DBZ
- Thread starter Richoid
- Start date
Bradylama
So Old I'm Losing Radiation Signs
Heh, what end? Bones should be caned for that gigantic Cleaveland Steamer they forced out on our chests.
The movie performs a decent public service in that it effectively ends the story, though the villain they provided is pretty shallow, and the "racism is bad" motif rings pretty hollow.
Scores major bonus points with a historical cameo by Hitler.
I also can't say I cared much for Wolf's Rain. It started out really boring, though at the point where they're journeying through the wastelands, it had this increadibly strong Dark Tower feel to it, with a perpetually decaying world. The ending didn't make any sense, though, and the story never did. They also killed off every good character by the finale, so I had no real personal interest in seeing what happened.
Also, I strongly recommend that one purchase the 6 volumes of Akira from Dark Horse. I've been looking for a color version of the books, but can't seem to find them. In any case, the comic book blows the movie right out of the water, and makes it seem stupid by comparison (which in many ways on its own merit, it is). The second half of the story also takes place in a post-apocalyptic Neo Tokyo after Akira's second awakening.
Richoid - This was the wrong forum to discuss DBZ because you expected us to make a quality comparison between it and Fallout. That's bordering on blasphemy, and it's a wonder you're still here.
you might notice that this discussion has pretty little to do with the thread you started... it's been derailed & turned into something more useful than "lawl i like DBZ, whutz your fav char, lollerskatez?".Richoid said:
well, i meant the end of the series, not the movie (which i haven't seen). i'm kinda reluctant to see the movie, since i already didnt like the end of the series...Bradylama said:
Bradylama
So Old I'm Losing Radiation Signs
Well, by saying "what end" I was trying to make an in-joke for those of us who did see the series ending, because it wasn't much of an ending at all.
If you liked the show, you should probably watch the movie, because it provides closure and ties up all the loose ends. Like I said, the conflict that the movie provides seems, in the big picture, pretty incidental, but it's mostly to serve as a vehicle for Ed and Al's reuniting.
If you liked the show, you should probably watch the movie, because it provides closure and ties up all the loose ends. Like I said, the conflict that the movie provides seems, in the big picture, pretty incidental, but it's mostly to serve as a vehicle for Ed and Al's reuniting.
Richoid said:
If you hadn't noticed, nobody really is talking about DBZ except to call it shit and provide better examples of something worthwhile to watch.
And now, if you don't mind, we'd like to let that crap drop and instead go back to what we have salvaged from an otherwise Vatworthy thread.
Lazarus Plus
The smoovest
The only parts of DBZ I've ever enjoyed are the fights and mocking everything else. It's the only show I know of where 10 years can pass between two episodes and yet a single fight can take up to five hours of episode to resolve, if not more. Insanity!
I have really enjoyed what I've seen of Cowboy Bebop. Gundam is a show that I have seen much of and have not yet gotten enough. In fact, I intend to make a serious habit of buying DVDs for it, but I am not sure where to start, honestly.
I have really enjoyed what I've seen of Cowboy Bebop. Gundam is a show that I have seen much of and have not yet gotten enough. In fact, I intend to make a serious habit of buying DVDs for it, but I am not sure where to start, honestly.
'How many Dragonball Z characters does it take to screw in a lightbulb?'
'One, but it takes five episodes.'
'One, but it takes five episodes.'
That was very entertaining, Jebus 
However, your power level is still inferior to mine.
However, your power level is still inferior to mine.
Oh, me, me, me! I like Dragonballz. I got all three movies: the original Dragonballz and the sequels Dragonballz 2: Labia of Fury and Dragonballz 3: Into the Black Hole. Although I think the original is still the best (especially because of that gross but über-hot gangbang scene in which Shoshima gets treated to an enema and a golden shower), I really got turned on by the sequel 'Labia of Fury'. I don't know exactly why, but when Shoshima gets double penetrated by those Yakuza duders and starts squirting her love juices against the lens of the camera, I always cum instantly. I don't even have to touch myself for that to happen (which is pretty awkward, I know). The third flick was a huge disappointment, though. I bought it because I just totally dig Shoshima (hottest Asian arse of the globe, if you ask me), but when I buy a movie that's called 'Into the Black Hole' is expect to see lots of kinky anal sex scenes. I was truly disappointed when I saw that there were only two minor anal scenes in the whole movie and that it was more about bukkake than about anything else. I don't like bukkake movies. I always feel for those poor women and when I get sentimental, I can't enjoy porn anymore.
