So I started watching Gundam during this strange time.

[T234]

I started with The Origin. It's a story a man being poisoned, then his son gets pissed and stays pissed. The son proceeds to steal the identity of a spoiled teenager in the most spectacular fashion.

I'm going for a smoke and then I'mma write more. Also somebody light the Distantmantra-signal.

[Mr. Gundam]

Hey there.

I'm curious how you'll feel about watching The Origin prior to seeing the original Mobile Suit Gundam (I'd recommend the movie trilogy over the series).

[Nintex]

[T234]

That was fast.

Truth be told, the only two UC Gundam series I had seen prior to the lockdown (which ain't as crazy here, but in my line of work one cannot take chances) is The Origin (watched on Toonami) and The 08th MS Team (I was told it was like Black Sheep Squadron but with ROBOTS, also had my boy STEVE CANNON as the lead). I also watched Gundam SEED a l-o-n-g time ago, I just remember crying and lasers in that one.

My favorite scene in The Origin is where the rather arrogant Earth Federation learns how useless their big-ass ships are against a Mobile Suit. To describe what happens to those who ain't seen it, "What was that? OH SHIT! KA-BOOM! WE ALL DEAD OR RUNNING!"

[Bebpo]

Yeah, the UC movie trilogy is great.

Also glad to see you back and posting Mr. Gundam. Hope the recovery is going well!

[Great Rumbler]

[Mr. Gundam]

The movie trilogy is less of an investment and considered canon, which is why I suggested it.

Yeah, the UC movie trilogy is great.

Also glad to see you back and posting Mr. Gundam. Hope the recovery is going well!

Thanks dude!

I feel better than I did the day before my surgery. It's amazing. I'm still awfully sore and have to follow sternal precautions (no more than five pounds per hand, can't sit in the front seat of a car, can't use my arms to move or lift myself, etc.) until May 1st but I'm so glad I got it done.

My new mitral valve sounds like a drum machine, too. It's crazy.

[Joe Molotov]

Yeah sex is cool, but have you watched Zeta Gundam yet?

[Occam]

Strange coincidence, I am watching Turn A Gundam right now (Syd Mead's death reminded me of it a few months ago). I avoided it back when it was first released because I assumed it was crap.
Turns out I was right. Really have to force myself to keep going. What was Tomino thinking?
Speaking of bad Tomino Gundam, I wish ZZ was remade sans all the nonsense. Wouldn't that be cool? A serious modern sequel to Zeta?

Is Senko no Hathaway still coming out this summer or is it corona-delayed?

On topic, I think watching The Origin first is a bad way to get introduced to Gundam. It's basically for old fans who already know the story and characters.

[pancakesandsex]

Strange coincidence, I am watching Turn A Gundam right now (Syd Mead's death reminded me of it a few months ago). I avoided it back when it was first released because I assumed it was crap.
Turns out I was right. Really have to force myself to keep going. What was Tomino thinking?
Speaking of bad Tomino Gundam, I wish ZZ was remade sans all the nonsense. Wouldn't that be cool? A serious modern sequel to Zeta?

Is Senko no Hathaway still coming out this summer or is it corona-delayed?

On topic, I think watching The Origin first is a bad way to get introduced to Gundam. It's basically for old fans who already know the story and characters.

Turn A is goofy at times but it's my absolute favorite.  How far are you?  Did you get to CORIN NANDER yet?

[Rahxephon91]

I feel like I’m the only Gundam fan who dosent actually like UC.

Zeta Gundam is trash. It’s a very poorly paced and structured show and the characters are awful. Tomino is a bad writer.

ZZ is well the less said the better.

Victory is super depressing and cold.

F91 is a mess.

0083 looks amazing on a art and animation level. That’s where the good stuff ends.

0080 is actually good. If not great.

08th MS Team is good clean fun.

Unicorn is good until it gets booged down in Gundam stuff.

Thunderbolt is fucking awesome.

Gundam NT is please stop...

Chars Counter Attack=unlikable versions of people who use to like duke it out over stuff.

AU Gundam is the best because it’s not trying to live up to Tomino’s bad character writing.

G Gundam is great, maybe the best directed Gundam Tv show...maybe because Iwagawa understand story.

Wing...well is bad but I love it for how silly it is.

Seed. Hey at least teeny bopper Gundam is eventful and the characters not cold Android people like UC

Destiny.....

00. First half is really good Gundam in the real world shit...then 2nd half is a bad Gundam show.

Iron Blooded Orphans is the best Gundam tv show.

And Origin(the manga) is the best Gundam thing.

