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What You Need to Know Before Watching Gundam NT

The newest addition to the seminal Gundam franchise, the film Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative, is coming to over 450 US theaters for one day only: February 19, 2019. But just in case you're new to the Gundam franchise, or just want a bit of a refresher, here's what you should know to get the most out of the film.

What is Gundam?

Released in 1979, the original Mobile Suit Gundam TV series is the grandfather of modern mecha anime—and one of the main sources of the archetypes and tropes associated with the genre. Since its release, the franchise has continued strong with nearly two dozen additional TV series—not to mention the numerous films, OVAs, novels, and manga. The latest big release is Gundam Narrative which is hitting US theaters as the Gundam franchise reaches its 40th anniversary this year.

What is the Universal Century?

While many Gundam series take place in separate timelines and are unrelated to one another, a large portion are set in the same universe as the original Gundam anime. This is known as the “Universal Century” or “UC” timeline.

In the history of the UC timeline, overpopulation leads to space colonization. As time goes on, these colonies are exploited more and more by Earth. This, in turn, leads to a costly war between Earth and some of the space colonies. It is in this war that a new kind of weapon comes to prominence and forever alters the course of human history: pilotable humanoid giant robots known as “mobile suits.” And among these, one type reigns supreme: “Gundams.”



What is Gundam Narrative?

Gundam NT is the newest Gundam anime. It is also the first completely original UC timeline film in 28 years and the third original UC film overall. With its stunning traditional 2D animation and drama-filled plot, the film reached number one at the Japanese box office during its opening week. And now, with its English dub completed and read for action, it's coming to the US on February 19.

Do I need to have seen all the previous series to enjoy Gundam Narrative?

No. For all its mecha fights and connections to the larger UC Gundam story, Gundam NT is centered around a relatable human drama. The complex relationship between the three main characters is something that anyone can understand—regardless of any sci-fi trappings.

That said, to better understand the greater context of what's going on, there are a few things you should probably be familiar with.

● The Earth Federation

The Federation is the main ruling body of both Earth and the space colonies

● The Principality of Zeon

Due to socioeconomic differences between Earth and the colonies, a sizeable portion of the colonies made a bid for independence. Founded on the philosophies of the recently deceased Zeon Zum Deikun and ruled by Zeon's longtime aide Degwin Sodo Zabi, this new country named itself the Principality of Zeon.



● The One Year War

The Principality of Zeon's bid for independence eventually turned into a full scale war. When the war began, both sides used weapons of mass destruction freely—with Zeon even dropping a space colony on Australia, killing millions. After the first month, half of the total population was dead. In response, both sides agreed to banning WMDs—which lead directly to the rapid development of mobile suits like the Gundam.

In the end, the Federation was victorious, the entire Zabi family (save for a single infant) was killed, and the Principality of Zeon was reabsorbed into the Federation as a semi-autonomous state, the Republic of Zeon. However, the scars from the war never seemed to fully heal and numerous other conflicts, wars, and uprisings then plagued Earth and the colonies for the next 20 years.


● Newtypes

One of the key tenets of Zeon Zum Deikun's philosophy was that humanity would evolve to better exist in space and thus become a “new type” of human, as it were. The Zabi family used this idea as propaganda that those born in space are more evolved than those on Earth and should therefore rule themselves.

But in the One Year War, Newtypes, though rare, proved to be far more than simple propaganda. True Newtypes have a heightened form of awareness—not only of their surroundings but of the feelings of those around them. This hyper-awareness manifests in many different ways depending on the person: from precognition and remote viewing, to telepathy and even speaking with the dead.



● Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn

Set nearly twenty years after the One Year War, this series follows the last known Princess of Zeon, Mineva Lao Zabi, and Unicorn Gundam pilot Banagher Links as they work to find “Laplace's Box”—a mysterious item that supposedly has the ability to bring down the entire Earth Federation. But Mineva and Banagher are not the only ones on the hunt. On one side are powerful elements within the Federation, eager to protect themselves. On the other are the Zeon forces loyal to the masked man “Full Frontal”—a man said to be the reincarnation of Zeon Zum Deikun's only son and true heir to Zeon: the war hero Char Aznable.

But in the end, it's not Laplace's Box that shakes the world, it's the Unicorn Gundam itself. Throughout the Unicorn Gundam's metal body is a “psycho-frame” which allows a Newtype pilot to control the mobile suit by thought as if it was his or her own body. However, it also has the little understood side effect of amplifying a Newtype's powers. And in the closing moments of the series, Unicorn Gundam not only takes a hit from a colony-destroying superweapon and flies away unscathed, but disables countless mobile suits with a mere wave of its hand.

The unforeseen ramifications of this act are the driving force behind the events of Gundam NT.

*If you want to watch Gundam Unicorn in its entirety, it is available for free both subbed and dubbed on the Gundaminfo Official YouTube Channel.



What is Gundam Narrative about?

Gundam NT takes place a year after Gundam Unicorn. In the aftermath of Gundam Unicorn, both the Unicorn Gundam and its sister unit Banshee are disassembled to preserve peace and the balance of power. However, now, the long-lost third unit in the series, the Phenex, has appeared—and the hunt is on.

Leading the charge for the Federation is Jona Basta, pilot of the Narrative Gundam. Supported by his childhood friend Michele Luio (and her immense wealth and political power), the two will stop at nothing to capture the Phenex. However, their mission is as much personal as it is professional. The pilot of the Phenex is suspected to be their childhood friend Rita Bernal—a girl who saved their lives and many others by predicting the colony drop that killed millions during the first days of the One Year War. Yet, the relationship between the three friends is far more complicated than it appears on the surface as emotions like guilt and jealousy battle against their longstanding love for one another.

But even as Jona and Michele close in on the Phenex, the Republic of Zeon dispatches its own covert team to capture the mobile suit. And in the shadows of it all, Mineva Lao Zabi, the last princess of Zeon, sends her own force—unwilling to let either side destroy the fragile peace that has finally settled over Earth and the colonies.


*You can watch the first 23 minutes of Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative subbed in English on the Gundaminfo YouTube Channel.


Why Should You Catch Gundam NT in Theaters?

As this is a film made for the big screen—not to mention it being the first original UC Gundam film in nearly three decades—you owe it to yourself to see it in theaters if you have the chance. And if that weren't enough of a reason, there are a few bonuses for people who do.

In addition to the film, a special behind-the-scenes featurette about Gundam NT and the Gundam franchise overall will be shown. This featurette can only be seen in theaters and will not be included on the Blu-Ray/DVD release.

Moreover, the first fifty people through the door at each screening will receive a special Gundam NT poster that features a different picture on each side.

Don't miss your chance to see Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative in theaters on February 19, 2019. Tickets can be purchased through the Fathom Events homepage.
And if you need more Mobile Suit Gundam in your life, be sure to check out Gundam merchandise over at Premium Bandai.