Oh, by the way, Richoid: that Buu character that you like so much, is he the African American in 'Labia of Fury' who teabags Shoshima in that municipal park scene? If he is, I totally understand your preoccupation with Buu. I ain't never seen such huge 'dragonballz' before either.
-- alec, a true Dragonballz fan
Oh, by the way, Richoid: that Buu character that you like so much, is he the African American in 'Labia of Fury' who teabags Shoshima in that municipal park scene? If he is, I totally understand your preoccupation with Buu. I ain't never seen such huge 'dragonballz' before either.
-- alec, a true Dragonballz fan
Please, Alec. Think of the children - who are inevitably going to be lured here by Daagon Ball Z.
Silencer said:
Dude, I didn't start this thread, you know. Some guy starts posting about Dragonballz and I just told you people what my opions about the series are. Anyway: I don't know what other people let their children watch, but I'm telling you: Dragonballz isn't exactly for kids, you know. I sure as hell wouldn't let my future children (if I ever have any) watch it. It's filthy stuff, Silencer. Trust me: I've got a huge collection of this sort of movies and Dragonballz is amongst the most extreme. So hey, blame me for talking freely about them, but don't blame me for coming up with this topic, man. And it's the topic that will lure the children, Silencer, not my post. No, really man, I always think about the children, I just don't think they should be allowed access to this thread in the first place. I'm truly sorry if my openess will corrupt the minds of any young, innocent, beautiful children, you know, the ones with the firm bodies and the candy scent and stuff. The pretty little girls, yeah, the little tender and naive ones, with the <censored>.
My two cents.
Bradylama
So Old I'm Losing Radiation Signs
*pops knuckles*
All right, here's a list of Universal Century Gundams as they happen in chronological order:
MS Igloo - OAV (currently in Production):
Igloo started out as a three episode CG OAV for the Bandai Museum in Japan, but the feature proved so popular that Bandai decided to produce another three episodes that will be released straight to DVD in Japan called Apocalypse 0079. (based on the title, this is more than likely about the nuclear exchange that immediately predates Mobile Suit Gundam)
The show follows a military engineer who is a member of Zeon's weapon testing division. As a result, the OAV has become a showcase for mechanical designers, as it features mobile suits and weapons that were never seen before.
I personally think its pretty snazzy. The cg makes the people seem fairly plasticky, despite their painstakingly rendered pores. That same plastic nature, however, translates well for mobile suit combat, which is phenomenal for each episode. The drama always takes a back seat to the mobile suits, though it is palatable, if something that hasn't been seen with every other Universal Century Gundam ever.
No episodes of Apocalypse have currently been released, but all of Igloo has.
Mobile Suit Gundam - TV 1979:
The one that started it all. Directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, who would come to dominate the UC TV series, it's a show that's often called the Japanese Star Wars. I suppose it's an apt description, because the show is fairly mediocre, and because of its popularity has spawned a cavalcade of shitty films and shows in its wake. (both Gundam and non-affiliated mecha)
The show picks up after the colony drop on Sydney, Australia and a limited nuclear exchange which forces The Principality of Zeon and the Earth Federation to sign the Antarctic treaty. As his colony is being attacked by Zeon, a precocious young lad coincidentally becomes the pilot of an experimental prototype mobile suit (this is a recurring theme for the Universal Century). It turns out that this boy is also a Newtype, and is particicularly adept at using the mobile suit's psycommu system. (also a recurring event) The show follows Amuro as he joins the Earth Federation and develops a series-running rivalry with ace Zeon pilot (and Newtype) Char Aznable, up until the final epic battle in space, in which Zeon is defeated and forced back under the umbrella of the Earth Federation.