[Himu]

Watch 0079 film trilogy, 0080, 0083 in that order. Then watch 00 (season 1 only), G, and Turn A. Imo 00 s1 is the best Gundamn tv show. The best gundam overall, for my taste, is 0080. X is good.

Zeta and CCA are highly overrated. Half of Zeta is trash. Most of UC isn't even that good outside some of what I listed above.

Gundam is my favorite all time anime franchise. I haven't watched a new gundam in years. I know I should catch up but honestly I fear most of them being crap. Haven't seen Iron Blooded Orphans.

[Himu]

Once you're done watch Macross SDF, Ideon, the new Battleship Yamato, and LOGH (uses ships and not mechs).

This is my opportunity to say that Real Robot > super robot.

[Rahxephon91]

Personally, I wouldn’t even recommend the movie trilogy.

You should just read the Origin Manga.

[Himu]

Movie trilogy is great outside of the needless Char, Amaro, Lala relationship which I've always hated.

Haven't read Origin so I don't know what it covers time wise and whether or not it has the Char headshot meriting its true worth.

[Himu]

Oh and although it's not mechs it still has the same ethos: check out Now and Then, Here and There.

[Great Rumbler]

This is my opportunity to say that Real Robot > super robot.

Respectfully diagree:

[Great Rumbler]

On the other hand, the best mecha of all time is real robot:

[Himu]

Although Big O has a super robot esque design, its tone clearly makes it more in the vein of real robot.

There's a thousand clips I could show to prove my point regarding real robot but that would be unfair. Even though I hate what it did to Japanese pop culture, even the most famous Mecha series of all time, Evangelion, is Real robot.

[Himu]

On the other hand, the best mecha of all time is real robot:

How could I ever forget patlabor in my recs. Oshii, my God, please forgive me.

[Rahxephon91]

Maybe Eva was a real robot show. Too bad they made the awful movies that ruined that.

[Great Rumbler]

Although Big O has a super robot esque design, its tone clearly makes it more in the vein of real robot.

Big O is post-modern super robot, not real robot!

[Occam]

Gundam Unicorn is excellent and a nice way to conclude the 0079-Zeta-ZZ-CCA storyline. Downside: the main character is bland, as is the Gundam design. One of my favorite parts is when we learn who Marida Cruz is during a newtype flashback (which of course you'll only get if you have seen ZZ).

Don't watch Gundam Unicorn unless you have seen the series it's based on!

Anyway, in my opinion, if it's not Universal Century, it sucks.
Without Minovsky physics, Gundam makes no sense.

[Himu]

Although Big O has a super robot esque design, its tone clearly makes it more in the vein of real robot.

Big O is post-modern super robot, not real robot!

In order to make it a good Super robot they had to make it transcend the subgenre. I agree.

I tried watching Unicorn like ten years ago and the story was non sensical pap but maybe it got better.

[Joe Molotov]

I may be wrong, but I feel like the dividing line between Super Robot and Real Robot is Lasers vs No Lasers.

[Himu]

Gundam Unicorn is excellent and a nice way to conclude the 0079-Zeta-ZZ-CCA storyline. Downside: the main character is bland, as is the Gundam design. One of my favorite parts is when we learn who Marida Cruz is during a newtype flashback (which of course you'll only get if you have seen ZZ).

Don't watch Gundam Unicorn unless you have seen the series it's based on!

Anyway, in my opinion, if it's not Universal Century, it sucks.
Without Minovsky physics, Gundam makes no sense.

00 s1 is better than at least 75% of UC. There are more better UC ovas than good UC tv shows. Lol

[Rahxephon91]

I feel like Unicorn’s production values blind people to how boring and bad the story actually is. It’s like a modern 0083.


Also who fucking cares if in a giant robot show the logic behind having them makes no sense? You’re watching Giant robot show. It’s already lost that battle.

[Himu]

Man I fucking love Gundam dude. Gundam makes my nips rock hard

[Occam]

I feel like Unicorn’s production values blind people to how boring and bad the story actually is. It’s like a modern 0083.

And 0083 was quite excellent, too.

[Rahxephon91]

Lol no.

[Occam]

Sorry, but your opinion sucks.

[Himu]

BREHS

[Occam]

Yeah, fantastic soundtrack. I own it, of course.

[Himu]

This thread has prompted me to catch up on Gundam. Haven't watched shit since Builders. Recent Gundam better be dark as all hell. 

[Occam]

By the way, I was quite shocked to find out a while ago that one of my favorite tracks from 0083 was blatantly stolen from James Horner's Brainstorm soundtrack.

Jump to 2:00

[Rahxephon91]

Sorry, but your opinion sucks.

No it doesn’t. It’s an opinion that values things like.....good storytelling and engaging characters over boom mecha!

Please say something good about 0083 beyond it’s excellent animation and art?

