Cosmic Disaster Throuple ✨

I've always gotten the vibe that people unfamiliar with Gundam beyond the basics think of it as your run of the mill cool giant robot/mecha anime, but it's so much more than that. Yes, there are many very cool giant robots, but there's a reason why Gundam, especially the Universal Century timeline, is so beloved to this day and remains a cultural mainstay in Japan. The entire UC - from 0079 to Unicorn and all of the OVAs and AUs and movies in between and beyond - is worth watching, but I'm going to focus on the original, 0079, because no other Gundam series has topped it for me yet.

Don't let the dated (but very charming and distinct) animation fool you; 0079 still holds up incredibly well today. The story and characters are timeless and touch on themes like the tragedy and horror of war, hope in desperate circumstances, and how much of one's soul and humanity they must sell in order to survive.

Here's the synopsis, per Wikipedia:

"Set in the futuristic calendar year 'Universal Century' 0079, the plot focuses on the war between the Principality of Zeon and the Earth Federation, with the latter unveiling a new giant robot known as the RX-78-2 Gundam piloted by the teenage civilian mechanic Amuro Ray."

But this summary just barely scratches the surface, and doesn't tell you exactly what makes 0079 so special, so I'll talk a little about why it's so special to me specifically. Let's start with one of my favorite subjects in stories, the depiction of trauma and war!

And oh boy, does 0079 have that kind of content in spades. Certain moments continually haunt me, like these scenes of Amuro - who's only 15 here - grappling with PTSD as a conscripted child soldier. It's still one of the best portrayals I've ever seen of dissociation.

To add, 0079 doesn't shy away from showcasing the horrors of war front and center and how they affect soldiers and civilians alike, and it never lets you forget this specific theme for a single episode. I mean, even the mere concept of a colony drop is terrifying, and this moment is shown at the start of the first ~10ish episodes. Sorry, Sydney.

I'd like to talk about the art a little, because while there are those out there who dislike how dated it is, my opinion is that it's unique, well-designed, and full of incredible little animation flairs. For example, Amuro is often shown biting at his thumb, and there are many similar moments - like a soldier trying to wipe sweat off his brow without realizing that he's still wearing his helmet. It's little things like this that makes the characters feel very real, especially when taken alongside the writing.

Later on, 0079 also has several experimental animation sequences that are gorgeous and visually interesting - and also, they're peak 70's aesthetic. The entire sequence this shot comes from plays in my head frequently, both because of the visuals and the sheer emotion it inspires.

And then there's the characters. Each and every character, even antagonists like Char and the Zabi family, is so beloved to me and many others. Most major characters get solid arcs that continue throughout the show's 42 episode run, and even the characters you may not initially like start to grow on you. By the end, the White Base crew - Amuro, Sayla, Bright, Mirai, Frau, Hayato, Kai, Ryu, and the kids - feels like a true family who have suffered through the trials of an awful war, but you're left with the feeling that it'll ultimately be okay, because they have each other.

Does 0079 have its issues? Of course. Everything does. While I find that it was very ahead in a lot of its concepts, it's still a product of its time. A lot of people also have issues with the pacing at the end, due to the series being initially unpopular and therefore getting cuts to its planned 50 episode run.

But still, it remains at the very top of all of Gundam for me - and in fact near the top of my favorite pieces of media ever - because the story it tells resonates in a rare timeless way. It gets under your skin, makes you think, and doesn't let you go for a long time. It's one of those shows that I can always turn on and enjoy, and when I finish my big Gundam watch with my partner, I'll be going back to the beginning and watching 0079 all over again, because it's just that good.

There's so much more I could say, but I'll leave it here. Consider giving a 46 year old anime a chance, because it truly is an all time great.

Or get Bright Slapped™. Your choice!