Writer: Yoshiyuki Tomino
Director: Yoshiyuki Tomino
Production House: Sunrise
Review Type: Anime
Status: Completed
Genre: Mecha
Synopsis
In the year Universal Century 0079, humanity lives in space colonies called Sides. Side 3, the Principality of Zeon, has declared war on the Earth Federation. After the initial fighting, an 6-month stalemate occurred. However that stalemate breaks when Amuro Ray stumbles into the Gundam, the Earth Federation's secret weapon. Now Amuro and the crew of White Base must stand up to Zeon in order to end the war.
Chibi's Mecha-nised Comments
This is it folks. The series that singlehandedly started the entire super robot craze that spans movies, manga, video games, model kits, artbooks, you name it. If there was one anime series that defined the mecha aspect of the genre, this would be the penultimate one. Dubbed as the Japanese Star Trek, this anime by far exceeds its American counterpart so much so that in my opinion it makes the comparison totally unfair. The impact that the original Mobile Suit Gundam series and the movie trilogy have had on anime is simply impossible to measure. Stylistically, Gundam is the prototype for the hundreds of mecha anime that followed, from Armored Trooper VOTOMS to Macross to Patlabor to Neon Genesis Evangelion. Each of its successors, even including the dozens of Gundam spin-offs, such as War in the Pocket, 08th MS Team, and even Gundam Wing, boldly took the original's basic concepts in different, and wildly entertaining directions. With all the television series, theatrical features, novelizations, manga, and merchandise that made it one of the most popular properties in film history, Yoshiyuki Tomino's landmark mecha series Kido Senshi Gundam (Mobile Suit Gundam) was not a success when it aired in Japan in 1979. But when the series was re-cut with new animation into three theatrical features in 1981 and 1982, it connected with audiences (and me), sparking a craze that climaxed with near-riots in Japanese toy stores over Gundam merchandise, and made me Gundam crazy for the first time in my life at age 26, buying all sorts of Gundam stuff i could get my hands on, which was so abundant circa 2003. This was largely in part of the unavailability to get my hands on a subbed copy of the DVD for the longest time (since childhood to be exact) due to licensing issues, and was the very first anime I watched after a significant 12 year layoff.
Inspired by George Lucas's Star Wars trilogy, George Pal's Destination Moon, and the films of Akira Kurosawa and Yasujiro Ozu, Tomino set out to create a universe that would enable him to go beyond the standard duels and battles to explore politics, mysticism, ecology, and social prejudices, which was the exact winning formula that endeared everybody at the time to the anime, and continues to do so. Mecha in earlier science fiction anime and movies were generally remote-controlled machines owned by boys who treated them almost like pets, however, beginning with the Mobile Suit RX-78, the Gundam robots resembled massive space suits that could function as one-man space ships. Kunio Okawara's anthropomorphic designs blended the flamboyance of traditional samurai armor with high-tech angularity, and the eye-catching results added to the visual power of Tomino's well-choreographed sword fights and wrestling matches on Earth and in space. The Gundam features ushered in a new era of mecha adventures and anime fandom decades later, influencing countless other animated sci-fi epics.
Chibi's Mecha-nised Review
First off this is the best Gundam out there, do your self a favor and give yourself time to get past the dated animation, because once things get going believe me you'll think it's the way things are supposed to look. These movies cover most of the events of the series with some new footage in the second and third movies. Oh and they're long, but that's a good thing. Although there are a few parts in the original 43 episode anime that were omitted from this trilogy of movies, all of the significant and important events are included, leaving the consistency of the storyline intact. Even ignoring the historical importance of Mobile Suit Gundam, the anime, and especially these three movies, have withstood the test of time. 30 years after their original release, they are still moving, wildly entertaining, even surprising. Start with the story, the characters, the themes, then let the rest follow. Although the basic conceit of the show is the use of anthropomorphic mechanized suits of armor during modern combat, one could conceivably remove the Gundams themselves from the show and still have the heart and soul of the story intact. This is the lesson that the aforementioned series took from Gundam and applied to such great effect. Strong characters, engrossing story, exciting conflict, and above all, balance.
The first movie as all trilogy movies go, is all about introduction, with plenty of mecha battles thrown in between. The year is UC 0079. Side 3's Principality of Zeon is at a stalemate in a six month war with the Earth Federation, despite it's Zaku II mobile suits which are a milestone in military development at the time. Side 7 is host to the Federations Mobile Suit development project, and was attacked during a Zeon surviellance mission. During the confusion, 17 year old Amuro Ray finds himself the fateful pilot of the Gundam, after looking for a place to hide amidst the heat of battle, and stumbling upon the mobile suit despite not knowing what it is. Despite his inexperience, Zeon's Zakus pose him little trouble and are easily dispatched. The first mobile suit battle goes well for the Federation, with Amuro piloting the gundam and civilians in charge of White Base following the chaos of the invasion, and were given military ranks shortly after. Thus begins the main theme of the first movie.
This movie focuses on the hopeless situation of White Base as they fight for thier lives on the way to the federation H.Q in Jaburo, South America (now famously known as the journey to Jaburo), after Char Aznable (the ever so classic Gundam villain unparalleled), Zeon ace pilot forces them down into Zeon controlled territory after the first contact with the Gundam and White Base. It also focuses on the growing rivalry between Char and Amuro, and Amuro's interest in Lt. Matilda (who at times seems to be the only one in the federation who cares about White Base). As for action let's say by the end of the movie White base has a bounty on it , and the legendary Zeon Commando Ramba Ral (pilot of the Gouf, an upgrade for the Zaku that I think was really kickass) on thier tails.
The second movie takes a sad turn as several beloved main characters, from both the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon, bite the dust. Despite being pursued by a Zeon Combat unit headed by Ramba Ral, White base is commanded to participate in operation Odessa, since the Federation suspects them of being newtypes (super soldiers with advanced powers of perception, enabling them to operate and execute complicated machinery or commands.....*hint-hint*) Seyla (rumoured to be Char's sibling) tries to find out if Char is her brother, and commandeers the Gundam only to nearly get herself killed and thrown in to the brig. Amuro even deserts the Federation with the Gundam , whilst some of his fits are painful to watch, but his encounter with Ramba Ral finally forces him to grow up.
In addition to great story telling this movie has several memorable battles. Ramba Ral's hand to hand combat invasion of White Base, the confrontation with the Black Tri-Stars (a Zaku commando unit), and the Zeon invasion of Jaburo. The latter of which has the best combat musical score in the series.
The final installment in this trilogy is all about resolving the fall of Zeon and all the intense battles along the way. It starts with White Base being pursued by Char Aznable, whilst repeatedly thwarted by Amuro and the Gundam, slowly dispatching his advanced fleet. After a brief stop at side 6 where the Newtype girl Lala is introduced, which apparently comes off as a love interest in both Char and Amuro, it's on to the Zeon base of Solomon for the decisive battle. The big Zam is... well you'll just have to see it. This movie wraps up the loose ends and the war, and i will not reveal any more of the details. This collection belongs in the library of every serious anime fan, so if you're feeling nostalgic, curious or just don't have anything else to watch, give this trilogy a shot. It will change all your perception on the newer Gundam animes, even mecha animes, as every and all of them pay homage to this anime by borrowing at least one idea from its legendary story.
All three Gundam movies were written and directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino and produced by Sunrise. Mobile Suit Gundam was released in March 1981, it's second installment Soldiers of Tomorrow was subsequently released in July on the same year. It's third and final installment was released March 1982.
Chibi's Review
Storyline: 5/5
Character Development: 5/5
Art: 3/5
Originality: 5/5
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