Sawano is also handling the music for 'Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe', the second chapter of the three-part series. This installment depicts deeper human drama than the first chapter, including the anguish and conflict of protagonist Hathaway Noa and the inner portrayal of Gigi Andalucia.

Through an interview about the character profiles of main characters Hathaway and Gigi from the perspective of the music composer, we were able to glimpse a part of Sawano's approach to music production.

——In the music for the first chapter of 'Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway', you created tracks like "83UeI" and "G1×2" which incorporate Hathaway and Gigi in their titles. I'd like to hear about your view of Hathaway and Gigi as characters.

Hiroyuki Sawano (hereafter, Sawano): Regarding Hathaway, since I've also seen 'Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack', I somewhat understand what kind of actions he took in the past, and from there, the conflicts behind the actions he's taking in 'Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway' and his state of mind that he must proactively take action himself. However, I think Hathaway's feelings are relatable to people today even though what they're doing is different.

For example, even in work, you have to move forward while having conflicts. So I think there's some relatability there... but if he actually existed, I think he'd be a troublesome person (lol).

——I agree (lol). How about Gigi?

Sawano: From my perspective, Gigi is the character I can least emotionally connect with, but she's a unique character, isn't she? I'm not sure how to express it...

——I perceive her as a character who has both a seductively mature side and a very childish side. Personally, from the fact that she was surprised when Hathaway saw her changing into a swimsuit when they shared a hotel room in the first chapter, I think that while she makes statements that bewilder people on the surface, internally she's still a child appropriate for her age.

Sawano: I see, that might indeed be the case.