GUNDAM EXPLORED

A site dedicated to analyzing the various aspects and themes that occur in the Japanese Animation Series: 機動戦士ガンダム / Mobile Suit Gundam and it's sequels/spin offs. Particularly the series written by Yoshiyuki Tomino and set in the Universal Century.

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“In the morning, to be able to wake up as late as possible is a blessed affair. Even so, if it happens day after day, can it still be considered an accident? If our purpose in life is to seek enjoyment, then we need to invent entertaining activities that we will never tire of. Should this ever be the case, we may never stop killing each other… However, “living” is not about seeking such an intense phenomenon. Humans are slow and stupid. They are only concerned with feeling comfortable. If they are able to enjoy a moment of happiness, they do not require more.“

- from “Beltorchika’s Children” novel (a version of ‘Char’s Counterattack’), written by Yoshiyuki Tomino

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Hathaway Noah

from Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash; by Yoshiyuki Tomino

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Bare it all out

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“Luna II was the nickname for Juno, an asteroid parked twelve years ago in a moon-like orbit around Earth. Originally from the area between Mars and Jupiter, humans had moved the asteroid to its present location, opposite the real moon, so it could be used to supply important minerals and landfill to over two hundred colonies.

After years of mining, it retained little of it’s original shape and was now a lemon-shaped lump of rock less than eighty kilometers in diameter.”

- from Mobile Suit Gundam: Awakening; by Yoshiyuki Tomino

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“Bright shared in the opinion of the Spacenoids, that all humans should move into space, and only interfere with the Earth insofar as to help it once again be able to naturally recover on its own.  However, these pilots called the Titans that Bright was now flying were soldiers hired to root out the Spacenoids who made this claim as ‘rebellious elements.’ ‘It seems this job’s got me letting something troublesome loose into space…’ Bright closed his eyes.”

- from Zeta Gundam novelivations, by Yoshiyuki Tomino

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Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Novel Vol. 5; by Yoshiyuki Tomino

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Frontier Colony Invasion

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“The colonies known as Side 1 and Side 2 became bases for AEUG, definitely increasing the group’s influence among the spacenoids, and increasing supporters even among the soldiers of the Earth Federation Army. It was two years ago that the Earth Federation, in trying to defer this movement, made use of a particularly brutal method. They used the same poisonous gas attack that Zeon had once formerly used against a colony. It was used against Side 1’s 30th colony, which had been the stage for large-scale AEUG meetings, killing fifteen million spacenoids in one single attack. Since Colonies are completely sealed this attack plan was perfect. With this action, AEUG’s presence became further defined, and at various places in the colonies and on the moon, small fights continued to break out. However, this was the Earth Federation’s plan. They had wanted to flush out the corruption all at once, and annihilate the anti-Earth Federation movement. In order to do that, the Earth Federation army took advantage of part of the movement, organizing a special corps known as the Titans, and constructing a base in the former Side 7, which was now known as Green Oasis.” -from Zeta Gundam novelization, by Yoshiyuki Tomino

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Zeta Gundam Novel Vol. 1; by Yoshiyuki Tomino

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Kamille & The Brink

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It’s strange having a rather basic/limited understanding of Japanese and to see how some of the titles are translated for some episodes.

For instance the official English title (assumed translation) for episode 48 is ‘The Mirror of Rosamia’. Though in Japanese it’s basically ”ロザミアの中で”　(or ‘rozamia no naka de’, which I believe literally ‘inside rozamia’–perhaps implying her feelings or how she shatters from within, as the episode goes).

Though what’s really interesting in this episode is watching those subtle long term show/character arc stories that runs. Especially in how Kamille acts from the start to the end.

It might be tough to really notice because perhaps as to how nonchalant he is–compared to the emotionally susceptible teenager with trauma issues as he probably already he had when the show started.

There are a few key scenes in that episode and in a rather subdued manner. arguably because he acts very nonchalant when interacting with a few key characters apart of the Argama crew in Zeta Gundam. Where in their interactions with him they each seem to notice a change.

Bright and Char in the beginning are struck, but kind of interpret as being good like “Oh, he’s turning into a good soldier” or “He’s really grown up”, and when he has that interaction with Fa where she gets really sentimental about life after the war and Kamille gives her a very no-nonsense but still reassuring answer.

And then, of course, Kamille has his emotionally difficult experience with Rosamia/Rosamie happens which is fucking intense for him. Where at the end of the episode this notable difference–or perhaps detachment in his character clearly troubles Fa and Char when they each talk with him.

What’s most interesting too is to see Char’s attitude change from an easygoing one to an expression of dismay and sadness.

Perhaps Kamille’s response that reminds Char of his old fears about what Newtypes really are–harkening back to his 0079 days–as shown in the (that i remember was like a mind blowing moment for Char in the episode 'The Newtype Chalia Bull’ where he wonders whether Newtypes are just these mutated beings only useful as advanced war weapons).

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from Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Novel Vol. 5; by Yoshiyuki Tomino

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“As almost everyone on Zeon seemed to know, he was fond of saying private that, although he was the baby of the Zabi family, he wasn’t going to let anyone take him for granted. Needless to say, Garma’s public popularity gave his father immense, almost childlike pleasure. Degwin had become a mere puppet on Zeon, but through Garma he secretly hoped to control his eldest son, Gihren. It was the vain hope of an overly doting father, and it was dashed with Garma’s death.” - Mobile Suit Gundam: Awakening; by Yoshiyuki Tomino

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Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Novel Vol. 3; by Yoshiyuki Tomino

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“Precognition, the ability to read an enemy’s will and react beforehand, was a valuable ability for a pilot. Humans are creatures that unhesitatingly use their intelligence to attack their neighbors. Thus they made use of Newtypes and established the Newtype research institutes.

Originally, species changed in accordance with natural principles of mutation and natural selection. But humanity, with its unique ability and motivation, set out to create Newtypes artificially no matter what the cost.

Four knew no other name than Four Murasame. Now Four, surrounded by a psycommu system that artifically expanded her sensory and recognition powers, sighted the Zeta Gundam.”

- from Zeta Gundam Novel Vol. 4; by Yoshiyuki Tomino

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“While the mobility of the Gundam had been increased by equipping it with atmospheric flight parts, in this case the mobile suit itself became essentially cargo, whose role was limited to supplying energy to the beam cannons.

The separation and docking process was also difficult, and rendered the machine defenseless in the interim. As a result, unmanned versions of the mobile suit transport craft used by Zeon during the war were developed, such as the Dodai Kai and Base Jabber.

However, these had poor flying performance, and the Earth Federation Forces pursued plans for flying mobile suits based on new concepts.”

-from The Anime Special Collection: Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Part 3;  translated by and sourced from Ultimate Mark/Gundam Unofficial