Gundam

LoneSage · Post by **LoneSage** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 1:38 am

My introduction to Gundam was Wing on Toonami, years ago. Never really liked it (had no fuggin clue what was going on), but the animation was incredible. After that anything Gundam was interesting to me, so I decided to buy some model kits because I loved how intricately detailed and beautiful they looked. After that I rented Journey to Jaburo and was thoroughly disgusted (bought Federation VS. Zeon for PS2 last year new for $5, good deal IMO). I've also seen a few episodes of the original Gundam series with Amuro and young Char. But I never consider myself a fan of the series, I just like some parts of the universe. Besides, the aspect of a space colony declaring its independence against Earth and starting a war with mechs is just flat-out badass; it makes you sympathize with Zeon, despite a lot of them being total asses. Kinda like America and Britain in the good ole days

I keed.

A few weeks ago, I bought Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory Complete Collection and wow, HOLY SHAT this is one awesome show. I really like it, everything about it is near-flawless IMO, and I think this is what's going to encourage me to go buy some more Gundam DVDs and check them out.

So what do you guys think of 0083: Stardust Memory? I've heard there were other 0083 series as well, is this true? Any Gundam fans out there that can recommend some sites that detail information about the Gundam series as a whole? Thanks.

I remember posting a similar topic at the old shmups forums roughly a year ago, but Stardust Memory...wow, it's just such an amazing show, I'm diggin it. How weird that a purchase on a whim could make me a Gundam fan in the future.

Ganelon · Post by **Ganelon** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 2:52 am

Zeon is more like Germany or Russia I thought...

0083 is pretty boring IMO, from someone who watched it over a decade ago. The main character is horribly unlikable. The villain is such a Zeon drone that many Gundam fans refer to him as Gato the roboto from Chrono Trigger. The rivalry has been done in just about every Gundam series. Story is standard stuff. A bit too long at 13 episodes. Only the ending is noteworthy.

The only other 0083-related Gundam feature is The Last Blitz of Zeon, a heavily condensed movie adaptation of the events on the OVA. Not worth your time IMO.

I much prefer 0080, the other UC OVA series, which gets to the point a lot quicker and actually introduces a different main plot element from the other series.

There are no exceptional Gundam sites for story (as opposed to mecha). MAHQ (which is often down) is probably the best but take the opinions there with a grain of salt. The main places that discuss Gundam are probably the GameFAQs Gundam board and the new official GOUF board at Gundamofficial.

I used to be a huge Gundam fan (still am to a lesser degree) and have a majority of the Gundam games released from the 16-bit era onwards so feel free to ask any other questions.

Pingu · Post by **Pingu** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 6:52 am

Another if not good at least decent series is 08th ms team, a bit down to earth with the grunts kind of series. Also, Zeon can't really be seen as the villans in this one.

MSZ · Post by **MSZ** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 10:20 am

Storywise, 0083 is easily one of the worst Gundam series out there. But I still like it for its killer soundtrack, superb mecha design from Katoki Hajime(Zaku F2, GM Custom/Kai/Powered and GP-03D!) and Mika Akitaka(Neue Ziel) and it also offered the best animation at its time.

Like Ganelon said 0080 is a great mini-series, the realism in this OVA is unmatched by any other TV/OVA Gundam series(included 08th MS Team, IMHO the whole Romeo & Juliet concept does not work in the UC timeline.)

MSZ, who has been a huge Gundam/Katoki Hajime fan since the mid-80s.