Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt: December Sky is a gritty, jazz-infused compilation film that follows the intense rivalry between two ace pilots during the final stages of the One Year War. Where to Watch for Free
The movie is periodically made available for free by the official rights holders:
- Subscription Streaming: It is available on Netflix in many regions (search for "Gundam Thunderbolt"). Also check Crunchyroll or Funimation (now merged under Crunchyroll).
- Free (with library card): Check Hoopla Digital or Kanopy. Many public libraries offer these services for free, and December Sky is often in their anime collections.
Final Verdict: Available for free legally on Tubi and GundamInfo rotating schedule. Watch it immediately. You will never hear jazz the same way again.
The Plot: Set in the Universal Century year 0079 (during the same timeline as the original 1979 Gundam series), December Sky takes place in the "Thunderbolt Sector." This region of space is a graveyard of wrecked warships, providing a deadly obstacle course for Mobile Suit pilots.
(Do not stream from unauthorized sites — supporting official releases helps studios that produce high-quality animation.)
Avoid the pirate sites. Stick to Tubi, Pluto TV, and GundamInfo. You will get a legal, high-definition stream for exactly $0.
