Ah, it’s so nice to have new Gundam animation. Although I’m not a UC (Universal Century) fan, I still enjoyed this a lot!
This series is takes place three years after Char’s Counterattack, and focus on a young youth named Banagher Links. And in classic Gundam fashion, Banagher is thrust into a war he isn’t ready for, and becomes the “accidental” pilot for a ridiculously high-powered mobile suit known as a Gundam. Banagher seems to be pretty much standard fare as far as Gundam-leads, he even seems to be a blossoming Newtype. That kinda leads to the small niggle I have so far with this plot: it seems almost bog-standard affair Gundam story. Watching it seemed like watching MSG, or Zeta , or even SEED all over again. I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing, but I thought Gundam 00 was a fresh of breath air for the Gundam franchise story-wise, and they seem to have taken a step back here. Of course, I do realize that this story is based on a novel which was released BEFORE 00, so I can understand somewhat if it feels like more of the same. Again, I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing, but I guess I enjoyed Gundam 00 so much it left me wanting something different. And this IS only the first OVA, so who knows how the story will pan out (I didn’t read the novels, in case you haven’t figured that out).
Now let me get to the Mobile Suits, as my big interest in Gundam stems from the mechs. I’m a sucker for mechs, and while I love a good Gundam as much as the next guy, I’m a sucker for the “grunt-suits”. The Zaku II is probably my second favorite mobile-suit ever (right behind the Over-Flag from Gundam 00). So of course, I squealed like a little girl when they did this shot:
Ah, it’s nice to see the Zaku animated again, even if this one is dead. Anyway, my favorite suit is probably the Geara-Zulu, mostly because of the previously mention Zaku-fetish I have. I think the Geara-Zulu is a proper successor to the Zaku design, and I love its German-WWII style helmet head. To me it’s basically a slimmed down, modern version of the Zaku, much better then the Geara-Doga of CCA.
As for the title Gundam itself, I can’t say too much. I like the design, although it does seem like a step-back from Nu-Gundam (which is top five in my favortie suits list). And honestly I like it better in normal mode rather than Destroy mode. Speaking of Destroy mode, seeing Unicorn transform was almost like seeing Exia go Trans-Am. Ah I can’t help all these 00 comparisons, that series is still fresh on my mind (and will continue to be until the movie premiers and I see it)!
As for the combat, it was awesome, as usual for a Gundam. Watching the semi-CG’d suits duke it out was bringing me back to the days of watching Gundam 00 (I know, only less than a year ago!), and reminded me of why I love the Gundam franchise so much: just seeing giant robots blow the snot out of each other is fabulous. I really liked the battle scene inside the colony. I can’t remember a Gundam series that actually shows the real impact fighting inside a colony has (maybe the first episode of SEED). I also loved the fact that most of the grunts didn’t die in one hit. I mean just look at the Geara-Zulu taking on the ReZELs. It took three or four of them to bring him down, and the pilot was still swinging even in the battered state the suit was in. I know it’s impossible to make giant robots fighting each other in space seem realistic, but that doesn’t stop them from trying!
Anyway, I can’t comment much more on this series, because it’s incomplete. I will say though that this first episode was really well done, if not a bit clich though story-wise. But as far as presentation, A+. The animation was awesome, the fight scenes were really well done, and the music was great. It’s safe to say that this series has reignited my Gundam flame! Which is a bad thing, because OVA 2 isn’t slated to come out till the Fall. What a wait!!
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