Death by a thousand cuts… A million little things that lead to one outcome…
War is hell, but revenge is sweet.
The Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin anime (for those (like Jenn) who don’t know what it is) is a series of six OVAs which look at the backstory of Gundam’s greatest villain, Char!
**Mostly Spoiler Free**
[Otafu Susume 22 – Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin mp3]
The manga for Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin was published in English by Vertical Comics, which you can find on Amazon or other bookstores.
While the manga of Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin is a retelling of the original Gundam series, the anime only follows Char’s backstory and the events that lead to the start of Gundam. (Which starts later in the manga.) You can also find the Blu-rays for the OVA in English on Amazon.
About Otafu Susume
Otafu Susume is the short name for Recommendations for My Otaku Spouse.
It comes from the Japanese “otaku” (geek), “fufu” (husband and wife), and “susume” (recommendation).
Wes and Jenn are married otaku and translators. And they have been trying to recommend things to each other for YEARS. Now they HAVE to watch / read / play each others recommendations for this podcast.
Want more? Check out Recommendations for My Otaku Spouse and other great otaku podcasts on Anibros Creative!
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Follow us at Anibros Creative Podcasts on Twitter! Where we post pictures of CHARDINES!
(This was pure coincidence that we found these the week after recording.)
If you could recommend just one piece of media to get someone into Gundam, what would it be?
I’ve watched Mobile Suit Gundam (the 3 movies you mention in this episode) but I feel like I’m not attracted to history/war themes… is Gundam just not for me?
Wes meant to reply to this but didn’t! So I’m replying for him, mwahahaha!
I think Gundam Origin is a fantastic was to get into Gundam as a whole. I ended it wanting to find out more about the universe, whereas Thunderbolt left me feeling like I could have taken or left it.
I still don’t think I’ll go out and watch every single Gundam ever. I’m not a die hard fan but the few I’ve seen has been entertaining.
I don’t think everyone who watches it needs to be a die hard fan. It doesn’t have to be for you. And that’s okay.
Gundam (original Gundam) had a strange blend of kid’s action robot anime and the creator’s desire to show the evils of war, and a lot of the best Gundam series (in my opinion) dive heavily into that second bit (though G-Gundam goes all in to the idea of super robots fighting each other (though still as a replacement for war) with wacky designs and special moves).
All of this means that it can be hard to escape from the war themes but there is a lot more there than just war rabble-rousing to be had.
Gundam 08th MS Team is on the surface Gundam mixed with the Vietnam War and First Gulf War but it also has a great Romeo and Juliet story featuring two idealists from the two opposing sides.
Kenny’s (Current co-host of the Anibros podcast) favorite Gundam (I think? he can correct me if I’m wrong) is Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket which takes place towards the end of the One Year War (which Origin’s explores the catalyst and beginning of) and looks at how war affects children from the eyes of a child.
There are more light-hearted Gundam shows (though I hesitate to call them that because they really just fall into the Bandai wants to sell toys genre) including recent efforts such as Gundam Build Fighters and Gundam Build Divers but they also rely on a bit of fanservice(in the sense of references to older shows) that they might not be as enjoyable without the Gundam history.