Gundam 00: Episode 12

Yay, this was subtitled early this week! :D

Some spoilers~

~~~~

~~~

~~

~

Wow, Ryumin is working with Alejandro? Interesting... which side is she on? Which side is he on? I'm still wondering if Saji and Louise will be playing a part in the series... No much to say about this episode... Man, we've got to wait for two weeks for the next episode! Poo. I want to see Lockon in that tight shirt! :D

Gundam 00: Episode 11

As always, some spoilers.

~~~~

~~~

~~

~


Tieria is a jerk. Again. We learn that Sumeragi really does have a drinking problem. Louise and Saji, along with Louise's mother, do not play any important part in the story thus far. Saji's sister on the other hand, is actually doing something. Tieria apparently goes into that "room" and can sync with it (Veda?) and spy on peoples (Sumeragi and Allelujah). Does Allelujah have a "Newtype" connection with other Super Soldiers? Happy birthday to Allelujah! :D

It is a little sad that main character gets such little development in this series. Lockon and Allelujah are much more interesting, and heck, so is Tieria, even though he is a jerk. At least it looks like we get some Setsuna and Marina scenes next episode.

Gundam 00: Episode 10

Light spoilers~~~~

~~~~
~~~
~~
~

I still think that Tieria is a jerk. At least his Gundam got a new form. With "hair". I feel really sorry for Allelujah. As for Sumeragi... we have to keep in mind that she's not Bright nor Murrue - she's not actually a captain, and therefore more than likely doesn't have any military training. This episode needed more Lockon. Next episode's got some back story on Allelujah methinks. Good.

Gundam 00: Episode 9

As always some spoilers. I do not know how to do the Blogger version of an LJ-cut, so please bear with me.






So, either Lockon has a twin (or simply a brother). Or a clone. Which would be very SEED like (although Puru had a clone too in Gundam ZZ). Speaking of SEED, there are multiple Haro's like in SEED. They are mechanics?

Okay, I know that many people think that Lockon and Felt are going to be a couple. But I think that they will have more of a brother-sister relationship. Felt reveals that her parents were members of the Order of the Phoenix, I mean Celestial Being. Lockon's real name is apparently Neil, which means me think of... Neil Diamond. LOL. Allelujah is switching personalities again! What is his connection to Soma?

Gundam 00: Episode 8

A few spoilers~~~

We got a tiny Lockon flashback this week. Yup, looks like his parents was killed when he was a kid. :( Allelujah questions Sumeragi's choice of swimsuit. Aww, Felt likes Haro. Setsuna goes and reveals himself, but for what reason? (other than being stupid). Lockon's a in suit next episode.... delicious.

