Episode 43: Gundam Unicorn Review

Topic: Gundam Unicorn Review

This week, we discussed Gundam Unicorn, an ‘approachable’ entry in to the Gundam franchise.  Now granted, there is quite a bit of previous knowledge that would be helpful coming in to this, but it’s possible to follow along without knowing all the details.  I know because I only intended for Mom to watch a little bit of it, but instead, she watched it all.



Fan Wiki

Before getting started, we wanted to talk about fan wiki’s.  Wiki themselves are large knowledge bases on a website that is user created and managed.  The largest, best known Wiki being Wikipedia.  Fan wiki’s are no different, but rather than focus on a broad topic, they often only focus on one fandom or topic at a time, covering all the details of it to the best of their ability.  Some great Fan Wiki include:

• Wookieepedia – Star Wars
• Alpha Memory – Star Trek
• MTG Wiki – Magic: the Gathering
• Marvel Wiki – Marvel
• Gundam Wiki - Gundam

Highly recommend visiting the Gundam Wiki, particularly the article on Gundam Unicorn to follow along with the characters as best as possible.

Gundam Unicorn

Takes place in 0096 UC, 3 years after the events of the movie: Char’s Counter Attack.

Char’s Counter Attack
An event where Char Aznable, AKA the Red Comet, attempted to launch a colony in to earth.  He is stopped by Arumo Ray and his Nu Gundam.


Characters

Banager Links 

As a student of the Anaheim Engineer Academy, he is roped in to a series of events that that finds him in command of the Unicorn Gundam.  Well mannered, he cares too much about others and would prefer her never received the Gundam.  In actuality, he is the son of the Vist Foundation’s chairman, and is gifted the Gundam Unicorn as his father knew he was a good person and would use the Gundam for good reasons.



Audrey Burne (Mineva Lao Zabi) 

Going by Audrey Burne when first introduced to Banager Links, she is reality the granddaughter of DegwinZabi, leader of the Principality of Zeon. Born during the one year war, her entire family legacy has been killed save for her, as the lone heir to the leadership of the Principality of Zeon.  She a pacifist by nature and does not actively pursue her family’s legacy, nor that of her people, but takes action when she realizes she has the opportunity to save as many lives as possible through her actions.  She seeks to convenience the Vist Foundation in to not giving the Gundam to Neo Zeon forces.



Full Frontal 

A mysterious leader of the Neo Zeon Forces, he is described as the Second coming of the Red Comet.  His charming, intelligent, and highly skilled mobile suit pilot.  In reality, he is a cyber newtype, genetic clone of Char, and inherited the ‘Will’ of Char from space.  He believes his purpose is to be the leader the Neo Zeon forces need and continue on in Char’s capacity in his absence. 


Newtype
A type of human that have evolved in space.  The belief is that they have expanded mental awareness, allowing special abilities including: High degree of Focus, spatial awareness to a 6^th sense level, communication with other Newtypes, and even communicate/direct actions of machines through Pyscho-frame material.  Newtypes are similar to Mutants in X-men, little is truly known about them, and are greatly feared by segments of the population.Newtypes and other individuals born in space are treated similar to second class citizens and can’t partake in the government.


RX-0 Gundam Unicorn

The title Gundam, it is a suit that hold many different abilities and purposes.  The suit can be classified as an experimental/prototype unit, as the main core of the Gundam’s entire frame is created using Psycho-frame material, increasing reaction time of the pilot, and even making it like an extension of their own body.  

The Gundam is also unique in that it hosts two different modes.  The first is a default unicorn mode, appearing as a standard GM(General Model) Mobile suit with a unicorn horn.  When in the presence of a Newtype, and later by the pilots will, the systems NT-D system kicks in.  NT-D stands for Newtype Destroyer, with the intent on the machine being used to hunt Newtypes.  When in this mode, the suit’s limiters are turned off, exposing several new thrusters and various armor pieces expand to reveal the glowing pink Psycho-frame underneath.  The main head switches faces to a more typical Gundam Face and its horn opens to reveal the typical Gundam Fins.  The other key element is that the Gundam’s Operating system contains the map/key to discovering the Laplace Box.

Laplace Box
A mysterious object held in trust by the Vist Foundation.  The object has allowed the Vist Foundation to command respect, funds, and power within the Earth Federation, since revealing the object to the world would cause the Earth Federation to lose a great deal of its power.  Vist Foundation is in the process revealing the box’s contents, but is thwarted by all side by Zeon, Earth Federation, and people in the foundation.

Because it was cute.

Episode 42: Gundam Tutorial

Topic: Gundam Franchise Tutorial

So no more Star Wars, okay a little, but we promise to be Brief.  Thanks to a generous Christmas present from a younger brother, we have our Next topic for this week and the next.  We’re talking about one of the most popular franchise of giant robots series, We’re talking about GUNDAM.

