Anime Review: Mobile Fighter – G Gundam

This was written for Maglomaniac on October 1, 2013

It’s an old-fashioned anime review.  By gar, it’s been awhile! 

So, what’s on the docket for today?  How about the one Gundam series I had yet to see all of that I liked? There are only 3 series that fall in this category when it comes to Gundam.  I thank Toonami for that.  Nothing against the other series (especially the very first), but the 3 series that I hold near and dear are 08^th MS Gundam Team, Gundam Wing (which I will review in the future), and last but not least, Mobile Fighter: G Gundam.  These three could not be any more different from each other in varying aspects.  One is a spin-off of the main story of the Gundam franchise, one is a re-telling of the very first series in an alternate universe, and one is an original story in a universe where Gundams are used for one purpose: combat sports.  Sound interesting?  Then, let’s get things started!  GUNDAM REVIEW ALL SET!  READY!  GO!

Mobile Fighter – G Gundam takes place in a future century, alternate to the universe of the original series.  Though the series was made in 1994, the setting is the distant future.  The people of Earth had left to colonize space as Earth was ruined and destroyed.  Countries from around the world moved to space to form “neo” versions of their countries.  In order to avoid wars or battles between the colonies for superiority, it was agreed that a Gundam Fight Tournament would be held.  Each colony chooses a pilot to captain the Gundam representing their colony to fight, and fight, and fight other Gundams until one stands tall as the winner.  The winning Gundam allows their respective colony to rule both the Earth and the colonies for 4 years, until the next Gundam Fight Tournament.  Now that the particulars are out of the way, we have our protagonist: Domon Kasshu

Representing Neo-Japan, Domon’s mission goes into two directions.  The first direction is the standard direction mentioned in the previous paragraph.  The second direction involves his father.  Dr. Kasshu created an amazing new Gundam that had incredible abilities. However, due to circumstances beyond his control, the new Gundam was stolen by Domon’s brother, Kyoji.  In the process of the theft, Domon’s mother was shot and killed on the spot trying to intervene peacefully.  Dr. Kasshu was placed in a coma as a captive of Neo-Japan until the Dark Gundam was destroyed or Kyoji was.  Domon, who was not on hand to see this, is now bound and determined to win the Gundam Fight.  On his way, he runs into rivals from different colonies.  As it turns out, each of them have personal goals that need to be met upon winning the Gundam fight.  Specifically, there was Chibodee Crocket of Neo-America, Sai Saici of Neo-China, George de Sand of Neo-France, and Argo Gulskii of Neo-Russia.  These fighters play very important roles in the story and the Gundam Fight as you will see.  Throw in vital peripheral characters, like Domon’s partner, Rain Mikamura, Domon’s martial arts master, Master Asia, Major Ulube of Neo-Japan’s army, among others, and you have the makings of a 49 episode series that will have more action than your standard Gundam anime.

What draws me to this series is the divergent path taken to the Gundam’s means of combat.  Instead of wars with alien forces or corrupt governments, the Gundams battle with each other for national pride.  There aren’t a select few people who pilot Gundams.  Every nation has one, and their best combatant pilots it.  What is also very unique is the control system known as the “Mobile Trace” system.  The pilot is placed in a skin tight suit, fitted with electrodes that connect the body to the Gundam’s computer system, allowing for communication between the Gundam and the pilot.  Think of it as a motion-capture suit guiding the movements of a machine.  However, if the Gundam takes damage, the pilot does too.  It makes for a very interesting dynamic.  Lastly, I have taken a shine to the show because I am a fan of martial arts and combat.  I’ve been a fan since my early days of playing Street Fighter, watching Power Rangers, playing with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and watching professional wrestling.  Once I found out that they put elements of these into a Gundam Series, I was sold.  How sold was I?  I went out of my way to track down the remaining DVDs of every episode of this series.  It seemed futile, but I persevered.  

Mobile Fighter G Gundam is the perfect diversion to your average Gundam series.  It is chock full of different Gundams of varying shapes and sizes and with amazing abilities.  The battle motif is very refreshing and makes for a frenetic, action-packed experience worth writing home about.  It was a wise decision to bring this series to the U.S. as it makes for a very memorable experience.  So, if you like a good old-fashioned scrap, by way of martial arts or whatnot, and you like Gundams, bring both worlds together and check out this amazing series.  READY….GO!