Gundam 00: Episode 7

Oops, forgot to post this~

Some mild spoilers once again.



~~~~~~
So, did Setsuna kill his parents? Also, how does Veda pick the pilots. Very interesting.

I really liked the interaction between the pilots. Although I still think that Tieria is a jerk.

Lockon seemed really affected by terrorism, and Sumeragi was upset about the loss of life. I hope that we get back stories on them soon.

Next episode, Setsuna meets his "fateful person", ie love interest, ie Marina.

Gundam 00: Episode 6

Woot, Gundam 00 is really got the ball rolling now!

Some mild spoilers~~~



They didn't really touch upon the Newtype-ish thing this week.... Poor Allelujah has been locked in a padded cell all this time. Notice that the ship has a padded cell... does this happen often? The girls on this show sure have a lot of outfits! And damn, they drink a lot on this show. And not just alcohol. Everything from coffee to mixed drinks. Also, Patrick is pretty funny.

I am really interested it knowing what's up between Billy and Sumeragi. I am also interested in the "incident" that happened, and how they were involved in it. Graham seems to think that Sumeragi was a strategic planner at this incident. Ali is an interesting addition to the series, and I'm hoping for more flashbacks soon. This episode was pretty good, but not as good a five. Maybe combine the two for one really good episode.

Gundam 00: Episode 5

This episode was actually pretty exciting.

There are some spoilers here, so precede with caution.

The part with Saji and Louise in the train thingie was humorous. I kept thinking that Louise wants to join the Mile High Club. She also impersonated Homer Simpson with those potato chips..

Newtype flash! The flash affected Allelujah and caused him to change personalities! And the other one is Hallelujah! So he hasn't been talking to himself all this time! This storyline is going to be very interesting.

Wee, this episode was the best one so far. There was a lack of most of the other characters, but I didn't mind it too much. Allelujah's getting some characterization, and I hope that the rest of the cast gets some soon too, especially the pilots and the crew of the ship.

Gundam 00: Episode 4

It looks like I've actually got some readership! *waves to the readers*

Soma, Super Soldier Number 1, is awfully tiny for a super soldier. It will be very interesting to see her play out into the storyline. I'm thinking that Marina's adviser is an evil adviser. It seems like this series will focus more on politics rather than battles. Is Allelujah a Newtype? The preview hints at it.

And oh, I really like orange Haro. Not as much as green Haro, but orange Haro is pretty awesome (as is Lockon, hee hee).

Gundam 00: Episode 3

I've decided that I've got to be more humorous with the reviews. So I shall.


Um, this review has a few spoilers. So if you don't want to be spoiled, don't look!


Dude, Graham got pwned in 35 seconds, by a beam saber. Also, it is a bit lame-o to have a mobile suit called a "Flag". C'mon on people, where are the more creative names, like Zaku, Gouf, and Dom? It looks like coffee is a beverage that will be drunk several times in this series, as it was in Gundam SEED and Gundam SEED Destiny. Although, Lockon ordered milk for Setsuna because he is a growing boy. And Sumeragi obviously prefers alcohol.

The series is still establishing itself, so it will take awhile for me to say that I like it. I do, however, already have a favorite character: Lockon. :)

Gundam 00: Episode 2

[Sorry this is late.]

This episode was as anti-climatic as the first. However, the pace did pick up, and the Earth's factions were explained.

I've decided that I will do screencaps, and whatnot, but not until I have time. So stay tuned for that!

Gundam 00: Episode 1

Okay, so I was planning to do this whole awesome blog entry with screencaps and what not. That did not happen. That is because I am very lazy and I also have a ton of schoolwork.

I was also planning a long review. However, all I really have to say is that the premiere was pretty good, but it didn't wow me. I am hoping that the second episode will be a little more compelling for me. My expectations are probably too high. Plus, I really need more that one episode to allow me to pass judgment on the show, obviously. I don't really even have first impressions yet.

TURN A TURN

Finally, I have seen every Gundam series! Well, until Gundam 00 debuts in October.

Turn A Gundam wasn't as weird as I was expecting. It certainly had it's weird times, though. Tomino, as was every alternate universe Gundam series director, was striving for something different. And he definitely made something different.

This series often lacks the typical Gundam feeling I get from other Gundam series. It's post-apocalyptic is definitely one of the causes. However, this is one of the keys to making it an alternate universe. While a lot of the themes were similar to other Gundam series, the presentation was unique. I think that one has to watch this series with an open mind to fully appreciate it. I know that I didn't, though, which was my own problem.

However, I did like it better than Victory Gundam, because the majority of the cast was happy at the end. And I decided that I like Harry and Kihel. :)

