GundamGundam is one of the longest running meta-series of anime featuring giant robots. Gundam is the collective term for the Universal Century (UC) series like Mobile Suit Gundam and series in alternative timelines, such as Gundam Wing, made by Sunrise Inc.. The name "Gundam" itself stems from a variety of theoretical sources, most commonly attributed to a need to conform with common giant robot naming conventions during the 1970s. OverviewConceptMobile Suit Gundam was developed principally by Yoshiyuki Tomino, along with a changing group of Sunrise creators who went under the collective pseudonym "Hajime Yatate". The celebrated series was originally titled Freedom Fighter Gunboy or simply Gunboy, because the title robot was armed with a gun and the target demographic was young boys. In the early stages of production, there were numerous references to the word freedom, such as the White Base being originally named Freedom's Fortress, the Core Fighter as the Freedom Wing, and the Gunperry named the Freedom Cruiser. The collective Yatate team combined the English word Gun with last syllable of the word Freedom, Dom, to form the word Gundom. Tomino then changed the name to the current title Gundam, suggesting that the name Gundam signifies a power wielding a gun that is strong enough to hold back enemies like a dam holds back floods. However, Gundams are not robots but more extensions of their pilots. Like many of the "mobile suits" appearing in the series, a Gundam is usually piloted from the torso area. InnovationGundam is a turning point in the history of anime and manga, as it is credited for inspiring the Real Robot genre. Real Robots (popularly known in English as mech, a re-borrowing of the Japanese abbreviation for the English word "mechanical") differ from their Super Robot forebearers on a few stylistic and thematic points such as attempts at realism in robot design and weaponry, as well as their thematic and ethical roles. Zambot 3 was an earlier program by Tomino which helped develop these ideas. The main theme of all the various Gundam series is always the harsh depiction of the atrocities of war. All the machines, including the Gundams, are always depicted realistically i.e. they run out of energy and ammunition, they break and malfunction like all machines eventually do. The technology, at least that of the Universal Century, is practical and derived from true science, including Lagrange points in space, the O'Neill cylinder as a living environment, and energy production from helium-3 (Minovsky Physics). The narration is always revolving around the emotions of the characters, usually thrown into conflict without much choice and faced with death, destruction and dehumanization. With few exceptions, there are no absolute good guys and bad guys; all have their motives. Politics of war are always lurking in the background, as it is in real wars. Gundam also features true to life issues and clear political ideas. Finally, most of the stories are basically structured as coming-of-age dramas, where the main protagonist (and sometimes his main antagonist) and most of the cast personalities, points of view, and actions may (or may not) change dramatically as the events on the series unfold. This makes the plot more real: while in early Super Robot series, the hero and cast usually act in the same predictable manner in most episodes, in the various Gundam series the characters' personalities and actions are transformed/developed by the turn of events surrounding them (the best example of this is how the personalities of longtime rivals Amuro Ray and Char Aznable are influenced by their experiences in the Gundam saga). Gundam calendar systemsMost early Gundam works take place in the Universal Century calendar system, which is considered the most developed. Later series take place in alternate calendars or timelines, which are mostly completely unrelated to the original Universal Century calendar system.
