The depth or complexity of a particular media piece might vary based on the viewer. For instance, while an adult might perceive the messages in Bluey as straightforward, they could hold deeper significance for younger viewers. On the other hand, some might argue that Gundam isn’t inherently deep due to its straightforward anti-war themes and lack of subtlety in conveying its message. In essence, the interpretation of Gundam’s depth depends on the individual, as it can essentially be summarized as “War is bad.” This gives a general understanding of what the series aims to portray.
Although some Gundam anime series delve deeper than just portraying war as a negative aspect, exploring the complexities that drive humanity towards conflict. A standout example is Mobile Suit Gundam 00, which is renowned for tackling contemporary issues. While Gundam 00 boasts intellectual depth, it doesn’t fully resolve the questions it poses. Despite sharing similar themes with the original Mobile Suit Gundam anime, Gundam 00‘s messages are less profound due to its simplified moral dichotomies and preachy nature. Nevertheless, the series is worth watching for its spectacular fight sequences, intriguing world-building, and bold approach to tackling complex topics like the Middle East.
What Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Gets Right
In 2007, the anime series “Mobile Suit Gundam 00” was released, during a time when the United States was engaged in conflicts in the Middle East. Given the intricate ethical dilemmas and murky nature of these real-world issues, many narratives and media chose to avoid tackling them directly. Instead, fictional stories often invented nations as allegories for the conflicts in the Middle East. In line with this trend, “Gundam 00” introduced fictitious countries such as Krugis Republic, serving as stand-ins for the real-world situations.
In the forward-leaning world depicted by Gundam 00, intricacies about the Middle East might not have been perfectly accurate, as they could be attributed to time travel or creative liberties. Yet, the show resonated profoundly due to its exploration of pressing issues that echoed our reality. Terrorism was a global concern, and the Krugis Republic’s internal struggle was a reflection of religious conflicts escalating into wars. The protagonist, Setsuna F. Seiei, carried a backstory deeply rooted in this turmoil.
The series also shed light on the unsettling alliance between world powers and warmongers, manipulating global events for their own interests. Moreover, it highlighted the unawareness of people in first-world nations regarding their complicity in distant acts of violence. Characters like Saji and Louise lived blissful lives before being thrust into the harsh, unyielding realities of conflict and suffering.
In essence, Gundam 00 doesn’t aim to provide straightforward answers about its themes but instead encourages viewers to ponder more deeply about the world. The series primarily focuses on stimulating thought rather than offering resolutions. The organization Celestial Beings seeks to eradicate war using their advanced technology and weaponry. This narrative element serves as a platform for audiences to channel their discontent towards contemporary wars and disputes. Although the idea of ending all wars appears unrealistic, Gundam 00 presents intriguing intellectual exercises on how such an outcome might be achieved. The show delves into the complexities of geopolitical challenges surrounding war’s termination and explores why certain governments may support or oppose the cessation of all conflicts.
Where Does Gundam 00 Go Wrong?
In my perspective as a die-hard fan, what sets Gundam 00 apart is its expansive scope, delving into a myriad of subjects without maintaining a clear centralized focus like other Gundam series do. Don’t get me wrong, other Gundam shows too explore diverse topics, but each subject ultimately aligns with the story’s core theme.
For instance, the original Mobile Suit Gundam tackled complex issues such as child soldiers, PTSD, and parental neglect, all contributing to its anti-war message. Similarly, The Witch from Mercury addressed corporate corruption and societal disparities, yet these subjects were skillfully woven into the themes of family and love that ran through the narrative.
In essence, while Gundam 00’s breadth of topics might appear unfocused at first glance, it’s fascinating to see how each subject contributes to the unique narrative it presents.
In simpler terms, the main theme of Gundam 00 revolves around the destructive nature of war, with its heroes aiming to eliminate all global conflicts through force. However, the series also tackles various global issues such as poverty, religious conflict, terrorism, societal apathy, child exploitation, geopolitics, human connection, romantic relationships in school, and extraterrestrial life. Instead of being an anti-war anime, it appears more like a depiction of the world’s problems, suggesting “everything is wrong with the world.” Gundam 00 ultimately conveys that empathy for humanity is key to our future, a recurring theme in Gundam series. To emphasize this message, the show presents viewers with a grim portrayal of the world, aiming to evoke strong emotions and encourage change. However, due to its wide range of themes, the series sometimes seems uncertain about its intended message.
