Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: Secret Record of the One Year War: Detailed Review and Rating

"Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: Secret Records of the One Year War": An ensemble drama depicting the dark side of the Zeon army

Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: Secret Records of the One Year War is an anime series that was released on July 19, 2004. It was produced by Sunrise and published by Bandai Visual. It is based on Mobile Suit Gundam by Hajime Yatate and Yoshiyuki Tomino, and was directed by Takashi Imanishi. The series is an ensemble drama that follows the exploits of the 603rd Technical Test Unit during the One Year War, in which the Principality of Zeon waged war against the Earth Federation.

story

The year is Universal Century 0079, and an era that would later be called the "One Year War" began. The Principality of Zeon waged a war of independence against the Earth Federation, deploying new weapons and new models of aircraft one after another onto the battlefield. However, behind the pomp lies a harsh reality. This work is an ensemble drama that depicts the action of the people who participated in the "603rd Technical Test Squad," which tests the practical application of new weapons for the Zeon military, and the prototype weapons. In particular, "Apocalypse 0079" depicts the final battle of the 603rd Technical Test Squad, which fights its way through the final stages of the One Year War, as the Zeon military's defeat becomes increasingly likely.

Commentary

Set against the backdrop of the One Year War, the setting for Mobile Suit Gundam, this is an original story told from the perspective of Technical Lieutenant Oliver My of the 603rd Technical Test Squad during the final days of the One Year War. By depicting the behind-the-scenes of the war and the drama of the people through the development and testing process of new weapons by the Zeon forces, it brings out new appeal in the Gundam series.

cast

• Technical Lieutenant Oliver My: Hideo Ishikawa
• Special Lieutenant Monique Cadillac: Miki Nagasawa
• Captain Martin Prochnow: Shozo Iizuka
• Major General Albert Schacht: Tamio Oki
• Deputy Chief Erich Kruger: Matsumoto Dai
• Lieutenant Hideto Washiya: Jun Fukuyama
• Second Officer Jean Xavier: Mikako Takahashi
• Second Officer Domenico Marquez: Katsuya Shiga

Main Staff

• Original work: Hajime Yatate, Yoshiyuki Tomino, based on "Mobile Suit Gundam"
• Director: Takashi Imanishi
• Screenplay: Tomohide Okuma, Hiroshi Ohnogi
• Directed by: Matsuda Goji
• Base mechanical design: Kunio Okawara
• Supervisor: Yutaka Izubuchi
• Design Works: Yutaka Izubuchi, Hajime Katoki, Shinji Aramaki, Kimitoshi Yamane, Kenki Fujioka
• Setting research: Nagase Yui
• CG Supervisor: Masayoshi Obata
• Sound Director: Sadayoshi Fujino
• Music producers: Keiichi Nozaki, Noboru Mano
• Music: Megumi Ohashi
• Music Production: Victor Entertainment, Sunrise Music Publishing
• Producers: Koichi Inoue, Takashi Imanishi, Satoshi Kubo
• Production cooperation: Bandai Visual
• Planning and production: Sunrise

Main Characters

Technical Lieutenant Oliver My <br> A young engineer with pure-heartedness. After graduating from university, he was commissioned as a technical officer in the Technical Information Department three months before the outbreak of the One Year War and assigned to the 603rd Technical Test Squad. While conducting technical evaluation tests of prototype weapons, he also becomes involved with the people connected to the prototype weapons. The reality of war and the human drama are depicted from his perspective.

Special Lieutenant Monique Cadillac <br> An elite female officer who belongs to the Commander-in-Chief's Office, directly under Commander-in-Chief Ghiren. She was dispatched to the 603rd Technical Test Squad as a "watchdog" to oversee the results of new weapon experiments. Despite knowing that she is disliked by the crew, she carries out her mission. Her presence symbolizes the internal affairs and political maneuvering of the Zeon military.

Captain Martin Prochnow <br> Captain of the 603rd Technical Test Squadron. He served as captain when the Jotunheim was a civilian cargo-passenger ship, and became captain when the ship was requisitioned by the military. He is not a soldier but a civilian employee, with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He puts the safety of the ship first and makes calm decisions according to the situation. His leadership will be a key factor in determining the fate of the test squadron.

Main Robot Items

Test Support Ship Jotunheim <br> The Zeon military test support ship on which the 603rd Technical Test Squadron is aboard. Originally a freighter and passenger ship that operated between Sides, it was requisitioned six months before the outbreak of the One Year War and commissioned after undergoing minimal modifications. This ship is an important presence, as it serves as the stage for evaluation tests of prototype weapons.