English-speaking fans have interpreted "Seireki" (a wordplay homonym of the Japanese term for the A.D. Western calendar) to mean "Correct Century" or "Correct Calendar," but Sunrise itself has not established an English translation for "Seireki" or the English abbreviation expansion for "CC". Bandai and Japanese-speaking fans unofficially refer to projects not directly related to the first Gundam series or its staffers (such as Gundam Sentinel and G Gundam) as "Another Gundam" stories, and to projects made after 1989 as "Heisei Gundam" stories. On the survey for the game that would become Gundam True Odyssey, the Cosmic Era series (including Astray) were collectively referred to as "21st Century First Gundam" (a reference to Mobile Suit Gundam, also known as First Gundam). English-speaking fans have used "Alternate Universe" or "AU" as a nickname for the stories that do not take place within the Universal Century timeline, but this unofficial nickname is not used in Japan. Distinctive characteristicsGundam is the name or nickname of several mobile suits or mobile fighters, although some works such as G-Saviour and Mobile Suit Gundam: MS IGLOO do not have units named Gundams. In the Universal Century timeline, Gundam is the name of the Earth Federation's first experimental general-purpose mobile suit, which is incredibly powerful compared to most of the mass-produced models eventually used by either side. Afterwards, many powerful mobile suits based on the Gundam's design also carry the name, such as the Gundam Mk. II, Zeta Gundam, Victory Gundam, etc. All Mobile Weapons have serial numbers, usually additions to previous Mobile Weapons in its lineage. For example, the Earth Federation in the Universal Century universe used "R" (Renpou, said to be the English equivalent of Federation) to designate their mobile suits, with "X" for experimental units, "GM" (Gundam Mass-producedGeneral Machine) or "GC" for production mobile suits derived from the original V-Project suits and "MS" for mass-produced mobile suits derived from One Year War-era Zeon mobile suits. In the After Colony timeline, the word Gundam refers to most mobile suit constructed out of a special alloy, called Gundanium, which can only be mined and produced in space. This alloy gives the Gundams near invincibility. Every Gundam has a unique name that befits the nature of the suit and/or its origins, such as Wing Gundam, Gundam Heavyarms, Sandrock Gundam, Gundam Deathscythe, or Shenlong Gundam. In the CC (Seireki) timeline, the name Gundam is given to the White Doll/Turn A mobile suit by Corin Nander. Corin Nander was an ace pilot who was placed under suspended animation as punishment and the color scheme of the Turn A mobile suit reminds him of the Gundam mobile suits from previous eras. In the Cosmic Era works, the word Gundam is never used in an official sense, apart from in the Chinese language translations of the manga. However, there are numerous mobile suits which share the properties of Gundams from other series. In an informal homage to other Gundam series, all of these unique mobilesuits use operating systems with complicated acronyms, and these acronyms always simplify to the word Gundam. Most characters simply refer to these units by their names, such as Duel, Buster, Blitz, Strike, or Aegis, but a select few characters refer to them as Gundams, a trend which started with Kira Yamato and spread to a few close friends, as well as the subordinates of Neo Lorrnoke, who subconsciously remembers the term despite a form of amnesia. The name is used widely outside the animation in the merchandising of Cosmic Era toys and models. In the G-Saviour movie there is no allusions to "Gundam" whatsoever, not even mentioning the word. Since the story takes place after the biggest time-gap in between continuities in the Universal Century, people probably forgot about the Gundams entirely. In both Gundam F91 and Victory Gundam there are hints of this as people referred to the F91 and the Victory Gundams as 'the super-machines from history', and dubbed them Gundams. The different series have had different ways of maintaining the tradition, and the only unique feature that all Gundams have in common is the name. The following characteristics are distinctive (but not unique) to many Gundams:
The Gundam franchiseAnimated/live-action series and movies (in order of release)
For the listing of the series on chronological order of the depicted events, see the individual timelines' pages. Original Design series/VariationsDue to the sheer popularity of the Gundam franchise, especially the Mobile Suit design, several Original Design series were published. These series are drawings and precise specifications for additional Mobile suit units not found in the original animated material.
