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Jul 3, 2016 6:56 AM

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Jul 2016
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Perhaps you're right. It may just be me choosing to believe in original materials as cannon and if anything conflicts arises with newer production, to default on the original as cannon. This is probably because as an oldie who followed the series from the 80s, I grew up with the original material. But Gundam IS about Spacenoids vs Earth. Other things may change, but that is the theme that is universal through all the UC timelines even into the 200s with the arguably canonical Gaia Gear and G Savior. (Well I suppose you can argue the Jupiter Empire arc took a bit of sidetrack from that).

While I agree you can humanize "enemies" of the protagonist, none of your examples can take the place of the protagonist, they're still antagonists. That is the whole point of the protagonist, for the viewers to emphasize with them and take their perspective. As for balance, I'd argue while Tomino's intent was to create a human conflict, the series is inherently biased, simply because the series is named after a unit. So there is a inescapablel tendency to associate Gundam with the protagonist. Perhaps that is why some of the other shows tried to alleviate that by having Gundams on different sides. So yeah, I think given that natural handicap writers can always do more, not less to present a more balanced view.

But with regards to Thunderbolt. I really like it. It's as you say, a very dark, perhaps realistic portrayals of an insanely brutal war. It's tough to say who is the protagonist and who is the antagonist on this one. IMHO that's how Tomino intended Gundam to be, or atleast that's how I pictured Gundam to be.
Jul 4, 2016 5:00 AM

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Dec 2015
6479
Jagtmirage said:
It's tough to say who is the protagonist and who is the antagonist on this one. IMHO that's how Tomino intended Gundam to be, or atleast that's how I pictured Gundam to be.

Well, you never see what real intents were behind Deikun's words (who aren't even first-hand in 0079), and you never get to see the real face of the almost permanently silent Degwin Zabi either, since when the anime starts, Gihren is the real player.
So, even inside the opposite side of the hero, you can't see clearly who is who. (that's why Yasuhiko was able to portray Degwin and Deikun the way he did without making it look strange, with the original in mind)

For Thunderbold, at least in those ONAs, it's clear the purpose is to have everyone on the same line. You can't even argue wich side is better.
Rei_IIIJan 28, 2020 10:38 AM
Jul 20, 2016 11:11 AM

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Jan 2015
15106
Wuuuuuut, sequel when
Aug 16, 2016 12:53 PM

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Jul 2009
5807
I'm not super familiar with Gundam, especially the UC series, but this was actually a pretty good watch. Nice battles with great animation, cool throwback art-style and a powerful "war is hell" underlying message. Characters aren't fully explored since it was way too short, but deciphering them through their pieces of memories and actions in battle was half the fun. If this was a full TV series I could definitely see it making way to the top of my list.

I'll give it somewhere around 7/10.
Aug 27, 2016 1:28 AM

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Mar 2012
730
Honestly the one thing i love about some of these OVAs is how they reflect on the psychological aspects of war and the realities of it. I also love how there is no clear good guy/bad guy. Very well done, even if too short.


"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment"
Jan 29, 2017 3:41 AM

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Sep 2014
4838
oh my.. this was great!
If every gundam series was like this, it would be my favorite franchise for sure.

Cant wait for the second season, gonna watch the movie next.

I want to dive into the main story of gundam now, I only saw the "spin offs" so far, because even if I like the old artstyle, getting the old series is pretty hard. Also its kinda much I have to watch.
"This emotion is mine alone.
It is for Madoka alone." - Homura
or how I would descripe Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica.
Mar 22, 2017 9:40 AM

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Aug 2012
480
I was very impressed by this series despite how short it was. It takes the conflict of Zeon and the Federation and shows a real, bloody, brutal story of War and how it affects all those involved on both sides and how even the best intentions aren't always the right ones. The sacrifices that are made and the tragic decisions from those trying to gain the edge. It was extremely effective at telling a truly horrific tale of War and yet it was still Gundam, it was still Giant Robots and Laser Blasts in Space. It's pretty amazing.