A pretty mediocre series. Some characters are likeable, but more often than not, the kids are annoying as fuck. The show also touches on a lot of issues that have never been developed very well to date. For instance, Tomino has shows that tend to focus on the nature of war and why its pointless. However, anti-war messages have been a constant theme throughout 20th century literature. (embodied by the archetypal All Quiet on the Western Front) Instead, the show could have demonstrated why we fight wars, and how coups and the development of national identities eventually lead us into conflict. [1]
08th MS Team - OAV 1996:
08th MS Team is the most unique of all Gundam tv shows and OAV side stories, in that its protagonists are neither demigod super suit pilots or elite special forces types, but simple soldiers engaged in a military campaign in Southeast Asia. The show follows EF soldier and mobile suit pilot, Shiro, as he develops a comeraderie and romance with Zeonic pilot and aristocratic darling Aina. Shiro is the member of a krak team of EF mobile armor pilots that are commissioned the experimental, and very limited mass-produced Gundams that were designed for normal non-Newtype pilots, but were discontinued in favor of the much more easily mass produced GMs. Eventually, the 08th MS Team's campaign leads them to a climax fighting an experimental and highly destructive Zeonic mobile armor, and a consumation of Shiro and Aina's affections for each other.
By far the best of the Gundam OAVs. The protagonists and their supporting casts are just normal enlisted men that are caught up in a conflict beyond their control, which makes them all immediately identifiable, and there isn't a one that won't grow on you by the final 12th episode. That 12th episode, however, was never aired in the United States, and all in all seems to be an ineffective ending. It suggests that Shiro and Aina lived happily ever after, but leaves some loose ends in the form of the surviving members of the 08th MS Team, who are never followed up on.
08th MS Team was also condensed into a compilation movie, but unlike the first 3 compilation movies for the original Mobile Suit Gundam, 08th MS Team's movie has not only original footage, but an entirely new subplot. Of course, it doesn't has nearly as much depth as the 12 episode OAV, but those who can't afford to buy the series can simply shell out the dollars for this DVD and get perhaps a little more bang for their buck.
Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket - OAV 1989:
The first of the Gundam OAVs, War in the Pocket follows another precocious young brat, Alfred, as he becomes caught up in a Zeonic plot to destroy a nuclear-capable prototype Gundam that's being housed in his officially neutral colony of Side 6. Al is a war buff, and ends up befriending the junior member of the Zeonic covert ops team, thinking it to be a grand adventure. As the war comes to the interior of Side 6, the conflict comes to a head as Al's new friend and his next door neighbor, the test pilot for the EF mobile suit end up harming each other, and Al learns the error of his ways. (war sucks)
A pretty decent show all around despite Al's annoying presence as the protagonist. It's also the first Gundam that doesn't have some dumb kid end up being the demigod pilot of a mobile suit. The animation and character designs are very impressive for its day, and all of the characters are genuinely likeable with the exception of Al. It also features some impressive mechanical designs, and mobile suit combat, and achieves a great level of noteworthiness in that a Zaku pilot (what had previously been a cannon-fodder mobile suit) uses strategy and cunning in order to meet an experimental Gundam toe-to-toe.
MSG 0083: Stardust Memory - OAV 1991:
Released simultaneously with the impotent F91 Gundam, Stardust Memory chronicles Operation Stardust, a terrorist plot by former members of the Zeonic military to take revenge for their defeat in the One Year War in UC 0083, as well as to expose the hypocrisy of the EF in their development of a nuclear capable mobile suit. (violating the Antarctic Treaty) The after-effects of Stardust facilitate the rise of the paramilitary fascist organization of the Titans on Earth, and provides backstory for the Zeta Gundam tv show.
The show starts with, not surprisingly, another Gundam jacking, only this time by elite former Zeon pilot Anavel Gato. The mobile suit he steals is the experimental RX-78GP02A, a heavy mobile suit with a massive cannon capable of firing a nuclear warhead. Kou Uraki, the pilot of the conventional RX-78GP01A, and the show's protagonist, acts as Anavel's foil though he is ultimately unsuccesful in stopping Operation Stardust. Kou is the member of a weapons testing unit, and develops a romance with the designer of the RX-78 line over the course of the series.
