Gundam 101: 1979-2000 (Part 1)

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Ever wanted to watch a Gundam series, but don’t know which ones to watch? Watched Gundam SEED (and SEED Destiny) and wanted more? You’ve come to the right place!

All this week, I will be doing a 3 Part article series, called “Gundam 101″. I will go over on what Gundam series to watch in order in the way I have personally viewed them. (This means that you do not have to begin watching from the very first Mobile Suit Gundam).

This presentation was recently featured at Books-A-Million for Chattanooga’s Premiere Anime Club, Boogie BAM Anime Jam (or BBAMAJAM). For anyone who missed out on the presentation, you will get another chance! This is also for current readers of CTM to read to find out more about the world of Gundam. Readers can also leave comments if they have a question or to point out a problem. ^^;

The series will be organized into 3 Parts:

Part 1 (Monday): Series made between 1979 to 2000.
Part 2 (Wednesday): Series made between 2000 to Today
Part 3 (Friday): Gundam Movies and OVAs (Original Video Animation)

Without further to do, on with the show!

Mobile Suit Gundam Wing

Heero Yuy

Series Summary:
Gundam Wing first premiered in Japan in 1995 and was the first Gundam series that is popular outside the Universal Century (U.C.) story. It takes place in A.C. (After Colony) 195. It was the first Gundam series to air on TV in the US and helped paved the way for more Anime (and more Gundam) series in the US and other parts of the world.

Story Synopsis:
The main character is Heero Yuy. He’s one of 5 Gundam Pilots who are fighting for peace in the colonies against the organization, Oz. The other pilots are Duo Maxwell, Trowa Barton, Quatre Rabarba Winner, and Chang Wufei. Unlike the earlier Gundam series, not much is said on the characters’ origin… Yet.

In the first episode, Heero is found on a beach shore by Relena Darlin. She is the first person Heero sees on Earth and immediately becomes an obstacle in his mission. When Heero finally recuperates, he attends Relena’s school until he can preform his next mission…

Later, we are introduced by the villains of Gundam Wing: Treize Khushrenada and Zech Marquise-who becomes an important character later in the series when his past is revealed. Like Heero, the other Gundam pilots also preform various missions to put a stop to the war.

Thoughts:
Gundam Wing is what got me into Gundam in the first place. A lot of hardcore Gundam fans didn’t like it because it’s “Yaoi-ness” with the pilots (LOL). The first episode explains a lot of things you need to know about the series, like the Space Colonies, the war, etc. However, Wing doesn’t explain too much about them, and makes it a perfect series for a new Gundam fan to get into without watching the original Gundam first-hand.

Where to Buy:

Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Complete Collection (Volume 1) – [Amazon]
Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Complete Collection (Volume 2) – [Amazon]

Mobile Suit Gundam

Amuro Rei

Series Summary:
This is the Gundam that started 20+ other Gundam series. It premiered in 1979. During its first airing, it did not do well on TV and was eventually canceled. It wasn’t until 1981 when it was brought back in the form of a movie trilogy, thanks to high ratings during reruns.

Story Synopsis:
Set in the year UC 0079, a 15 year old by the name of Amuro Rei pilots a Mobile Suit, also known as the Gundam, for the first time during an evacuation of the colony Side 7, the colony where Amuro lives. Amuro somehow gets the hang of piloting the Gundam in just 24 hours without having to go through weeks of training…

Upon piloting the Gundam, he becomes the official pilot for the Earth Federation Space Force (E.F.S.F. or E.F.F. for short), and is dragged into the One Year War against the Principality of Zeon. Amuro’s rival, Char Aznable, a.k.a. “The Red Comet”, is the main villain to the story and is introduced a couple of episodes later. Both Amuro and Char seem to share the same characteristics when it comes to piloting Mobile Suits…

There are a lot of characters involved in the story, even minor characters are turned into supporting characters, such as Bright Noa, Captain of the battleship, White Base. Kai Shiden, Hayato Kobayashi, and Sayla Mass are also important characters-most especially Sayla late in the series…

Thoughts:
It’s not just about the Mobile Suits and the One Year War, the character development is what really drives the series to new heights in every episode. (You’ll forget the Gundams actually exist). Also the story of the One Year War and the clash between the E.F.F. and Zeon is also intriguing. Another thing about the UC Gundam story is the story of “Newtypes”, who are pilots with psychic powers, and are considered very dangerous.

Where to Buy:

Mobile Suit Gundam: Universial Century Movie Collection* – [Play-Asia]

*This set contains Parts I, II, and III of the Trilogy version, Char’s Counterattack, and Miller’s Report, and is recommended as Char’s Counterattack and Miller’s Report will be covered in this presentation!

Mobile Fighter G Gundam

Domon Kasshu

Series Summary:
First aired in 1994, it’s the best underrated non-AC (After Colony) and UC (Universal Century) series in the Gundam franchise. Many fans do not like it due to it’s cheesiness (you’ll find out why when you go deep into the story). It’s like Dragonball Z-but with Mobile Suits!

Story Synopsis:
The first episode introduces us to two characters: Domon Kasshu and Rain Mikamura from the colony Neo Japan. In F.C. (Fighting Century) 94, pretty much half of the Earth is reduced to crime-ridden wastelands. In response, the colonies were created and are named after their original countries respectively (e.g.: Neo America, Neo China, etc).

In Neo Italy, Domon is searching for his brother, Kyoji, who went missing when Domon was younger. Until Domon can find his brother, he is forced to fight for his home colony in Gundam Fights, where Gundam Fighters such as himself fight to participate in the annual Gundam Tournament (which is something like the Olympics, but 100x better!).

During his travels around the universe, Domon meets other Gundam Fighters, such as Chibodee Crocket of Neo America, Sai Saici of Neo China, Argo Gulskii of Neo Russia, and George de Sand of Neo France. Domon eventually reunites with his old martial arts instructor, Master Asia… possibly the best character in the series, and for a reason… Once you watch it, of course!

Thoughts:
G Gundam is one of my favorite Gundam series next to the original Gundam. (Both are so good, they are actually tied!) It did just as well as Gundam Wing did when it first aired in the US. The story of karate-chopping mobile suits sounds really corny, but it’s totally worth the watch! ^_^

Where to Buy:

Mobile Fighter G Gundam: Complete Collection (Volume 1) – [Amazon]
Mobile Fighter G Gundam: Complete Collection (Volume 2) – [Amazon]

Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam

Kamille Bidan

Series Summary:
Z (or “Zeta”) Gundam is the second series of the UC Gundam story after the One Year War. It aired in Japan in 1985 and was brought Stateside in 2004. In 2005, it was re-released as a movie trilogy* in Japanese theaters for the franchise’s 25th Anniversary, and features the soundtrack of J-Rock artist, Gackt. The movie was released for a limited time in select US theaters, but it has yet to receive a Region 1 DVD release.

*Check out my reviews for Heirs to the Stars, Lovers, and Love is the Pulse of the Stars. Read with caution as they contain spoilers!

Story Synopsis:
It takes place in the year UC 0087, seven years after the end of the One Year War. Many veterans from the Earth Federation Force and the Principality of Zeon defected, forming two different factions: the Anti-Earth Union Group (AEUG) and the Titans. The good members of the E.F.F. are members of AEUG, and the bad members of E.F.F. and Zeon are members of the Titans, and so on.

The main character of Zeta Gundam is Kamille Bidan, who is also 15 years old, just like Amuro in UC 0079. After getting into trouble for attacking a Titan officer, Kamille is interrogated-until the colony gets hit with enemy attacks. In the scramble, familiar characters from 0079 are re-introduced, such as Bright Noa, who is now Captain of the battleship Argama.

Other old characters also make an appearance: Kai Shiden, Sayla Mass, Hayato Kobayashi, and let’s not forget Amuro Rei. Old faces aside, there are new ones: Jerid Messa (Kamille’s Rival: who happens to be the one was who attacked by Kamille), Paptimus Scirocco, and Haman Karn (the female version of Char and the proclaimed leader of the Neo Zeon movement) There’s also a new character by the name of Quattro Bajeena, but he looks very, very familiar…

Thoughts:
Zeta Gundam is in a whole other league than the first Gundam, that’s for sure. There much more emotion involved and contains twice the drama. The Zeta Gundam Movie Trilogy is an easier way to get into the story. The difference between the TV Series and the movies is that it’s much shorter than the 50 episodes, and the movie contains new footage. Watching the movie is recommended, but the TV series should not be overlooked.

Where to Buy:

Zeta Gundam: Complete Collection (Volume 1) – [Amazon]
Zeta Gundam: Complete Collection (Volume 2) – [Amazon]
Zeta Gundam I: Heirs to the Stars (Movie)* – [CDJapan]
Zeta Gundam II: Lovers (Movie)* – [CDJapan]
Zeta Gundam III: Love is the Pulse of the Stars (Movie)* – [CDJapan]

*Note: The Zeta Gundam movies listed only works on Region 2 (R2) DVD players and does not include English subtitles.

Mobile Suit ZZ Gundam

Judau Ashta

Series Summary:
ZZ Gundam (That’s “Double Zeta”) takes place immediately after the end of Zeta Gundam. Hardcore fans didn’t enjoy ZZ as much as the other shows since it involves mostly slapstick (compared to the drama of Zeta). This is the last Gundam series featuring the veterans of the One Year War, and is currently the only UC Gundam series not yet released outside of Japan.

Story Synopsis:
The main character of ZZ Gundam is Judau Ashta, who makes a living collecting scrap off of abandoned mobile suits to support his friends, Elle, Iino, Mondo, and Beecha, and his little sister, Leina. Just like the main characters of the previous two UC Gundam series, Judau is 15 years old.

Judau stumbles upon the AEUG’s repair-prone Zeta Gundam. Judau attempts to steal the Gundam, until his plan is foiled by Captain Bright Noa of the Argama, which is also in need for repairs. Judau continues his effort in taking the Zeta to sell for cash until he finally gives in and joins the Argama crew.

ZZ Gundam’s main villain is Haman Karn, who returns to make a point in reviving the Principality of Zeon-or Neo Zeon, with the help of Glemy Toto, a rising Neo Zeon superstar. Finally, there’s Elpeo Puru, who is the property of Neo Zeon-as a test subject for mass development of Newtype pilots.

Thoughts:
Despite being overlooked for being comedic, it has its share of sad moments and it’s a very doable series. It can get annoying at some points, especially with the presence of very minor characters (Mashmyre Cello). But then again, it’s worth the look.

Note: ZZ Gundam is not yet available outside Japan. As mentioned above with the Zeta Gundam movies, a R2 DVD is required to play the imported DVDs.

End of Part 1

That concludes Part 1 of the Gundam 101 series. On Wednesday, I will be going over Gundam shows made in 2000 to Present. Again, feel free to leave comments if you have any questions or to correct a problem! ^_^