Japanese people talk! Why is “Mobile Suit Gundam 00” called a “unique masterpiece”?

What is “Gundam 00”? The gap between its position and its evaluation

“Mobile Suit Gundam 00” is another Gundam work that was broadcast from 2007 to 2009. Unlike the “Universal Century” series such as First Gundam, it unfolds in an independent worldview.

It has many die-hard fans in Japan and is said to be “unique” and “challenging” among the series, but it may be less well-known overseas than “SEED” and “Iron-Blooded Orphans”. However, now is the time to pay attention to its charm… With that in mind, we will introduce the charm of “00” from a Japanese perspective.

An organization that aims to “eradicate war”!? A story setting that is too innovative

The story of “00” begins with the private armed organization “Celestial Being” using Gundam to intervene militarily to “eliminate war from the world”.

At this point, it is already a little different from ordinary Gundam. The seemingly contradictory purpose of “eliminating war with force” makes viewers curious and curious. Moreover, their actions are not portrayed as “just” but are sometimes criticized and sometimes treated as political pawns, making the story even deeper.

A worldview that is too realistic? The world of “00” is structured in such a way that three major nations

(Union, Human Reform League, and AEU) are fighting for hegemony. This is reminiscent of real international situations, such as the conflict between the United States, China, and the EU, making the viewer feel that “this is fiction, but somehow realistic.”

The story is set in the year 2307. This is the first Gundam series to use the Gregorian calendar, and while it is a story about the future, the setting feels like an “extension of the present,” which enhances the reality of the work.

The human drama of the four Gundam Meisters that doesn’t end with “character moe” Another attraction of “00” is the unique and profound human drama of the four Gundam Meisters.

Setsuna F. Seiei: A coming-of-age story of a boy who only knows war and continues to question what “Gundam” is.

Lockon Stratos: A kind sniper who lost his family in a terrorist attack.

Alleluia Haptism: A pilot who is tormented by the fact that his personality is split into two.

Tieria Erde: A transformation of an AI-like being who is human but does not trust humans.

Each character’s background and inner conflict are carefully depicted, allowing viewers to enjoy 00 as a “human drama” rather than just a “robot anime.”

Music, direction, and composition — the ingenious structure shown in the first and second seasons

“00” is structured in two seasons (with a second season), with the first season raising issues and the second season depicting the resulting social changes. This structure gives the story a “flow” and “depth.”

The music is also highly praised. The theme songs by gorgeous artists such as L’Arc~en~Ciel and UVERworld liven up the world view, and Yugo Kanno’s background music adds color to the profound drama.

The movie version is “unexpectedly alien”! ? But what is the theme that 00 has remained consistent through?

The final film in the series, “Awakening of the Trailblazer,” depicts contact with an “alien lifeform.” Although there were pros and cons, the theme that the work wanted to convey was consistent throughout — the importance of “dialogue.”

How can we understand someone who does not share our language or values? Setsuna and his friends respond to this question with “dialogue through Gundam.” This is a very modern message that also applies to international issues in the real world.

Why should you watch “Gundam 00” now?

With the world becoming increasingly chaotic, “Gundam 00,” which focuses on the themes of “war and peace” and “dialogue and division,” is a work that should be attracting attention again.

This work is not just a robot battle, but also questions society, thought, and the state of humanity, making it a masterpiece that even people who are not familiar with Gundam should watch at least once. It is a unique work among the Gundam series, but it shines because of that “message to the future.”