Also the Animation is utterly fantastic, I adored the character designs and the Gundam battles were easily some of the best Mecha action I've seen in an Anime. The detail, the fast motion and the lighting were all really incredible. The soundtrack also was really interesting as it's mainly Jazz and Easy Listening Pop which really juxtaposed the action quite nicely and added a further sense of brutality to the whole thing.

I was very surprised I gave it a 10 and still feel that way but when I order my thoughts on it like I just have typing this, a 10 seems the only appropriate score to give it.
Apr 19, 2017 10:43 AM
🥊 CHAMPION 🥊

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Apr 2016
23552
One of the best "Gundam series"

This last episode, short of 17 minutes, has all: Intensity, Action, Good Music, Cruelty, Missery, Bloody, Hate, Loved, Feeelings and the "war" his hidden face... The final confrontation wins Lorenz, Zeon pilot, but Io is not dead, tortured hostage, but not dead!!!


9/10 to me!!!
Apr 19, 2017 2:09 PM
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Jul 2018
564074
I like the fact that Earth Federation has "female" mobile suit pilots. That is progress. But the Zeon side doesn't have "female" mobile suit pilots. Zeon is sexist against women. Earth Federation did the right thing conscripting girls to the frontlines. oh and btw, please make more Thunderbolt episodes after episode 8. Like a season 3. Because Thunderbolt has potential to be a full anime series.
May 15, 2017 9:59 AM

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Apr 2009
2794
Am I the only one who doesn't like the music in this show?
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Jun 3, 2017 11:24 PM

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Jan 2012
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Squall99 said:
I like the fact that Earth Federation has "female" mobile suit pilots. That is progress. But the Zeon side doesn't have "female" mobile suit pilots. Zeon is sexist against women. Earth Federation did the right thing conscripting girls to the frontlines. oh and btw, please make more Thunderbolt episodes after episode 8. Like a season 3. Because Thunderbolt has potential to be a full anime series.


Oh man I hope you're not being serious. You say that's Zeon being sexist but actually you're better off attacking the creator of Thunderbolt themselves and the character designer. They're the ones that decide what characters go on each side. So I guess they're sexist to you?

Zeon has had plenty of female pilots like the awesome Marida Cruz from Gundam Unicorn. It's just that since Zeon are often portrayed as the "bad guys," the women pilots often meet a bad fate. Not so much on the Federation side.

Jan 27, 2018 7:58 PM

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Jul 2017
1710
What a harsh realm. Good ending. Very brutal and upsetting in an appropriate way - it is war.
Oct 5, 2018 3:50 PM

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Oct 2015
6916
I liked the action if this one from the get go. Flemming was my favorite although he seems to be the antagonist and Daryl won.

I wonder what season 2 is like.
How I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb --- Dr Strangelove

Dec 7, 2018 7:35 AM

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Jul 2015
5111
Glad that I finally found a Gundam I liked (and hopefully there will be more to come in the future), outstanding animation and solid drama despite the short lenght.
Jun 2, 2019 10:39 AM

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Nov 2016
31879
As many have already said, the characters were ok, but this series is still lacking in that department. In terms of visual quality and atmosphere on the other hand, they did an awesome job and therefore I enjoyed this a great deal.

One Piece episode 914 & 915 & 1027 were a mistake and 957 brought the salvation - FMmatron


Apr 22, 2020 7:32 AM

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Jul 2011
1106
This actually ended up with less deaths than I expected.
I guess that makes for a somewhat happier ending but it's still pretty harsh.
Jun 14, 2021 11:24 PM

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Feb 2020
2520
Damn, this could've been my favorite Gundam so far if it had different music. I loved the realistic characters, especially Daryl and Claudia. The Federation cannon fodder and the Zeon soldiers at the end were also portrayed very well. The action was good, although it did bore my a little bit sometimes. Sadly the soundtrack took a serious toll on my enjoyment.
7/10
Sep 15, 2:54 PM
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Mar 2019
9420
Was anybody Good or Bad in this, or was it just Space War??
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It’s time to ditch the text file.
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