I haven't finished 00 at this point, I would probably get down to watching it after DVDs have been released or something, but so far as an AU series it did pretty good. My Gundam 00 marathon was interrupted by being very busy with work (@.@;; ), but I managed to watch up to at least either episode 21 of it. I could still say that even if it was way more decent than its predecessors, it's still quite lacking at some point (especially "LOL I AM SETSUNA F. SEIEI GUNDAM MEISTER LOL").
While good intentioned, the circumstances that led to that point were a bit awkward and felt a little forced, just as it felt just...obligatory. I would like to point out that in those instances, the way wherein Setsuna and Marina could've met would be not as organized as one would like it...heck, there's a war going on and at that point a lot of anti CB/anti CB "posers"/fanatics/etc. were making it more difficult such that an ordinary meeting would make it even more out of place. The meeting could've been perfect, but how Setsuna revealed his identity could've at least been worked on a little bit more.
I liked how the CB was presented...for once, we have real pilots who couldn't even use the power of Gundam in order to actually inject much more sense into why they are untouchable, etc. Once the world powers learned about them, they really went their way and actually thought of plans that would net them Gundams and even were able to fight off against them SUCCESSFULLY.
Mizushima wasn't one who was afraid how Sergei's attempted Gundam raep could affect the Exia sales, or how Graham Kick + Special could affect Dynames sales, and so on and so forth. It's as if, the previous Gundam shows were afraid to touch or even scratch Gundanium/whatever CE Gundam armor is called Gundam armor. Mizushima actually has the guts to try dragging Gundam names in mud, getting them destroyed, and even forcing some of the pilots to die or go MIA. Now the Gundam could be called as just another ordinary MS at this point, but the obligatory powerup...LOL.
well, at least it had sense. When the Gundams were thrashed enough, Mizushima called upon the power of the obligatory powerup...only to be thrashed again.
it just proves that even obligatory plot armor isn't haxxors FTW once you get them...something could still go wrong at some point. Mizushima actually made Gundam protagonists HUMAN~~~!!!
And the villains....what...this is the first time I ever rooted for villains wholeheartedly, and not just because I hate how the protagonists end up becoming VERY untouchable.
I love Graham, Billy, Sergei, Soma...even
I felt very sad when
, and how
. It really shows how some of these characters were very developed, the point of characterizing them as either villain or protagonist has become very blurred and pointless. The Trinity siblings did receive the Extended treatment in some way, but Nena was a cool character...because of her actions, she became one of Gundam 00's more memorable psychotic characters to be hated. Not exactly strong characterization at this point, but it's a start I guess. Marina, Shirin, Wan Ryuumin...they each had their small spots within the story, but probably they would have bigger roles in season 2, and this is just a warmup for them. Sumeragi and the bridge bunnies...even if they weren't shown every episode that much, they still had significant character growth, even if it's small or infinitesimal, or whatever. All otehr side characters...wow, Mizushima actually gave thought to each of them in some way.
And the Meisters. XD I love all of them so much, especially Setsuna and Allelujah and Tieria, during the ending episodes. Lockon is still very special, but these characters were developed to a point that they are now quite comparable with Lockon in some way, lol. XD yeah, the Lockon fangirl in me. But I really appreciated how Setsuna and company really grew as characters.
Overall, I will give this 9/10 (until I finally conclude it with the DVDs lol). Well done Mizushima. You have truly become an Tomino.
Fly since ↔...
Artist
and cagalli was a?
