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V Gundam
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Animation - 7.5 |
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Sound - 8.2 |
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Story - 8.9 |
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Character - 8.7 |
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Value - 8.7 |
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Enjoyment - 8.7 |
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Average - 8.4 |
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| Average |
7.0 |
| Animation |
6 |
| Sound |
5 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
7 |
| Value |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
8 |
| I admire Yoshiyuki Tomino. He is notably the mastermind behind the highly acclaimed Gundam series. In its birth from the 70's till today, the franchise remains a vital part of the otaku community even reaching its arms towards the general masses. Over the years Gundam has made series ranging from the extremes of excellence to mediocrity. The average Gundam fan could name which series would fall which. Today's modern audience would probably name Wing, Seed, Destiny, 00 in their repertoire, but they seem to be missing quite a few gems. Victory Gundam is one such example.
Victory Gundam can be said as the underdog of the Gundam series. It never was distributed to the United States legally and was ridden with a few controversies with Tomino and Bandai. Even the creator himself wished that no one should see this. Nevertheless, I disagree, Victory Gundam carries the Gundam name in a positive light and deserves as such.
Victory Gundam was produced in the early 90's, the time period, which the golden age is still lingering on, by Sunrise with a sponsorship from Bandai. All of these facts should warrant the show to feature top of the line animation. Unfortunately, that's not the case here. It is logical in a way since the series spans 51 episodes and the staff most likely had to cut a few corners every now and then like reusing frames of animation (Seed and Destiny anyone?) and a bit of underscaling in movements (typical of 80's and early 90's shows.). However, it's not as bad of an issue and the viewer is treated with nice effects and art for the most part. Character designs are simple and clean. Again, for cost-reduction reasons.
Just as any other anime in this time period, we get to listen to some upbeat and slightly cheesy tunes. The OP "Stand up to the Victory" may not be the best representative of the bleak and dark mood of the show, but it does serve its purpose as...an OP I guess, heh. The ED, Winners Forever, is a little better, but still suffers from being out of place. About midway, the OP and ED is replaced by "Don't Stop, Carry On" and "mou ichido Tenderness." It's a step-up, but still sounds a little too lively. BGM is leagues better. Though the show likes to repeat it a little too much, the BGM does fit in the drama of Victory Gundam. Voice acting was alright. Nothing overly outstanding or atrocious about it so not much can be said here.
The plot is what sets Victory Gundam apart from several "brothers," and "cousins." Following the bloodied path that the original Gundam and Zeta Gundam walked on, Victory Gundam features a conflict between the League Militaire/Federation and the Zanscare Empire, an oppressive regime bent on "evolving" the Earth. Amidst the chaos, Uso Evvin is caught in this conflict and forced to fight for himself, and the people he cares for. While fighting, Uso witnesses the bloody and merciless reality of warfare. The show chronicles their exploits and does it well with the events that follow and Uso's experiences of warfare. It impacts so much that the story leaves an impression on the viewer and even forces him or her to ponder upon war and the people caught in the crossfire.
Another element Gundam is known for are its character interactions and Victory does not disappoint. With such a huge cast, almost everyone is fleshed out evenly and appropriately from Uso to the lowly grunt pilot. The main characters are far from being static and flat that they are faced with such events that forces them to grow up and mature. It's so well done that it scares me at times as to how Tomino was able to construct such a beautiful mix of drama and interactions while he was in a reported depression.
Victory Gundam should be in every Gundam and/or mecha fan's collection. Unfortunately, due to its age, the chances of licensing in the US is next to nothing. Even fansubs require some work to acquire due to its obscurity in the Western World. If you do manage to find it, snap it up quickly. You might never have the chance.
I may be biased on my view of Victory Gundam, or even the franchise itself for anyone to label me as a Gundam freak, but in reality, one has to admit that Gundam would never have been known if it lacked the drama, interactions or even the en masse space battles that make Gundam, Gundam. With 00 out today, the saga lives on, but taking a look back in the past never hurts.
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2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
10.0 |
| Animation |
10 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Story |
10 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| The last Gundam series of the Universal Century, Victory Gundam is a worthy successor to Zeta Gundam. The best series after Zeta in this fictional Gundam universe; a must-see!!
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
6.0 |
| Animation |
5 |
| Sound |
7 |
| Story |
6 |
| Character |
6 |
| Value |
6 |
| Enjoyment |
6 |
| "Do Not Buy This Series."
A spiritually tried Yoshiyuki Tomino tells the audience before the collection of this title gets sold. Victory Gundam is one of the more difficult series to do franchise-wise; but it's also one of the better mecha war dramas to watch.
