Gundam Build Divers - Episode 1 Discussion / Poll

[Wandering Soul]

Got to agree with everyone else that this was a pretty meh episode. The only thing to take away is that Gundam continues it's series of great onne-sans with Nanami.

[Urei]

That was a pretty nice Build Fighters series first episode. It does some things a bit differently:

- GBN is a fresh idea imo. It's a more mmo-like world that enables some new possibilities like new ways to interact with your gunpla, treat it more personally and such...

- a world of gundams that players create and can possibly recreate events or battles from original series.

- in previous Build series you have a hero who doesn't know much about gunpla but gradually gets sucked into it and starts to love it. Here you have a very gundamish trope of a mysterious girl and her connection with MC. Original Gundam series did it to death but I kinda like to see it in Build Fighters series nevertheless.

- even though the GBN and fights in Divers are something more 'virtual' in comparison to other Build Fighters series I somehow feel it's way more believable and similar to our current world then other Build Fighters series where you had holographic effects and plavsky particles explaining everything.

[Norn]

I think that the VRMMO aspect is actually rather good. I mean, it brings the social aspect in what is otherwise considered a rather solo kind of hobby. Next, the idea of avatars might appeal to the roleplayers, Chuuni's and those who want to really express themselves in general. It also helps in making the show a bit more lighthearted. The missions also appeal to those who don't really want to 1v1 and might not be all that competitive. It also allows for some to play with friends regardless of the difference in skill.


That being said, I'm still not completely sold on the anime. I don't mind that the cast isn't college aged, but the character design reeks of the usual route toy specific anime go (B Daman, Beyblade, you name it). It comes off as very corny and for me it gets in the way of how I perceive the plot.

I don't like that the MC uses a 00 based gundam. I get it, as far as marketing goes it's a good choice as 00 is a gateway anime for a lot of people. But at the same time it speaks of a very risk averse choice. It's not as if 00 based gundams weren't overrepresented already in the GBF series (especially Try). I guess what annoys me most is that 00 diver looks incredibly bland. For instance Ogre-GNX and Gundam Scheherazade look far more interesting. I see nothing really distinguishing or special about the 00 Diver.

[CelestialNocturne]

It's alright so far, but nothing extraordinary (not that I was expecting that but I was certainly expecting a bit more than what we got here). Still hoping that the rumoured IBO project isn't just a ruse and that this series is just a placeholder until then... Not to say that this series won't put a smile on my face with all of the references and what have you but after something as heavy-handed as IBO, this show having no stakes whatsoever doesn't really lend well towards investing emotionally with the plot.

[Rising Dragon]

It's a little unfair to say such things about the 00 Diver when we all know the gunpla's incomplete as far as the story goes.

Also unfair to claim that 00 is over-represented in the franchise. Oooh, wow, three whole notable customized machines: Amazing Exia/Dark Matter, Transient, and G-Portent.

Dark Matter TOTALLY is an over-representation against the two SEED machines, one Wing machine, one X machine, and ten UC machines.

The Transient and G-Portent over-represented 00 against the six original machines, sixteen UC machines, one Turn A machine, one Wing machine, one SD Gundam machine, one X machine, and one SEED machine.

...

Seriously, guys, you're not fooling anyone when you're claiming one AU series is over-represented. You're just mad it's not a UC-based machine.

[Galaxian]

This wasn't an "insta-grab" like the first episodes of the two previous seasons. However, the promise of cool new Gunpla designs and the goodwill the franchise already has from me is enough to get me to stick around for now and hope it improves.

[Rising Dragon]

Riku's looking like a nice contrast to Reiji and Sekai's prodigy statuses. I'm hoping we get to see him having to work for his early victories and grow from them. Good start on that front so far.

Originally Posted by CelestialNocturne

It's alright so far, but nothing extraordinary (not that I was expecting that but I was certainly expecting a bit more than what we got here). Still hoping that the rumoured IBO project isn't just a ruse and that this series is just a placeholder until then... Not to say that this series won't put a smile on my face with all of the references and what have you but after something as heavy-handed as IBO, this show having no stakes whatsoever doesn't really lend well towards investing emotionally with the plot.

It is entirely too soon to say that there's no stakes whatsoever in this show.

[Magewolf]

What is the point of scanning the models? In BF the construction of the models effected their ability to manipulate plavsky particles but in this everything has to be already programmed into the game. Do they have some kind of AI judging paint jobs to determinant hit points or something?

[Rising Dragon]

Probably the same computer system that judged the ability of the Gunpla back during the early years of Gunpla Battle, since not everything was readily apparent from the construction. Like the Star Build Strike's Absorb Shield or RG System. There's always been a computer component determining these things.

[GN0010 Nosferatu]

Just gonna copy and paste my thoughts from the discussion thread. I was unaware of this thread at the time.

Well it wasn't bad, for sure. I'm still iffy on the whole VR world video game aspect. I didn't really see a reason to leave behind the Build Fighters series, but w/e. Still looking forward to all the cameos and cool new kits. Saw a few that got my attention.

[xeviouses]

This feels more like 'Gundam Breaker: The Anime' rather than Build Fighters...then again the title does say 'Build Divers' so instead of viewing it as the third of the Build Fighters series I'll treat it as a different spin-off altogether.

When they were building Riku's gunpla I couldn't stop smiling, I get the same feeling when building my own gunpla, nervous then excited as the model gradually comes together.

[magnumcyclonex]

Finally! Gundam Build is back in one form or another! I do miss the old characters of the original GBF, because I really liked the international aspect of it, the Meijin, and the Plavsky Particles dispersion sequence. This series feels more like Yugioh VRAINS, where the characters go into a virtual world to battle.

