Turn-A Gundam

The second most recent Gundam series, the latest being SEED, takes a new approach to the mecha-warfare for which Gundam is known. The mecha themselves are quite original, much less angular, and seemingly simpler than older Gundam designs. The previous comment covers the basic plot early on quite well, but the commenter has obviously not seen the entirety of the series by the rest of his comments. The first comment is that the mobile suits of Turn A are anything but simple. From the incredibly powerful gun of the WaDom, to the transforming Eagel, they are at least on par with older Gundam weapons. The SUMO, Turn A, and Turn X are superweapons. With the impenetrable IF field, the six piece Turn X, that can destroy ships and suits with no trouble, and the Turn A's Moonlight Butterfly that can obliterate all life on Earth... They can easily compete with superweapons such as the Double X. Speaking of X, the only reason it isn't especially good, is that it was cut off eleven episode early.

This is a really weird series. A lot of people love it so there's clearly something there but it's never click with me. I was only able to stomach half of it as a teenager and I returned a decade later to rewatch the whole thing and it still never clicked with me until the very end. This is arguably not a series aimed at longtime Gundam fans and instead offers something radically different.

Instead of being an action war show, Turn-A blends mecha with slice-of-life and a heavy dose of politics and royalty in a more steam-punk, historical fiction setting. The closest comparison I could make would be the more recent Violet Evergarden (which I actually liked). One episode has them participating in a royal ball while another has them swimming with dolphins. Exciting stuff! It eventually starts to take itself seriously but it takes a very very long time and is even more out of place in this franchise than ZZ and G-Gundam. The characters are really tropey and 1-dimensional as well and I found them all impossible to relate to or care about. I especially hate Loran and Sochie, as they never evolve over the series, with the jarring ending concretely saying that they never changed.

Some other notes. From a continuity perspective, you may know that Turn-A attempts to connect the Gundam metaverse into one timeline but it doesn't do much with this idea and I wouldn't recommend watching for this aspect. Also, the one thing I'll unflinchingly praise is it is that Yoko Kanno's soundtrack is predictably incredible.

"Turn A Gundam" is the fourth Gundam series to use an alternate universe concept, the others being G Gundam(1994)Gundam Wing(1995) and Gundam X(1996). However, while these other series bordered on excess, with bizarre designs, overly powerful Gundams and weapons, Turn A is a return to the simplicity the original Gundam embraced. Actually, it goes beyond that. Turn A is set in the far future, but apparently somewhere along the line technology took a nose dive and all Mobile Suits were buried, including a Gundam. The Earth has reverted to a World War I era state(A la Anne Of Green Gables), although a technically advanced race still exists on the moon. Some of these moon citizens come to Earth as advance scouts and adopt lives in regular society(Especially the main character Rolan). However, during a ceremony, the moon people decide to return to Earth-and a misnderstanding triggers war. Out of a bizarre statue, a mobile suit emerges to fight them-the Turn A Gundam. Loran is forced to fight his own people..... From what I've seen of Turn A Gundam, it's quite good. The animation is real nice and colorful, and the mecha designs-designed by Syd Mead, designer of "Blade Runner" and "Short Circuit" are truly unique designs. After the disappointment of Gundam X, this series is certainly a relief.

Turn A Gundam is not only the most unique and original Gundam series, but its also one of the most unique anime series I have seen. It is also my favorite Gundam show. Zeta is darker and much more violent and might be better. This show has a hopeful spirit about it. One of the most unique features of this show is the stark contrast of high technology versus low. Seeing mobile suits pulling WWI style artillery pieces is very odd and enjoyable. Many will count off this show because it doesn't have flashy super gundams and effeminate male pilots. Instead it has characterization and plot. The pace is much slower and could take some by surprise. (slow is not synonymous with boring.) The fights are shorter, but more intense and better choreographed. Others have said it and I'll re-state it...the mustache does grow on you. If you're afraid of odd and different, then perhaps this might not be the show for you, but if you want to see something different and even strangely beautiful, then give this show a try.

If you're into intentional self parodies and the inflated steampunk anime aestetic in vein of Full Metal Alchemist and Wings of Honneamise, this will be for you. If you're not into both things (like me, for example), simply steer away from this series.