The message of war, being damaging for all but necessary, is so hard to swallow despite focusing on a collection of youths and featuring some otherwise beautiful women.
Tomino may not want anything to do with this anymore, but it's still a recommended watch to anybody who had just got on the "Gundam" bandwagon through Seed and Destiny.
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
9.3 |
| Animation |
7 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Story |
9 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| When I first rented this anime from my local imports store, I waded my way through about 10 episodes and declared it interminably boring and overly difficult to follow. And then I watched ZZ Gundam . . .
Yeah . . .
Anyway, seeing a show as half-assed as that can make you see anime in a whole different light. About a year later, I decided to give Victory a second chance by watching the entire series . . . and it turned out to be one of the greatest masterpieces Tomino has ever created. I'm not even a big Tomino fan at all; I found Zeta and Turn A to be incredible yawn-fests, but anyone can appreciate the quality of this series after getting over the initial "hump" (eps. 1-9). The series really catches a second wind with the introduction of the Shrike Team and the evolution of Uso's character after he leaves his hometown. After that, everything builds at a near-hyperactive pace toward the stunning conclusion that is more than sure to leave quite a few mouths hanging open.
For more specific reviews of individual aspects of this fantastic anime, see the link below.
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Ryuga |
2006-01-05 09:25:09 |
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| Average |
6.2 |
| Animation |
6 |
| Sound |
7 |
| Story |
7 |
| Character |
7 |
| Value |
4 |
| Enjoyment |
6 |
| I had no ideas of what to expect from this show. The only thing that I knew was that this show finally was back to the good old serious tone, like in Zeta Gundam. It started off a little bit different from the typical Gundam series. I didn’t understand what was going on in the first episode, but I soon did. However, a kid with great abilities becomes the Gundam pilot and main character. He’s the youngest I’ve seen till now, only 13 years old. Also the rest of the characters seemed interesting and the plot appeared to be very good. But when I had watched, say 15 episodes, I felt the plot slowly becoming boring and less varying. From this point on, it was more like another time-killer and a typical Gundam show. One difference was however that the death rates were really high in this show, especially in the Shrike-team.
All of the characters were very likeable. The main character Usso Ebbing, was remarkable calm and not whiny like too many other Gundam pilots. However, I felt that it was strange that such young kid managed to pilot a mobile suit. A big problem with all of the characters is that they don’t develop very much. The sound was also okay, but nothing remarkable. All of the songs chosen to opening, ending and soundtracks were very adequate, though.
Animation quality is not of the best I’ve seen. For instance, I believe Zeta Gundam (almost a decade older) was a lot better. The fighting scenes don’t look very good.
Overall, this was better than most Universal Century series. Although the story wasn’t the best, this series has a lot of other qualities. I was very excited in the first episodes about the technology, which had evolved a lot since the first Gundam shows. So, if you’re a Gundam fan, this is a must see. But don’t expect too much.
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| Average |
8.3 |
| Animation |
6 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
9 |
| Character |
9 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| V-Gundam is one of my favorite Gundam series, along with Gundam Seed. I think the story of V-Gundam is a bit better. This show has very good characters, though main character Uso does cry a lot, I suppose he has good reason. To find out more read my review.
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Acolyte |
(2004-04-30 19:05:01) 2004-04-30 19:04:25 |
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| Average |
7.3 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
7 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
6 |
| Value |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
7 |
| I've read so many good reviews about Victory Gundam that I was extremely anxious to see it. Being a big fan of the Gundam franchise I felt it almost to be a shame that I had not seen this series. So I jumped at the chance to see the whole series.
The show starts with the typical Tomino setting. The viewer is thrown in the middle of things without no clue what is happening. There are tons of things happening in the first 20 minutes of this series and it gets very confusing (especially when coupled with a infuriatingly crap translation and mediocre japanese skills). The confusion started to go away for few episodes and I started to enjoy the series.
But after viewing some 10 episodes I was already wondering if I'm watching the same show as those who rank this so high. I was being extremely bothered by the almost idiotic irratinal behaviour of all characters. Extremely furious about Uso's HORRIBLE voice. And laughing at the stupid twists in the story.
Oh yes, the show is very dark and moody. People dying left, right and center, but all this goes to waste when you combine it with all the stupidity that the show has to offer.
