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solot58



Joined: 15 Aug 2005
Posts: 53
Location: ATL GA
PostPosted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 10:30 pm Reply with quote
Maybe this sounds noobish... but i havnt watched ne Gundam ever... Prolly because i dont like Mechs but my friend said Gundam Seed Destiny was great.... i wanted to kno what should i watch to lead up to Gundam Seed Destiny... Gundam Seed maybe??? or do i hafta watch even farther back then that
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TranceLimit174



Joined: 21 Jul 2004
Posts: 962
PostPosted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:26 pm Reply with quote
Well for starters, stay away from Gundam SEED Destiny. Stay far away from it. However, Gundam SEED was really good. But, if you insist on watching Destiny because your friend reccommended it you should still watch SEED first since Destiny is the sequel to it. SEED is a nice intro. to the Gundam world. You don't have to watch any other series to understand SEED. The only Gundam shows that are best watched in order (even though they don't have to be) are those that take place in the Universal Century. If you want a rundown of the various Gundam shows you can check out this animenewsnetwork.com/bbs/phpBB2/viewtopic.php
?t=17972&postdays=0&postorder=asc&topic_view=&start=15.
It's a previous thread where the various Gundam series are very nicely outlined in order.
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Nagisa
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Joined: 19 Aug 2003
Posts: 6128
Location: Atlanta-ish, Jawjuh
PostPosted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 1:41 am Reply with quote
Should I just sticky this thing somewhere?

I wrote:
Anyway, the Gundam universe is comprised of six separate alternate universes that operate almost entirely independent from one-another, and you do not need to have seen one to understand the other. The main one, in which the majority of Gundam anime take place, is called the Universal Century, and naturally is the setting of the original Gundam series, as well. The other five alternate universes independent of the UC are typically only comprised of one, maybe two series at the most, and as stated, do not necessarily require viewing UC Gundam to understand, as one does not have any impact on the other.

For ease of reference, I've jotted down most of the current Gundam anime, organised by timeline, as well as their chronological order within that timeline. The numbers in parenthesis are the years they were produced, followed by the starting years they take place within the timeline.

Universal Century

Main Timeline
The main timeline is basically the central chronology of events within the Universal Century. It's the core part of this timeline, directed entirely by Yoshiyuki Tomino and for the most part, following many of Gundam's most key characters, such as Amuro Ray, Char Aznable, & Kamille Bidan.

Mobile Suit Gundam (1979, UC0079)
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (1985, UC0087)
Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (1986, UC0088)
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack (1988, UC0093)
Mobile Suit Gundam F91 (1991, UC0123)
Mobile Suit Victory Gundam (1993, UC0153)

Sidestories
The sidestories to the Universal Century are essentially what take place during the early wars of the series, away from the events of the main timeline. They are not essential to understanding what goes on in the main story, but help to further flesh out events happening elsewhere.

Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: The Hidden One-Year War (2004, Jan. UC0079)
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team (1995, circa Oct. UC0079)
Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket (1989, Dec. UC00079)
Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory (1991, UC0083)

Future Century
Mobile Fighter G Gundam (1994, FC60)

After Colony
New MS Report Gundam Wing (1995, AC195)
New MS Report Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz (1997, AC196)

After War
After War Gundam X (1996, AW0015)

Correct Century
Turn-A Gundam (1999, CC2345)

Cosmic Era
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (2002, C.E.71)
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny (2004, C.E.73)

Compilations
Compilations are essentially retellings of prior Gundam stories that compress the events into a shorter digest form, in order to spare fans from having to down an entire 50-something episode series, provide an alternate viewpoint on the story, throw in a few extra scenes, make an extra buck, etc. Some of them, like the Mobile Suit Gundam trilogy and 08th MS Team's Miller's Report, turn out quite well, while others, like Gundam SEED's Special Editions and Gundam 0083's The Last Blitz of Zeon, leave a little bit of something to be desired.

Mobile Suit Gundam I (1981, UC0079)
Mobile Suit Gundam II: Soldiers of Sorrow (1981, UC0079)
Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space (1982, UC0079)
Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: The Last Blitz of Zeon (1992, UC0083)
New MS Report Gundam Wing: Operation Meteor (1996, AC195)
New MS Report Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz Special Edition (1998, AC196)
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team: Miller's Report (1998, UC0079)
Turn-A Gundam I: Earth Light (2002, CC2345)
Turn-A Gundam II: Moonlight Butterfly (2002, CC2345)
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Special Edition (2003, C.E.71)
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny -EDITED- (2005, C.E.73)
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam I: Heirs to the Stars (2005, UC0087)
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam II: Lovers (2005, UC0087)
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam III: [title unknown] (2006, UC0087)

A note on Gundam SEED Destiny -EDITED-, it was a special TV episode independent of the actual series meant to update newcomers to the series on what had happened in the first 15-ish episodes. It's unsure if there was only meant to be one, or if a series was planned that was later scrapped, as no more -EDITED- specials have appeared since.


solot58 wrote:
but my friend said Gundam Seed Destiny was great....


