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