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
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| Average |
9.3 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
10 |
| Character |
9 |
| Value |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| Well This series is definitly one of the best gundams ever made, it draws you in like no other... Death is all to common in this series to the characters you come to like and though some build up to an honorable death some are pointless and angered me IE. A certain group that really kicks ass almost all die out as the series goes on, well a few more join this group later, but then they die, the last remaining person in this group wants to avenge the group but ends up dieing in such a low and pointless manner it truly pisses me off to no end. But you know what thats just a small sample of the fatalities in this series. But thats the point this series was meant to make,to see war for what it truly is and it succeeds with a very dark and disturbing side to the story. Then there is this certain character who you think is just a random person on the other side who is nice to Uso (Uso = the main Character)but ends up doing the majority of the killing of his comrades, just when you think all the pointless deaths will be avenged ....but the bloody character lives on...I had nearly punched my screen thats how much this show draws you in and thats the beauty of this very depressing action filled series so check it out.
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Radeonic |
(2005-09-01 18:44:20) 2004-04-16 16:18:52 |
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| Average |
9.7 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Story |
10 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| One of the best Gundam series since Zeta Gundam. One of the masterpiece ever created by the Great Yoshiyuki Tomino!
Although this Gundam series has a slow and slightly confusing beginning, once the Shirke team has appeared, things start heating up quickly and people will drops like flies! Not only is this series able to put in so many emotion to every character you face, V Gundam also touched on various real life issues. Things like feminism is a constant recurring theme in the story: Shrike team are all females, Usso's mother, Shakti and her mother, Marbet and her baring child, as well as Katejina all played an important role to move the story along.
It is extremely depressing for me after I've finish this anime. One of the few animes that has made me cry at the end (others being Zeta Gundam and Gundam 0080). V2 Gundam is one of the best designs ever! And if you consider yourself a Gundam fan, this is a must watch!!!
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DarkHunger |
(2004-02-26 21:31:45) 2004-02-26 21:20:31 |
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| Average |
9.0 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
10 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| Very good series from Yoshiyuki Tomino. The cruelty of war is displayed here, and Tomino goes overboard to show its horrors. Death, violence, decapitation, destruction, betrayal, insanity galore, done in a way that surpass even those in Zeta Gundam, and all experienced by the youngest looking main Gundam pilot ever. In a way it seems a bit too cruel, but that's Tomino for you.
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SouSou |
(2004-04-16 19:11:46) 2003-12-01 17:02:16 |
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| Average |
10.0 |
| Animation |
10 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Story |
10 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| I will definitely say the same thing as I said in my Zeta Gundam post. This is another excellent Gundam Series created by Tomino Yoshiyuki. There are many character development, war scenes, and of course, tragedies!! This series shows no mercy to both sides and displays how horrible war is.
On the other hand, this series is just WAY TOO DEPRESSING!!! In my opinion, it's much more depressing then Zeta Gundam. This series focus more on character development then politics, which is kind of opposite to Zeta Gundam. Some scenes are just too sad and depressing to watch. The pure depressiveness starts from the beginning (when some characters started to die) through the very end. Everytime when a character dies (dispite of which side they are), the scene will be very depressing to watch, and may start to make someone cry their eyes out. (Although I didn't cry, but those scenes are just too depressing that it makes me feel very sad and terrible. I feel terribly sorry to every characters who suffer.)
Many characters drops like flies throughout this series. Countless death scenes, which yields to countless depressions!! (Warning!! Spoilers:) In my opinion, the following episodes are the most depressing:
11, 13-14, 26-27, 31, 36, 39-40, 46-51.
According to mahq.net, the depressing tone of this Gundam series may have to do with Tomino's reported depression. So that is caused by Tomino's emotional problems. Damn! I can feel his sadness just by watching Victory Gundam!!
For people who don't like sad story, you better avoid this Gundam Series or perpare a couple more tissues cry your eyes out!! (lol) For people who like character devlopments, bloody actions and dark tone, this is strongly recommend, but I hope you don't cry like a baby after you watched this series. Hahaha...
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| Average |
9.0 |
| Animation |
7 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Story |
10 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| This is by far the best and most underrated Gundam series of them all. The theme of war is portrayed very strongly here. And no character is invicible in this series. And you thought the cast of survivor had it tough.
Ignore the crappy description of the anime as it's all wrong. It's the description to Zeta Gundam.
The year is U.C. 0153, and yet another force, Zanscare Empire, oppose the weakened Federation in a bid to take the earth. Using the gullotine to keep the populace in place, Zanscare quickly begin to establish a foothold on the Earth. Only the League Militaire is left to oppose Zanscare. Their weapon, the new V Gundam with 13 year old Uso Evin as its pilot. This climatic series is the final animated series that takes place in the Universal Century..
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