It’s not the characters. What characters? They have nothing to engage with. Gato is an uninteresting one note villain with nothing beyond I’m dedicated Zeon solider. Except the show has no actual themes and does nothing with this. No commentary are framing of his blind ideology. So when you watch him you have nothing to chew on. There’s nothing at all interesting because the show has nothing to say.

Kou? Who the fuck cares about this bland dude. The show has nothing to say beyond watch this inept dude I guess be inept. Oh we went to jail even though he’s a hero. War is twisted! Except the show half asses this angle. What could have been a story about a bright eyed fed pilot becoming jaded on the backdrop of the federation itself becoming jaded is wasted. Because the whole conspiracy subplot is like thrown in at the last minute and poorly explained. Also there’s nothing to this dude.

Also everyone else in the show are not characters. Nina is terrible and is writen worse then some Gundam Age’s females. Like what’s her role in the story? Oh I guess in the last 5 minutes there’s a love triangle for whatever reason. Cima....yeah.

Also what do you get out of the story of 0083? I guess an explanation of something you did'nt need explained. Done by an event that seems to have no impact anywhere else. Maybe thats of value to you as you said something I find every stupid

"Anyway, in my opinion, if it's not Universal Century, it sucks.
Without Minovsky physics, Gundam makes no sense."

I'm sorry I don't care about dumb technical explanaions. I care about worthwhile story telling and good character work. 0083 doesn't have that.

It’s a bad show. It’s fine to like it for it’s animation, art, and mecha but it’s void of anything else.

[Himu]

Dunno about needing random fake science to enjoy Gundam but big mech go booooom is definitely the best reason to watch the series. The character writing and politics are always pretty childish (it's anime) so yeah it's probably better to watch even embarrassing shyte like SeeD cuz it has cool mechs.

Say this about 0080's anti-war message and how we as a species put war on a pedestal one more time.

[toku]

haha big robot and big titty gf go boom

[Great Rumbler]

[Rahxephon91]

Dunno about needing random fake science to enjoy Gundam but big mech go booooom is definitely the best reason to watch the series. The character writing and politics are always pretty childish (it's anime) so yeah it's probably better to watch even embarrassing shyte like SeeD cuz it has cool mechs.

Don't agree with this at all.

Gundam presentation of politics and war isn't Tinker Tailor Spy or whatever, but I still need fun and engaging stories and characters. I'm not asking for anything deep, I'm asking for something a bit more then a battle anime music video though. I'm asking for Star Wars (original trilogy) level storytelling. Cool battles, cool weapons, with fun characters with some substance and presentation and a memorable story.

So no I rather watch Gundam Seed then most of the UC where the characters are androids and devoid of life. Kira may be a shit character, but the supporting cast is fun enough and theres enough going on the plot to feel like theres something going on. It's teen Gundam sure, but at least the plot felt like it was building somewhere and had momentum...unlike Zeta where pacing thinks its good idea to build up this Zeon conflict while kind of forgetting the Titans and then go" hey what about Rosamina again? Hey remember Four, lets do that again. Oh now we are at the ending of whatever this was about"

This is also why I don't like your kind of reply. People are able to digest media and value it differently, somewhat in teirs. Not everything is high art or low art and me saying I need a story does not mean I'm saying I need a deep story. Or when I say substance I'm not comparing Gundam to some russian novel. If you're going to spend some time with story and characters in your thing then I kind of want them to be competent with something to chew on. Not a grand steak or anything, but a decent meal. None of these Gundam shows present themselves as say Redline where its about style and excutution over story. They also aren't Oshi Ghost in the Shell. They are dramas with Giant Robots.

[Himu]

I appreciate Gundam's general anti-militarism but to say that it's strong points are anything but saber go whoooosh is grade a playing yourself

I'm not really sure how that's possible given anti-militarism serves as the backbone of many Gundam stories. 0080 has like, 2 or 3 fights total? I think Gundam's strongest scenes don't even involve mechs. Stuff like Amuro shooting at Zeon soldiers till the magazine goes empty after being reunited with his mother, and then is promptly disowned by her on the spot. She's unable to recognize the son she raised and we mourn the boy whose innocence has been spoiled by war.



Occasional cheesiness aside (it was made in the 70's), it's well made and well told.

Gundam can be definitely cheesy but the best Gundam stories tell pretty human stories.

Different priorities I guess. Personally, I love Gundam because of scenes like above.

That said, you're right in that OMG laser sword go whoooosh is also a reason it's popular: gunpla exists for a reason

[Himu]

Early 2000's dubs

[Mr. Gundam]

Gundam is absolute trash.

And I fucking love it.