Wow, talk about questionable taste. Razz Gundam SEED may be up there with the better Gundam titles around, but Gundam SEED Destiny is one of the worst Gundam titles ever. I'd even go so far as to say it's even one of the worst anime in general of the past 3-5 years. Nonexistant character development, irritatingly random plot pacing, inconsistently pursued & frequently dropped storylines, random story re-writes throughout the series, actively changing characters' entire personalities from one episode to the next, warping the returning SEED characters' personalities, cutting way too many corners animation-wise, it's all one, massive mess. Watch SEED, but pretend SEED Destiny doesn't exist. Trust me, you'll be a happier and all-around better person for it, and it'll actually allow you to enjoy the first SEED a lot more in the long run.


Last edited by Nagisa on Wed Oct 19, 2005 4:02 am; edited 3 times in total
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MeggieMay



Joined: 08 Jun 2004
Posts: 607
PostPosted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 2:54 am Reply with quote
FYI Nagisa - I happen to like Gundam SEED Destiny a LOT and I don't like someone telling me that my views and opinions are scum of the earth because another poster doesn't feel the same way, let alone a moderator Mad . The reason I feel moderators need to try and keep it together is because IMO moderators are suppose to be around to make sure the sort of posts like the one you just did don't start flamewars, not start them.

So whether or not you meant it that way, that is how I'm reading your reply Nagisa. You may think you're trying to be insulting toward the powers that be on the show but they aren't reading these forums (I don't even know if they can read English to start with). Instead the only people who are getting insulted are your fellow posters who may have watched the show and liked it Mad .

As for SEED being better than GSD, I agree it is. However, in my opinion many of the same problems you listed as being horribly wrong with GSD are just as present in SEED. Remember how the early episodes of SEED dragged before spoiler[the theater of war changed to Earth]? Remember spoiler[Andy's] return? The spoiler[George Glenn] plotline that really goes no where (unless you read the manga but most TV viewers aren't reading the manga's or other extra material for TV shows they watch)? spoiler[Space Whales anyone?! Laughing ]

The difference is that GSD came second and that this made many of the same problems SEED had much more noticable. As well the lead character for GSD seems to start out as one character and switch back to the SEED characters. "Seems" because that was really more stated in the promotional material than it ever seemed to actually happen in the show.

So lets let the poster make their own opinion on the show. Because if I went by what I've read I'd have never given any Gundam a chance [because I'd read the original Gundam was old and dated, Gundam Wing, Gundam X, and G Gundam "sucked" and weren't worth wasting ones time on viewing, and only anime fans who were too young and/or unsophistocated to like the original Gundam watched SEED Rolling Eyes ]

Edit: I see you posted while I was working on this. I also didn't take your original post as being humor. Why? Well you are the first person who's claimed they are being humors and said those things that I've read in two weeks. At most fourms that still have active SEED universe threads, the vitroal and bashing has gone through the roof and it's pretty much been those who were let down by GSD bashing the powers that be and anyone who liked it into the proverbial ground Sad . An that's not getting into the usual death threat type stuff you see in most fandoms when a show doesn't go the way many want it too.

So that's where I'm coming from, though I can't speak for others.
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Nagisa
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Joined: 19 Aug 2003
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Location: Atlanta-ish, Jawjuh
PostPosted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 3:06 am Reply with quote
MeggieMay wrote:
FYI Nagisa - I happen to like Gundam SEED Destiny a LOT and I don't like someone telling me that my views and opinions are scum of the earth because another poster doesn't feel the same way, let alone a moderator Mad . The reason I feel moderators need to try and keep it together is because IMO moderators are suppose to be around to make sure the sort of posts like the one you just did don't start flamewars, not start them.

So whether or not you meant it that way, that is how I'm reading your reply Nagisa. You may think you're trying to be insulting toward the powers that be on the show but they aren't reading these forums (I don't even know if they can read English to start with). Instead the only people who are getting insulted are your fellow posters who may have watched the show and liked it Mad .


