I want to say that I typically don't do reviews since I don't really have much of an opinion on many shows. I am somewhat familiar with the Gundam universe, and I have built multiple over 50 Gunpla. I really don't have strong opinions on Gundam media since I really only seen Seed, Witch from Mercury, parts of MS-08 Team, and including this show. Lastly, I did watch this show dubbed and I do have some thoughts on that.
I didn't really have any expectations going into this OVA despite already being well acquainted with the Gundam formula at this point. If you know the Gundam formula, then this show basically is a condensed version of that. Although Gundam is well-known for their mecha fights and teenage melodrama, this short Gundam OVA hardly features mobile suits, or at least not to the degree expected in a Gundam show. And honestly, that actually works in its favor. The show centers around essentially 3 characters: Alfred Izuruha, a young boy who lives on a space colony; Bernard Wiseman, a Zeon Zaku pilot; and Christina Mackenzie, an Earth Federation test(?) pilot. Honestly, despite being such a small cast for a Gundam show, they are all very compelling. Throughout the short OVA, you'll get to see a lot of character development, especially with Alfred. I started the show hating him because of his apparent ignorance, but as Bernie and Alfred started bonding, I realized that his ignorance was what the show was pivoting around, with Chris being the vessel that ultimately pushes Bernie to do the "right thing" (the irony has not been lost of me). Throughout the story, the One Year War has always been in the backdrop, with several references to other events in-universe. However, the greater conflict was more of a setting than a plot. In my opinion, the real plot was a boy (Alfred) slowing learning the complexities of life (more on that later). I'm so happy that they didn't make the greater conflict the main focus because then you get into that "revenge loop" pissing match (re: Seed), and never really getting to explore a more nuanced perspective. Last thing I want to touch on, I normally don't talk about visuals since you can chalk most of analyses up to taste, but I think I vastly prefer a mecha slow dance than the ADHD hyper-glow shonen streaks. The action is very easy to follow, albeit very stiff. If you expecting crazy mecha fights, you won't find it here. Still, even if the fighting is "lackluster", the emotional drama supersedes whatever qualms the audience might have. They are all hand drawn and all stunning, as one expects from Sunrise.
⚠ SPOILER WARNING ⚠ I really love this show. I think this is perhaps the most compelling Gundam story I have seen. The cruel irony of Bernie dying at the hands of Chris, and subsequently leaving... with Alfred blissful ignorance witnessing the death of Bernie dying in the cockpit of the very thing he loves. I don't think this show is explicitly anti-war in my opinion. If it was, then there would have been more cynical takes on the military leadership or have Bernie and Chris teaming up to fight a "greater evil". I suppose this story more aligns with themes of Romeo & Juliet than Apocalypse Now. The last act was protecting the colony from the nuclear weapon by destroying the Gundam, however, the space vessel carrying the nuclear weapon was intercepted, but Bernie never knew that as he engaged in combat with Chris. I think the ultimate theme is fulfilling one's duty. Although the ideas of "we all just humans humaning" or what not, I think the last act in addition to Chris's comments in the 5th episode really cements this idea. It is somewhat refreshing then a "war is bad" take, as it is so easy to do nowadays. I don't think it glorifies war, but it doesn't seem to condone it either. I suppose whoever watches this show will drawn different conclusions.
Is this show worth a watch? Yes. Even if one isn't familiar with Gundam franchise? Answer is still yes. I think this perhaps one of the best short animes I have seen. It's easy to watch in one sitting and I highly recommend it. Even if you aren't into mechs, it is still has something for you. The drams of the youth, and hopelessly in love young warriors. I didn't really wanted to dive into all the details, as I still want to leave even ambiguity for undecided viewers to get the gist, but now grant the enough motivation to watch it. The dub was also fantastic. Something I didn't expect enjoying, and I hope y'all enjoy, too.
Ok so apparently in the dub the randomly hired an ESL speaker. I thought he sounded weird, and the only information that I could find is that they might have attended Texas Tech? I don't know, I find it hilarious that they casted an ESL speaker that voiced a role with the last name Garcia. I think the gave the rest of the Zeon crew a stereotypical Russian accent, I don't know. Old dubs are a funny business I suppose. And yes, the studio who did Trigun and Cowboy Bepop also did this dub too, if my half-assed Wikipedia search serves me right.
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