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Gundam 0083: Stardust Memories

       
                 
                 
 

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Title Info

  • seen: 1-13 of 13
  • type: OAV
  • grade: watchable
  • genre: mecha
  • made: 1991
  • Review created: A while ago, i'll revise it eventually.
  • mod: none

A return to the world of Gundam in this self contained and skilfully woven story of war in the future. The plot concerns an attempt to re-ignite the war that was the focus of the original Gundam series by a group of Jion Loyalists. We follow various characters on the other side as they are suprised by the first moves of a war they didn't expect. They quickly find themselves at the very edge of the conflict, as the mysterious plans of the enemy and the political uncertainty of their own command force them into battle. In the best gundam tradition we also follow many of the `enemy', and are given some chance to understand their own reasons and motivations.

In addition to such things there are various pressures, conflicts and romance between the many well realised characters to keep things busy. Indeed the three way relationship between a naieve pilot trainee, a beautiful mecha analyst and a new Gundam mecha (which they both love) continues to be the focus of much of the plot. While the characters are good (although kou is painfully inept at times) it is the rich world and technical design that really adds so much to this series. All of the equipment, including the mecha, are well designed and the action sequences are well animated and believable. This technical accuracy combines with a willingness to kill and injure central characters, and a representation of the chaos and uncertainty (and shock) of battle to present a very believable depiction of war in the far future. Good writing, design, and character work make this a title definitely worth checking out, but you do have to be able to cope with a bit of Gung-ho militarism at some points. There is also a mecha-fetishists belief that one (or two) `super-mecha' will decide the outcome of a conflict between two global fleets. The conclusion is fairly action oriented, with lots of mecha combat, but still manages one or two romantic/political twists. A solid watch, well written and well produced.

       
                 
                 
       

Words by Andrew Shelton, Web by Ticti, Last Compile: Wed Aug 5 12:39:19 WST 2009