Being bad once again

So, I forgot to update yesterday. And I am totally blanking on what I want to blog about for this week.

But I promise a real update something this week! I promise!

Kristen's Being a Bad Girl

Sorry, no real blog post from me today. I having to write a research paper on the Basques, and damn, I still need 600 words. So no blogging today.

See you next week!

Me no likey at all

According to Gunota (the most awesome Gundam news blog ever - check it out), Gundam 00 is going to be split into two, a la Code Geass. I do not like this idea whatsoever. You do not split Gundam into two. It is one of the Ten Commandments. Thou shall not split Gundam.

Not to mention, and I'm just going to say this - I don't like Code Geass. I watched it for awhile, and then decided that it wasn't my cup of tea. But now there's going to be even more comparisons between it and Gundam 00. And I don't want that.

I actually in a really poopy mood (yes, I know that this deserves to go in my LiveJournal, but whatever). There's the splitting thing, and I've been having to defend my love for Morning Musume and Hello!Project. Yes, I'm a fan, and no, I'm not a perv. And then there is the eternal debate over rather Mwu should have stayed dead in Gundam SEED Destiny. I'm a Murrue x Mwu fan, so I think you already know my answer. But it's an old argument that I don't plan on writing about, at least for now.

The Awesomeness that is Bright Noah

So, I said that I was going to do this, and since I cannot remember what I was planning for today's entry, I decided it was time to make this post instead.

Let's begin!
---

Bright Noah, in Gundam ZZ

Mobile Suit Gundam was the second Gundam series I ever saw. I won't get into the particulars, because that is for it's own entry. Anyway, around the fifth episode, I said, "Man, I really like that Bright guy." And that's when it began.

Most anime fans my age don't really get way I obsessed over this guy. Naturally, he couldn't be hot, because he was first drawn and created in the 1970s. And according to most anime fans these days, nothing good came out of the '70s. But this isn't an essay about that, nor should I be stereotyping.

While I admit that Bright is not bishounen (not to mention he's too old to be one), I think he's a well drawn character, ie, good looking. But I have other reasons for liking him as well.

We first meet Bright Noah in the first episode of Mobile Suit Gundam. He's only (supposed to be) 19 years old, and he's already an ensign in the Earth Federation Space Forces. With Bright starts the Gundam archetype of the captain - thrust into the role after the original captain dies, leaving him to control a motley crew, and keep the angst-ridden Gundam pilot in check.

To many casual viewers, Bright can be considered to violent. He is known for what many fans have nicknamed "the Bright Slap". Sometimes it's used as a verb, such as "I wish that someone would Bright Slap Shinn." Or, "Shinn deserves a Bright Slap". Perhaps Bright is a little to slap happy, but I see it as someone acting their age. Bright supposed to be 19, people. He has to act like an adult the rest of the time, but it makes since that his immunity sneaks out a bit. Bright is also sometimes considered stern and/or stoic, and therefore not as interesting as Amuro or Char.

However, I remain infatuated. Bright, in most elitist Gundam circles, is a fan favorite. And not just because of the slapping. He is considered by many to be the best captain in all of Gundam. Although he might not seem like it at first, up deep down, Bright's really a compassionate guy, trying to do the right thing.

It's impossible for me to mention Bright without mentioning Mirai Yashima. Part of the reason that was so interested in him was because of his relationship with the ship's second-in-command. I admit that I am a romantic at heart, and therefore am often more obsessed with the romance story lines than I am the political part of the plot. I will, however, leave this for another post, as I feel that Bright and Mirai are one of the top Gundam couples of all time.

As Zeta Gundam comes around, Bright has grown. Although he has mellowed some bit, he is still the kick-ass captain he was in the original series. He's nicknamed the Eternal Captain, because he never sustained any major injuries (nor dies) throughout the entire original UC saga. Also, he appears in Gundam ZZ, whereas Amuro and Char do not.

I realize that I am not painting a very clear picture as to why Bright Noah is awesome. That's because it is just too hard to pinpoint his awesomeness. Thus, I suggest that find out for yourself!

The voice says it all.

The cast for Gundam 00 is out. The guy who played Tamaki in Ouran High Host Club and Light in Death Note is voicing Setsuna, which could be either good or bad. Good, because I love Tamaki, and bad, because I hate Light. And Tiera is a guy, since the dude who played Takemoto in Honey and Clover is playing him. I thought that maybe he was going to end up being a girl, uncover as a boy. But I thought wrong. Lockon's seiyuu is the same guy that voices Urahara on Bleach. It seems like a good fit, based off of how Lockon looks. :)

I'm back.

