Gundam Fans, Anyone?

[SorryLittleSharky]

Something I did for a friend of mine a while back---it's a variant of the MS-06FZ Zaku II. Arrogantly superfluous, you say? Well who asked you.
http://sorrylittlesharky.com/uploads/2/8/3/0/2830447/4821408.png?611

[Inkthinker]

Isn't arrogantly superfluous decoration a hallmark of Zeon leaders? I mean, Char's gear ain't exactly subtle.

I don't know a lot of the Gundam franchises, but I did just end up seeing the 3 films made from the 0079 continuity and I gotta say... Amuro Rey is a bit of a dick.

[zomg]

Zaku with two eyes is not a Zaku, my boy, not a Zaku!

[Inkthinker]

Oddly enough though, I bet you could get away with three eyes if the central eye was large. Just put a third one right between those two, almost large enough to fill the slot, and it would work.

[IseoluwaWealthy]

I'm raising my hand. I'm a real fan of gundam. I watched it so many times.

[anilbangkok]

I'm a big fan, but of the original series. anything up to 0083.

[Jabare]

I loved Gundam Wing, that was my introduction.

I think the original show and all the ones up to 1989 are great.

I actually ptrtty much like all the shows, until Gundam Seed, after that I wasn't really into the storries anyore.

Also I'm not a big fan of super deformed Gundam

[C. Earl]

My favorite Gundam shows were 08th MS Squad, Gundam 00, and G Gundam (and not exactly in that order). But there really hasn't been a Gundam series that I didn't like though. Heck, I thought even SD Gundam Force was cute in its own way.

I totally loved the period between 2000-2004 when you could walk into just any local department store's toy section and pick up Gundam figures and model kits at a fraction you'd pay for the imports. Those were cool times for me. I picked up most of the Gundam figures that were released in the U.S. retail market during that time, which generally spanned from the original series to Gundam Seed, although some shows that didn't air on Cartoon Network were slighted.

I had kind of hoped (albeit not too seriously) that the airing of Gundam 00 on the SyFy Channel would have inspired Bandai to once again try to push Gundam back into the U.S. domestic retail market, but I think they're pretty much given up on that.

http://www.gundamofficial.com/worlds/uc/ms08/mechanics/images/ms_gundam_a.gif
I know it ain't pretty or fancy, but I always thought the RX-79(G) from 08th MS Squad was the most "realistic" Gundam myself and is the one I would like to pilot the most.

[Hiromi]

UC Gundam all day every day. Think Zeta was the best overall series, and Unicorn is currently putting up a strong challenge for best OVA series so far.

[Oblivion87]

I totally loved the period between 2000-2004 when you could walk into just any local department store's toy section and pick up Gundam figures and model kits at a fraction you'd pay for the imports. Those were cool times for me. I picked up most of the Gundam figures that were released in the U.S. retail market during that time, which generally spanned from the original series to Gundam Seed, although some shows that didn't air on Cartoon Network were slighted.



Yeah I miss does days also, there a lot of figures I never got a chance to buy.

[FreeStyle]

I'm a Gundam Fan..Ever since the first series came out been a big big big fan of it!! :)

[Light Yagami]

i guess this is a bit off topic but
i have wanted to startt getting into gundam but there is that many diffrent variations to it i have not a clue where to start,

and i recently came back from comic con and asked a couple of guys there and i got so many diffrent variations of where to begin.

please can anyone tell me where the best place to start with gundam is?

[Sabrina_Fried]

Well, the Gundam franchise has a series of non-connected "universes" where the various stories take place.

The original Gundam takes place in the largest such universe, referred to as the Universal Century (or UC for short).

I guess it really depends on what kind of Gundam story you might like to watch. Do you want gritty and/or serious melodrama, offbeat and comical or something in-between? Also, are you willing to watch a full 50-episode series or do you want to start with a shorter series of OAVs?

[an angry space man]

i guess this is a bit off topic but
i have wanted to startt getting into gundam but there is that many diffrent variations to it i have not a clue where to start,

and i recently came back from comic con and asked a couple of guys there and i got so many diffrent variations of where to begin.

please can anyone tell me where the best place to start with gundam is?

A lot of the more recent Gundam series are stand alone series for the most part. If you want to watch the original Universal Century timeline it is as follows:
1. Mobile Suit Gundam
2. Zeta Gundam
3. ZZ Gundam (Double Zeta)
4. Victory Gundam

With some movies and OAVs sprinkled in there.

For the stand alone series, I'd recommend Gundam Wing and Turn-A Gundam

[Melbourne Mew Mew]

The full UC timeline...

CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER (Year in UC calendar):
Mobile Suit Gundam (0079)
08th MS Team (0079, concurrent with MSG)
Gundam 0080 (December 0079, despite the title - near end of MSG)
Gundam 0083 (0083)
Zeta Gundam (0087)
Gundam ZZ (0088)
Char's Counterattack (0093)
Gundam Unicorn (0096, I think)
Gundam F91 (0123)
Victory Gundam (0153)
G-Saviour (0223, IIRC)

PRODUCTION ORDER (Real-world year)
Mobile Suit Gundam (TV series 1979, movies 1981)
Zeta Gundam (1985)
Gundam ZZ (1986)
Char's Counterattack (1988)
Gundam 0080 (1989)
Gundam F91, Gundam 0083 (1991)
Victory Gundam (1993)
08th MS Team (1996)
G-Saviour (2000)
Gundam Unicorn (2010)

Most other series are stand-alone. The only exceptions are Endless Waltz (a sequel to Gundam Wing) and Gundam SEED Destiny/Gundam SEED Stargazer (sequels to Gundam SEED).

If you can handle old animation, the original Mobile Suit Gundam is a good place to start. The original 43-episode TV series was recut into a movie trilogy - take your pick. The TV series has deeper characterization, but the movies have a more streamlined plot and remove some of the sillier elements.

[Light Yagami]

A lot of the more recent Gundam series are stand alone series for the most part. If you want to watch the original Universal Century timeline it is as follows:
1. Mobile Suit Gundam
2. Zeta Gundam
3. ZZ Gundam (Double Zeta)
4. Victory Gundam

With some movies and OAVs sprinkled in there.

For the stand alone series, I'd recommend Gundam Wing and Turn-A Gundam


The full UC timeline...

CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER (Year in UC calendar):
Mobile Suit Gundam (0079)
08th MS Team (0079, concurrent with MSG)
Gundam 0080 (December 0079, despite the title - near end of MSG)
Gundam 0083 (0083)
Zeta Gundam (0087)
Gundam ZZ (0088)
Char's Counterattack (0093)
Gundam Unicorn (0096, I think)
Gundam F91 (0123)
Victory Gundam (0153)
G-Saviour (0223, IIRC)

PRODUCTION ORDER (Real-world year)
Mobile Suit Gundam (TV series 1979, movies 1981)
Zeta Gundam (1985)
Gundam ZZ (1986)
Char's Counterattack (1988)
Gundam 0080 (1989)
Gundam F91, Gundam 0083 (1991)
Victory Gundam (1993)
08th MS Team (1996)
G-Saviour (2000)
Gundam Unicorn (2010)

Most other series are stand-alone. The only exceptions are Endless Waltz (a sequel to Gundam Wing) and Gundam SEED Destiny/Gundam SEED Stargazer (sequels to Gundam SEED).

If you can handle old animation, the original Mobile Suit Gundam is a good place to start. The original 43-episode TV series was recut into a movie trilogy - take your pick. The TV series has deeper characterization, but the movies have a more streamlined plot and remove some of the sillier elements.


Thanks for the reply of this i am going to be downloading themin order of the second quote, there is some pretty big tv series to watch though best be worth it!! ha
i sure it is!:wink:

[Hazard]

The UC timeline has already been covered, so I will explain a bit of the other Non-UC Gundam shows.

G Gundam: Gundam as a super robot show as opposed to a real robot shows... wait better let Domon explain this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHkE8_JGYrk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwyVV5_orBo&feature=related

Gundam Wing: Uses the Colony vs Earth subject present in other Gundam shows. Five gundam pilots are sent to Earth to battle the Organization of the Zodiac (OZ). Also has a movie "Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz".

After War Gundam Z: Which I haven't seen.

Gundam Seed: Just like the other series listed here takes place in another continuity (Cosmic Era in this case). It deals with the conflict between Coordinators (genetically enhanced humans, who live in the colonies) and Naturals (normal humans). The main character is a Coordinator who ends up falling into the cockpit of the robot and fights for his friends, which leads him to fights against his childhood friend. Has a sequel (Gundam Seed Destiny), but it is not considered to be good.

Gundam 00: Follows the actions of Celestial Being, an organization that tells the world that it will kick their asses in order to stop them from fighting each other. There is of course a deeper plan. Has two seasons and a movie (all in continuity with each other). First season is the best though. Good animation for all though.

[C. Earl]

Looks like we've got a brand-new Gundam series about to make its debut: Gundam Age
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3289/5817837131_8ca17e222c.jpg
The few early character designs that have been released seem to indicate this new series is aiming for a slightly younger demographic, perhaps with a larger strategy to appeal to Western television markets too...

[Hiromi]

Ugh, I know its too early to make real judgements of it, but all the news I've seen of this crap is fricking depressing. the 2000s were absolutely abysmal for Gundam tv series(I'd go as far to say the last strong series was Turn A back in 99) and it looks like the 2010s are off to a similar start. Hopefully this is just unjustified knee jerk reaction but still, sigh. At least we still get good OVAs.