This OAV feels like a footnote to UC history, but man what a footnote! Every aspect of the show's design from characters, to mechanics, to animation and story are absolutely top notch. The only thing that keeps this show from topping 08th MS Team as the best UC story is that the characters are ultimately pretty standard fare. Despite Kou being the protagonist, it's Anavel Gato who ends up being the most identifiable and sympathetic character in the show, despite the fact that he becomes a mass murderer.
Zeta Gundam - TV 1985:
Fan-favorite Tomino returned to direct this series after directing other mecha-related projects. Considered by many to be the best Gundam ever, Zeta takes place in UC 0087, and the roles have been reversed. This time, the Earth Federation has become the antagonistic force in the Galaxy, as its politics have become dominated by the racist agenda of the paramilitary and fascistic Titans.
Kamille Bidan ends up this series' protagonist while the previous Gundam hero, Amuro Ray, takes a backseat to the the conflict. Kamille is another young Newtype who ends up coincidentally becoming the pilot of the new Gundam prototype in the course of it's jacking. (once again) Char Aznable also returns as a supporting character under the alias of Quattro Bajina, and is an ace pilot in the anti-Titans coalition AEUG.
As mentioned before, many consider this to be the best Gundam ever made. I wonder, though, if they confuse Tomino's fondness for killing off important supporting characters as being profound. The show is technically well executed, and leaps and bounds ahead of the original Mobile Suit Gundam. It also further explains what Newtypes are, and how the perfect conditions of living in colonies has led to the evolution of people with near-telepathic abilities. Ultimately I'd say that this show is above average and worth a watch only if you're a huge Gundam fan.
Gundam Double Zeta - TV 1986:
Originally designed with a focus towards children, Tomino took charge of the project in mid-production and made a complete 180 by turning the show into an honest-to-goodness Zeta Gundam sequel.
Following the Gryps War, the exiled Axis Zeon became Neo Zeon, led by the last of the Zeonic aristocrats. Following the chaos created by the final battle between the Titans and AEUG, Neo Zeon came from the Asteroid Belt in an effort to make a power play that would allow it to dominate the Earth Sphere. Judau Ashta ends up being yet another young brat Newtype Gundam pilot, and has yet another rivalry with yet another Zeonic antagonist. The war initiated by Neo Zeon eventually helps to set up a situation that facilitates the paramilitary ambitions of Char Aznable in Char's Counterattack.
Haven't seen it, but supposedly the first half of the show is pure crap, while the second turns it around for the better. Ultimately incidental concerning the legacy of the One Year War.
Char's Counterattack - Movie 1988:
In UC 0093, all was quiet following the Neo Zeon War. Char Aznable, however, had rallied the remants of Neo Zeon to perform a last hurrah, and accelerate the evolution of humanity by forcing a mass emigration to space in the form of a massive colony drop. As a result, Amuro Ray is taken out of retirement to pilot the Nu Gundam and engage Char in a Newtype battle to end all Newtype battles.
Very well executed. While important characters from the original Mobile Suit Gundam were left out of the movie, it effectively ends the series of conflicts following the devastating One Year War in a spectacle befitting Gundam conventions. It's worth a see.
Gundam F91 - Movie 1991:
This is the Gundam that almost was. Once again, Tomino was behind this project, but what started out as a planned 52 episode tv series, ended up being retooled as a feature film after 13 scripts. The specific reasons for this are uknown, but the result is a feature that tries to fit too much plot into a 2 hour timeframe. It's also incomplete, as by the end of the film, the antagonistic Crossbone Vanguard end up achieving their objective. As a result, the movie became overshadowed by the release of Stardust Memory, and there are no plans to follow up on this gaping hole in UC continuity.
Victory Gundam - TV 1993:
With six years following ZZ Gundam, Tomino returned to form with Victory Gundam. In F91, Tomino attempted to create a new continuity by fast-forwarding 30 years after Char's Counterattack. This time around, he attempted to do the same by fast-forwarding another 30 years to UC 0153, when the actions of the Crossbone Vanguard are largely incidental.
