Mobile Suit Gundam AGE review: A story that transcends generations and its appeal

Mobile Suit Gundam AGE - A century-old story and a battle between three generations

Introduction

Mobile Suit Gundam AGE is a TV anime series that aired from 2011 to 2012, and holds a unique place in the Gundam series. It tells an epic story spanning 100 years and three generations, depicting how Gundam has evolved and continues to fight. Here, we will take a deeper look into its appeal and details.

Overview

Mobile Suit Gundam AGE is an original anime produced by Sunrise and Mainichi Broadcasting System, written by Hajime Yatate and Yoshiyuki Tomino, with a story by Akihiro Hino. It was directed by Susumu Yamaguchi, character designed by Michinori Chiba, mechanical designed by Kanetake Ebikawa, Junya Ishigaki, and Kenji Teraoka, and music by Kei Yoshikawa. It aired from October 9, 2011 to September 23, 2012, with a total of 49 episodes.

story

The story begins in the space age, several hundred years after immigration to space colonies began. Just when it seemed that a peaceful era had arrived after the war for dominance of the Earth Sphere had ended, an unknown enemy called the UE (Unknown Enemy) suddenly appeared and attacked the space colony "Angel," causing its destruction. This incident is called the "Fall of the Angel," and the threat of the UE has long plagued the people living in the Earth Sphere.

The story is divided into three generations. The first generation is the story of Flit Asuno, who lost his mother in a UE attack at the age of seven and developed the Gundam using the "AGE Device" entrusted to him by his mother. At the age of 14, Flit completes the Gundam equipped with the AGE system and goes on to fight the UE.

The second generation tells the story of Asemu Asuno, Flit's son. Asemu inherits the Gundam from his father and fights a new enemy, the Vagans. Asemu's story depicts his friendships, love, and growth as a warrior.

The third generation tells the story of Kio Asuno, Flit's grandson. Kio grows up in the peaceful city of Oliver Notes on Earth, but grows as a warrior when the Vagans attack. Kio's story centers around his determination and actions to end the war.

character

Mobile Suit Gundam AGE features many fascinating characters. The main characters are introduced below.

Fritt Edition

• Flit Asuno : A 14-year-old boy. He develops the Gundam using the AGE Device entrusted to him by his mother, and fights against the UE.
• Emily Almond : A 14-year-old girl. Flit's first friend and the one who supports him.
• Dike Gunheil : A 14-year-old boy. He is a classmate of Flit and Emily and has a competitive spirit towards Flit.
• Vargas Dyson : A 55-year-old man. Emily's grandfather and Flit's boss. He highly values ​​Flit's abilities and treats him like a friend.
• Yurin Rushell : A 15-year-old girl who meets Flit during the UE attack.
• Grudek Aynor : Lieutenant Commander of the Earth Federation Forces. Captain of the space battleship Diva.
• Miles Aloy : Lieutenant in the Earth Federation Forces. In charge of the Diva's onboard systems.
• Largan Drais : 28 years old male. A lieutenant in the Federal Army and the commander of the Allinston Base Security Force. Mobile Suit pilot.
• Wolf Enneacle : 23-year-old male. A lieutenant in the Federal Army and an ace pilot with genius MS piloting skills. Nicknamed the "White Wolf."
• Adams Tinel : 24 years old male. A lieutenant in the Earth Federation Forces and the navigational director of the Diva.
• Hendrik Bruiser : 58 year old male. Commander of the Allinston base.

Asemu

• Asemu Asuno : 18-year-old male. Flit's son and the main character who pilots the Gundam AGE-2.
• Romary Stone : An 18-year-old woman who is Asemu's classmate and joins the Earth Federation military.
• Flit Asuno : A 40-year-old man. Asemu's father and commander of the Earth Federation Forces' Big Ring headquarters.
• Frederick Algurreas : 24-year-old male. Staff officer at the Earth Federation Forces Headquarters Big Ring.
• Alisa Gunhale : 18-year-old woman. Pilot of the Earth Federation's mass-produced mobile suit, the Adele. Dike's daughter.
• Max Hartway : 22-year-old male. Pilot of the Earth Federation's mass-produced mobile suit, the Adele.
• O'Bright Lorraine : 27-year-old man. Pilot of the Earth Federation's mass-produced Genoace II.
• Milos Aloy : A 50-year-old woman. A lieutenant colonel in the Earth Federation Forces and the captain of the Diva.
• Wolf Enneacle : A 49-year-old man. A major in the Earth Federation Forces and a pilot of the G-Bouncer.
• Dike Gunheil : A 40-year-old man who works as a mechanic for Diva.
• Zehart Garrett : 18-year-old male. A Vagan and pilot of the Zedas R and Zeidra.

