Mobile Suit Gundam: Reevaluating the pinnacle of realistic robot anime

Mobile Suit Gundam - Kidou Senshi Gundam

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Broadcast period

April 7, 1979 - January 26, 1980 Every Saturday 17:30-18:00

■Broadcasting station

Nagoya TV

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 43

■Original Story

Original author: Hajime Yatate, Yoshiyuki Tomino

■ Director

General Director: Yoshiyuki Tomino

■ Production

Nagoya TV, Sotsu Agency, Nippon Sunrise

■Works

© Sotsu, Sunrise

■ Review

Mobile Suit Gundam is an anime series that first aired in 1979, and its influence remains strong to this day. Director Yoshiyuki Tomino's realistic depiction of war and the depth of human drama went beyond the boundaries of robot anime at the time, sparking a boom that could be called a social phenomenon. More than just entertainment, this work contains many themes, such as the horror of war, human growth, and the concept of Newtypes, which pursue new possibilities.

The story unfolds in the year Universal Century 0079, against the backdrop of a war between the Principality of Zeon and the Earth Federation government. The story begins when the protagonist, Amuro Ray, accidentally pilots a new mobile suit, Gundam, to prevent an invasion by the Zeon forces. Amuro grows on the battlefield and continues to fight alongside his comrades on the space carrier White Base. Amuro's growth and the changes in the relationships around him deeply move viewers. Additionally, the dialogue and battle scenes with enemy characters Char Aznable and Lalah Sune are important elements in depicting the tragedy of war and the dignity of human beings.

The success of this work is also due in large part to the quality of its mechanical and character designs. Okawara Kunio's mechanical designs were based on real weapons, stimulating the imagination of viewers. Yasuhiko Yoshikazu's character designs also highlighted the individuality of each character, enhancing the visual appeal. Furthermore, the music by Watanabe Takeo and Matsuyama Yuji plays an important role in enhancing the tension and emotion of the story.

Mobile Suit Gundam had a major impact on the anime industry afterwards. It established a new genre called real robot anime and sparked a boom in related products such as plastic models and figures. It also spawned numerous spinoffs and remakes, and the series as a whole has been a huge success. In particular, the 1981 film Mobile Suit Gundam, 1985's Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, and 1986's Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ are highly regarded among fans.

Furthermore, this work also depicts social themes, and can be considered from many perspectives, such as the cruelty of war, human dignity, and the concept of Newtypes, which pursue new possibilities. The dialogue between Amuro and Char, and his encounter with Lalah, move viewers deeply and provoke thought. Also, by depicting the tragedy of war, this work makes viewers realize the importance of peace.

■Recommendation

Mobile Suit Gundam is a monumental work of realistic robot anime, and a profound work that depicts war and human growth. In particular, the scenes that depict the tragedy of war and human dignity deeply move viewers. The quality of the mechanical and character designs is also high, making it visually appealing. Furthermore, music is also an important element that enhances the story. This work is highly recommended not only to anime fans, but also to those who are interested in war and human growth. There are many spin-offs and remakes, so you can enjoy the entire series.

In particular, the following points are the reasons for the recommendation:

• Realistic depiction of war and deep human drama
• High-quality mechanic and character design
• Music that enhances the story
• A perspective that depicts social themes
• A wealth of derivative works and remakes

"Mobile Suit Gundam" is a work that deeply moves and inspires viewers, and is an anime that everyone should see at least once.