NationStates Jolt Archive

I finally broke down today and started watching Mobile Suit Gundam: SEED. Sadly, I wasn't suprised at how far down hill Gundam has gone as an anime series. There wasn't anything original about the plot of Gundam SEED. It is a complete rehashing of the original Mobile Suit Gundam series.

The main characters are all the same, identical archetypes as the nearly 30 year old original series. The protagonists and antagonists motives are all basically identical. The war begins in basically the exact same way, and our plucky young hero finds himself piloting the Gundam in almost exactly the same way.

I am not impressed. While I cannot speak for the entirety of the series, or it's sequel, it's not exactly off to a hot start. I think it is now safe to say that the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise is dead, and should be given a proper burial.

The animation wasn't exactly stellar either. While I must admit this is the only real difference from previous Gundams, it leaves much to be desired. The cutesy, moe style does not fit what is supposed to be war epic.

In all, I'd much rather have had the franchise owners be honest, and just redo the original Mobile Suit Gundam rather than make something "new" that is basically the same thing all over again.

Just curious, but how many episodes have you seen?

Just curious, but how many episodes have you seen?

Of SEED? the first 4. But I went back and rewatched a couple episodes of the original Mobile Suit Gundam again just to make sure my suspicions were supported. The whole set up for the plot is so close as to be almost indistinguishable. Just change art style and swap names. I'm going to try to watch more of it, but the prognosis is grim.

SEED? I thought you were talking about Gundam AD.

Yes, the first few episodes and certain aspects of the rest of the series are meant to be reminiscent of, and pay tribute to, the original movie.

However believe me when I say SEED is definitely not just a rehash of the movie at all. After the first episodes, and especially after they get to Earth, the plot is very much it's own.

The development of the characters of the Antagonists and Protagonists will also diverge, and believe me when I say beliefs will be questioned, loyalties changed, and minds generally f***ed up, all amongst the backdrop of a typical epic Gundam-style war.

I'm actually half-way through SEED myself, and I'm quite enjoying it.

It does get better, but not to the extent of others in the series. The thing about SEED is that the villains of the piece are very easily defined, seeming to be either fanatics to a cause or lunatics bent on destruction. The protaganists' motivations are straightforward (it's a useful thing to bear in mind that any major character that doesn't fit into the above definition of villain eventually joins the good guys), and the plot suffers as a result.

I think I preferred Wing. Zechs and Treize have much more interesting motivating factors as primary antagonists (very much a contrast to Zala and Azrael), and although we end up agreeing with the Pilots' stance of opposition to them in the end, this was never going to be an obvious question of "Doing what's right".

Still, I think it's worth watching through SEED anyway. It's a good reminder in this present day and age that just because it's your side doesn't mean it's right.

Gundam Wing was the only gundam series I liked.

If you hate Gundam SEED, you will probably have a stroke when you watch Gundam SEED Destiny. That one really sucked badly especially by the time you get the second half or so.

"Gundam is dead. Gundam remains dead. And Kira has killed it."

Gundam SEED is the only one of the Gundam series that I liked, and of that, I've only seen the hacked-up Cartoon Network ver. from when it was still airing. One of the main aspects I liked was the historical references subtly, or maybe accidentaly, placed within it (ie. Desert Tiger).

Well, thanks for the advice guys. I'm going to try to at least finish SEED eventually, since I don't like leaving a series half watched. Maybe I'll do another topic in a couple when I'm finished with SEED and SEED Destiny, giving my final prognosis.

BTW if you want to know what really is horrible, check out the Dynasty Warriors Gundam video game.

BTW if you want to know what really is horrible, check out the Dynasty Warriors Gundam video game.

I saw that, and wisely shied away from it. *shudders*

Gundam Wing was the only gundam series I liked.

Yeah same here. I think Gundam Wing is the best series...agree?

Yeah same here. I think Gundam Wing is the best series...agree?

On average, yes. Gundam Wing was the best series in the franchise.

But the Mobile Suit Gundam: 08th MS Team from the Universal Century (the original MS Gundam) franchise was excellent. And we can't forget Mobile Suit Gundam itself for creating the mecha genre.

On average, yes. Gundam Wing was the best series in the franchise.

Eh, the premise and what I have seen of the series seems rather off-putting, viz. the psycho child soldiers in nigh-super robots raised to kill without mercy. Maybe I shouldn't let initial impressions color my view, but for now it remains on my to-do list behind the UC series.

But the Mobile Suit Gundam: 08th MS Team from the Universal Century (the original MS Gundam) franchise was excellent. And we can't forget Mobile Suit Gundam itself for creating the mecha genre.

I believe Gundam mostly reformed the mecha genre rather than created it as such. It was one of the first to portray mecha as semi-realistic war machines rather than as fanciful superhero-like craft.

I believe Gundam mostly reformed the mecha genre rather than created it as such. It was one of the first to portray mecha as semi-realistic war machines rather than as fanciful superhero-like craft.

Unlike the Gundam Wing franchise :D

MS 08 is probably the closest thing to semi-realistic mecha combat, with no Newtypes and/or singing idols abound.

Mobile Suit Gundam is dead

aw, thats a shame. If only I cared or knew what that was.