Kio

• Kio Asuno : Flit's grandson and Asemu's son. He inherited the AGE Device and pilots the Gundam AGE-3.
• Wendy Hearts : Kio's childhood friend.
• Flit Asuno : Kio's grandfather.
• Utbit Gunhale : Dike's grandson.
• Yunoa Asuno : Volunteers in the military and becomes head of a medical squad.
• Rody Madona : A mechanic who supports the MS unit.
• Natora Einas : Captain of the Earth Federation Forces.
• Serik Abyss : Major of the Earth Federation Forces. Captain of Oliver Notes' MS unit.
• Shanalua Maren : Lieutenant in the Earth Federation Forces.
• Jonathan Gisturbe : Second Lieutenant in the Earth Federation Forces.
• Derek Jacklow : Lieutenant in the Earth Federation Forces.
• Zehart Garrett : Supreme Commander of the Vagans. He pilots the Gundam Legilis, which he inherited from Izelcant.
• Fezar Izelcant : Leader of the Vagans.

Mechanic

Many mobile suits, including Gundam, appear in Mobile Suit Gundam AGE. Of particular note is the groundbreaking technology known as the AGE System. This system collects battle data and allows the suit to evolve on its own, depicting Gundam's evolution as the story progresses.

Main Mobile Suits

• Gundam AGE-1 : The first Gundam developed by Flit. Equipped with the AGE system, it evolves based on combat data.
• Gundam AGE-2 : The Gundam piloted by Asemu. A new model developed based on data from the AGE-1.
• Gundam AGE-3 : Kio's Gundam. The final version developed based on data from AGE-2.
• Gundam AGE-FX : The Gundam that Kio ultimately pilots. The ultimate machine, developed based on data from the AGE-3.
• Zedas R : A Vagan mobile suit piloted by Zehart. It has high combat capabilities.
• Chronos : A Vagan mobile suit piloted by Desil. It has powerful offensive power.

Evaluation and Impressions

Mobile Suit Gundam AGE is one of the Gundam series that has received particularly mixed reviews. On the one hand, it has been highly praised for its depiction of an epic 100-year story and the battles of three generations, and has been enthusiastically supported by fans, but on the other hand, there are also voices of dissatisfaction with the development of the story and the portrayal of the characters.

In my opinion, this work is one of the most challenging works in the Gundam series. By depicting a story spanning three generations, it delves deeply into how the effects of war affect people's lives. Also, by incorporating new technology such as the AGE system, it succeeds in depicting how the existence of Gundam evolves.

However, there are also parts where the story develops too quickly and the character portrayal is shallow. In particular, the Asemu chapter has been criticized for overemphasizing the romantic element. Also, Kio's chapter depicts his determination to end the war, but the process feels a bit abrupt in parts.

Recommended points

Here are some reasons why we recommend Mobile Suit Gundam AGE:

1. An epic tale

By telling a story spanning 100 years and three generations, it delves deeply into how the effects of war affect people's lives, which is something that other Gundam works don't have and will be a big draw for fans.

2. AGE System

By incorporating the new technology known as the AGE system, the film succeeds in showing how Gundam itself evolves, which will be of great interest to Gundam fans.

3. Character Development

The story will deeply touch viewers by depicting the growth of the characters of three generations, Flit, Asemu, and Kio. Flit's growth in particular is the central theme of the story and is sure to leave a strong impression on viewers.

4. Mechanic Design

Many attractive mobile suits appear, including Gundam AGE-1, AGE-2, AGE-3, AGE-FX, etc. These designs are very attractive to Gundam fans, and are also popular as models and figures.

Conclusion

Mobile Suit Gundam AGE is one of the most challenging works in the Gundam series, and by depicting an epic story spanning 100 years and the battles of three generations, it delves deeply into how the effects of war affect people's lives. It also successfully depicts how the existence of Gundam evolves by incorporating new technology called the AGE System. Although it has received mixed reviews, it is a must-see for Gundam fans, and we highly recommend that you give it a watch at least once.