Gundam Seed Recommended

Publisher
BEEZ
Director
Mitsuo Fukuda
Production
Sotsu Agency, Sunrise
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
50 Episodes/25 Minutes Each
Year
2002

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Volume 10

By Joseph (Joe) Wood
10th Mar 06

The final volume of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED is here, and the conclusion to the series is possibly one of the best endings to a Gundam series ever.

Whilst the Archangel, Kusanagi and Eternal are caught in a pincer attack by the Earth force’s new Archangel Class ship and the Le Creuset team. Le Creuset sends Flay Alster back to the Earth forces, with a disc containing the secrets behind the N-Jammer Cancellers, allowing the Earth forces to once again use the destructive force of nuclear weapons. The Archangel and others manage to escape but the Earth forces begin an attack on ZAFT using nukes, and it becomes apparent they intend to destroy the PLANTs themselves. Patrick Zala then unveils ZAFT’s super weapon the Genesis a massive machine that can generate large amounts of Gamma rays and aim them at a target (a sort of super powerful long distance microwave). The Genesis is capable of destroying about fifty percent of life on Earth and is also protected by Phase Shift Armour. The final battle takes place in view of the PLANTs. Kira, Athrun and the others try desperately to stop any nukes hitting the PLANTs, and stopping the Genesis from targeting the Earth whilst fighting both enemies and old friends from both sides of the conflict.

The final volume certainly doesn’t shy away from death. Several characters that we’ve been introduced to over the course of the series die in this final battle, and the vast majority of them will bring a tear to even the most hardened heart. The finale is spectacular in every sense of the word, the animation is fluid and breath taking as is the soundtrack. Anybody who has watched the series up to this point is unlikely to be disappointed by these last few episodes (unless one, or more, of your favourite characters dies).

There are problems with the pacing, things happen at blinding speed, and it can be difficult to keep up. The viewer is given only moments to take in some truly major events before others come and overshadow them. Also, the final moments of the last episode don’t really give much of a closure to the series, while there is more yet to come with Destiny it would be nice to have some sort of conclusion that tells us what happened next (there is the Epilogue in the extras, but this is rather too short and doesn’t explain much – see below for more details).

Regardless SEED is not only one of the best Gundam series, but also one of the best anime series available in the UK at the moment. SEED stands out from the rest in a major way, in fact, it’s hard to believe that its sequel, SEED Destiny, can offer a experience quite as great.

Oh and if you’re wondering what Le Creuset looks like underneath his mask…then you’ll have to see for yourself!

R2 DVD Notes

Features: English French Japanese Dub, English French German Polish Subtitles, Mecha/Charcter Files, BEEZ Catelouge, Gundam SEED Epilouge.

Release information: Publisher: Beez Released: March 6th 2006 Classification: 15 Running Time: 125mins

Notes: The Epilouge is a ten mintue extra that ties up soem of the loose ends of the series. We see a number of people getting used to life after the war. The epilouge is only presented in Japanese/German/French audio but does have English subtitles. Also the epilouge should only be watched after the episodes on the DVD.

-- Joseph (Joe) Wood 10th Mar 06

Gundam Seed Images