TURN A GUNDAM

—by Keith Rhee

In 1979, a show named MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM forever changed the face of giant robot animation. Since its introduction, the venerable series has spawned several TV sequels, OVAs, and movies, not to mention a lucrative franchise of plastic models. But twenty years after its introduction, amidst the Gundam Big Bang Project celebrating GUNDAM's 20th anniversary, it seems that the classic Federation versus Jion storyline has run out of steam. Alternate spin-offs such as G GUNDAM and GUNDAM W have been faring much better than the 08th MS Team, which (somewhat loosely) adheres to the original Universal Century continuity.
The success of the spin-offs hasn't been lost on Tomino Yoshiyuki, the creator of GUNDAM. In addition, Tomino has stated that he originally meant to tell only the tale of Amuro and Char, and is rumored to have grown weary of the original setting. So perhaps it comes as no surprise that his most recent effort, TURN A GUNDAM, takes place in a world far removed from the classic series.
And far removed it is, two thousand years after the dawn of the space age (whether this refers to the original Universal Century or not is unclear). The people of Earth have long forgotten their space-faring ways; their technology has regressed to the level of Model-T-style automobiles and biplanes. But a group of settlers on the Moon have retained their advanced knowledge, and after centuries on the Moon, the Moonrace yearns to return to the blue planet.
When negotiations for a transfer of Lebensraum falter, the Moonrace decides to seize what it wants by force, and Earth's primitive technology proves to be no match against the advanced arsenal of the Moonrace. Against all adversity, a Gundam must stand, and our protagonist Rolan Seack stumbles across this ancient relic just as the invasion begins. Though a member of the Moonrace, Rolan decides to defend his friends on Earth, hoping to settle the conflict between Earth and Moon in a peaceful fashion ...
If the Gundams in G GUNDAM and GUNDAM W retain the trademark look and feel of the original, the latest incarnation, designed by industry veteran Syd Mead, is barely recognizable. The design has been a subject of much controversy and debate, but this reviewer welcomes the makeover if only for its break with tradition. (But the mustache really has to go.) The character designs by Yasuda Akira (STREET FIGHTER III) also take some getting used to. They actually seem to go well with the retro WWI-era setting of the show, but they're not particularly attractive or appealing.
As for the plot, it is pretty low-key so far. The misunderstandings and mistrust of the two races, and the machinations of the people trying to take advantage of the confusion, are mildly intriguing to watch, but it is somehow lacking in the kind of intensity that made GUNDAM W or ZETA GUNDAM so gripping. Rolan's character and struggles has been done before, such as the reluctance to fight, and the conflict of identity. In his defense, though, his genuine caring and sympathetic nature makes him a more likeable character than most pilots in Gundam history.
Measured against the classic series or the more recent spin-offs, the first eight episodes of TURN A GUNDAM turns up a little flat, and Gundam fans expecting something along the lines of previous GUNDAM features will probably feel a little let down. Even taken on its own, the show still seems to be missing that quality that endears it to its viewers. One can only hope that the series picks up in pace pretty soon. In the meantime, this author will be keeping a close eye on the show, and hope that the conflict intensifies as the series continues.

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