A while back, I gave my first impressions of an old, but classic (if you want to call it that) series that may never see the light of day in North America, ZZ Gundam. Watching the first few episodes, I agreed that it was very light-hearted taking place right after the (b*t&hslap) dramafest that is Zeta Gundam.

Warning: This review contains spoilers. Read at your own risk!

Watching all 47 episodes, it does change the game late in the series. As originally thought, it seemed like the show would adjust over time from seeing (the infamous scene of) Bright Noa with a Chicken on his head, to the final fight between Glemy Toto’s Zeon and Haman Karn’s Neo Zeon: that is what exactly happens.

The first 30 episodes of ZZ Gundam deals with Judau getting acquainted with the Argama crew after being apprehended by Captain Bright for attempting to steal the Zeta Gundam mobile suit to sell as scrap for cash to support him and his sister, Lina. His friends Iino, Beecha, Mondo, and Elle also become a part of the crew, being close friends with Judau (and helping him in the first place). Judau has a hard time accepting them, but he has no choice when Shangri-la is under attack by colony tycoon, Gemon Bajack (“Gammon” “Blackjack”…really?) with the help of Mashymre Cello (…”Marshmallow?”) of Neo Zeon.

I'm so envious of Emaly... But Bright, What About Mirai?!

Of course, familiar characters return from the first Gundam and the previous series, Zeta: Hayato Kobayashi makes a reappearance as a member of the Karaba group after learning that Zeon forces are planning to drop a colony on earth in Dublin, Ireland, “to make a point”. Fa Yuiry and Kamille Bidan from Zeta return later on after their earlier appearance at the beginning of Double Zeta, but they are reduced to being stand-ins once again.

After the events in Dublin, the Argama crew return to the La Vie En Rose to upgrade their warship to the Nahael Argama, which looks a lot better than the original Argama—and more like the original White Base that Captain Bright commanded during the One Year War. Before things are taken to the next level (in story), Bright suddenly disappears from the story when he saves Shinta and Qum (Zeta clones of Kika and Letz from 0079) from floating in space, leaving the captain duties to Emaly and… Beecha, respectfully.

Mashymre Cello: No Longer the wacky Haman fanatic we know and love.

Mashymre Cello, the Haman Karn fanatic who is seen as comedic in the earlier episodes, eventually becomes brainwashed into a Cyber Newtype (“mass produced” Newtypes): makes you wish he was his normal self, even if he was annoying. Most of show’s story is watching Lina get kidnapped again and again by Glemy for [inexplicable] political reasons, then saved by Judau repeatedly until-things go too far (re-worded to avoid actual spoilers). Glemy eventually fades from the spotlight for a moment, showing the ideological rivalry between Judau and Haman. Ah, good ole Universal Century.

Glemy orders Puru Two to finish off Judau, but she *wants* to refuse...

Then there’s the introduction of Elpeo Puru, an artificial human made solely for the intent of war using the Quebely mobile suit-but it appears that she’s a failed attempt at being a weapon of mass destruction with her admiration for Judau and disobeying Glemy. Enter Puru Two: a clone of Puru One and the Puru that should have been, along with an improved model of the Quebely, the Quin Mantha. Like with Mashymre, Puru Two is another disappointing character whose original personality drove you up the wall, but you end up feeling sorry for them, wishing they were back to their “Oh, STFU, will ya!?” selves.

Neo Zeon's Chara Soon... plotting on the side of the AEUG?

A few more disappointments with ZZ Gundam is the sudden absence of Captain Bright (IMHO)-but this is no long a problem when he reappears along with another character (or two) we did not expect to see since the end of Zeta Gundam. Hint: this character of the Earth Federation Force, had a huge role towards the end of the One Year War, and is a “distant” relative of another popular character from 0079 and Zeta.

It was saddening to me… romance-wise, because, well.. one is a reason that involves spoilers: pay close attention to Bright when he meets Emaly on the La Vie En Rose… all the way to the end (Hey! I can’t help it, being a Bright fangirl. ^_^). Also adding the fact that the show ended so suddenly without an all-out “let’s do this!” attitude from the One Year War. Lastly, it appeared to bring out the worse of the characters who were once badass (i.e.: Yazan from Zeta Gundam) into clowns. But it finally puts an end to the war between two factions of the same family that didn’t see eye-to-eye.

The slap (from Judau) to end all slaps of the Zeta era

I did enjoy watching ZZ Gundam, but it could have been better with the ending. I still hope that Bandai will release this show on Region 1 DVD or Blu-ray (even better). The humor is not all that bad as it will get better later on under Zeta laws. If you’re a fan who is choosy of what they want in their Gundam (or any anime series), I suggest giving it another try, especially if you’re like me and want more Universal Century Gundam after 5+ years of waiting patiently.

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