QCX-76A Fleet Battle Gun Jormungand
A prototype fleet decisive battle cannon developed by the Zeon forces at the start of the One Year War. Its destructive power is expected to destroy a Federation Magellan-class battleship in one hit. It will participate in the Battle of Loum as a trump card. The development and testing of this weapon demonstrates the strategic intentions of the Zeon forces.

YMT-05 Prototype Mobile Tank Buildrub <br> A prototype mobile tank developed by the Zeon military but rejected. A super-dreadnought combat vehicle powered by a nuclear fusion reactor. The destructive power of its main gun is incredible. The 603rd Technical Test Squad is ordered to carry out evaluation tests on the ground. Through the testing of this weapon, the cruelty of war and the suffering of the engineers are depicted.

EMS-10 Zudah <br> A new mobile suit manufactured by ZIMMAD and developed by the Zeon military. It is a machine that was completed by continuing the development of the EMS-04, which competed with the Zaku for the main position but lost. It was assigned to Jotunheim for evaluation tests. The tests of this mobile suit symbolize the evolution of the Zeon military's technological capabilities and strategies.

subtitle

• Episode 1: The Giant Serpent Disappears into Loum
• Episode 2: The howl was dyed in the setting sun
• Episode 3: A Phantom in Orbit

Related Titles

• Mobile Suit Gundam
• Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO Apocalypse 007
• Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO 2: Gravity Front

Theme songs and music

ED1
At the foot of time and space <br> Lyrics: NahoComposition: Taja
Arrangement: Taja
Sung by: Taja

Detailed evaluation and recommendation

Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: Secret Records of the One Year War is a Gundam series that depicts war from a unique perspective. While most Gundam works focus mainly on battle scenes and the growth of the main characters, this work focuses on the development of new weapons by the Zeon army and their testing process. This allows it to delve deeper into the behind-the-scenes of war, the suffering of engineers, and human drama.

Particularly noteworthy is the story told from the perspective of Technical Lieutenant Oliver May. He joins the war as a pure engineer and witnesses the reality of war through the evaluation of prototype weapons. In the process, he strengthens his bonds with his comrades and comes face to face with the cruelty of war. This character's growth and conflict highlight the overall theme of the work.

The presence of Special Lieutenant Monique Cadillac is also important. She is a character who symbolizes the internal affairs and political maneuvering of the Zeon military, and the story depicts the other side of the war from her perspective. This highlights the tensions and contradictions within the Zeon military, adding depth to the work.

Captain Martin Prochnow's leadership is also an important point. Although he is not a soldier but a civilian employee, he puts the safety of the ship first and makes calm decisions. His leadership is a key factor in determining the fate of the test squadron, and he portrays a man facing the reality of war.

The depiction of the main robots and items is also superb. The test support ship Jotunheim, the fleet battle gun Jormungand, the prototype mobile tank Birudolb, and the new mobile suit Zudah. ​​Through the development and testing of these weapons, the evolution of the Zeon military's technological capabilities and strategies is depicted. Furthermore, the destructive power of these weapons and the human suffering behind them symbolize the cruelty of war.

The subtitles also symbolize the theme of each episode: "The Serpent Vanished at Loum" depicts the testing of the fleet battle gun Jormungand, "The Howl Was Dyed by the Setting Sun" depicts the testing of the prototype mobile tank Birudolb, and "A Phantom Runs in Orbit" depicts the testing of the new mobile suit Zudah. ​​Through these episodes, the reality of war and human drama are deeply explored.

Related works such as "Mobile Suit Gundam," "Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO Apocalypse 007," and "Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO 2: Gravity Front" are also important in understanding the background of this work. By watching these works together, you will be able to gain a deeper understanding of the worldview of the Gundam series and the reality of war.

The theme song, "At the Foot of Time and Space," features Taja's beautiful singing voice and melody, enhancing the theme of the film. This song, which symbolizes the cruelty of war and the human drama, is an important element that deepens the aftertaste after watching the film.

Recommendation

"Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: The Secret Record of the One Year War" is a work that can be highly recommended not only to fans of the Gundam series, but also to viewers who like works that depict the realism of war and human drama. It is a must-see work, especially for those who are interested in the behind-the-scenes of war and the suffering of engineers depicted from the perspective of the Zeon army. In addition, the depiction of the mechanical design and battle scenes is also superb, and will provide new appeal to fans of the Gundam series.

This work is an ensemble drama that delves deeply into the cruelty of war and human drama, providing viewers with a lot of emotion and thought. We hope you will experience a new perspective on the Gundam series.