[Kid Kamikaze10]

Ugh, I know its too early to make real judgements of it, but all the news I've seen of this crap is fricking depressing. the 2000s were absolutely abysmal for Gundam tv series(I'd go as far to say the last strong series was Turn A back in 99) and it looks like the 2010s are off to a similar start. Hopefully this is just unjustified knee jerk reaction but still, sigh. At least we still get good OVAs.

I'm pretty much on the same boat, but I've heard good things about 00, so I might give the series a chance.

[C. Earl]

One person's crap is another person's winning ticket. Everyone has their likes and dislikes, but the early 2000s was good for Gundam internationally and exposed the property to many new fans with Gundam Wing (and to a lesser extent, G Gundam).

While some dedicated Gundam fans may take one look at Gundam Age and say "Aw, hell naw," it does seem to have everything that could make it another international hit, particularly in the U.S. if Bandai can make a "Pokemon deal" with an American TV broadcaster...

[Sabrina_Fried]

Ugh, I know its too early to make real judgements of it, but all the news I've seen of this crap is fricking depressing. the 2000s were absolutely abysmal for Gundam tv series(I'd go as far to say the last strong series was Turn A back in 99) and it looks like the 2010s are off to a similar start. Hopefully this is just unjustified knee jerk reaction but still, sigh. At least we still get good OVAs.

I wouldn't call the 2000's abysmal. The first season of 00 was what finally convinced me to get into Gundam.

I think the real problem is that the people they put in charge of a Gundam series can't seem to put together a 50-episode story without resorting to time-wasting fanservice or telling the same story over and over again. They typically have a great story concept, and no idea what to do with it.

[Hiromi]

One person's crap is another person's winning ticket. Everyone has their likes and dislikes, but the early 2000s was good for Gundam internationally and exposed the property to many new fans with Gundam Wing (and to a lesser extent, G Gundam).

While some dedicated Gundam fans may take one look at Gundam Age and say "Aw, hell naw," it does seem to have everything that could make it another international hit, particularly in the U.S. if Bandai can make a "Pokemon deal" with an American TV broadcaster...
And if they do... what next? If they want to keep that age bracket they have to continue marketing their product to that age bracket, which means that yeah Gundam might regain stateside popularity, but it'll continue to be a show aimed at younger children rather than the real war themed show it's historically been, and at that point who cares? Its just another super robot show.

[C. Earl]

And if they do... what next? If they want to keep that age bracket they have to continue marketing their product to that age bracket, which means that yeah Gundam might regain stateside popularity, but it'll continue to be a show aimed at younger children rather than the real war themed show it's historically been, and at that point who cares? Its just another super robot show.
Which was what Gundam began as and still essentially is. It explores deeper themes, sure enough, but ultimately Gundam is a big robot show when all is said and done.

But I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss a show aimed at a slightly younger demo as being automatically a bad thing though. Having just seen the trailer for Gundam Age, the show may not be as "kiddified" as many claim it will be since it seems that death and loss will be an issue covered in the series. It's not so much SD Gundam as it's probably more like Gundam ZZ (a series that was also criticized initially for its more kid-friendly character designs).

[FalconX2000]

Gundam Seed was a great series. Compelling plots, mostly sympathetic characters, decent pacing, awesome action, excellent music.

Then it crashed and burned badly with Gundam Seed Destiny. A damn shame about all the behind the scenes problems that series had.

I'd still give a third season a shot though if they'd make it.

[C. Earl]

Gundam Seed was a great series. Compelling plots, mostly sympathetic characters, decent pacing, awesome action, excellent music.

Then it crashed and burned badly with Gundam Seed Destiny.
I have yet to encounter anyone with good things to say about Gundam Seed Destiny.
http://planetsmilies.net/happy-smiley-582.gif

[Melbourne Mew Mew]

I have yet to encounter anyone with good things to say about Gundam Seed Destiny.
http://planetsmilies.net/happy-smiley-582.gif

Well, it was good at the beginning, but then it went downhill.

Sort of the opposite of SEED, where the best episodes were near the end.

[FalconX2000]

I have yet to encounter anyone with good things to say about Gundam Seed Destiny.
http://planetsmilies.net/happy-smiley-582.gif

Well, it had plenty of awesome parts.

Kira Yamato was awesome, his kind character was nice to see and his leet skillz were taken to an even higher zenith. It's just that his role in the story was not suitable for the main protaganist, which he assumed only halfway through the story.

Gundam Savior was pretty good looking though Athrun couldn't hit shit with it. Gundam Infinite Justice actually felt like a close range monster rather than a Freedom with less guns.

It had plenty of awesome fight scenes.

Archangel vs Minerva made for great actual ship to ship battles.

The massive Gundam Destroy's debut was incredible in the amount of destruction it could wreak. It felt like a Godzilla gundam.

Andrew Waltfield is awesome.

Meer Campbell had an incredibly good final episode.

The music was just as good as the original series.

[C. Earl]

Yeah, I was beginning to think nobody liked anything about Destiny...