Okay, I've been back for awhile, but now I really am going to post things.

I'm still trudging along with Turn A Gundam. It just doesn't seem like a Gundam series to me, sorry. I understand that a lot of people think it's awesome, but perhaps leaving it for last has led to have certain expectations when it comes to Gundam.

That being said, let's take a look at Gundam 00.

First, check out the info on Gunota, and form your own opinion.

Okay, now for mine:

*I already don't like that the captain of the ship isn't really a "captain". Reminds me too much of Bright and Murrue. And while I love them to death, I'd really like the captain to be different. Well, Murrue is very different in character from Bright. But I was kind of wishing for a more Gundam X set up in the way of captain. While it seems that the captain-lady is non-military, she's got this (I'm just going to say it), "I've got to be sexier than Murrue!1" vibe I don't like. But this is bad, since the captain character is often my favorite.

* All the girls seem to be boobalicious. Fanservice much?

*Other character's include a celebrity (Lacus, anyone) and a princess (because you can't have Gundam without one). The fact that there is a celebrity and a princess is waaaaay too SEED for me. The celebrity is Chinese and aged 17. The princess is luckily 24. We've also got some students in there (SEED again?!)

*Haro (yes, Haro) is yellow-orange in this series Mobile Suit Gundam size, and is... wait for it... Lockon's partner! Lockon's the oldest and he gets the Haro! At least the Haro's in every timeline, go to different types of characters. Maybe he will tell Haro his secrets, LOL.

Well, I'm going to try and watch this series with an open mind, but that's going to be hard.

~Mirai

¡Hola desde España!

Well, I´m in Spain. Actually, I´ve been in Spain for awhile, and I just wanted to update my blog here at least one. I´ve extremely bored at this moment it time, because I don´t need to take siesta, since I´m not a partier. Or is it partyer?

HIATUS

This blog is currently on hiatus while I'm studying abroad in Spain during the month of July.

I was originally going to post in this blog daily, but that didn't happen. I've going to try weekly after I return from my trip.

~Mirai

Sunglasses At Night

So, I finished Victory Gundam awhile back. It was alright, but definitely not one of my favorites.

I also finished Gundam X, which actually was really good! It's pity that it was canceled back in the day when it aired in Japan. (In case you were wondering, they obviously got a heads up that it was canceled, so there is an actual ending, unlike when an American TV show gets canceled).

I am currently watching Turn A Gundam, and well, it is very bizarre.

Summer Days, Drifting Away

Okay, so I fixed my computer's virus issue awhile ago, but I have been busy finishing Victory Gundam, and, well, just plain lazy.

Also, part of the problem is that I realize that this is public and what not, and therefore, someone, someday is going to read this. I have an issue about not wanting to offend people, so I will try and keep everything here positive. Which means that I will continue with the awesomeness posts, whenever I get around to them.

Computer Issues

My dear laptop is has a virus at this current time, so therefore I am using another computer. However, I won't do an actual blog post until it's fixed and whatnot. So yeah.

It's the purple hair, I tell you.

Some information on the characters of the new Gundam series, Gundam 00, have come out. So, I shall discuss. Of course, this is simply based off of pictures, and the little Japanese that I can read.

Setsuna's character design reminds me almost of Cyborg 009. Almost. It's mostly that picture of him in civilian clothing that gave me that vibe. His first name is written in kanji, which is interesting to note. Lockon looks a lot more cool than he did in the trailer. Allelujah looked pretty bad ass in the trailer, but I prefer Lockon now. And Tieria... is a guy. Apparently.

Collections

Let's face it - I'm a pack rat. It doesn't help that I'm a collector too.

I collect many things. Books, Japanese candy wrappers, pretty much any Gundam merchandise I can give my hands on (other models, actually). The only thing that I don't collect is stamps.

So I'm releasing that I need an entire six foot bookcase to fit my Gundam collection. I've got the Region 1 DVD releases (including the giant Zeta Gundam box set), plus Mobile Suit Gundam and Gundam Wing on video tape. Then I've got all the English translated manga, plus The Origin in Japanese, art books, trading cards, Gundam War cards, a Gundam Wing lunch box, a dozen Haros, chibi figures, a few models (I admit it), and tons random trinkets I've collected over the years.

Oh my.

Oh snap.

Well, this post was supposed to be for June 12, but I think it's getting posted on the 13th. Oops.

EDIT: Just barely made it!

Anyway, I will be making posts about each Gundam series, as well as other anime series like. Also, stay tuned tuned for a series of posts called "The Awesomeness That is..." which will focus on something awesome. The first episode will be entitled: "The Awesomeness That is Bright Noah."

How to Watch Gundam

