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Mobile Suit Gundam

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Distributor: Bandai
Original Story: Yoshiyuki Tomino
Volumes: 10
Rating: 13+ (it's Gundam!  Don't make me spell it out)
Anime Code: A

It is the year 0079 of the Universal Century.  The Earth is currently at war with the Principality of Zeon, a colony located in deep space.  This war is being done using giant humanoid robots called Mobile Suits.  Teenager Amuro Ray and the crew of the Earth Federation ship "White Base" must protect the prototype Federation Mobile Suit "Gundam" from the Zeon forces, including ace pilot Char Aznable, the Red Comet.

Review: This was the trigger that ignited a phenomenon that came to be known as Gundam.  Tomino did a great job on presenting futuristic battles in the backdrop of a deadly war.  Everything about this series was innovative when it first came out more than twenty years ago.  It was almost controversial because until then, very few shows portrayed a futuristic war (the only exception would probably be Robotech).  The original MSG is a must have for any anime collector.

Action Level: 5/5
Robot battles, tank battles, air battles, human battles... let's see... did I forget anything?

Romance Level: 3/5
It's logical to believe that with war looming overhead and enemies at every turn, there's no room for such frivolous things like romance.  But the relationship that really seemed to get worked on and developed was the one between White Base commander Bright Noa and Helmswoman Mirai Yashima.  This is because it's the only relationship that's shown after the series ends (in Char's Counterattack).

Comedy Level: 2/5
Those three kids were probably Tomino's comedy.  Of course there were some funny moments, but nothing noteworthy.

Adult Level: 3/5
They talk a lot about death and futility and that stuff.  They show a nude body here, a blood splatter there.  They really skate on the edge of an R-rating.  I'm even surprised they showed it on Cartoon Network's Toonami block way back when.

Drama Level: 4/5
I think they overdid it a little.  I mean I know that war is horrible, people die, and all that, but they don't have to keep pounding it into our faces.

Overall Level: 4/5
Gundam is considered one of the greatest animes of all time and I would have to agree with that.