Kidô senshi Gundam ZZ

Tone and Structure ZZ Gundam begins with a much lighter tone than its predecessor, Zeta Gundam. After the dark, tragic ending of Zeta, ZZ Gundam takes a breath with more lighthearted moments and comedic elements, especially in its early episodes. This shift is often surprising for fans, but it provides essential levity and sets the stage for more serious themes later on. By blending humor and tragedy, the series creates a well-rounded journey that captures the complexity of war and recovery.

Character Development and Growth The protagonist, Judau Ashta, stands out as a unique Gundam lead. Unlike previous protagonists like Amuro or Kamille, Judau is a scrappy, streetwise teenager who initially joins the fight with selfish goals. However, as he faces the horrors of war, Judau matures into a caring, responsible leader. His arc from a self-interested junker to a compassionate warrior is one of the series' best aspects.

The cast surrounding Judau is also diverse and compelling. Characters like Roux Louka, Elle Vianno, and Beecha Oleg add personality and depth to the group, and the interactions among them bring a sense of camaraderie and realism. Additionally, returning characters like Haman Karn add gravitas to the story, creating continuity and deepening the stakes. Judau's rivalry with Haman, in particular, is one of the highlights of the series.

Mecha Design and Animation The Double Zeta (ZZ) Gundam itself is a powerhouse with a unique design that emphasizes strength and resilience, contrasting with the sleeker Zeta Gundam. The transformation feature of the ZZ Gundam adds a new dynamic to the action scenes, allowing for creative and exciting battle choreography. The fights in ZZ Gundam are consistently well-animated, showcasing the power of the mobile suits and adding to the series' tension as Judau and his team face off against Neo Zeon.

Themes of War, Trauma, and Hope As ZZ Gundam progresses, the tone becomes darker and more in line with its predecessors, particularly in the second half. The show explores the ongoing effects of war on civilians, especially children, highlighting the cyclical nature of conflict. Judau's interactions with those affected by the war emphasize his growth from a carefree scavenger to a mature, empathetic character who understands the weight of fighting.

One of ZZ Gundam's most powerful themes is the resilience of youth and the hope they bring to a war-torn world. Through Judau and his friends, the series suggests that the younger generation can bring change and break the cycle of violence. This message adds a unique optimism that contrasts with the darker themes in Zeta and Mobile Suit Gundam, making ZZ a memorable entry in the Universal Century timeline.

Conclusion Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ deserves a 10/10 for its bold tonal shifts, memorable character arcs, inventive mecha designs, and a story that balances humor with the harsh realities of war. While it's often overlooked, ZZ Gundam is a fantastic continuation of the Universal Century saga, offering a fresh perspective on war, growth, and hope for the future. It's a must-watch for fans looking for a unique, rewarding addition to the Gundam universe.

Takes place after the Original Gundam with Amoro and Zeta Gundam, this series is pretty good. The animation is not as outdated as original Gundam, and its pretty the same storyline, however with eacn new Gundam series, the characters are alot more mature, and success of the series has given Bandai ability to show more violence and special effects to epic.

Good series, and its fansubbed too!!!

So get it.

ZZ Gundam picks up right after the final battle of Zeta Gundam where the former ace pilot Kamiyu Bidan is turned retarded by the evil Paptimus Scirocco before he died. The story's main character is Judau Ashita, a young orphan who happened to just stumble upon the Argama (under repairs in a colony) and pilots the Zeta Gundam when the Neo-Zeon forces attack the Argama. The ZZ Storyline is much more happy-go-lucky than Zeta Gundam, and most audiences will love the happy ending (unlike Zeta). The "crew" of the ZZ Gundam series include Judau's girlfriend, Roux Rouka, Beecha Oleg, and a bunch of other kids. The two main sides of ZZ Gundam are the AEUG (which allies with the Federation later on) VS. the Neo-Zeon (formerly known as Axis, led by Hamaan Khan). The major Neo-Zeon villains include, Hamaan Khan, Mashmar Serro (almost an equivilent to Jerrid Messa in Zeta), Gremie Toto and others. The new MS designs are great, especially the ZZ Gundam and the different variations of Quebueley. Overall a great series.

It's hard for any anime to pick up the mantle of the masterpiece 'Z Gundam', but ZZ Gundam does a fine job doing so. In Universal Century 0088 the AEUG, weakened after their victory over the Titans, has to deal not only with the rising power of Axis Zeon, but of the loss of Camille Bidan, their greatest pilot. Their flagship the Argama docks at Side 1's Shangri-la colony, where new pilots such as the spirited Judau Ashita, Elle Viano, and Lu Luka pilot the AEUG's new mobile suits, including the powerful ZZ Gundam. Haman Khan returns from Z Gundam as the regent of Axis, and new villains such as knight-wannabe Mashmyre Cello and Glemmie Toto, one of Gundam's best developed characters, also prove to be interesting additions.

The show itself can be split into two distinct halves. The first half is rather campy and has plenty of comedy, none of it subtle. This has given it an unsavory reputation among purists as totally lacking depth and merely a kiddy pleaser. Yet as the story progresses the mood begins to seriously darken, and the issues the series takes up include ones rarely seen in the franchise, such as racism. When the show gets to space, the action intensifies, all building up to the final, climactic duel between Haman and Judau.

This show, relatively unknown in America, shows that Z Gundam level depression is best taken in moderation. The lightheartedness makes for an enjoyable viewing experience, and the later seriousness makes for a meaningful one. As shows such as Gundam SEED DESTINY continue to dominate the markets, it's good to know one can always turn to the roots with an anime like this.

When the introductory episode sees a summary re-hash of Gundam and Gundam Z with some kids explaining how gundams are cool whoa they're awesome etc. you know you're going to experience some REALLY bad moments. Not gonna waste the time of 47 episodes for this, I'll go directly to Char's counterattack instead.