Many people do not want to to take up the daunting task of watching all the Gundam series. Most just watch a recent series, such as Gundam SEED, and then found out, "Holy freakin' crap, there are millions of other not connected series!"

So this is my recommended way of watching Gundam. It's not the order in which I watched the series, but hey.

UNIVERSAL CENTURY

All series that follow the UC timeline:

• Mobile Suit Gundam

It's best to start with original, in my opinion. It is also wise to watch the Mobile Suit Gundam movies (I, II, and III) at this point as well. The movies are simply a compression of the series, with some added scenes and a few changes, plus a lot is reanimated. It was made a couple years later after the series, so yes, the animation is better, if you are bothered that much by the 1979 animation.

• Zeta Gundam

Also known simply as Z Gundam, it is the sequel to the original series. A year or two ago, a three movie version was released. So yes the animation in the movies are way better. I have yet to see them though, but you can watch them after the TV series. But you eyes will probably hurt when you watch Gundam ZZ.

• Gundam ZZ

Pronounced as "Gundam Double Zeta", it is, you guessed it, the sequel to Zeta Gundam. No movie version of these yet.

• Char's Counterattack

The movie sequel that closes out the original saga. (MSG through CCA have recurring characters, just so you know).

The next three are what I call the "side stories", since that's what they are. Even though they take place during and between other series, I feel that they should be watched after seeing the "original saga", because they were made later. You could choose to watch them in UC chronological order, through, but that would actually be kind of tricky (meaning you'd have to watch some of MSG, for example, then most of 08th MS Team, and then switch back to MSG, and then watch some Gundam 0080, and then switch, etc. You could watch Gundam 0083 between MSG and Zeta, though, because it actually takes place between them) . But you could watch them after MSG if you like. (They are all OVA series.)

• The 08th MS Team

There is also a "movie" version called "Miller's Report". It does not summarize the whole series, though.

• Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket

• Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory

There is also a movie version called "The Last Blitz of Zeon", which I haven't actually seen.

The stories that take place later on the UC timeline:

• Gundam F91 (Movie)
  

• Victory Gundam (V Gundam)

ALTERNATE UNIVERSE

Then we move over to the alternate universe series (AU). Each of these series, plus their sequels, take place on their own timeline. I think that it's best to watch them in the order that they were made (Other than sequels, of course. Watch them in order).

• G Gundam

• Gundam Wing

• Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz

Sequel to Gundam Wing. There is an OVA version and a movie version. They are basically the same, only with a few changes at the very end, and different songs.

• Gundam X

• Turn A Gundam

The title is also written with an upside A.

• Gundam SEED

There are three "special editions" i.e. movie compilations of this series. Similar to the MSG movies, only small changes were made, plus a few extra scenes.

• Gundam SEED Destiny

Sequel to Gundam SEED. There are four "special editions" i.e. movie compilations of this series, which I haven't seen yet, so I cannot compare them to the series.

• Gundam SEED: Stargazer

A forty-five minute side story. There are three parts, fifteen minutes each.

• Gundam 00

Called "Gundam Double-Oh", this series is airing this fall.

There are many miscellaneous things that didn't cover here, such as SD Gundam Force (don't bother watching, in opinion), the SD Gundam series (it's a chibi parody OVA series with the cast from the original saga), G-Savior (the live action movie that I don't consider Gundam), Gundam Evolve (stand alone short episodes based off characters and mecha established in other series), and MS Igloo (which I don't know enough to tell you about).

So yeah, there's the list. Get crackin'!


EDIT 10/12/2007: There is also a new "SD Gundam" series called Gundam SEED Character Theater, which features the SEED characters as chibi.

My obsession

[A bit of disclaimer: This my view of the Gundam fandom. I'm sure that your opinion is different, but remember, different strokes for different folks. Agree to disagree. Thank you.]

Well, I was going to try and write a blog entry everyday. I'm crazy like that. Seriously. On LiveJournal, I have a entry for everyday. But I forgot to write yesterday.

Anyway, finally, I shall write about Gundam. Gundam is my main fandom. And by Gundam, I mean pretty much every Gundam series.

I'm not going to give you the complete history of how I got into Gundam. But I will describe it briefly. Like most people, I was first introduced to Gundam by Gundam Wing. Then I watched every Gundam series that was aired on Cartoon Network. And then the others through other methods...

Mobile Suit Gundam, the original series that was aired in Japan in 1979, was scorned by many Gundam Wing fans (which aired in 1995 in Japan), because of it's old animation and funky campy style. Others become extreme UC (Universal Century; the timeline used in the original saga) fans, and thought that Wing was simply a cheap remake. Although MSG easily become my favorite anime series, I still love Gundam Wing.