[Himu]

I can feel it. Gundam IS and CAN be trash. Most Gundams are true pulp.


What I love about Gundam the most is that you can have a story about the evils of war, mechs, explosions, but also this.



Gundam has everything.

[Himu]

[toku]

look the east is burning red!

[Joe Molotov]

G Gundam was so good.

[Beezy]

This thread has prompted me to catch up on Gundam. Haven't watched shit since Builders. Recent Gundam better be dark as all hell. 

I hope this means you're starting Iron-Blooded Orphans.

[Occam]

I don't care what any if you heathens say, Zeta is peak Gundam. Your inability to appreciate the UC storyline doesn't diminish my enjoyment. I'm quite obviously not the only one who prefers non-bullshit Gundam, otherwise they wouldn't keep making it.
So you don't get the characters and their motivations? Tough luck, the original Gundam was designed for a Japanese audience from the 1970s and 80s.
I look forward to Senko no Hathaway. And who knows, maybe one day they'll make an anime version of Gaia Gear, too.
Different strokes for different folks.

[toku]

All gundam opinions are valid except for any defense of seed destiny and that fucking awful 00 movie they made...and the second season of 00 too really.

[Himu]

I don't care what any if you heathens say, Zeta is peak Gundam. Your inability to appreciate the UC storyline doesn't diminish my enjoyment. I'm quite obviously not the only one who prefers non-bullshit Gundam, otherwise they wouldn't keep making it.
So you don't get the characters and their motivations? Tough luck, the original Gundam was designed for a Japanese audience from the 1970s and 80s.
I look forward to Senko no Hathaway. And who knows, maybe one day they'll make an anime version of Gaia Gear, too.
Different strokes for different folks.

The only reason Zeta has been immortalized is the tragic ending. It waffles around for like 30 episodes. The storyline with Four, Hathaway;etc are all terrible.

[Rahxephon91]

I mean you can have your opinion, I just hate the mentality that UC Gundam is automatically better because it’s “non-bullshit”. UC Gundam is just as stupid and silly as AU Gundam except I guess it wraps itself in the wrapper on being serious? Which I guess makes people think it’s better. I don’t know, I find UC Gundam to pretty bad regardless if it’s trying to be for “grown men”.

Zeta to me is just a really poorly paced and structured show. It feels aimless so many times and it’s women characters are pretty awful. It starts with a clear conflict and then feels like it dosent know what to do.  You’ll have progress on the Titans conflict and then it will repeat the Four stuff again. It will switch to the Zeon stuff while playing lip work to the titans stuff. It will say the conflict is heating up then bring up Rosamia again for no intersting reason. It has all these characters and seems like it doesn’t know what to do and what role they have in the story. Ok here’s Jerrid. He’s the rivial and this war is effecting him and Camille...ok we are like on episode 39 and honestly this character hasn’t moved an inch..eh just kill him.  The show at time just feels like a series of things and not a drama that is building and building to a fever pitch. Then it has a dark ending with a battle that seemed like the just just decided it was happening.

Saying it was for Japanese audiences in the 80s dosent say shit. Macross is also from the 80s and dosent feel like this. Has better characters and a story that doesn’t feel like it dosent know what it’s doing.

I also enjoy AU Gundam because it allows some leeway to do different things and not be beholden to the confines of UC Gundam. Which increasingly is stagnet because fans don’t want new things.

[Himu]

I love UC Gundam but I hate the "AU Gundam is illegitimate" talk from the same people that try to convince me that CCA is a good movie.

spoiler: it isn't.

[Rahxephon91]

I actually don't get why people dislike IBO's 2nd half. Other then the bad and dropped "new player perspective" character and the benching of the female lead, season 2 was great. IBO was great. Haven't enjoyed an anime series in so long.

[pancakesandsex]

I love UC Gundam but I hate the "AU Gundam is illegitimate" talk from the same people that try to convince me that CCA is a good movie.

spoiler: it isn't.

For the same reasons you would probably argue it isn't, I argue it's amazing    I think one's tolerance / affinity for tomino's style of.....storytelling we'll call it, heavily influences one's reactions to CCA and the like.

[bluemax]

Gundam Unicorn is excellent and a nice way to conclude the 0079-Zeta-ZZ-CCA storyline. Downside: the main character is bland, as is the Gundam design. One of my favorite parts is when we learn who Marida Cruz is during a newtype flashback (which of course you'll only get if you have seen ZZ).

Don't watch Gundam Unicorn unless you have seen the series it's based on!

Anyway, in my opinion, if it's not Universal Century, it sucks.
Without Minovsky physics, Gundam makes no sense.

I watched Unicorn and yeah, I've watched almost no other Gundam so a lot of it flew by me.