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Gundam
Topic Started: Sep 1 2011, 10:57 AM (158 Views)
Ona
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I'll try and reign in the fangirling.
Gundam is my favourite anime entity. There are many different series of Gundam, as well as different universes (for example, UC universe, AC universe).

The original Mobile Suit Gundam was released in 1979 and while it was cut down to 42 episodes due to low ratings it has becoming a cultural icon and spawned an entire legacy of anime. Here's a link to a list of all the different series.
Gundam is one of the most (if not the most) recognisble mecha series in anime. It also neatly fits into the sci-fi and space opera genre. Though some series are more of a space opera than others.

I decided to make this topic to encompass and discuss all Gundam series (:
Feel free to also mention if there was a Gundam series you weren't too fond of, I know a lot of people didn't like ZZ Gundam because of it's more comedic tone after the serious Zeta Gundam.

My personal favourite Gundam series is Gundam Wing.
Gundam Wing is set in the AC universe timeline and is a beautiful series about politics, war and the price of peace. Like all Gundam series, it does carry some common motifs, such as a masked character/Char clone in form of Zechs Marquise, the threat of a colony drop and young but amazing pilots. Gundam Wing was made in 1995 but debuted overseas in 2000 and was what introduced a lot of western fans to Gundam. As such it often fondly remembered by a lot of anime fans who grew up in the 90's.
My favourite characters are Treize Khushrenada (a man made of magnificence), Zechs Marquise (a Char clone, but a character in his own right) and Quatre Winner (a Gundam pilot with a kind heart). The series mainly deals with the conflict between Oz and the Gundam pilots, and eventually Oz and White Fang.
In 1996 a series of OVA's came out, which were later made into the film Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz which is one of my all time favourite films.

A very close second favourite Gundam series is Zeta Gundam.
Zeta Gundam is a direct sequel to the original Mobile Suit Gundam and was produced in 1985. Zeta is infamous for being quite a depressing series, but it was still a wonderful series non the less. Zeta Gundam focuses on conflict between the AEUG and the Titans, and is set seven years after the defeat of the Principality of Zeon. A lot fans hail Zeta Gundam as one of the best Gundam series to date and felt that it's depressing tone was suitable for the series and helped make it what is was (hence the dislike for ZZ Gundam). While a lot of Gundam series have a bittersweet ending, Zeta Gundam had a downer ending that included
Spoiler: click to toggle
.
I would still completely recommend this series though to anyone new to Gundam. My favourite characters are Quattro Bajeena (Char Aznable from the first series, he changed his name though), Kamille Bidan and Jerid Messa.

I can't say much for Gundam series that I dislike. I'm still yet to watch a few series, so who knows. I am having trouble getting into Gundam SEED though. SEED was a huge success in Japan but I'm having trouble getting through the first episode. I have no doubt that I'll enjoy it though when I get into it.

Also, my all time favourite Gundam character (and anime character) is Char Aznable. He's quite the cultural icons. He's a huge sci-fi icon in Japan, much like Darth Vader or Doctor Who is over here. He changes through the different series, but I'm okay with that.
Because Char was such a well loved character every Gundam series has what is known as a Char clone. These characters will often be blonde, wear a mask and be a rival character to the primary protagonist.

Ah, I'm sorry if this is a touch on the TL;DR side n_n;
I just love it so much~ I'd love to get people who haven't watced any Gundam series into Gundam, or talk with fans who already love it!
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♥Char Aznable and Gundam fangirl♥
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Pikafuey
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It sounds like an interesting series ^^ I've actually been looking for a new anime series to watch recently xD So I may just check this out : D
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Ona
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It is very interesting (: I especially find the UC Gundam universe (which the original Mobile Suit Gundam is set in, along with sequals) interesting.

I would definately recommend most of the Gundam series though 8D!
Some of them start of quite slow, but they soon pick up. I'd definately recommend Gundam Wing and Zeta Gundam~ Though if you're watching Zeta Gundam, it's probably best to watch Mobile Suit Gundam first as a lot of characters and concepts are carried over.

Also, on a somewhat related note, I managed to get past the first episode of Gundam SEED xD GO ME!
It's actually very entertaining. It is very similiar to the original Mobile Suit Gundam, but I don't mind. I know that is one of it's major complaints.
Edited by Ona, Sep 4 2011, 12:40 PM.
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♥Char Aznable and Gundam fangirl♥
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