Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam

Zeta Gundam is what true Mecha Anime should be. Drama and politcal intrigue in a futuristic setting done just the right way. The characters are very real and human. Camille, Emma, and Quatro(Char) are three of my all time favorite anime characters. Each of them fighting for thier own reasons in the sad and harsh war around them. And Bask Om and Paptiums Scirroco are two of best villians as well. Bask is a evil and cruel Tyrant with Jamitov and Paptimus is a clever and intriguing genius of a character. The story is very sad, but also has some of best action and character development in a mecha show ever. There so many times when an event happened that I was put into shock. Tomino's nick name "Kill-em All!" truly shines through in Zeta Gundam.

Forget those mediorce overly melo-dramatic Gundam shows Seed and Wing. Zeta Gundam is where the true namesake lies!

Following the original series, the Earth Federation has appointed an elite force of soldiers to make sure there are no more one year wars. However, this new force, known as the Titans-is corrupt, and is suppressing the space colonies. In order to oppose them, the AEUG(Anti-Earth United Group) is formed, with Char Anzable as one of it's leaders(Although he's under an alias). In addition, the original White Base crew-mostly under house arrest due to their possible influence-are also secretly backing the organization. However, the returning characters aren't the focus of the show, it's the new ones. Camille Vidan is the new Gundam pilot, and is definitey more aggressive than the original series's Amuro-it's hard to think of a single episode in which Camille isn't beating someone else up or getting beat up himself. Camille's love interests, although similar to Amuro's from the original, are interesting characters, and aspiring ace Jerid Mesa is thankfully not a copy of Char. A lot of the Titans are pretty despicable villains, as well. The mecha designs are pretty nice, incorporating a lot of wires into their design. The animation is pretty good, considering this was made on a television budget in 1985, and much better than Gundam Wing, which was made over decade later. Overall, perhaps one of the best Gundam series. Hurry up and import this thing!

Z Gundam is an excellent Gundam series, and considered among fans to be the best and most serious. Unlike Gundam Wing or G Gundam (which debuted on Cartoon Network) this one takes place in the same "universe" as the original Gundam (which was also on Cartoon Network for a time). It is 8 years after the war against Zeon, but during this time, the Earth Federation has become corrupt. In fear of other Zeon-like uprisings, they create a police force known as the Titans. However, the Titans are mere bullies, and the law doesn't apply to them (think the Nazi SS during WWII). A rebel faction, the Anti-Earth Union Group(AEUG) are the good guys in this series.

Among the AEUG is ace pilot Quatro Bagina, (who is really a disguised Char Aznable, villain from the original Gundam), and 17-year old Camille Vidan, who is the main character of this series. Camille is a powerful Newtype, and what happens to him and his family in the first few episodes will prove to you how dark this show is. Even Amuro Ray returns and plays a big role in Z Gundam. The best part? ZZ Gundam, which has a whole new set of characters and takes place one day after Z Gundam ends, begins.

After the success and popularity of the original "Mobile Suit Gundam", it was going to be a tall task to deliver a follow up that stood up to it's predecessor. I tell you not only did they create something that was as good as the original, but better in many ways.

"Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam" is the second installment in the franchise but stands alone as a more gritty, dark, and emotional experience that is rarely seen in the often shiny and bright mech genre. The gut-wrenching and horrifying realities of war was something only touched on occasionally in the original series, here it is something that dominates the landscape from start to finish. It really causes pain to watch new and old characters go through the ordeals they do in these 50 episodes. The show is, in a word, depressing.

The quality and depth of characters in this installment rivals any other Anime series while the artwork is dated, it still holds up well. The mechs featured are all pretty awesome and make up some of the best battles of the franchise, giving the viewer plenty of that sweet, sweet, 'splosion porn. The storyline is the best the franchise has offered and the voice acting is top-notch as well. Sub vs. Dub is a win/win, while the English cast is good- the Japanese cast is great with many, if not all, the previous actors reprising their roles from the first series.

The one downside of this show is it might actually be TOO dark at times. The amount of loss and pain experienced might be too much for the average mech fan. There were moments in this show that actually made me tear up. I own this entire series on DVD, but it grows dusty on my shelf because it's 50 miles of bad road and not something I am eager to experience again.

This is a must-watch for all Gundam fans, not so much for the plot points, but for the experience and ordeal you go through. If nothing else, you respect this franchise a lot more after watching Zeta. Cheers!

When I first saw Zeta Gundam at Fry's I had already heard good things about it. I bought it because I'm a huge gundam fan and expected a lot from it. What I saw surpassed my expectations.

Bad stuff the is that at times it will be confusing to those who haven't seen the original gundam and have only watched Gundam SEED G Gundam, and Gundam Wing. The animations more then 20 years but who cares it still holds up. The English voice actors suck as well.

Good stuff it has a great storyline, excellent characters, awesome mecha designs, great pacing, and some of the best action sequences. The music is also very catchy. If your a long time gundam fan you should buy this series. You won't be disappointed.