A new spaceborne antagonist in the form of the Zanscare Empire has declared its independance from the bloated and ineffectual beurocracy of the Earth Federation. At the same time, the Zanscare attempts to dominate the inner sphere by invading Earth. After decades of decline, the EF is equipped with obsolete hardware and too little of it. The result is a practically unimpeded invasion, and the only thing that stands in Zanscare's way is the very French Resistance-like League Militaire.
The new protagonist, Uso, is the youngest Gundam pilot ever at 13 years of age, and becomes a Gundam pilot, as always, through a series of circumstances. This time his foil is Chronicle Asher, who like other charismatic antagonists before him (Char Aznable) wears a mask. Eventually, due to the introduction of the V Gundam, the League Militaire is able to develop a respectable industrial base, and is able to project their power into space in an effort to stop the Zanscare from using a psycommu superweapon to dominate the entire Earth.
Despite how dumb the setup sounds, this is in my opinion the best of the UC tv shows. There are quite a few likeable characters, and the plot is very well developed. Though there are a lot of rediculous moments such as the land battleship and the cheesy ending, it still manages to outdo its predecessors in terms of character development and scope.
UC tv shows seem to have a bad habit of starting out with a solid premise that they never quite live up to. Victory Gundam is not an exception to the rule, and despite its strong effort, doesn't become anything better than simply above average.
G Saviour - Movie 2000:
The first, and hopefull last live action Gundam production. What a waste of 20 dollars. The entire nation of Canada should be firebombed for this Disasterpiece. Don't watch it, ever. If you're thinking I don't like this thing simply because its live action, consider the following: The troops in this movie are decked out in the surplus Starship Troopers uniforms.
That's a wrap-up for the basic order of UC Gundams as they should be watched in relation to its timeline. I'll do a follow up when I get off of work on the Alternate Universe Gundams, so as to fully flex my nerd muscle.
[1] The Principality of Zeon used to be the Republic of Zeon as it was founded decades before the One Year War. The Republic had developed a national identity, being seperated from the Earth in the void of space. The colonists of Zeon saw no need to swear fealty to the planet Earth, and had grown largely self-sufficient in the void. The Republic, however, was eventually overthrown in a coup by members of the Zeonic aristocracy and turned into a Principality. After this coup, Zeon became increasingly militaristic, and the pressure put on it by the Earth Federation eventually led to the One Year War in UC 0079, in which Zeon attempted to absorb the other colonial provinces (grouped into Sides) and force the Earth Federation to recognize its independance.
All right, here's a list of Universal Century Gundams as they happen in chronological order:
MS Igloo - OAV (currently in Production):
Igloo started out as a three episode CG OAV for the Bandai Museum in Japan, but the feature proved so popular that Bandai decided to produce another three episodes that will be released straight to DVD in Japan called Apocalypse 0079. (based on the title, this is more than likely about the nuclear exchange that immediately predates Mobile Suit Gundam)
The show follows a military engineer who is a member of Zeon's weapon testing division. As a result, the OAV has become a showcase for mechanical designers, as it features mobile suits and weapons that were never seen before.
I personally think its pretty snazzy. The cg makes the people seem fairly plasticky, despite their painstakingly rendered pores. That same plastic nature, however, translates well for mobile suit combat, which is phenomenal for each episode. The drama always takes a back seat to the mobile suits, though it is palatable, if something that hasn't been seen with every other Universal Century Gundam ever.
No episodes of Apocalypse have currently been released, but all of Igloo has.
Mobile Suit Gundam - TV 1979:
The one that started it all. Directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, who would come to dominate the UC TV series, it's a show that's often called the Japanese Star Wars. I suppose it's an apt description, because the show is fairly mediocre, and because of its popularity has spawned a cavalcade of shitty films and shows in its wake. (both Gundam and non-affiliated mecha)
The show picks up after the colony drop on Sydney, Australia and a limited nuclear exchange which forces The Principality of Zeon and the Earth Federation to sign the Antarctic treaty. As his colony is being attacked by Zeon, a precocious young lad coincidentally becomes the pilot of an experimental prototype mobile suit (this is a recurring theme for the Universal Century). It turns out that this boy is also a Newtype, and is particicularly adept at using the mobile suit's psycommu system. (also a recurring event) The show follows Amuro as he joins the Earth Federation and develops a series-running rivalry with ace Zeon pilot (and Newtype) Char Aznable, up until the final epic battle in space, in which Zeon is defeated and forced back under the umbrella of the Earth Federation.
