Post #12: Mobile Suit Gundam

April 26, 2010 in Uncategorized

In 1979 Mobile Suit Gundam changed the Japanese animation industry forever.  In many ways, Mobile Suit Gundam perfected the formula for a giant robot show: the characters, situations, and settings would be copied by dozens of shows over the years, including Gundam’s own sequels and spin-offs.  This television series is as influential to the Japanese animation industry as any one show could possibly be.  However, this immense influence becomes a bit of a problem when trying to view this series in 2010.

The opening to Mobile Suit Gundam

The issue that I have, and I will admit that it is not entirely the fault of the show, is that the tropes and devices that Gundam utilizes have, in the past 30 years, been played out so often, many times blatantly ripping off Gundam, that it is difficult to watch this show and not find it to be extremely predictable.  Watching every episode with the experience of newer mecha shows at my back, the plot twists, the actions of characters, and even their deaths were easily anticipated.  It’s a little bit frustrating actually, because I think that Mobile Suit Gundam is actually a good show, but I really cannot enjoy it because of the legacy that it created.  Imagine being told the entire plot to Lost before watching it and you will have a somewhat similar feeling to what I get when I watch this show, except that the spoilers have come vicariously through the shows that I have watched over the years that drew their inspiration from, or simply ripped off, this one.  What a tragic fate: a good show ruined by its own legacy.

Commented Here and Here.

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