Manga and novelsSee main article Gundam Manga and Novels. The manga narration of the original series is published in English in North America by a variety of companies, such as Viz Communications, Del Rey Manga, and TOKYOPOP, among others. Gundam manga is also published in English in Singapore by Chuang Yi. Video gamesFollowing the popularity of Gundam, various video games feature original characters previously not found in other media. Some video games have been converted into comics or novels. There is also a Half-Life 2 mod called Mech Assault Genesis( http://www.mechag.com ), based on Gundams. Super Robot WarsThe Gundam meta verse makes regular appearances in the Super Robot Wars series by Banpresto. In fact, there hasn't been a single game which hasn't featured at least one Gundam series and characters. Some series come and go however, but Amuro Ray, often in the RX-93 Nu Gundam, is a regular character and has actually never missed a single game. This changed in Super Robot Wars J for the Game Boy Advance. This title was the first in the series history to not have many of the standard characters that have appeared in every game to date such as Amuro. So far, almost every single major Gundam series and then some has made at least one appearance in the series. The Mobile Suit units are considered the representing unit in the "Real Robot" type of mecha. The games units are often separated by being "Super Robots" (powerful mecha that often have near-limitless powers and technology, but have a shorter range of movement), and "Real Robots" (mecha that are physically weak, but have a wide range of movement for the most part). There have been so many Mobile Suit units that its impossible to tell a distinct style, however generally Mobile Suits are extremely agile and have an enormous variety of different weapons. Series based on Gundam modelsAlthough not directly related to Gundam, these series incorporate Gundam models as part of the stories:
MerchandiseBandai, the primary licensee of the Gundam trademark, makes a variety of products for the Gundam fan. Other companies produce unofficial toys, models, t-shirts, etc. Categories of products include the Mobile Suit In Action or MSiA action figures, and Gundam Model Kits in several scales and complexity levels. Generally, each series listed above will have its own set of products, although the MSiA and Gundam Models lines, such as High Grade Universal Century may extend across series. This page about Gundam includes information from a Wikipedia article. Additional articles about Gundam News stories about Gundam External links for Gundam Videos for Gundam Wikis about Gundam Discussion Groups about Gundam Blogs about Gundam Images of Gundam |
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Generally, each series listed above will have its own set of products, although the MSiA and Gundam Models lines, such as High Grade Universal Century may extend across series. Optional equipment:. Categories of products include the Mobile Suit In Action or MSiA action figures, and Gundam Model Kits in several scales and complexity levels. Standard equipment:. Other companies produce unofficial toys, models, t-shirts, etc. A special edition JDM Si with camel interior, wooden gear knob, and upgraded sound system. Bandai, the primary licensee of the Gundam trademark, makes a variety of products for the Gundam fan. Optional equipment:. Although not directly related to Gundam, these series incorporate Gundam models as part of the stories:. Optional equipment:. There have been so many Mobile Suit units that its impossible to tell a distinct style, however generally Mobile Suits are extremely agile and have an enormous variety of different weapons. Standard equipment:. The games units are often separated by being "Super Robots" (powerful mecha that often have near-limitless powers and technology, but have a shorter range of movement), and "Real Robots" (mecha that are physically weak, but have a wide range of movement for the most part). The CR-X Si was Motor Trends Import Car of the Year for 1988. The Mobile Suit units are considered the representing unit in the "Real Robot" type of mecha. The redesigned CR-X was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1988. So far, almost every single major Gundam series and then some has made at least one appearance in the series. It also made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1985. This title was the first in the series history to not have many of the standard characters that have appeared in every game to date such as Amuro. The Civic CR-X' was Motor Trends Import Car of the Year for 1984. This changed in Super Robot Wars J for the Game Boy Advance. . Some series come and go however, but Amuro Ray, often in the RX-93 Nu Gundam, is a regular character and has actually never missed a single game. However, in August 2005, Autoweek reported that Honda planned a revival of the CR-X that is scheduled to be on the market in 2007; no official announcement has been made by Honda. In fact, there hasn't been a single game which hasn't