I finally broke down today and started watching Mobile Suit Gundam: SEED. Sadly, I wasn't suprised at how far down hill Gundam has gone as an anime series. There wasn't anything original about the plot of Gundam SEED. It is a complete rehashing of the original Mobile Suit Gundam series.

The main characters are all the same, identical archetypes as the nearly 30 year old original series. The protagonists and antagonists motives are all basically identical. The war begins in basically the exact same way, and our plucky young hero finds himself piloting the Gundam in almost exactly the same way.

I am not impressed. While I cannot speak for the entirety of the series, or it's sequel, it's not exactly off to a hot start. I think it is now safe to say that the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise is dead, and should be given a proper burial.

The animation wasn't exactly stellar either. While I must admit this is the only real difference from previous Gundams, it leaves much to be desired. The cutesy, moe style does not fit what is supposed to be war epic.

In all, I'd much rather have had the franchise owners be honest, and just redo the original Mobile Suit Gundam rather than make something "new" that is basically the same thing all over again.

"GO, GO, POWER RANGERS!" *theme music plays: "duh, duuuh, duh, duuh, dumb dumb"* "GO, GO, POWER RANGERS!"

Eh, the premise and what I have seen of the series seems rather off-putting, viz. the psycho child soldiers in nigh-super robots raised to kill without mercy. Maybe I shouldn't let initial impressions color my view, but for now it remains on my to-do list behind the UC series.

What I liked about Wing was that it introduced a sense of moral ambiguity that was lacking in UC. In UC, the good guys and bad guys were always plain as night and day. Wing also discarded Newtypes and Haru, which were pluses in my book as well.

I believe Gundam mostly reformed the mecha genre rather than created it as such. It was one of the first to portray mecha as semi-realistic war machines rather than as fanciful superhero-like craft.

What we call mecha in the US is called "real robot" in Japan. Gundam created the "real robot" genre, based around mecha as, well, semi-realistic war machines. Before that, you had the super robot genre, which was basically uber robots pwning all.

"GO, GO, POWER RANGERS!" *theme music plays: "duh, duuuh, duh, duuh, dumb dumb"* "GO, GO, POWER RANGERS!"

Ladies and gentlemen,... Paul Gilbert.

What I liked about Wing was that it introduced a sense of moral ambiguity that was lacking in UC. In UC, the good guys and bad guys were always plain as night and day. Wing also discarded Newtypes and Haru, which were pluses in my book as well.

Yeah, but one of the main character's first lines is "I'm gunna kill you" or something to that effect. Quite an unsettling guy to root for. Of course that may simply reflect my limited experience with the series. Maybe it will appeal to me more if I watch the rest.

What we call mecha in the US is called "real robot" in Japan. Gundam created the "real robot" genre, based around mecha as, well, semi-realistic war machines. Before that, you had the super robot genre, which was basically uber robots pwning all.

Ah, point taken then.

It's been dead, where have you been?

Ladies and gentlemen,... Paul Gilbert.

*shivers*

Do not worry, Gundam 00 is far better than Gundam Seed Destiny, so Kidou Senshi Gundam stays alive (and because it is lucrative, there will be always new Gundam series).

Gundam: 08th MS Team isn't that old, so I think there's still hope.

Yeah, I've heard good things about 8th MS Team and have been meaning to watch the early UC shows myself.

Gundam Wing is the best mecha series I've ever seen! Well, it falls short of evangalion, but it is alot easieer for me to understand in the long run. I'm sorry, I'm a major fan girl of the series, so I'm bound to take it's side in anything with the word gundam in it :p

Yeah, but one of the main character's first lines is "I'm gunna kill you" or something to that effect. Quite an unsettling guy to root for.
Heero's role is very well written, since it effectively characterises the Gundam pilots as a collective. Initially, he's nothing more than a cold and calculating insurgent, quelling his instincts in pursuit of the greater good by doing what he's told, but as he starts to question the value of his mission and grows in wisdom, his nature of acting with devoted conviction in the face of injustice proves to be a virtue as much as it was a vice when he first started.

I can see why this might be a bit unsettling though. It's not comfortable in terms of a neat characterisation of "right" and "wrong", and it places us largely in opposition to the Gundam Pilots whenever we try to analogise them to the world of today. But I think we need that. Heero reminds us that behind every hate-spouting terrorist or radical lives a heart that's only trying to do what's best. And that's a lesson we seriously need to learn, I think.

If you say so, Kamsaki. At least Wing looks better than G Gundam (which looks downright terrible to say the least).

Yeah, I've heard good things about 8th MS Team and have been meaning to watch the early UC shows myself.
Yeah, if your a GD fan even in the least. You really should. It's my personal favorite of the GD series.

I thought SEED was pretty good actually, the first few episodes aren't the greatest, but the action is superb (and the Theme music, don't get me started, I have it all on MP3 :p)

I personally really liked the art style over most UC (Except 8th MS Team)

Though, I do have to agree, Wing was the best (though, it could use some slight tweaking)

It's been dead, where have you been?

Too busy reading, writing and discussing about anarchist political philosophy, to tell you the truth. /nerd

Yeah, if your a GD fan even in the least. You really should. It's my personal favorite of the GD series.

Ok, I will look into that one. What about War in an Pocket and Stardust Memory? I have heard you kind of need to see those to understand Zeta Gundam.