I've been caught in a few conversations of late (mostly spurred by Garry's adventures into the franchise) that have confirmed my long-held belief that a great deal of Aussies (and a great deal of modern anime fans to boot) simply don't know much about the financial and cultural juggernaut that is Gundam. Well fear not, for a nerd is here to rant and rave about all sorts of tid-bits to give a bit of an idea about just why it's been both so enduring, and such an influence!
zu lange nicht gelesen
Watch: Mobile Suit Gundam, Zeta, ZZ, Char's Counterattack, 0080, G, Turn A.
That was still zu lange nicht gelesen
Watch Mobile Suit Gundam and be free of it forever.
I'm going to be briefly outlining the idea of each show and some notes about production history to explain just why certain works are the way they are (that is to say, why they are terrible). Why? Because I'm a nerd and find this stuff fascinating, and it concerns me just how little anime fans of today don't seem to care, And because they won't get off my damn lawn.
Before I get on with that though, here's a brief list of the main canon, listed in the order events take place. When I discuss the works, I'll be going through them in production order, because context is a great thing. So, let's get this ball rolling!
Universal Century (the original timeline)
Mobile Suit Gundam (TV) [1979] The definitive "boy gets thrusted into war and learns that it's pretty painful" story.
Mobile Suit Gundam (Summary Movies) [1981] All the LALAAAAAAAAH, less of the hoverbikes. Worth it for the third movie.
0080: War in the Pocket (OVA) [1989] Downplayed writing, tight deliveries and Haruhiko Mikimoto designs. Is this the same franchise?
The 08th MS Team (OVA) [1996] Romeo and Juliet in the One Year War. ZOMG MOST REALISTIC SHOW!!!!111
MS IGLOO (OVA) [2004] CG series all about failed OYW prototypes. As gritty as Gundam gets.
MS IGLOO 2 (OVA) [2008] "You'll never laugh at the Guntank again."
0083: Stardust Memory (OVA) [1991] Oh so delicious mech porn.
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (TV) [1985] The darker and edgier sequel that created japanese nerd culture.
Zeta Gundam: A New Translation (Films) [2004] Some of the most jarring summary movies you will ever see
Mobile Suit ZZ Gundam (TV) [1986] Not anime.
Char's Counterattack (Film) [1987] Conclusion to the original main character and his rival's.... rivalry.
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (OVA) [2010] likely will supercede the original serialised novel in canon, because that's how Sunrise rolls
Mobile Suit Gundam F91 (Film) [1991] Star Wars stealan, sloppy characterisan, wasted potentialian, still worth watchan.
Crossbone Gundam (Manga) [1997] only manga you can say is most definitely part of the official canon
Mobile Suit Victory Gundam (TV) [1993] The Umineko of anime.
See? It's not so bad on paper, right?
Alternate Universes (gateway drugs)
Future Century
Mobile Fighter G Gundam (TV) [1994] The embodiment of "so bad it's good". Pure awesome.
Some fancy new manga that'll likely be canon (manga) [2010]
After Colony
New Mobile Report: Gundam Wing (TV) [1995] Flamboyance and inconsistencies everywhere.
New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz (OVA) [1997] HOW MANY TIMES MUST I KILL THAT GIRL AND HER DOG?
Endless Waltz -Special Edition- (Film) [1998] ZERO WON'T ANSWER ME!
After War
After War Gundam X (TV) [1996] Eureka SeVen meets Super Mario Bros. 1
Correct Century (CC)
Turn A Gundam (TV) [1999] The franchise's swansong. Until the corpse was reanimated three years later.
Turn A Gundam Summary Films (Films) [2000] These make The Ideon: A Contact look like a well assembled summary film.
Cosmic Era
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (TV) [2002] Beverly Hills 90210 with gratuitous CG and rainbow lasers.
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny (TV) [2004] The pain will never end.
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED C.E. 73: Stargazer (ONA) [2006] Makes you feel like watching Gundam again if you just subjected yourself to the previous entry.
Anno Domini
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (first half) (TV) [2007] Foundation with more prettyboys.
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (second half) (TV) [2008] Foundation and Earth with more prettyboys.
Gundam 00 Mobie (Film) [2010] We won't know for a few more months.
And there we have it. The main animated canon. While I did kind of enjoy SD Gundam Force, it's irrelevant to both your and my interests for the purpose of this piece.