A pretty mediocre series. Some characters are likeable, but more often than not, the kids are annoying as fuck. The show also touches on a lot of issues that have never been developed very well to date. For instance, Tomino has shows that tend to focus on the nature of war and why its pointless. However, anti-war messages have been a constant theme throughout 20th century literature. (embodied by the archetypal All Quiet on the Western Front) Instead, the show could have demonstrated why we fight wars, and how coups and the development of national identities eventually lead us into conflict. [1]
08th MS Team - OAV 1996:
08th MS Team is the most unique of all Gundam tv shows and OAV side stories, in that its protagonists are neither demigod super suit pilots or elite special forces types, but simple soldiers engaged in a military campaign in Southeast Asia. The show follows EF soldier and mobile suit pilot, Shiro, as he develops a comeraderie and romance with Zeonic pilot and aristocratic darling Aina. Shiro is the member of a krak team of EF mobile armor pilots that are commissioned the experimental, and very limited mass-produced Gundams that were designed for normal non-Newtype pilots, but were discontinued in favor of the much more easily mass produced GMs. Eventually, the 08th MS Team's campaign leads them to a climax fighting an experimental and highly destructive Zeonic mobile armor, and a consumation of Shiro and Aina's affections for each other.
By far the best of the Gundam OAVs. The protagonists and their supporting casts are just normal enlisted men that are caught up in a conflict beyond their control, which makes them all immediately identifiable, and there isn't a one that won't grow on you by the final 12th episode. That 12th episode, however, was never aired in the United States, and all in all seems to be an ineffective ending. It suggests that Shiro and Aina lived happily ever after, but leaves some loose ends in the form of the surviving members of the 08th MS Team, who are never followed up on.
08th MS Team was also condensed into a compilation movie, but unlike the first 3 compilation movies for the original Mobile Suit Gundam, 08th MS Team's movie has not only original footage, but an entirely new subplot. Of course, it doesn't has nearly as much depth as the 12 episode OAV, but those who can't afford to buy the series can simply shell out the dollars for this DVD and get perhaps a little more bang for their buck.
Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket - OAV 1989:
The first of the Gundam OAVs, War in the Pocket follows another precocious young brat, Alfred, as he becomes caught up in a Zeonic plot to destroy a nuclear-capable prototype Gundam that's being housed in his officially neutral colony of Side 6. Al is a war buff, and ends up befriending the junior member of the Zeonic covert ops team, thinking it to be a grand adventure. As the war comes to the interior of Side 6, the conflict comes to a head as Al's new friend and his next door neighbor, the test pilot for the EF mobile suit end up harming each other, and Al learns the error of his ways. (war sucks)
A pretty decent show all around despite Al's annoying presence as the protagonist. It's also the first Gundam that doesn't have some dumb kid end up being the demigod pilot of a mobile suit. The animation and character designs are very impressive for its day, and all of the characters are genuinely likeable with the exception of Al. It also features some impressive mechanical designs, and mobile suit combat, and achieves a great level of noteworthiness in that a Zaku pilot (what had previously been a cannon-fodder mobile suit) uses strategy and cunning in order to meet an experimental Gundam toe-to-toe.
MSG 0083: Stardust Memory - OAV 1991:
Released simultaneously with the impotent F91 Gundam, Stardust Memory chronicles Operation Stardust, a terrorist plot by former members of the Zeonic military to take revenge for their defeat in the One Year War in UC 0083, as well as to expose the hypocrisy of the EF in their development of a nuclear capable mobile suit. (violating the Antarctic Treaty) The after-effects of Stardust facilitate the rise of the paramilitary fascist organization of the Titans on Earth, and provides backstory for the Zeta Gundam tv show.
