Shin kidô senki Gundam W: Endless Waltz

One year after the Gundam Wing TV series, the earth and its colonies have finally attained peace and decided to follow the path of pacifism by disposing of all weapons into the sun, along with the Gundams. However, this peace does not last. A powerful rebel faction Led by seven year old Mariemaia Khushrenada, Treize's daughter, and Dekim Barton, the original mastermind behind the mysterious "Operation Meteor" kidnaps Vice Foreign Minister Relena during a diplomatic mission to X-18999 and takes over the colony.

This 3 episode OVA starts off deep into a mystery plot involving the discovery of an alloy that is only used to manufacture mobile suits, indicating that someone is violating the peace treaty of pacifism. As the story progresses, shocking truths are revealed including the original "Operation Meteor" plan, the 5 Gundam pilots' pasts and Dekim Barton's devious plan to bring earth to its knees. Gundam Wing literally comes full circle in the Endless Waltz OVA. Within its fast paced and highly intriguing story, we are given glimpses into the pasts of the five main gundam pilots up to just moments before the Gundams are sent to earth in the first episode of the TV series. This makes their motives in the TV series a lot clearer and gives an insight into what influenced their personalities and actions, making them very easy to relate to now.

Those who liked the philosophical undertones and thought provoking ideas presented in the TV series will be glad to know that there is ample amounts of that here. From questioning a soldier's purpose in a time of peace, to debating the "cycle of war, peace and revolution", Endless waltz is sure to satisfy the more learned and knowledgeable viewers as its series did. It is nice to see that the creators have abandoned their "pacifism is the way to go" stand; this movie in fact shows the fallacy of pacifism as idealistic but unrealistic. This is seen in how a small rebel faction could so quickly overthrow a pacifist world government and in a scene where Relena, the once staunch supporter of pacifism had to resort to violence, slapping Mariemaia to make her see the error of her ways. A full analysis of the many themes presented would well exceed the word limit here.

If there is one thing that anyone can agree on, is that Gundam Wing Endless Waltz's animation is among the best in anime movies of the 90s and even in the early 2000s. It looks very impressive without needing to rely on flashy computer effects. The many battle scenes are extremely fluid and intensely paced. All this is coupled with some of the most beautiful artwork in a mecha anime. Everything is blessed with great attention to detail and rendered in dark colors with heavy black shadows that carry on the grim and gritty look of Gundam. I was fine with the Gundam Re-designs but found it a huge pity that the creators did not go with these designs back in the Gundam Wing TV series.

This 3 episode OVA may be short, but it is a very enjoyable experience and a great closure to the gundam wing storyline. It is however recommended that you sit through all 49 episodes of the Gundam Wing TV series before watching Endless Waltz.

This film, despite it's name, does not live up to it's potential. Being the so-called "epilogue" of this mediocre TV series, Gundam Wing is just an excuse to bring back these "pretty boys" and satisfy thousands of fans need for more. The story line was flawed by the ridiculousness of it. The animation quality was only okay at best, having seen better on TV. With a totally un-realistic ending and the horrible characterization, this movie is totally fan-based and does not live up to the name of Gundam. If you're wanting to watch Gundam, don't see this movie, but rather watch the older episodes of 0083 or Mobile Fighter G Gundam.

While I am still new in the world of anime, I have to say Gundam Wing was a great series. I watched the entire series in the subbed as well as watched Endless Waltz. This movie is quite possibly one of the best ending any series could ask for. The themes behind the characters give more feeling to their actions. Much of the back story of pilots are explained. Watch and enjoy. If you liked the series you will love the movie.

I just saw the dubbed version of Endless and I must say they did a pretty good job. One particular character whose persona was warped in the dubbing of the series is brought back in all of his glory.

When Gundam W first appeared in the late '90s, a whole new generation of Gundam fans were brought in. Combining pretty-boy youths, breath-taking animation and the most striking mechas (robots) ever created, Gundam W is, without a doubt, the best Gundam series in its 20-year history.

But all series had to end. Though, Gundam W ended with a bang, the clamor for more of the Gundam boys grew louder.

And so the long-awaited epilogue to the series, Endless Waltz arrived. It told the never-before told secrets of the Gundam boys and a new danger to the peace of earth and their colonies. With even more breath-taking animation and more striking mechas (especially the Hell Custom), the epilogue made the story whole and the clamor for more will be even louder.

Now that is what I call closure.

Gundam Wing, an alternate universe shootoff of the classic Gundam series, was very good and didn't treat its characters, or its viewers as idiots. Endless Waltz is a grand finale to the series because it ties up most everything neatly. I encourage anyone reading this to go watch Gundam Wing while it's still playing on Cartoon Network, and if they can get their hands on it, watch Endless Waltz afterwards. Hopefully, Endless Waltz will eventually be distributed here as well.