In fact, I came to like most Gundam series. I use most, because I'm currently watching Victory Gundam, and it's not doing that much for me. But oh well. I also still haven't seen Gundam X or Turn A Gundam yet, but I plan on watching soon.

I supposed that I am unique because I love both MSG and Gundam SEED. And yes, I liked Gundam SEED Destiny. (Mainly because a certain someone came back from the dead. Which I know is another unpopular opinion). And yes, Zeta Gundam is good, but not my favorite. Oh my.

Now, the newest Gundam series, Gundam 00 is coming out this fall. And I'm excited. Are you?

Jumping on the bandwagon

I've never been one to say, "Oh that's overrated." This is mainly because that's based on a matter of a opinion. For example, if everyone seems like it, but you don't, then you will probably say that it's overrated because you don't like it.

I think that it is also very important to actually try it before you claim that it's overrated. Who knows, maybe you will like it.

But sometimes you don't. And that's okay. I understand.

Naruto is an extremely popular anime nowadays, especially in America. Personally, I've tried to watch it several times in high school. Then, at my university's anime club, we watched two episodes a week. I stuck around, watched it, and still didn't like it. It wasn't my type of series.

However, I had written the series Bleach off as being similar. Because of this, I never actually watched any of it. But then we watched it anime club, and it slowly grew on me. Now I'm a fan. :)

There are plenty of people that didn't like the hype surrounding the Harry Potter books. I, for one, was a early fan, so I didn't really understand why people were dissing it before actually reading. I have several friends who at first hated it without even reading it, but finally tried it out, and realized that they loved it.

But sometimes, even when you have tried it, you don't like it. I saw Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End yesterday. Now, I love, love, love the first film, but I didn't like the second one at all. It wasn't the same for me. The third one was better, but I still didn't enjoy it very much. At this current time, I'm really afraid to tell all my friends who loved it that I didn't like it, because my opinion is very unpopular. Because I don't want to hear, "How can you not love it?"

Sometimes we jump on the bandwagon, and sometimes we don't.

I <3 Miaka Yuuki

Fushigi Yuugi is one of my all-time favorite anime series. (Actually, I'm a really big fan of Yuu Watase's works). And guess what? I have no problem with Miaka. In fact, Miaka is my favorite character.

For most people, it seems, Miaka is too whiny for them to handle, and promptly stop watching the series, because she is too annoying. But it doesn't bother me in most cases. In fact, I am typically the fangirl of that whiny character. Sailor Moon anyone? Usagi's my favorite character in that as well. I'd rather watch a series with a main character like Miaka, rather than one like Haruhi Suzumiya (no offense to all the Haruhi fans out there - I will admit that I didn't see the whole series).

But as I said in my last post, different strokes for different folks. So people out there, don't just go, "I HATE MIAKA!!one." Please have an intelligent debate over her character flaws, and realize that some people actually like her, and that they feel that their opinion is not being respected. But also, we must respect the people that don't like her as well, and don't go around going, "OMG, how can you not like her?!eleven". Remember that it goes both ways.

Growing Out of Anime

I supposed that for some, liking anime is simply a phase that one goes through. For a period of time, anime is your passion, and then you "grow out of it". One of my friends, for example, is done with anime. She just didn't stop watching it; she pretty much cutting all ties to it. Selling all her manga and anime merchandise, leaving all internet communities related to it, etc.

While I understand why she's doing it, and while I understand that she has no interest in anime anymore, I highly doubt I will ever "grow out" of liking anime.

I think that for some, such as my friend, it really a phase. But for others, such as myself, it's a part of my life, like TVs and movies.

And there is nothing wrong with that. Different strokes for different folks.

First Post, yay!

Hello, blogging world!

My name is Kristen, but I go by Mirai on the internet. I am a major geek and whatnot, and yeah.

I have used for LiveJournal for, gosh, four years, but I haven't actually had a real blog.

Anyway, my Japanese professor encouraged us to make blogs to stay in touch over the summer. Well, I was already logged into my Gmail account, so I decided to make two separate blogs - one for the fandom side of me, and one for Japanese. So this is the fandom side.

I am still unsure what to put here, because, as I said before, I use LiveJournal, and therefore type most of my Gundam rants and whatnot there. But I will find a use for this one day, I promise.

Bye for now!

~Mirai :)