featured at least one Gundam series and characters. There have been many rumours of a CR-X comeback, none of which have come to fruition. The Gundam meta verse makes regular appearances in the Super Robot Wars series by Banpresto. The del Sol was discontinued in 1997 for the American market and 1998 for other markets. There is also a Half-Life 2 mod called Mech Assault Genesis( http://www.mechag.com ), based on Gundams. The CR-X was replaced for 1992 by the CR-X del Sol, a targa top 2-seater again based on the Civic. Some video games have been converted into comics or novels. The CR-X was the second car to receive a Honda VTEC engine after the Integra. Following the popularity of Gundam, various video games feature original characters previously not found in other media. Honda refreshed the looks of the car in these markets in 1990 when it added the B16A VTEC engine in the 150 bhp VT and 160 bhp SiR models in the UK & Europe and Japan respectively. Gundam manga is also published in English in Singapore by Chuang Yi. The Si engine was stamped ZC, whilst the 16v stamped D16A9. The manga narration of the original series is published in English in North America by a variety of companies, such as Viz Communications, Del Rey Manga, and TOKYOPOP, among others. The Japanese Si and European 16v models came with a 1.6 L DOHC engine putting out 128 bhp. See main article Gundam Manga and Novels. One of the rarest options for the CR-X was the "Cyber Glass" roof, which stretched from the top of the windshield, and went all the way back to the hatch opening; such equipped models are extremely rare. These series are drawings and precise specifications for additional Mobile suit units not found in the original animated material. Redesigned in 1988 and produced to 1991, the CR-X was very popular for its performance (specifically the USDM performance model, the Si), nimble handling, and good fuel economy—the USDM CR-X HF model could reliably achieve better than 50 mpg, more than a decade before gas-electric hybrids appeared on the market. Due to the sheer popularity of the Gundam franchise, especially the Mobile Suit design, several Original Design series were published. European markets, however, received a more powerful ZC 130 hp engine and four seats. For the listing of the series on chronological order of the depicted events, see the individual timelines' pages. In the American market, the CR-X was marketed as an economy sport hatchback, having room for just two passengers. The following characteristics are distinctive (but not unique) to many Gundams:. The Honda Civic CR-X was first produced in 1983 for the 1984 model year and was a lightweight sport hatchback. The different series have had different ways of maintaining the tradition, and the only unique feature that all Gundams have in common is the name. The "CR-X" name is said by some to stand for "Civic Renaissance-Experimental". In both Gundam F91 and Victory Gundam there are hints of this as people referred to the F91 and the Victory Gundams as 'the super-machines from history', and dubbed them Gundams. The first generation CR-X was sold in some regions outside Japan as the Honda Civic CR-X. Since the story takes place after the biggest time-gap in between continuities in the Universal Century, people probably forgot about the Gundams entirely. The name is used widely outside the animation in the merchandising of Cosmic Era toys and models. Folding electric mirrors (electric mirrors are standard). Most characters simply refer to these units by their names, such as Duel, Buster, Blitz, Strike, or Aegis, but a select few characters refer to them as Gundams, a trend which started with Kira Yamato and spread to a few close friends, as well as the subordinates of Neo Lorrnoke, who subconsciously remembers the term despite a form of amnesia. Rubber dashboard mat (rare, possible option). In an informal homage to other Gundam series, all of these unique mobilesuits use operating systems with complicated acronyms, and these acronyms always simplify to the word Gundam. Centre armrest. However, there are numerous mobile suits which share the properties of Gundams from other series. Sun roof (+20 kg/44 lb). In the Cosmic Era works, the word Gundam is never used in an official sense, apart from in the Chinese language translations of the manga. Glass roof (+10 kg/22 lb). Corin Nander was an ace pilot who was placed under suspended animation as punishment and the color scheme of the Turn A mobile suit reminds him of the Gundam mobile suits from previous eras. "CR-X" mats + mud flaps. In the CC (Seireki) timeline, the name Gundam is given to the White Doll/Turn A mobile suit by Corin Nander. Climate control. Every Gundam has a unique name that befits the nature of the suit and/or its origins, such as Wing Gundam, Gundam Heavyarms, Sandrock Gundam, Gundam Deathscythe, or Shenlong Gundam. ABS (+~20 kg/44 lb). This alloy gives the Gundams near invincibility. Power steering. In the After Colony timeline, the word Gundam refers to most mobile suit constructed out of a special alloy, called Gundanium, which