Kidô Butôden Jî Gandamu

If you have seen this in its original Japanese version or in English on channels like Cartoon Network, then you know what I'm talking about.

The premise for G-Gundam is "warriors around the world fight in the name of their Country and the final one standing rules the universe" or something like that.

It starts out great. Domoun Kashu is the protagonist and he kicks ass in his Shining Gundam. But after the first encounter with one of the chief villains, things get ridiculous.

People who were defeated come back. Gundams that were destroyed are new again. Gundams throw huge blasts of energy like Ken and Ryu from street fighter. Any unimaginable plot twist you can think of is in here.

That doesn't mean it's bad, but if you like more realistic action, watch any of the other gundam series.

The best thing about G-gundam is the way the gundams are piloted- every action that the Gundam does comes directly from the pilot's movements. That piloting system makes a lot more sense than pressing buttons and pulling levers.

I give G-gundam 6.5/10

If you like rock and roll,street-fighting action, then this is the Gundam series for you. It's colorful,quick paced,and full of gundam battling that would satisfy any mech fan. Gundam purists don't like this series because they prefer slow,dramatic soap operas occupying their shows with few robot battles. I prefer it the other way around,and G-Gundam satisfies my need for gundam suit clashes with a thrilling battle every episode...sometimes even two or three a show!! The story of Domon Kashu looking for his long lost brother while competing with other gundams from different countries for the ultimate title of Gundam Fight World Champion is thrilling and keeps you coming back each and every episode to find out what happens. If you like action,watch Mobile Fighter G-Gundam...if you like to watch characters blab all day about their problems and hardly battle, try another older gundam series.

Personally I find that G Gundam is the best of the Gundam Saga. My reasons are as follows:

The Message: All gundam shows were designed to portray the image that "war is heck" however they do so with a war. So much that it almost blocks out the mesage. G Gundam shows us a different way of keeping order: a tournament. It also shows us how war is bad throughthe idea of the Chaos war that took place before the show began in FC 02. (This is something only a true fan knows)

The plot: Okay, I must admit that the breakup of time is shaky, Ep 1=January Ep 6=June Ep 12=October Ep 18-24= November then the last episodes take place in December or so I figure it. Other than that it takes you through building friedshps, relationships, tough desicions, awesome mech battles, and a few shot of women's unmentionables or women bathing in episode 19 (Thank you for that moment of perversion, Sai Saici)

The Mech design: Alot more thought goes into these mechs, the researchers found out the history and present of each nation and put one important aspect into the Gundam. e.x. the reason the Nobel Gundam looks like a woman is bcause there are more females than males in swedens current populaton

The characters: Where else are you going to see an American boxer, a perverted Chinese midget teenage martial artist, A Russian convict, a French nobleman and a Japanese dude with major tude problems working together to save the world with giant robots? Included in the cast are several Japanese officials (Or rather Neo-Japanese as the story goes). A Neo-Japanese doctor, a crazy Neo Hong Kong martial artist with a bad cough, 4 annoying Neo-American women, A really creepy Neo-Italian MAFIA boss, a Neo-Swedish orphan and more!

This series is obviously the commercial wing of the Gundam saga. Though it does have some character development and such, it pales in comparison to the other Gundam series. Besides, this show betrays the idea of a united humanity that is present in all the other series (no country is mentioned by name in any of the series except for geographical reference). The gundam for every country idea is easily marketed, easily seen at the local toy store, where G Gundam action figures heavily outnumber other Gundam models or figures. In short, mainly a trailer for the toy, like so many other cartoon shows these days. See Gundam Wing, 0080, 0083, Mobile Suit Gundam, or 08th MS Team for a much better taste of the Gundam saga.

At first glance, G Gundam looks like a completely generic, skippable title, turning a military drama series into a Saturday morning super robot cartoon. The premise is ridiculous, emotion is a power source, and every nationality expresses the country's stereotypes. But upon closer inspection, G Gundam is not as bad as it looks. There's backstories, multidimensional characters, plot twists, and a vaguer evil than it may appear. Sure, Neo Mexico's Gundam may be Tequila Gundam, donning a sombrero, but its pilot actually doesn't want to fight, and is trying to flee the country with his sick sister! I'd say G Gundam's writing and character are better than most animes. Not the best, but enough to add weight to the fights.

Now, whenever or not you'll like G Gundam depends on your love of super robot animes. G Gundam has a good deal of fun along the way, but I know not everyone's going to love robot wrestling, super modes, cheesy Gundam designs, martial arts philosophy, and the power of love! There's also a large number of vignette episodes. None of them are boring or bad, but they do slow the anime down a bit.

Bonus points for a pretty kickass soundtrack. The first opening, "Shining Finger", and "Erupting Burning Finger" are among the most awesome in anime.

G Gundam doesn't deserve Shakespearean analysis. But its well-balanced; Rifftrax-worthy elements with enough plot to keep you hooked. Its not for everyone, but it'll always be a (not-so) guilty pleasure for me.