Wow, this is ridiculous. Unless you're the friend solot mentioned, I haven't said jack about you, okay? And if you are, I figured it should've been obvious that the comment wasn't meant to be taken seriously. I didn't make a single real comment about Destiny fans as a whole throughout the entire post. I joked around with solot, stated my opinion on the show, and that was that. Just because I'm not exactly being gentle in saying "I do declare I think this show is freakin' awful and I wouldn't recommend it" doesn't mean I'm taking personal shots at you. It's not my fault if you regard negative criticism of a cartoon as a grievous verbal assault on you as a person.
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Haades



Joined: 12 Oct 2005
Posts: 6
PostPosted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 8:04 am Reply with quote
I would say that to new viewers Gundam Seed Destiny shouldn't be recommended. I would rather recommend Gundam Seed first. Why? Well, to start with, Gundam Seed has enough action sequences to satisfy even the most insatiable of violence-lovers. Furthermore, Gundam Seed does good job of relating the the past witht the future. Gundam Seed, also, has good music and beautiful animation. Although, I agree, not everyone will have Gundam Seed as their cup of tea, Gundam Seed is top-notch animation; but if you are a Gundam fan, then definitely try Destiny. Gundam Wing is also a good show, I don't know if there are many people who can disagree with that.
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TranceLimit174



Joined: 21 Jul 2004
Posts: 962
PostPosted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 11:56 am Reply with quote
Wow Nagisa's been getting some bad backlash.

Quote:
Gundam Wing, Gundam X, and G Gundam "sucked" and weren't worth wasting ones time on viewing


I can't speak for X and I still think Wing is worth a shot, but I have to disagree with you on G. G Gundam is one of if not the most refreshing incarnation of Gundam (the second one being Turn A). But to stay on topic, I'm gonna say to go ahead and watch SEED if you're new to the franchise. As far as Destiny, you'll wind up watching despite the warnings. But hey, we warned you.
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Nagisa
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Joined: 19 Aug 2003
Posts: 6128
Location: Atlanta-ish, Jawjuh
PostPosted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 1:27 pm Reply with quote
Old School: I'm deleting posts to keep this thread on-topic. You and Meggie seem to insist on permanently derailing things for the sake of taking public issue with my sense of humor. If you still have some grievous issue with my attempts to kid around with someone without being all patronizing about it, PM me as I did with you.

Meggie: changed the wording, but the intent remains the same. Maybe the original wording wasn't the best in the world, but I've used that exact same line exactly as I had it numerous times and everyone else got that I was joking. That's all I'm going to say.

And now that I've just had to perform one hell of a cleanup on this place over one insignificant remark that got blown way out of proportion, can we PLEASE get back to the actual topic at hand? Thank you.
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Kyle Smyth



Joined: 29 Sep 2005
Posts: 157
Location: Ontario, Canda
PostPosted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 5:06 pm Reply with quote
TranceLimit174 wrote:
The only Gundam shows that are best watched in order (even though they don't have to be) are those that take place in the Universal Century.


This is a good point. I just thought that I would quote it so that it would stand out amongst the kaos that was going on in this thread.

My personal favourite to the Gundam series would be Mobile Suit Gundam Wing. It had action, great characters and in my opinion wicked music. The mecha was also pretty sweet, however Seed delivered the sexiest mechas that I have witnessed.

There is a New-Type magazine that outlines the Gundam series quite well and it was just put out a little while ago. It was June 2005 issue; volume 04, Issue 06. You might be able to pick it up some where or put it on back order if you would like it as a reference.

Also Gundam Seed is the longest Gundam series yet so far. It was not my personal favourite so if you want to save some time you might try watching a shorter series. I am sure what a good one to recomend as far as that goes so maybe some one else can recomend one.
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solot58



Joined: 15 Aug 2005
Posts: 53
Location: ATL GA
PostPosted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 6:22 pm Reply with quote
yea thanks for the advice.. on another note.. it doesnt make too much of a difference if sum1 bashes an anime, because sumtimes in sum1's eyes the show was crappy and thats understandable.. i guess i'll watch SEED and then if i like it enough i will watch Destiny
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Justice Gundam



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Posts: 15
PostPosted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 12:58 am Reply with quote
They didn't tell you that Gundam Seed sucks as well as Destiny and the first three AU series. Saying them without having some premeditations would only make you a target for bashers. I do recommend watching SEED before Destiny, it's earlier and you may grasp what really happened in the Bloody Valentine War. Besides, bashing a certain series like Wing (which is my favorite) and G and X (I liked them as well) would be insulting to those who worked hard to made them, no matter what the results are. If you didn't like it, then you rather say "I didn't like that much this show" rather than "THIS SHOW SUX!" stuff like that and don't talk about it any further. It unsettles many of the humble fans as well as the mainstram ones.
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MeggieMay



Joined: 08 Jun 2004
Posts: 607
PostPosted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 1:21 am Reply with quote
Nagisa wrote:
Old School: I'm deleting posts to keep this thread on-topic. You and Meggie seem to insist on permanently derailing things for the sake of taking public issue with my sense of humor. If you still have some grievous issue with my attempts to kid around with someone without being all patronizing about it, PM me as I did with you.

