Original story by: Yoshiyuki Tomino , first aired Jan 25th 1996.
Type: OAV - Episodes: 12

The whole Gundam series throws us into the distant future of planet earth. The earths population has reached 9 billion and can no longer support the growth of the human species. Therefore the decision is taken to build massive colonies in outer space to ease the pressure on the rapidly diminishing resources on earth. The decision to utilize a new timeline is taken and we're taken into the Universal Century or U.C., the new space age.

08th MS Team launches us into October 0079 U.C. The spaceborn children of the Side-3 colony (the Zion) declare independence and are soon at war with the Earth Federation forces over sovereignty.
Ensign Shiro Amada is transferred from space duty to actual fighting on planet earth and is given command of the 08th Mobile Suit Team using the new Federation mobile weapon prototype; the Gundam.

In this OVA Yoshiyuki Tomino propels us into his very own vision of war in the future (Very strong resemblance to for example the American independence war here, it's almost uncanny). All artist have a message, a reason for creating something for others to peruse and ponder about (I bet you could even find a deeper meaning behind Pokémon if you looked hard enough. No sorry I take that back). Yoshiyuki Tomino did this splendid anime hoping that we'd hear his message of peace and love. His anti military feelings are splattered all over this chunky peanutbutter anime to the point where you just can't disagree with him.
But even if you aren't the deep and philosophical person there's plenty of gravy in this fast paced mecha series to keep you going all the way to the ending credits, there's even a bit of romance for the softies. :P

What you will find in 08th: Mecha battle, big guns, the occasional romance and weird hairdo's (This is anime remember)

What you will NOT find in 08th: Sex (No sex boys and girls, sorry), Pikachu (Fluffy things and mecha don't go together that well), nuke's (Sadly, no nuke's in this series of Gundam)

The verdict: Lots of lovely mecha action mixed with a cheesy but necessary lovestory, character development and an unexpected twist, it's indoubitably a must-have if you're a mecha person, there's no way around this one, grab it if you find it pilgrim.

-aRse

Add Comment | View Comments