Obviously if you’re going to pick up a new series you’re going to want to know if it’s worth your time and Gundam 00 is one (if not the only) interesting robot shows this season. For people heavily into the robot genre this season may seem a wash after Tenga Toppa Gurren Lagann and for many Gundam 00 may be unviewable due to the strict contrast between the super robot and the just normal robot series.
It’s true, we’re spoiled by big budget high animation and the over the top story lines of shows like Gurren Lagann which makes something like Gundam very boring. There is no token Kamina character who makes you shout with joy. There is no amazing attacks that require five minutes to shout the entire name or charge the lasers. There is however a real political landscape and a very deep plot.
Lots of people were introduced to robots recently by Gurren Lagann and I have no doubt that they may find many other robots enjoyable (even though Gurren Lagann’s broad viewership makes it though to beat) but they may take a disliking to Gundam 00. The plot moves along at a slow pace only because there is so much plot to go through. Each episode (so far of the four I’ve seen) contain tons and tons of plot but like any fifty plus episode series there is so much to go and so much you don’t know.
So, I’m going to say up front, there is a difference between super robots and regular robots. Super robots will make the impossible possible through shear burning spirit. Regular robots will make the impossible possible with bravery and skill against enemies who are only slightly stronger than the machines they utilize. So you’re not going to get any galaxy throwing competitions going (even in fake space).
If you’re ok with that or a regular Gundam fan then you’re in for something that is worth following in my opinion. If nothing more than something to old off to the mid-season break with Code Geass season two may start. The episodes are entertaining and there is no glaring mistakes yet.
Those burned by Gundam Seed Destiny have no need to worry. This looks really solid so far and there are no transforming robots to spend the entire episode with stock footage on. The pilots are not very, how do you say… emo, so you’re good on that front. In one episode one of the pilots even followed orders when that choice may make things very difficult for them in the near future.
I can’t spoil much but I will say that the Mendoi (the subbing group) is rather hardcore and also very big assholes. However, one of their subbers has shown that Gundam 00 has a lot of research on current world tensions and utilizes them in the series. There is a lot of political comment and tons of interesting tid-bits you would not normally find.
The mecha so far are pretty decent. We have the “I-win” lightsaber, but there are doubts about how long it’ll be the “I-win” button of choice. We have a princess, like Wing, along with four Gundam meisters.
If you liked Gundam Wing, enjoyed Gundam Seed (the original), and you thought most other normal robot shows were okay then I’d head over to http://www.mymenclave.com/ and start downloading.
If you like super robot shows and have never seen a serious robot show before then I suggest getting Gundam Wing first to test the waters. You can watch the original series or even Seed if you want. There are always different opinions on which shows are the best. Personally I like all of them (except Gundam Seed Destiny). So try it out for yourself.
The first 2 episodes were a tad dry but they are starting to pick up on a perfect balance between plot and action. I am quite enjoying gundam 00, although I cant say I am enjoying it as much as the original gundam seed but there really isnt much to say this early in the series since the good “cool” feelings will probally come later on. Needless to say I am hooked still and await the next episode every week like a crack addict his next dosage.