Mobile Suit Gundam (1979)

Description

September U.C. 0079 - December U.C. 0079

In the year Universal Century 0079, the Principality of Zeon invents a gigantic human-shaped weapon called the Mobile Suit (MS) and begins its war for independence against the Earth Federation. The story depicts the life of young boys and girls in the war, focusing on the young protagonist named Amuro Ray. Amuro becomes the pilot of the Gundam, a prototype MS developed by the Federation Forces. Through his battles against the ace pilot of Zeon, Char Aznable, and the bitter trials of the war, he become aware of his uniqueness as a Newtype.

Main Characters

Photo	Name	Description
	Amuro Ray	Amuro is the hero of our story, and the pilot of the mighty mobile suit RX-78 Gundam. As the series begins, he is a civilian living at the Side 7 research colony, the neglected son of a Federation Forces engineer. When Zeon mobile suits attack the colony, Amuro commandeers the prototype Gundam and defeats the invaders. He soon finds himself part of the substitute crew of the Federation warship White Base, and this moody young man begins to develop strong bonds with his newfound "family." Meanwhile, Amuro's increasing fighting skills suggest that he has potential far beyond that of ordinary mortals...
	Char Aznable	Known as the "Red Comet" for his high-speed attack tactics, Char is the most famous of Zeon's ace mobile suit pilots. He earned his nickname by destroying five Federation battleships during the Battle of Loum, and after the attack on Side 7, he becomes the dreaded nemesis of the White Base crew. However, defeating the Federation isn't the only thing on Char's mind, and his distinctive mask hides the face of a young man bent on his own personal quest for revenge. As the story continues, Char begins putting his own complicated schemes into motion, even as he becomes distracted by his growing rivalry with the Gundam's pilot.
	Bright Noa	Bright is an officer cadet, with just six months' service under his belt, when the assault carrier White Base arrives at Side 7. Hours later, after a savage surprise attack by Zeon mobile suits, he finds himself the ship's only surviving officer. As acting captain of the White Base, Bright rises to the occasion and leads his crew of civilian recruits through one crisis after another. However, his strict leadership often creates friction with his headstrong pilots, especially Amuro.
	Sayla Mass	At the beginning of the Mobile Suit Gundam TV series, Sayla is a civilian of Side 7, who comes aboard the mobile suit carrier White Base along with other civilians include Amuro Ray, Fraw Bow, Hayato Kobayashi, Kai Shiden and Mirai Yashima. Sayla is a Newtype much like her brother Char Aznable. Originally a medical student on Side 7, Sayla is almost immediately recruited as a soldier, and set to the task of watching over the civilian refugees. With the near total lack of experienced personnel to defend White Base (most original regular officers were KIA in Zeon's Side 7 attack), Bright Noa assigns Sayla to the multiple positions of communications officer, medical officer, navigator, and finally combat pilot. Soon after joining the ship, she repeatedly looks for her brother Casval, and takes every opportunity to learn information about him and make contact. When Bright picks up a suspicious briefcase (later revealed to be full of gold bars) intended for Sayla, he confronts her and she admits that her true identity as Artesia Som Deikun, sister to Casval Rem Deikun (better known as Char Aznable), and the only daughter of Zeon Zum Deikun, the founder of the Republic of Zeon.
	Fraw Bow	Fraw, Amuro's friend and neighbor at Side 7, is first seen nagging Amuro about his skipped breakfast. After they escape the colony aboard the White Base, Fraw begins focusing her baby-sitting efforts on the ship's complement of mischievous refugee children. Later in the series, she adds to her workload by joining the White Base's medical staff... all of which helps distract her from Amuro's growing distance.
	Mirai Yashima	Mirai is another of the civilians who joins the White Base crew after the attack on Side 7. Her training as a space glider pilot makes her the best choice to take the White Base's helm, and Mirai soon becomes Bright's trusted deputy and a surrogate mother to the ship's young crew. She is also the daughter of a powerful and well-connected family, which causes complications later in the series.
	Hayato Kobayashi	Hayato, with his black belt in judo, would be the first to warn you not underestimate him just because of his size. After the attack on Side 7, the pint-sized Hayato joins the White Base crew and volunteers for pilot training, largely out of a sense of rivalry with his former neighbor Amuro. Though his fighting skills can't compare to Amuro's, Hayato is loyal, fearless, and determined.
	Kai Shiden	Another of the White Base's crew of civilian recruits, Kai is a confirmed coward and cynic - the smart-mouthed black sheep of the White Base crew. While his fellow pilots are struggling to save the ship, Kai can often be found cowering behind them, or mocking them from the sidelines. Still, he'll do his part when he must, and as the series continues Kai begins to understand what he and his comrades are fighting for.
	Ryu Jose	The jovial Ryu, a Federation Forces pilot trainee, is one of the only survivors of the White Base's original crew. Ryu's combination of good humour and military background lets him intercede between uptight captain Bright and the ship's civilian pilots. Despite his training, Ryu is a fairly reckless pilot, often rushing into the middle of battle in a puny Core Fighter in an attempt to help out his fellow pilots.
	Lalah Sune	This young woman is a test subject of the Flanagan Institute, a Zeon research organization created to investigate the gifted humans known as "newtypes." While the exploits of pilots like Char and Amuro have led to speculation that they may be newtypes, Lalah's powers are obvious and undeniable, and accompanied by a profound spiritual awareness. However, despite her gentle nature, Lalah is fiercely loyal to the man who saved her life - Char Aznable, the scheming "Red Comet."

Episode List

1981 Theatrical Trilogy

In 1981 to 1982, with 1979's series TV re-run, Sunrise made a remaster of all 43 episodes as a movie trilogy:

• Mobile Suit Gundam - In the year 0079 of the Universal Century, the Earth Federation and its space colonies are engaged in an apocalyptic war. The rebellious Principality of Zeon, using humanoid fighting machines called mobile suits, has all but vanquished the Federation. Now the Federation's last hope is the prototype mobile suit Gundam. When a twist of fate makes young civilian Amuro Ray the Gundam's pilot, his own battle begins - a struggle not only for the Federation's survival, but for his own. Adaptation of ep. 1-13



• Mobile Suit Gundam II: Soldiers of Sorrow - The Federation space ship White Base and its precious cargo of prototype mobile suits have returned to Earth, only to find themselves in enemy territory. As the White Base struggles across the planet's surface to safety, Gundam pilot Amuro Ray must contend not only with the Principality of Zeon's fiercest warriors, but also with his own doubts and fears. Adaptation of ep. 13-30



• Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space - With the end of the conflict in sight, the Earth Federation prepares to take the war into the Principality of Zeon's home territory. Gundam pilot Amuro Ray, now a seasoned veteran, returns to space for the final battle. Here, he will meet the mysterious Lalah Sune, a young woman who shares his Newtype abilities. Amuro's adversary Char Aznable seeks to complete his secret quest for vengeance. The fate of two intertwined enemies collide with tragic consequences! Adaptation of ep. 31-43

My review

Gundam 0079 just hits different to me compared to other series. Yes, there are some of the entries i believe is better, but it doesn't change anything, rewatching it at any point in my life hits me with different perspective of each characters presented in the show. From a baby-soldier Amuro Ray "The White Devil", to something in the White Base crew like Cpt. Bright, goofy-ball Kai, to someone like Char Aznable and Lalah Sune. This is one of my favourite anime of all time and i think more people should watch it,k especially knowing about upcoming remaster in 2029. Score: 10/10