Nevertheless, it feels fresh to see a well stocked model store, a building area, and a battle zone where participants can enter their newly built models. This is very reminiscent of the current Tamiya Mini 4WD hobby in Japan (which are highly customizable motorized model cars that are raced on special circuits).

Sadly, I'm not a fan of the opening theme song. It just doesn't do it for me. Also, is it always tradition for the MC to have the white blue yellow gundam? Why can't we stray from that premise and have MCs have different colored gundams? But, that's just a minor thing to worry about, as long as the story is good.

[Chosen_Hero]

[Sees Magee]

... Umm, who invited Hisoka to Gundam?

Originally Posted by BassGSnewtype

So rather making the Gunpla move it gets scanned?
THE FUTURE IS HERE!!!! (Almost)

Well the technology already exists so...

All we need now is a developer who can make the game a reality.

[Obelisk ze Tormentor]

Didn’t anybody find it funny that Matsuoka (aka. Kirito) is the troublemaker fatso who got owned hard in this episode? Could it be that the director is saying: “Take that, Sword Art Online!” with that scene?

Originally Posted by magnumcyclonex

Sadly, I'm not a fan of the opening theme song. It just doesn't do it for me.

I actually like GBD’s OP1. Some says it’s a bit mellow, but I’m one who thinks that there’s nothing wrong with mellow OPs in action series. As such, I’m probably one of few endangered species who likes Gundam AGE OP1 coz it somehow reminds me of the music used in Astro Boy (Tetsuwan Atom). Sadly AGE is not as good as Tetsuwan Atom.

Originally Posted by magnumcyclonex

Also, is it always tradition for the MC to have the white blue yellow gundam? Why can't we stray from that premise and have MCs have different colored gundams? But, that's just a minor thing to worry about, as long as the story is good.

Amuro's final Gundam in CCA is pretty much black-&-white with a sprinkle of yellow & red. Garrod from Gundam X & Io from Thunderbolt also followed the same color-pattern with Gundam Double-X & Atlas Gundam. In Twilight Axis, the MCs didn't even pilot a Gundam. One is piloting a red Zaku III while the other is piloting a red MA.

Originally Posted by Magewolf

What is the point of scanning the models? In BF the construction of the models effected their ability to manipulate plavsky particles but in this everything has to be already programmed into the game. Do they have some kind of AI judging paint jobs to determinant hit points or something?

It’s nothing new really. Model Suit Gunpla Builders Beginning G already did it since 2010. Also about the computer, we can all assume that the system can get all kinds of information from the scanner. I mean, where do you think the Plavsky Particles got their information and data from in GBF? Plavsky Particles mostly only move the kits and realizes all the attacks and techniques. They get the origin data from the computer which then Plavsky develop from there.

Originally Posted by Norn

I don't like that the MC uses a 00 based gundam. I get it, as far as marketing goes it's a good choice as 00 is a gateway anime for a lot of people. But at the same time it speaks of a very risk averse choice. It's not as if 00 based gundams weren't overrepresented already in the GBF series (especially Try). I guess what annoys me most is that 00 diver looks incredibly bland.

It’s okay if you don’t like 00 Diver for aesthetic reasons (I am too, somewhat), but you can’t really accuse of 00’s Gundams being over-represented in Build series when SEED Gundams outdid 00 Gundams. And the numbers of UC Gundams easily beat them all.

Also (correct me if I’m wrong), due to rights, this is actually the first time the Build series can use 00 Gundam & 00 Raiser, right? And they don’t beat around the bush and making it the MC. It’s really about damn time. The MC of GBF used SEED-based Strike and G-Based Shining (in GM movie), and GBFT used an original base but we all know that the main inspiration is G-based God Gundam. Now, it’s time for 00 to shine.

[Faux Mecha]

Originally Posted by Obelisk ze Tormentor

Didn’t anybody find it funny that Matsuoka (aka. Kirito) is the troublemaker fatso who got owned hard in this episode? Could it be that the director is saying: “Take that, Sword Art Online!” with that scene?

so Kirito uses a fat guy avatar and bullies people in a VRMMORPG, seems legit.

[Urei]

Originally Posted by Obelisk ze Tormentor

It’s okay if you don’t like 00 Diver for aesthetic reasons (I am too, somewhat), but you can’t really accuse of 00’s Gundams being over-represented in Build series when SEED Gundams outdid 00 Gundams. And the numbers of UC Gundams easily beat them all.

Also (correct me if I’m wrong), due to rights, this is actually the first time the Build series can use 00 Gundam & 00 Raiser, right? And they don’t beat around the bush and making it the MC. It’s really about damn time. The MC of GBF used SEED-based Strike and G-Based Shining (in GM movie), and GBFT used an original base but we all know that the main inspiration is G-based God Gundam. Now, it’s time for 00 to shine.

I'll second that. 00 Gundams were somewhat present although never referred to directly. You always had a pretty solid representation from UC, Seed and Wing units.

[RRW]

To be fair there is 3 custom build that based on 00 in here atm. Also Riku is the 4th character that used Exia based suit. So i can see the over representative complain come from. Thought so far the unit variation is good. Still surprised no custom from seed. Thought the mysterious gunpla kinda look like somewhere from seed

[KPSJ]

Glad we got another gundam build I hope its 24 EPs

[Stark700]

I thought the first episode was alright but I wonder how long it can keep me invested with the characters. It's only the first episode but my impressions aren't very high on the MC so far.

Besides that, I think the action was a nice touch and they can do a lot with the ideas at hand right now.

[Urei]

Btw, I can't believe we get to see the Immortal Patric playing GBN in episode 01