SD Gundam Gaiden: A thorough review of the fascinating tale of warriors

SD Gundam Gaiden - SD Gundam Gaiden - Comprehensive evaluation and recommendation

■ Public Media

OVA

■ Original Media

Toys

■ Release date

March 25, 1990

■Release and sales

Bandai Visual

■Frequencies

28 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 4

■ Director

Amino Tetsuro

■Works

© Sotsu, Sunrise

■ Story

The evil demon king "Satan Gundam" suddenly appears in the world of swords and magic "Suda Doaka World". The hero "Knight Gundam" rises up to defeat the demon king.

■Explanation

SD Gundam appears as heroes and monsters in an RPG-like worldview that began with Bandai's Carddass 20 vending machine. SD Gundam Gaiden is a work that replaces the characters of the Gundam series with a fantasy world, and was especially popular with children. This series, which was derived from the toy Carddass, was widely accepted not only by Gundam fans but also by fans of fantasy RPGs.

■ Main staff

・Director, scriptwriter: Tetsuro Amino ・Director: Shinji Takamatsu ・Character design, animation director: Akiyoshi Yokoyama ・SD Gundam Gaiden planning concept: Benta Bannai ・Character concept: Koji Yokoi, Tomoyuki Hiyama

■Subtitle

・Volume 1: "The Hero of Lacroix"
・Volume 2: "Legendary Giants"
・Volume 3: "The Knights of Argus"
・Volume 4/"The Knight of Light"

■ Related works

・[OVA] 88.05.25 Mobile Suit SD Gundam (all 17 episodes)
・[OVA] 91.08.22 Mobile Suit SD Gundam: Papal's Dawn (1 episode)
・[MVA] 93.03.01 SD Gundam Gaiden: The Story of the Holy Machine Soldier

■Detailed evaluation and recommendation

SD Gundam Gaiden is a work that replaces the characters of the Gundam series with a fantasy world, and was especially popular with children. This series, derived from the toy Carddass, was widely accepted not only by Gundam fans but also by fans of fantasy RPGs. Below, we will provide a detailed evaluation and recommendation of SD Gundam Gaiden.

Story and worldview

The story of SD Gundam Gaiden is about a hero, Knight Gundam, who rises up to defeat the evil demon king Satan Gundam, who suddenly appears in Suda Doaka World, a world of swords and magic. This setting is very unique, as it transposes the characters of the Gundam series to the world of fantasy RPGs. In particular, for fans of the Gundam series, it will be a very refreshing experience to see familiar characters in action in a new world.

The worldview is also very appealing, and the world of swords and magic, "Suda Doaka World," is set in an RPG style, emphasizing the element of adventure. Each episode depicts the hero, "Knight Gundam," overcoming various challenges and growing together with his companions, drawing viewers in.

character

The characters in SD Gundam Gaiden are based on the characters in the Gundam series, but their designs have been changed to fit the world of fantasy RPGs. In particular, the hero "Knight Gundam" retains the courage and strength of the protagonist of the Gundam series while fulfilling his role as a hero in the fantasy world. In addition, the evil demon king "Satan Gundam" retains his fearsomeness as an enemy character in the Gundam series while also demonstrating his presence as a demon king in the fantasy world.

In addition, various other characters appear, each with their own unique design and role. In particular, the designs of the companion characters are based on the characters of the Gundam series, but are arranged to fit the world of fantasy RPGs, giving viewers a fresh impression.

Animation and performance

SD Gundam Gaiden's animation takes advantage of the OVA format to create high-quality drawings. In particular, director Tetsuro Amino's direction brings out the worldview of the fantasy RPG to the fullest, and has the power to draw the viewer into the story. Additionally, the designs of Akitoshi Yokoyama, who was in charge of character design and animation direction, perfectly blend the characters of the Gundam series into the fantasy world, making for a very visually appealing work.

In terms of directing, Shinji Takamatsu's direction is outstanding. In particular, the direction of the battle and adventure scenes gives the viewer a sense of tension and excitement, and makes the story progress more exciting. The script is also written by Tetsuro Amino, and the story unfolds very smoothly, so the viewer never gets bored.

Music and Sound

The music of SD Gundam Gaiden enhances the worldview of the fantasy RPG and creates an atmosphere of adventure. In particular, the music in the battle scenes gives the viewer a sense of tension and excitement, and livens up the progression of the story. In terms of sound, sound effects are used that maximize the worldview of the fantasy RPG, enhancing the viewer's immersion.

Recommendation

SD Gundam Gaiden is a work that can be recommended not only to fans of the Gundam series, but also to fans of fantasy RPGs. It is especially recommended for those who want to see the characters of the Gundam series in action in a fantasy world. It is also a work that is very appealing for those who want to enjoy the worldview of a fantasy RPG, with its visual appeal and story development.

Furthermore, SD Gundam Gaiden takes advantage of the OVA format to feature high-quality animation and direction, which has the power to draw the viewer into the story. In particular, the direction of director Tetsuro Amino and the design of character designer and animation director Akitoshi Yokoyama bring out the worldview of the fantasy RPG to the fullest, making for a highly visually appealing production.

In terms of music and sound, sound effects and music that complement the worldview of a fantasy RPG are used, enhancing the viewer's immersion. In particular, the music in battle scenes creates tension and excitement for the viewer, livening up the progression of the story.

For these reasons, SD Gundam Gaiden is a work that can be recommended not only to fans of the Gundam series, but also to fans of fantasy RPGs, and is a work with a very appealing visual appeal and story development. Please give it a watch.