Tutorial
To understand Gundam, you must know about the history of Giant/Super Robo/Robot series and Real Robot Series
• Giant/Super Robo/Robot series have their giant robots in a more fantastical element, where the physics and logic are not explained and are not treated with in realistic or believable sense.  It’s the argument, “Magic Happens.”  Star Wars as an example.
• Real Robot series, as originated by Gundam, attempts to explain/rationalize their physics and universe.  Aside from a leap in technology or finding some kind of new element or power source, the series is treated as though it could happen.  Star Trek as an example.
Mobile Suit Gundam (1979)

Also known as (Gundam 0079)
During the Universal Century, Human have created colonies in space, but there is unease as spacenoids feel that the Earth Federation won’t allow equal representation, thus Spacenoid rally around the Principality of Zeon and declare their freedom from Earth Federation, starting the “One Year War”. Zeon has mobile suits, which are a ‘HUGE’ tactical advantage.  Earth Federation Create the White Base and goes to pick up the new RX-78 Gundam, but Zeon is in tow and attacks the colony, killing most civilians and Federation crew.  Amuro Ray becomes pilot for Gundam and the White Base launches out to defend against Zeon on their way home to Earth.

Gundam = White Devil
V-fin helmet
Samurai look/motif
Recurring themes
Start in space, head to Earth, return to space to end
Space Mobile Suits = 1 eye/ mono eye
Earth/Federation Mobile Suits = glass visor for eyes
Major Base to launch From, usually white in color
Char Aznable – Villain, recurring theme of villain in Mask

Initially not popular, canceled at 39 of 45 episodes.  Rebroadcast as trilogy of movies in 1983

Gundam Primarily takes place in one of two different modes:
Universal Century or Spin Offs.
Universal Century is a primary Gundam timeline.
The actions in Universal Century Show often impact later series and reference previous events in other Universal Century Shows
Long Standing War between Earth Federation and Zeon/Neo-Zeon affiliated groups

Spin offs:
Universal Century    
Zeta (1985)                                                       
ZZ (1986)                                                            
0083(1991)
Victory (1993)                                                  
08 MS Team (1996)                                        
Unicorn (2010)                                                
Thunderbolt (2015)                                       
The Origin (2015)

Spinoffs are series that have the Gundam Name, but don’t take place in the Universal Century.
These are series which pay homage to the Universal Century, but change elements, locations, time frames, and even local logics.

Spinoffs allow for more unique themes and ideas, while still playing with the Gundam lineage.
G Gundam (1994) – Professional fighting Tournament
Gundam Wing (1995)– Gundams are terrorists for the colonies
Gundam X (1996) – After the end of the fighting
Turn-a-Gundam (1999) – What if the bad guys won and set earth back to the 17th century
Gundam Seed (2002) – Like Universal Century, but not Colorful
Gundam 00 (2007) – Set in modern world, but 100 years in the future, mixing politics
Gundam Age (2011) – Set over multiple generations
Gundam Iron Blooded Orphans (2015) – What if Gundams were like Knights in space

RX 78-2 Gundam Evolution

 


MS Girls

Gundam Statue in Diver City, Tokyo, Japan

Episode 41: 2019 Topics in Review

Topic: 2019 Topics in Review

It’s been a wonderful year, 2019.  We saw a lot great movies, cosplayed together, found out that mom’s a Dinklette, even went to Japan for two weeks to see what that was all about.  This time around, we’re reviewing our favorite things we learned about this last year.  Some of the topics might surprise you.


#3 Mom : Pro Wrestling

• Surprise by the skill necessary
• Loves the acting and athleticism
• Overpowered by the crowd’s activity in the show.

 #3 George : World of Warcraft

• Loved showing Mom one of his Favorite Games
• Found happiness in watching Mom’s reactions to the world
• Fun to be able to share a game together, excited for when she has more time to play

#2 Mom: World of Warcraft

• Surprised by how fun it was to create a character and play
• Enjoyed escaping in to another world, leaving this one behind
• Something she’d definitely do again when more free time opens up

 #2 George: Cosplay

• Has always wanted to try doing Drag, happy to have the opportunity.
• Always enjoyed Cosplay and how it opens up the world to people
• Always enjoys couples/partner cosplays

 #1 Mom: Marvel MCU Movies

• Tickled at how much she could get in to the characters
• Excited to see the next offering in movies
• How involved all the actors were in the movies

 #1 George: Anime/Manga

• Always loves sharing Anime or Manga recommendations and showing the power of story telling
• Liked seeing mom’s reactions to stuff she wasn’t expecting.
• Can’t wait to share more in this topic in the future, since new stuff always comes out

Episode 40: Star Wars Episode 9 Review + Future of Franchise

Topic: Star Wars Episode 9 Review + Future of Franchise

It’s finally here, we spent the entire month of December getting to this moment, so we welcome the new year with the long awaited review of episode 9, The Rise of Skywalker.  First thing outside of the theater, we were trying to figure out what happens next?  Does the Story continue?  Does it pause for a while?  Where does Rey and crew go from here on out?  Mom’s got opinions, come find out.