The show starts with, not surprisingly, another Gundam jacking, only this time by elite former Zeon pilot Anavel Gato. The mobile suit he steals is the experimental RX-78GP02A, a heavy mobile suit with a massive cannon capable of firing a nuclear warhead. Kou Uraki, the pilot of the conventional RX-78GP01A, and the show's protagonist, acts as Anavel's foil though he is ultimately unsuccesful in stopping Operation Stardust. Kou is the member of a weapons testing unit, and develops a romance with the designer of the RX-78 line over the course of the series.
This OAV feels like a footnote to UC history, but man what a footnote! Every aspect of the show's design from characters, to mechanics, to animation and story are absolutely top notch. The only thing that keeps this show from topping 08th MS Team as the best UC story is that the characters are ultimately pretty standard fare. Despite Kou being the protagonist, it's Anavel Gato who ends up being the most identifiable and sympathetic character in the show, despite the fact that he becomes a mass murderer.
Zeta Gundam - TV 1985:
Fan-favorite Tomino returned to direct this series after directing other mecha-related projects. Considered by many to be the best Gundam ever, Zeta takes place in UC 0087, and the roles have been reversed. This time, the Earth Federation has become the antagonistic force in the Galaxy, as its politics have become dominated by the racist agenda of the paramilitary and fascistic Titans.
Kamille Bidan ends up this series' protagonist while the previous Gundam hero, Amuro Ray, takes a backseat to the the conflict. Kamille is another young Newtype who ends up coincidentally becoming the pilot of the new Gundam prototype in the course of it's jacking. (once again) Char Aznable also returns as a supporting character under the alias of Quattro Bajina, and is an ace pilot in the anti-Titans coalition AEUG.
As mentioned before, many consider this to be the best Gundam ever made. I wonder, though, if they confuse Tomino's fondness for killing off important supporting characters as being profound. The show is technically well executed, and leaps and bounds ahead of the original Mobile Suit Gundam. It also further explains what Newtypes are, and how the perfect conditions of living in colonies has led to the evolution of people with near-telepathic abilities. Ultimately I'd say that this show is above average and worth a watch only if you're a huge Gundam fan.
Gundam Double Zeta - TV 1986:
Originally designed with a focus towards children, Tomino took charge of the project in mid-production and made a complete 180 by turning the show into an honest-to-goodness Zeta Gundam sequel.
Following the Gryps War, the exiled Axis Zeon became Neo Zeon, led by the last of the Zeonic aristocrats. Following the chaos created by the final battle between the Titans and AEUG, Neo Zeon came from the Asteroid Belt in an effort to make a power play that would allow it to dominate the Earth Sphere. Judau Ashta ends up being yet another young brat Newtype Gundam pilot, and has yet another rivalry with yet another Zeonic antagonist. The war initiated by Neo Zeon eventually helps to set up a situation that facilitates the paramilitary ambitions of Char Aznable in Char's Counterattack.
Haven't seen it, but supposedly the first half of the show is pure crap, while the second turns it around for the better. Ultimately incidental concerning the legacy of the One Year War.
Char's Counterattack - Movie 1988:
In UC 0093, all was quiet following the Neo Zeon War. Char Aznable, however, had rallied the remants of Neo Zeon to perform a last hurrah, and accelerate the evolution of humanity by forcing a mass emigration to space in the form of a massive colony drop. As a result, Amuro Ray is taken out of retirement to pilot the Nu Gundam and engage Char in a Newtype battle to end all Newtype battles.
Very well executed. While important characters from the original Mobile Suit Gundam were left out of the movie, it effectively ends the series of conflicts following the devastating One Year War in a spectacle befitting Gundam conventions. It's worth a see.
Gundam F91 - Movie 1991:
This is the Gundam that almost was. Once again, Tomino was behind this project, but what started out as a planned 52 episode tv series, ended up being retooled as a feature film after 13 scripts. The specific reasons for this are uknown, but the result is a feature that tries to fit too much plot into a 2 hour timeframe. It's also incomplete, as by the end of the film, the antagonistic Crossbone Vanguard end up achieving their objective. As a result, the movie became overshadowed by the release of Stardust Memory, and there are no plans to follow up on this gaping hole in UC continuity.