Meggie: changed the wording, but the intent remains the same. Maybe the original wording wasn't the best in the world, but I've used that exact same line exactly as I had it numerous times and everyone else got that I was joking. That's all I'm going to say.

And now that I've just had to perform one hell of a cleanup on this place over one insignificant remark that got blown way out of proportion, can we PLEASE get back to the actual topic at hand? Thank you.


Well if you PMed me it never showed up Confused. I'm not saying you didn't try to PM me, because I realized as I was reading this that I've never had a PM show up in my inbox in all the time I've been active on this board. I've actually been waiting to see if someone would reply to something I sent out a few days ago and have been wondering if I just didn't warrent a reply or what was going on (I even checked my settings to see if it was set to receive PM's but it looked OK) Shocked .

I'm sorry if you feel I was dragging the thread off topic. I'll try and get this back on topic.

I agree with Haades and the others that watching SEED first, if at all possible, is the way to go. The Gundam Universes as a general rule are should be watched in order because they follow a linear timeline and you usually get more out of watching them in order than not.

As for Gundam Wing and G Gundam, I'm trying to watch Gundam Wing for the first time at the moment (actually started earlier this year). It has been taking me a long time to get through the show (I'm still in the teen episodes) but it isn't because I don't like the show (I'm just slow). At this point the show is extremely different than SEED/GSD with more emphasis on the fighting vs the more interpersonal plots (relationships oriented) that SEED seems to do more of.

With G Gundam, I've never seen more than single disks or single box sets to buy off the shelf so I haven't been able to even consider watching it at this point. While I could order the show from a online retailer, I have to admit that the negitive reviews I've heard of the show, as well as I've heard that the show has a lot of episodes and that G Gundam is a tournament style show (one group competing against another group like the card shows (Pokeman and Yugio)). All of these factors have made me feel I should put it off for the time being (I'm not much of a fan of shows tournament shows to begin with). Gundam X, along with Turn A Gundam aren't out to buy in the U.S. but I really do want to see Turn A Gundam, someday, even if I never get to see it the correct order placement. Most people who've seen Turn A have said it's fantastic and the fact Yoko Kanno did the music has peaked my interested in it as well.
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TranceLimit174



Joined: 21 Jul 2004
Posts: 962
PostPosted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 1:58 am Reply with quote
Quote:
Also Gundam Seed is the longest Gundam series yet so far. It was not my personal favourite so if you want to save some time you might try watching a shorter series. I am sure what a good one to recomend as far as that goes so maybe some one else can recomend one.


I don't think that's quite right. Gundam SEED does have the distinction of being the only AU series to have a sereis sequel (Wing had Endless Waltz as a sequel but that was an OVA/Movie). SEED has just developed it's own continuity with its sequel Destiny as well as the various Astray manga. But really, if you're going to count SEED and Destiny collectivley then you might as well count the entire UC as a whole which would make that the longest Gundam series.

As far as short Gundam series that are good. I would personally reccommend both Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory and MS Gundam: The 08th MS Team. Both are out on DVD now in nice cheap boxsets.
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Utokai



Joined: 19 Oct 2005
Posts: 20
PostPosted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 7:44 am Reply with quote
It all depends on what you want out of the series. I'm in the middle of watching Zeta and it's great. However, there are very big differences between this show and say, Gundam Wing. First off, there is a series that comes before Zeta, Mobile Suit Gundam (the original). Gundam Wing is its own self-contained story. Zeta has a lot of action, but it's as very realistic; Gundam Wing, has a lot of action, but it's very over the top. Where many of the pilots in Zeta have very distinct skill levels and Gundam capabilities, Wing exaggerates everything. For example, one suit in Zeta is generally not capable of taking on a whole army base, but in Gundam Wing, it is.

Rather than watching the original, you could track down the three movies, which summarize the original plot well. Alternatively, you could just look for a plot synopsis online of this. They just started releasing the Zeta DVDs separately, but the LE Box is still availavle at Amazon.com, if you were looking to purchase.
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Nagisa
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Joined: 19 Aug 2003
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 3:29 pm Reply with quote
TranceLimit174 wrote:
Quote:
Also Gundam Seed is the longest Gundam series yet so far. It was not my personal favourite so if you want to save some time you might try watching a shorter series. I am sure what a good one to recomend as far as that goes so maybe some one else can recomend one.


I don't think that's quite right.


And you would be correct. SEED is 50 episodes, same as Zeta & Destiny, and none of them would be properly identified as the longest single Gundam series. That honor goes to 51-episode Victory Gundam.
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