Sunrise Studio poured an unprecedented budget into Thunderbolt . Unlike TV series that cut corners, December Sky features hand-drawn Mobile Suit combat that feels weighty and destructive. The "Thunderbolt" sector is filled with electrical interference, forcing pilots to navigate via sound. The visual of Io Fleming blasting "Take the 'A' Train" through his Gundam’s speakers while dodging debris is iconic.
| Service | Availability | Free? | Notes | |---------|-------------|-------|-------| | | Rotating – check official GundamInfo channel | ✅ Yes | The official channel occasionally streams December Sky for limited periods (often during Gundam events). Not permanent. | | Free (ad-supported) | Not currently on major free platforms | ❌ | Previously on Pluto TV/Tubi (expired). | | Subscription | Hulu (US), Funimation/Crunchyroll (premium) | ❌ | Requires subscription. |
When available, they often provide both English dubbed and subtitled versions in HD. 2. Subscription Services
Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt: December Sky (2016) is a high-octane, gritty compilation film that adapts the first four episodes of the Gundam Thunderbolt ONA. Set in the final months of the One Year War (U.C. 0079), it is widely regarded as one of the most visually stunning and tonally dark entries in the Gundam franchise. 🚀 Core Conflict & Plot
Aside from legality, they often have terrible video quality (this movie is visually stunning ), broken subtitles, pop-up malware, and missing the incredible jazz soundtrack.
An expert sniper who eventually undergoes further surgery to interface his nervous system directly with the Psycho Zaku via the "Reused P Device". The Climax: