The last time I talked about ZZ Gundam (that’s “Double Zeta”) was several months ago after watching first part of the three new Zeta Gundam movies. I thought: Why isn’t Bandai doing anything to license this show when they are full speed ahead with Gundam 00 and–dare I mention, Gundam SEED?” Fed up with waiting ’til the day Double Zeta makes its way to the States, I decided to watch the fansubbed version of the series.

Review

The series starts showing the new hero of ZZ Gundam, Judau Ashta. A junk collector who lives in the run down colony of Shangrila. He seeks out abandoned Mobile Suits in order to make a profit to support his friends, Beecha, Elle, Iino, Mondo, and his little sister, Leina. While hunting for Mobile Suits, he stumbles across the battered battleship, Argama, who recently returned after the war against Axis in Zeta Gundam.

Judau attempts to steal the Zeta Gundam with the help of unlikely allies–who, of course, turn into enemies in later episodes, such as Axis’ Yazan from Zeta. Judau almost gets away with the Zeta Gundam, until he is stopped by Bright Noa, Captain of the Argama (Yay!). Judau puts up a fight with other members of the AEUG crew, until it goes too far as Yazan kills a crew member (a very, very minor character) who was only introduced in that same episode (unless I missed something watching the Zeta Movie Trilogy).

Judau is shocked after witnessing Yazan’s unnecessary attack. His friends are also aghast, but they they are focused on getting out of the Argama before reinforcements show up. Distractions all around, Judau runs to the unoccupied Zeta, where he somehow learns the controls of the Gundam immediately; A normal person would need at least a few weeks to get the hang of a Gundam. Hmm…

Bright grabs ahold of Judau and asks what plans to do with the Gundam. Judau responds with a kick to Bright’s face. (I find this part to be the most hilarious scene of the series as he usually slaps other characters around—not to mention the scene in Zeta). Judau manages to get the Zeta out into the colony, but is found to be in pursuit by Captain Bright, and Yazan who really wants the Gundam for himself.

Thoughts

The whole first episode is not as drama filled as in the first Gundam or Zeta Gundam. The next few episodes are the same as the first, but they’re very easy to get into as long as you’ve watched Zeta beforehand. I did enjoy the first episode mainly because of Bright getting *unfortunate* (see above) attention (I’m a huge Bright fan! ^_^).

A lot of fans disregard ZZ Gundam as it’s usually filled with comedy than the traditional War Drama. (Maybe this is why they’re taking their time releasing the series outside Japan?) I must say that they are totally missing out: even if it has tons of slapstick, it’s still a pretty decent Gundam series to get into right now, especially with the drought of UC Gundam series in the west.

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