can only be mined and produced in space. Half-leather seats. For example, the Earth Federation in the Universal Century universe used "R" (Renpou, said to be the English equivalent of Federation) to designate their mobile suits, with "X" for experimental units, "GM" (Gundam Mass-producedGeneral Machine) or "GC" for production mobile suits derived from the original V-Project suits and "MS" for mass-produced mobile suits derived from One Year War-era Zeon mobile suits. Alloy wheels. All Mobile Weapons have serial numbers, usually additions to previous Mobile Weapons in its lineage. Air conditioning. II, Zeta Gundam, Victory Gundam, etc. Torque - 112 ft-lbf @ 7000 RPM. Afterwards, many powerful mobile suits based on the Gundam's design also carry the name, such as the Gundam Mk. Power - 160 bhp @ 7600 RPM. In the Universal Century timeline, Gundam is the name of the Earth Federation's first experimental general-purpose mobile suit, which is incredibly powerful compared to most of the mass-produced models eventually used by either side. Engine - B16A, DOHC 16-valve, VTEC. Gundam is the name or nickname of several mobile suits or mobile fighters, although some works such as G-Saviour and Mobile Suit Gundam: MS IGLOO do not have units named Gundams. Weight - 970 kg (2139 lb). English-speaking fans have used "Alternate Universe" or "AU" as a nickname for the stories that do not take place within the Universal Century timeline, but this unofficial nickname is not used in Japan. Torque - 106 ft-lbf @ 5700 RPM. On the survey for the game that would become Gundam True Odyssey, the Cosmic Era series (including Astray) were collectively referred to as "21st Century First Gundam" (a reference to Mobile Suit Gundam, also known as First Gundam). Power - 132 hp @ 6800 RPM. Bandai and Japanese-speaking fans unofficially refer to projects not directly related to the first Gundam series or its staffers (such as Gundam Sentinel and G Gundam) as "Another Gundam" stories, and to projects made after 1989 as "Heisei Gundam" stories. Engine - ZC, 16-valve DOHC. Western calendar) to mean "Correct Century" or "Correct Calendar," but Sunrise itself has not established an English translation for "Seireki" or the English abbreviation expansion for "CC". Weight - 890 kg (1962 lb). English-speaking fans have interpreted "Seireki" (a wordplay homonym of the Japanese term for the A.D. Sun roof (+20 kg/44 lb). Later series take place in alternate calendars or timelines, which are mostly completely unrelated to the original Universal Century calendar system. Glass roof (+10 kg/22 lb). Most early Gundam works take place in the Universal Century calendar system, which is considered the most developed. Torque - 95 ft-lbf @ 4500 RPM. This makes the plot more real: while in early Super Robot series, the hero and cast usually act in the same predictable manner in most episodes, in the various Gundam series the characters' personalities and actions are transformed/developed by the turn of events surrounding them (the best example of this is how the personalities of longtime rivals Amuro Ray and Char Aznable are influenced by their experiences in the Gundam saga). Power - 106 hp @ 6500 RPM. Finally, most of the stories are basically structured as coming-of-age dramas, where the main protagonist (and sometimes his main antagonist) and most of the cast personalities, points of view, and actions may (or may not) change dramatically as the events on the series unfold. Engine - D15, SOHC. Gundam also features true to life issues and clear political ideas. Weight - 840 kg (1852 lb). Politics of war are always lurking in the background, as it is in real wars. CR-X mats + mud flaps. With few exceptions, there are no absolute good guys and bad guys; all have their motives. Air conditioning (rare, +20 kg/44 lb). The narration is always revolving around the emotions of the characters, usually thrown into conflict without much choice and faced with death, destruction and dehumanization. Rubber dashboard mat (rare). The technology, at least that of the Universal Century, is practical and derived from true science, including Lagrange points in space, the O'Neill cylinder as a living environment, and energy production from helium-3 (Minovsky Physics). Electric mirrors. they run out of energy and ammunition, they break and malfunction like all machines eventually do. Electric windows. All the machines, including the Gundams, are always depicted realistically i.e. Electric sunroof. The main theme of all the various Gundam series is always the harsh depiction of the atrocities of war. Full leather seats (embroidered with "CR-X VTEC" in red stitching). Zambot 3 was an earlier program by Tomino which helped develop these ideas. Alloy wheels (14"). Real Robots (popularly known in English as mech, a re-borrowing of the Japanese abbreviation for the English word "mechanical") differ from their Super Robot forebearers on a few stylistic and thematic points such as attempts at realism in robot design and weaponry, as well as their thematic and ethical roles. 