Tokyo Broadcasting System Television
The television series was broadcast in Japan between 2002 and 2003, on the Tokyo Broadcasting System Television and MBS TV networks, beginning a broadcast partnership with the "Gundam" franchise. The series spawned three compilations films and was adapted into a manga as well as light novels. A sequel series, "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny" followed in 2004. Merchandise has been released, including models, CD soundtracks and video games. "Gundam SEED" was licensed by Bandai Entertainment for broadcast in North America, and began airing in the United States and Canada in 2004 and 2005 respectively. The films and the sequel were also licensed by Bandai. The manga and light novels as well as the spin-off series, "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Astray", were licensed. Video games were released in North America. In 2011, a HD remaster of the series consisting of 48 episodes was released.