The series aims to foster awareness about the world instead of supplying definitive answers, which is why it may seem shallow since it doesn’t delve deeply into any particular issue. It evokes empathy for those who are suffering but quickly moves on to the next topic without providing a compelling viewpoint or debate. This show intentionally avoids presenting a clear solution to global issues to emphasize life’s intricacies, but this approach makes it feel less thought-provoking compared to earlier Gundam series.
In the grand finale, the scene appears to go against the show’s recurring “no simple resolutions” motif when Setsuna activates the Trans-Am Burst System, causing GN particles to flood the battlefield and enabling everyone to perceive each other’s thoughts. This direct insight into others’ motivations generally leads most characters to cease their conflicts with one another. While this resolution was seemingly a convenient solution for the climax, it oversimplifies human nature by overlooking the complexities of people’s thoughts and emotions at any given instant.
In the second half of the series, the antagonists are typically arrogant and shallow characters, serving as suitable opponents for our heroes. However, they lack depth and complexity, often being used merely as targets for the protagonists to fight against and as a means for audiences to feel morally superior. Although the show criticizes characters like Saji for their complicity and ignorance of global issues, this message is less effective because the villains are so clearly evil. By making the world worse through their actions, these villains make first-world apathy seem less sinful. As long as the villains have obvious intentions to do harm, anime viewers will not question their morality, as they believe they are inherently better than them.
What the Original Mobile Suit Gundam Gets Right With the Same Themes
In the original “Mobile Suit Gundam” series, the term ‘Newtype’ was coined to signify the next stage of human evolution. Characters with Newtype abilities possess extraordinary reflexes, heightened intuition, and rudimentary telepathic skills. The series “Gundam 00” introduces a comparable concept called Innovators, which refers to individuals undergoing this mysterious evolution. This newfound ability is depicted as an enhanced form of empathy, enabling someone to perceive and understand the thoughts of others. Both shows, notably, emphasize the importance of empathy in human progression, with “Gundam 00” offering a more toned-down take compared to the original “Mobile Suit Gundam”.
The iconic Gundam series were conceived by Yoshiyuki Tomino, whose strong perspectives on military matters, war, politics, fascism, and human behavior are evident throughout. Critical of the military establishment and the futility of war, yet inherently drawn to it, the original series carries a cynical undertone that can at times be melancholic. However, its significance goes beyond a mere critique of war; it delves deeper into why war is detrimental in a profound manner.
What sets classic Gundam apart from other iterations like Gundam 00, is its bold approach to humanizing the antagonists, giving them a sense of depth and complexity. Furthermore, it was not shy about making the protagonists less than perfect, which adds layers of nuance to the series. This thoughtful character development makes classic Gundam more complex and engaging.
Regardless of its complexities, “Gundam 00” is an engaging anime worth checking out. While it may not offer a profound perspective on war, it manages to stimulate thought. The series offers a compassionate portrayal of the Middle East, inviting viewers into a more intricate view of a region often under-explored in media. The animation and action sequences are still some of the best in the franchise, making “Mobile Suit Gundam 00” a must-watch for those aspects alone. Though it may seem intellectually deep, it essentially falls into the category of another standard action mecha series with exceptional visuals. Perhaps that’s what all Gundam is, but ultimately, it’s the personal experiences and insights we, as audiences, gain from the series that matter most – even if the art itself appears simple, it can still resonate profoundly with someone.
Read More
- EigenLayer restaking protocol’s slashing testnet now live
- 3 Spider-Man Villains That Should Appear in the Next PlayStation Game
- FIL PREDICTION. FIL cryptocurrency
- POL PREDICTION. POL cryptocurrency
- EastEnders airs huge Cindy Beale update in early iPlayer edition
- Marvel Rivals Season 1 is bringing the Fantastic Four — here’s the Invisible Woman in action
- Whales and retail traders keep Arbitrum from falling — Here’s how
- Grantchester season 9 cast: Meet the characters in ITV drama
- Will GOAT’s latest 31% hike finally push it above $1 on the charts?
- Looks Like DOOM 64 Is Getting a Native PS5 Port
2025-01-27 23:40