Spoilers for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Ep9

The Rise of Skywalker

1. Emperor Palpatine is alive?  Kylo Ren finds him and learns that the Emperor had been building a huge fleet of star destroyers.  Kylo Ren Agrees to kill Rey as the Emperor requests, leaning that he created & manipulated Snoke.
2. Rey is training with Leia, when they learn that Palpatine intends on launching his fleet in the next 16 hours.  Rey, Poe, Finn, and Chewy go to find a Sith beacon that will lead to Palpatine.
3. Crew a clue in a dagger that has Sith language, but learn that C-3PO can’t translate due to programming.  They attempt to escape on a ship that Rey remembers seeing before, but First Order capture Chewy.  In trying to save him, Rey and Kylo Ren are fighting for the transport, but Rey accidentally shoots out Lightning from her fingers and destroys the transport. 
4. Crew leave to planet Kajimi Poe knows to crack C-3PO and learn the clue on the dagger.  Rey learns that Chewy is alive and on Kylo Ren’s ship that has followed them.  Crew discover that they need to go to Endor to the remains of the Death Star to find the Sith beacon.
5. Crew head to Kylo Ren’s ship, Poe and Finn rescue Chewy, but are captured themselves.  They are saved by General Hux, who reveals is a spy against Kylo Ren.  Rey finds the dagger and has a vision from Kylo Ren, who informs her that she is Palpatine’s Granddaughter. They all escape to Endor.
6. On Endor, Rey travels to the remains of the Death Star to find the Sith Beacon.  She finds it, but is confronted by a force vision of an evil version of herself.  Kylo Ren catches up to her and destroys the beacon.  The two fight, with Kylo Ren about to kill Rey.  Leia stops Kylo Ren by using the force to distract him, causing Rey to stab Kylo Ren. This causes Leia to die.
7. Rey heals Kylo Ren and escapes to the planet where Luke was at, destroying the ship so she can’t leave.  Luke confronts Rey that he was wrong and offers her Leia’s lightsaber to help her.  Rey leaves to fight Palpatine.  Kylo Ren speaks with his father, a force ghost(?) and he throws away his red lightsaber, no longer following the darkside of the force.
8. Finn and Poe return to base, learning that Rey is sending them markers on how to get to Palpatine.  They send Lando in Millennium Falcon to rally support.  Poe leads attack on Star Destroyers while Finn launches a ground assault to disable the satellites, stopping the Star Destroyers.  Eventually Lando arrives with hundreds of people and their own ships, to fight the Star Destroyers.
9. Rey confront Palpatine, who tells her that she will kill him, then he will flow in to her and she will become Empress of the Empire.  Rey agrees and prepares to strike him down, but Ben Solo is nearly caught up to her.  Through the force, she passes on Luke’s lightsaber to Ben, while she takes up Leia’s lightsaber.  The two stand side by side to confront Palpatine.
10. Palpatine knocks both Rey and Ben down, draining some of their Force, and realizing they are a Dyad in the Force, regenerating Palpatine.  Palpatine sucks the Force out of them, returning to his former power and attacking the resistance fleet with Lightning.  He knocks Ben away to die.
11. Rey hears the voices of the Jedi speak to her, and she takes up both Luke’s and Leia’s lightsabers to fight Palpatine.  She is successful in destroying Palpatine, but dies in the process.  Ben returns to Rey and give his force to her, reviving her.  Ben dies and joins the Force.
12. Rey reunites with Finn and Poe, and gives them a big hug.  Rey travels to Luke’s home on Tatooine, and buries Leia’s and Luke’s saber under the sand.  A passerbuy wonders who Rey is, Rey remarks, after seeing Luke and Leia as Force Ghosts, that she is Rey Skywalker.

Trivia:

• Leia is created using unused footage from past two movies. 
• When George Lucas laid out plans for 12 movies, C-3PO and R2D2 were only characters to exist in all movies.  Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) is only actor to be in all 9 movies, and makes cameo in movie outside of the C-3PO Costume.
• With a gap of thirty-six years, the return of the characters Lando Calrissian and Wedge Antilles marks the longest time for any original actors to reprise his role.
• During scene where Rey hears voices, multiple Jedi are heard, including:

Ewan McGregor and Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan Kenobi

Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker

Ashley Eckstein as Ahsoka Tano(Star Wars Rebels)

Freddie Prinze Jr. as Kanan Jarrus(Star Wars Rebels)

Olivia d'Abo as Luminara Unduli(Prequel Movies)

Frank Oz as Yoda

Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn

Jennifer Hale as Aayla Secura(Prequel Movies & Star Wars Clone Wars)

Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu

Angelique Perrin as Adi Gallia(Prequel Movies & Star Wars Clone Wars)

Where to Next?