Mobile Suit Z Gundam (1984)

Description

September U.C. 0087

The year is Universal Century 0087. Seven years have passed since the end of the One Year War. In its zeal to stamp out any remaining opposition, the Earth Federation has organized the Titans, an elite fighting force. However, the Titans soon get out of hand, committing atrocities on par with the worst the Principality of Zeon had to offer during the war. In response, dissatisified citizens, former Zeon soldiers, and even members of the Earth Federation Forces form a resistance group known as the Anti-Earth Union Group, or AEUG. As the next war is brewing, a small AEUG group arrives at Side 7 to investigate the new Gundam Mk. II... Direct sequel to 1979 series

Main Characters

Photo	Name	Description
	Kamille Bidan	This angry young man is destined to become the star pilot of the AEUG resistance group. A resident of the Green Noa 1 space colony, Kamille is the son of two Federation military engineers, and by entering junior mobile suit competitions he's proven himself a talented engineer in his own right. He also has something of a complex about his feminine name and, as the story begins, Kamille is a budding juvenile delinquent with a hot temper and a hatred of authority figures. After clashing with the Titans he runs off with the rebel soldiers of the AEUG, and is soon invited to join their ranks as a mobile suit pilot. During his adventures, Kamille begins to outgrow his youthful anger and moodiness, and as his Newtype powers emerge he strives to understand the world around him and the people who fight by his side.
	Fa Yurii	Fa is one of Kamille Bidan's schoolmates from the Green Noa 1 space colony, and more or less his girlfriend. Her parents are arrested by the Titans after Kamille joins the AEUG, while she herself escapes with the help of Bright Noa and makes it to safety aboard the rebel flagship Argama. Fa proceeds to join the ship's crew, eventually undergoing pilot training so she'll have something to do other than argue with Kamille.
	Quattro Bajeena	The Principality of Zeon's infamous "Red Comet" has now become one of the heroes of the AEUG. After the end of the One Year War, Char infiltrated the ranks of the Earth Federation Forces, assuming the alias "Quattro Bajeena." Witnessing the growing tyranny of the Federation's Titans faction, Char conspired with other dissident Federation officers to organise the secret resistance group known as the AEUG. However, Char has chosen to shirk the burden of command; while quietly advising his fellow AEUG leaders on matters of strategy, he hides behind his Quattro cover identity, insisting that he is merely an ordinary mobile suit pilot.
	Bright Noa	The captain of the legendary White Base remained in the Federation military after the One Year War, but was regarded with suspicion by the repressive new regime, and as this story begins the famous captain has been relegated to commanding a space shuttle that ferries government VIPs back and forth. After witnessing the brutality of the Titans firsthand, Bright finally decides to cast his lot with the AEUG resistance group. Bright is swiftly installed as the captain of the rebel flagship Argama, and his charisma and keen judgement make him a remarkable asset to the AEUG.
	Emma Sheen	Emma is a well-intentioned Titan pilot who switches her allegiance to the AEUG. Initially one of three junior officers chosen to test the Titans' Gundam Mk.II prototypes, Emma defects to the rebels after realizing the brutality of her leaders. Her military discipline and high-quality training make her an invaluable addition to the AEUG's pilot roster, and when Kamille Bidan receives the Zeta Gundam, Emma inherits his Gundam Mk.II. Even as a rebel soldier, Emma retains her strict professional demeanour, which sometimes causes friction with her more casual comrades.
	Bask Oom	The brutal field commander of the Titans. While the Titans are effectively a private army controlled by Admiral Jamitov Hymem, Bask is the organisation's day-to-day leader, responsible for devising strategies and commanding operations. Bask considers his troops above the law and beyond the reach of the Earth Federation command structure, and doesn't hesitate to take hostages or commit mass murder if it seems like the most effective way to crush dissent.
	Jerid Messa	The brash and arrogant Titan pilot who becomes Kamille Bidan's would-be nemesis. One of the initial trio of Gundam Mk.II test pilots, Jerid first picks a fight with our juvenile hero, then demonstrates his piloting prowess by flying his Gundam straight into a police station. Jerid soon realises how unprepared he is for genuine combat, and his recurring humiliation at Kamille's hands makes him determined to surpass his AEUG rival. His ambition becomes twisted into hatred and revenge as, one after another, his mentors and allies fall in battle against Kamille...
	Yazan Gable	A Titan pilot distinguished by his superb fighting skills and sheer aggression. Yazan joins the crew of the Titan cruiser Alexandria around the time of the attack on Von Braun City and becomes the ship's resident ace pilot, eclipsing the hapless Jerid Messa. Brutal and bloodthirsty, he lives for the thrill of the hunt, and despises cautious commanders who try to spoil his fun. He's later joined by a pair of equally cunning and sadistic wingmen, Ensigns Dunkel Cooper and Ramsus Hasa.
	Paptimus Scirroco	A sinister genius who joins forces with the Titans. Known as "the man from Jupiter," Scirocco is a member of the Federation's Jupiter Fleet, whose huge transport ships collect helium fuel from the outer planets. Not only is he a gifted mobile suit designer, skilled pilot, and powerful Newtype, but Scirocco's keen intellect and overwhelming charisma enable him to easily manipulate those around him - particularly women. Though his goals and ideology are utterly alien to those of the Titans, their leaders recruit Scirocco to bolster their fighting power, foolishly thinking that his oath of loyalty will protect them from this dangerous renegade.
	Haman Karn	After the fall of the Principality, a ragtag fleet of Zeon renegades makes its way to the asteroid belt, taking refuge at the asteroid base Axis. By U.C. 0083, the leadership of the this group has passed to a young woman named Haman Karn, the daughter of a Zeon admiral. Rallying the demoralized Axis renegades to the goal of an eventual triumphant return to the Earth sphere, Haman dispatches an advance fleet to aid Delaz in his master plan. Years later, the seeds of rebellion sown by Operation Stardust will be harvested by Haman and her Axis forces.

Episode List

2004-2006 "New Translation" Trilogy

For the franchise's 25th anniversary, Sunrise did a remake of Zeta Gundam as a movie trilogy. But please just know, for it is totally NOT recommended as a first-time watch, watch the original 50 ep. series instead.

• Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation - Heir to the Stars
• Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation II - Lovers
• Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation III - Love Is the Pulse of the Stars

My Review

Yep, Zeta IS my favourite Gundam series, period. It's a head above 1979 and even ZZ with Char's Counterattack. More people should get into Gundam just to watch this masterpiece, truly ONE of the animes of all time.
Above any other things, i related with Kamille more times than with Amuro, where first one was more.... rad than the other. Yes, Amuro was like that, but mostly he was, somewhat, gentle compared to Kamille. Argama crew is gonna be my favourite, especially Astonaige, Katz and Fa. Zeta's characters is just so, soooo good, you can easily associate one or other with your real life friends and get some giggles or sob out of cry. Magical feeling, nothing else.
Score: 10/10