Mobile Suit Gundam F91: What is the appeal of the new generation of Gundam?

Mobile Suit Gundam F91

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Release date

March 16, 1991

■Distribution company

Distributor: Shochiku

■ Eirin Number

113317

■Frequencies

115 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

・Original story by Hajime Yatate ・Original work by Yoshiyuki Tomino

■ Director

・Director: Yoshiyuki Tomino

■ Production

・Planning/Sunrise ・Production/Sunrise

■Works

© Sotsu, Sunrise

■ Story

Universal Century 123. A mysterious MS unit suddenly invades Frontier IV, one of the colonies in the emerging Frontier Side colony group. The colony falls into chaos as they fight with the Federation garrison, calling themselves the Crossbone Vanguard. Seabook Arno, a high school student in Frontier IV, escapes the colony with his sister Liz and his classmates to escape the fighting. In the midst of this, one of his classmates, Cecily Fairchild, goes missing. Without time to search for her, Seabook and his friends escape Frontier IV in a space boat. Meanwhile, Cecily has reunited with her grandfather, Mytzer Rona, and her father, Carrozzo Rona, who has changed his name to Iron Mask. She is tormented by the fact that she is a member of the Rona family, who lead the Crossbone Vanguard.

■Cast

・Seabook Arno / Koji Tsujitani ・Cecily Fairchild (Bella Rona) / Yumi Touma ・Lise Arno / Sayuri Ikemoto ・Leslie Arno / Mikio Terashima ・Monica Arno / Miyoko Shoji ・Maitzer Rona / Teppei Takasugi ・Carrozzo Rona (Iron Mask) / Masaaki Maeda ・Nadia Rona / Akiko Tsuboi ・Dorell Rona / Takeshi Kusao ・Sabine Schall / Kiyoyuki Yanada

■ Main staff

・Planning, production: Sunrise ・Original concept: Hajime Yatate ・Original story, director: Yoshiyuki Tomino ・Screenplay: Tsunehisa Ito, Yoshiyuki Tomino ・Character design: Yoshikazu Yasuhiko ・Mechanical design: Kunio Okawara ・Art: Shigemi Ikeda ・Cinematography: Atsushi Okui ・Music: Satoshi Kadokura ・Sound: Sadayoshi Fujino

■ Main Characters

Seabook Arno / Male, 17 years old. A boy attending high school in the mechanical engineering department in Frontier IV. Although he is swept away by events such as the Crossbone Vanguard attack, the death of his friend, and the existence of F91, which his mother is involved in, he does his best to survive with his friends.
Cecily Fairchild (Bella Rona) / Female, 17 years old. A girl who attends the same high school as Seabook in the general department. She was raised as the daughter of Shio Fairchild, but is actually the daughter of Carrozo Rona and Nadia Rona, who lead the Crossbone Vanguard. When Cecily learns this fact, she decides to live as Bella Rona... Touma Yumi Liz Arno / Female, 10 years old. Seabook's younger sister, a strong-willed girl who never expresses her loneliness.
Leslie Arno, male, 47 years old. Seabook and Liz's father, a dock worker at Frontier IV. He noticed the Crossbone Vanguard's invasion while working, and was a smart man who predicted the situation and acted accordingly. He rushed to help Seabook and the others escape from Frontier IV, but stayed behind to help a child who was not able to escape.
Monica Annaud / Female, 44 years old. Seabook and Liz's mother, a doctor of engineering who specializes in biocomputer research. She participated in the development of the F91, and was so absorbed in her research that people thought she had abandoned her family, but she never forgot about them, as seen in the way she entrusted the computer line wiring to a cat's cradle. She is shocked to find out that her son is piloting the F91, but sympathizes with Seabook's words that the future depends on surviving the present. She tells Seabook to unlock the F91's functions in order to search for Cecily, who was thrown out into space.
- Maitzer Rona / Male, 69 years old. Cecily's grandfather. Head of the Rona family and advocate of the founding of Cosmo Babylonia. He welcomed Cecily as Bella Rona, an idol who would unite the people. He believed that in order to protect the polluted Earth, it was necessary for humanity to be governed by Cosmo Aristocracy, and in order to put this into practice, he approved the establishment of the Crossbone Vanguard by Iron Mask.
Carrozo Rona (Iron Mask) / Male, 45 years old. Adopted son-in-law of Commander-in-Chief Mytzer Rona and Cecily's biological father. He always wears an iron mask to hide his true face. He is the leader of the Crossbone Vanguard's military department and stands in Seabook's way.
Nadia Rona / Female. Cecily's mother. Rebelling against the aristocracy of the Rona family, she ran away with Bella in search of freedom. However, sensing the threat of the Rona family, she left Cecily with Shio and disappeared. When the Frontier Side was attacked by the Crossbone Vanguard, she sensed the presence of the Rona family and appeared to get Cecily back.
Dorel Rona, male, 18 years old. The eldest son of the Rona family and Bella's half-sister. He pilots the MS Berga Dallas and leads his battalion on the front lines, including heading to capture Bella.
Sabine Charr, male, 24 years old. Captain of the elite Black Squadron. He is an excellent commander and is trusted by his commander, Mytzer Rona, who entrusts him with looking after Bella, who pilots a mobile suit. However, he has doubts about Iron Mask.

