Gundam SEED Announces Huge New Collab with Japan's Top Summer Festival

Bandai Namco Filmworks has announced that Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM will take center stage at Japan’s famous Aomori Nebuta Festival this summer as part of a major new regional celebration project.

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM is the record-breaking 2024 theatrical sequel to the long-running Mobile Suit Gundam SEED series, continuing the stories of Kira Yamato, Athrun Zala and their allies while becoming the highest-grossing Gundam film ever released, with a prequel movie, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM ZERO, also now in development.

The appearance marks the launch of the new Gundam Festival Project, an initiative designed to bring Gundam to beloved regional festivals across Japan while promoting local culture and creating unique collaborations rooted in each area.

The Gundam Festival Project builds on previous successful Gundam appearances at events including the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka and the Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido, with the initiative now expanding into a dedicated nationwide program celebrating both Gundam and local communities.

Leading the celebrations in Aomori will be two specially created front Nebuta floats based on the Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam and the Infinite Justice Gundam Type II, which will parade at the front of one of the processions throughout the festival.

The impressive floats have been created by renowned Nebuta artist Hiroaki Fukushi and will showcase the two Mobile Suits in the distinctive illuminated style that has made the Aomori Nebuta Festival famous around the world.

Visitors will also receive commemorative sponsor fans during the parades featuring an exclusive newly illustrated event visual while supplies last each day.

The illustration depicts Kira Yamato, Lacus Clyne, Athrun Zala and Cagalli Yula Athha dressed in traditional Haneto festival costumes created especially for the event.

Beyond the festival procession itself, Gundam SEED FREEDOM will also collaborate with several well-known local Aomori food brands through a range of exclusive regional products.

A special version of the long-running Aomori favorite English Toast will receive two limited-edition Gundam SEED FREEDOM package designs featuring a chocolate banana-inspired flavor created for the festival, priced at ¥178 (approx. $1 USD / £1 GBP), with sales scheduled from July 27 through September 30, 2026, across Aomori Prefecture and selected supermarkets, convenience stores, drug stores and Kudopan retailers throughout the Tohoku region.

The popular Pporo Chocolat chocolate cake will also receive a Gundam Festival Project edition featuring syrup-preserved Aomori apples, an exclusive package design and one original collectible sticker included inside every box, priced at ¥702 (approx. $5 USD / £4 GBP), with sales beginning on August 1, 2026, at selected Aomori stores, souvenir shops and special event venues while supplies last.

Fans will also be able to visit the Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM Pop-Up Shop in Aomori Nebuta Festival, offering exclusive merchandise featuring the new event artwork alongside collaboration products with local favorites including Stamina Gen Tare sauce, Gachirin apple juice and Nanbu Senbei rice crackers.

The pop-up shop will operate from July 18 through August 30, 2026, at the special venue inside the New’s Hall foyer of the To-o Nippo Shinmachi Building in Aomori City.

The Gundam SEED Nebuta floats will be displayed during the Aomori Nebuta Festival from August 2 through August 7, 2026, with an additional public exhibition also scheduled during the festival’s eve celebration on August 1 in central Aomori City.