Victory Gundam - TV 1993:
With six years following ZZ Gundam, Tomino returned to form with Victory Gundam. In F91, Tomino attempted to create a new continuity by fast-forwarding 30 years after Char's Counterattack. This time around, he attempted to do the same by fast-forwarding another 30 years to UC 0153, when the actions of the Crossbone Vanguard are largely incidental.
A new spaceborne antagonist in the form of the Zanscare Empire has declared its independance from the bloated and ineffectual beurocracy of the Earth Federation. At the same time, the Zanscare attempts to dominate the inner sphere by invading Earth. After decades of decline, the EF is equipped with obsolete hardware and too little of it. The result is a practically unimpeded invasion, and the only thing that stands in Zanscare's way is the very French Resistance-like League Militaire.
The new protagonist, Uso, is the youngest Gundam pilot ever at 13 years of age, and becomes a Gundam pilot, as always, through a series of circumstances. This time his foil is Chronicle Asher, who like other charismatic antagonists before him (Char Aznable) wears a mask. Eventually, due to the introduction of the V Gundam, the League Militaire is able to develop a respectable industrial base, and is able to project their power into space in an effort to stop the Zanscare from using a psycommu superweapon to dominate the entire Earth.
Despite how dumb the setup sounds, this is in my opinion the best of the UC tv shows. There are quite a few likeable characters, and the plot is very well developed. Though there are a lot of rediculous moments such as the land battleship and the cheesy ending, it still manages to outdo its predecessors in terms of character development and scope.
UC tv shows seem to have a bad habit of starting out with a solid premise that they never quite live up to. Victory Gundam is not an exception to the rule, and despite its strong effort, doesn't become anything better than simply above average.
G Saviour - Movie 2000:
The first, and hopefull last live action Gundam production. What a waste of 20 dollars. The entire nation of Canada should be firebombed for this Disasterpiece. Don't watch it, ever. If you're thinking I don't like this thing simply because its live action, consider the following: The troops in this movie are decked out in the surplus Starship Troopers uniforms.
That's a wrap-up for the basic order of UC Gundams as they should be watched in relation to its timeline. I'll do a follow up when I get off of work on the Alternate Universe Gundams, so as to fully flex my nerd muscle.
[1] The Principality of Zeon used to be the Republic of Zeon as it was founded decades before the One Year War. The Republic had developed a national identity, being seperated from the Earth in the void of space. The colonists of Zeon saw no need to swear fealty to the planet Earth, and had grown largely self-sufficient in the void. The Republic, however, was eventually overthrown in a coup by members of the Zeonic aristocracy and turned into a Principality. After this coup, Zeon became increasingly militaristic, and the pressure put on it by the Earth Federation eventually led to the One Year War in UC 0079, in which Zeon attempted to absorb the other colonial provinces (grouped into Sides) and force the Earth Federation to recognize its independance.
Jebus said:
Or more, depending on what Saiyan level the bulb is.
Episode 1: Oh my god, the light has burned out! Run around in panic after the lightbulb kills off a few useless characters!
Episode 2: Heroes face Light Bulb (might as well give him a Dumbass Ball Z name) and get their asses kicked.
Episode 3: Heroes go off to train a new special technique, including the power becoming an instant bottle blonde, complete with even more retarded dialog.
Episode 4: Heroes exchange increasingly more stupid dialog during a fight scene that might actually be 10 episodes long, but deservingly cut down so that multiple episodes can be merged into one.
Episode 5: The main hero present jumps up, grabs the lightbulb with his ass, and fires it back into the light socket with their new Lamehameha technique, winning the last Dragon Ball from it, to finally make a wish...that causes the bulb to burn out because all of the main characters are hopelessly "DEE! DEE! DEE!".
Richoid: I can tell you haven't bothered to lurk, or for that matter, bothered to read the forum rules, if you have no clue what the Vats are.