■ Theme songs and music

・TM
・ETERNAL WIND ~Smile in the Shining Wind~
Lyrics by Nishiwaki Yui
Composer: Yui Nishiwaki, Yoko Orihara
Arrangement: Satoshi Kadokura
・Song: Hiroko Moriguchi

■ Review

Mobile Suit Gundam F91 is a particularly noteworthy work in the Gundam series, for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it is the last Gundam film directed by director Yoshiyuki Tomino. Director Tomino's unique worldview and storytelling are fully displayed in this work, and have the power to draw viewers in. Furthermore, this work, which was released in 1991, was expected to open up a new era for the Gundam series. Set in the year 123 of the Universal Century, it depicts a further future than the previous Gundam series, depicting new technology and social conditions.

The story is set in the emerging colony group Frontier IV, and begins with an attack by a mysterious mobile suit unit called the Crossbone Vanguard. This attack forces the protagonist Seabook Arno and his companions to escape the colony. Seabook is forced to escape without having time to search for his friend Cecily Fairchild, who goes missing. This sense of tension and speed leaves a strong impression on viewers. Furthermore, the revelation that Cecily is in fact the daughter of the Rona family, the leaders of the Crossbone Vanguard, adds depth to the story. Her suffering and growth evoke sympathy from viewers.

The portrayal of the characters is also superb. Seabook faces many difficulties, such as attacks by the Crossbone Vanguard, the death of his friends, and the existence of F91, which his mother is involved in, but he does his best to survive with his companions. His growth and determination move the viewer. Cecily's conflict and resolve are also impressive. She decides to live as a daughter of the Rona family and starts a new life as Bella Rona. Her inner change deeply moves the viewer.

The mechanical design is also not to be missed. The F91 design by Kunio Okawara is a departure from the conventional Gundam series, and its originality and beauty will captivate viewers. The Crossbone Vanguard's MS design is also unique and leaves a strong visual impact. The power and beauty of the battle scenes have the power to draw viewers in.

Music is also an important element. The theme song "ETERNAL WIND ~Hohoemi wa Hikaru Kaze no Naka~" sung by Hiroko Moriguchi is a beautiful song that symbolizes the theme of the work and resonates in the hearts of viewers. In addition, the background music by Satoshi Kadokura also enhances the atmosphere of the work and draws the viewer into the world of the story.

Mobile Suit Gundam F91 is a work that deserves special praise among the Gundam series, and the reasons for this are many, including the story, characters, mechanical design, and music. This work will move and excite the viewer, and is highly recommended not only for Gundam fans, but also for general viewers.

■Recommendation

Mobile Suit Gundam F91 is highly recommended not only for fans of the Gundam series, but also for those interested in science fiction anime and mechanical design. It is a must-see for those who want to enjoy the works of director Tomino Yoshiyuki. It is also recommended for those who want to be moved by the story and character development. In addition, it is a perfect work for those who want to enjoy beautiful mechanical design and powerful battle scenes. The music is also great, so it is recommended for those who want to enjoy background music and theme songs. Please watch this work and experience its charm.