0-100km/h - 7.1 sec. Gundam is a turning point in the history of anime and manga, as it is credited for inspiring the Real Robot genre. Torque - 112 ft-lbf t@ 7100 RPM. Like many of the "mobile suits" appearing in the series, a Gundam is usually piloted from the torso area. Power - 150 bhp @ 7600 RPM. However, Gundams are not robots but more extensions of their pilots. Engine - B16A1, DOHC 16-valve, VTEC. Tomino then changed the name to the current title Gundam, suggesting that the name Gundam signifies a power wielding a gun that is strong enough to hold back enemies like a dam holds back floods. Weight - 1010 kg (2227 lb). The collective Yatate team combined the English word Gun with last syllable of the word Freedom, Dom, to form the word Gundom. 0-100km/h - 7.5 sec. In the early stages of production, there were numerous references to the word freedom, such as the White Base being originally named Freedom's Fortress, the Core Fighter as the Freedom Wing, and the Gunperry named the Freedom Cruiser. Torque - 106 ft-lbf @ 5700 RPM. The celebrated series was originally titled Freedom Fighter Gunboy or simply Gunboy, because the title robot was armed with a gun and the target demographic was young boys. Power - 132hp (95 kW)130PS. Mobile Suit Gundam was developed principally by Yoshiyuki Tomino, along with a changing group of Sunrise creators who went under the collective pseudonym "Hajime Yatate". Engine - D16A9, DOHC , ZC. . Weight - 899 kg (1982 lb). The name "Gundam" itself stems from a variety of theoretical sources, most commonly attributed to a need to conform with common giant robot naming conventions during the 1970s. Power - 70 hp @ 4500 RPM / 83 ft-lbf @ 3000 RPM (the least of all CR-Xs). Gundam is the collective term for the Universal Century (UC) series like Mobile Suit Gundam and series in alternative timelines, such as Gundam Wing, made by Sunrise Inc. Engine - Honda D15B6 (or B8?) SOHC 1493cc. Gundam is one of the longest running meta-series of anime featuring giant robots. Weight - 819kg (1802 lb). Frog. Power - 90 hp @ 6000 RPM / 120 ft-lbf @ 4500 RPM. Sgt. Engine - Honda D15B2 SOHC 1493cc with cat. Plamo-Wars. Weight - ?. Plamo-kyo Shiro. Power - 108 hp @ 6000 RPM/ 100 ft·lbf @ 5000 RPM. Genshiken. Engine - Honda D16A6 SOHC 16-valve I4. SEED Destiny MSV - variations from the SEED Destiny series. Weight - 988kg (2,174 lb). SEED-MSV - variations from the SEED series. Power - 123 hp (58 kW). V-MSV - variations from the Victory series. Engine - D16A8,ZC DOHC 16-valve (fuel injection). F91-MSV - variations from the F-91 movie. Weight - 878 kg (1936 lb). Kunio Okawara's MS Collection (M-MSV) - Kunio Okawara's personal reinterpretations. Power - 76 hp (58 kW) / 85 ft·lbf. CCA-MSV - variations from the Char's Counterattack movie. Engine - EW1, SOHC 12-valve (3-barrel carburetor). ZZ-MSV - variations from the Double Zeta Gundam series. Weight - 878 kg (1936 lb). Z-MSV - variations from the Zeta Gundam series. Power - 91 hp (66 kW) @ 5500 RPM / 93 ft·lbf @ 4500 RPM. MSX, new models for a proposed but never produced new animation series, considered to be official and canonical. Engine - D15A3, SOHC 12-valve. Mobile Suit X (1984) - a.ka. Weight - 897 kg (1977 lb). MSV, the variations from the One-Year War, considered to be official and canonical. Power - 57 hp SAE (42 kW). Mobile Suit Variations (1983) - a.k.a. Engine - D15A2, SOHC 8-valve. Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny (TV: 2004). Weight - 777 kg (1713 lb). Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO (movies: 2004; OVAs: 2006). Superior Defender Gundam Force (TV: 2003-2004). Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (TV: 2002, compilation specials: 2004). Gundam Evolve (short clips: 2001-2005). G-Saviour (live action TV movie: 2000). Turn A Gundam (TV: 1999, compilation movies: 2002). New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz (OVAs: 1997, compilation movie: 1998). After War Gundam X (TV: 1996). Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team (OVAs: 1996). New Mobile Report Gundam Wing (TV: 1995, compilation OVAs: 1996). Mobile Fighter G Gundam (TV: 1994). Mobile Suit Victory Gundam (TV: 1993). Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory (OVAs: 1991; compilation movie: 1992). Mobile Suit Gundam F91 (movie: 1991). Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket (OVAs: 1989). Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack (movie: 1988). Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (TV: 1986). Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (TV: 1985; compilation movies: 2005). "Gundam 0079" (a nickname derived from spinoff games and manga and primarily used by English-speaking fans) (TV: 1979; compilation movies: 1981–1982). "First Gundam" (the nickname applied by Japanese fans once sequels appeared which used the whole phrase in their titles) a.k.a. Mobile Suit Gundam - a.k.a. Superior performance, in comparison to other mobile suits/fighters. Yellow and/or red highlights are often added. In any given series, at least one Gundam, usually the one piloted by the hero of the story, will have a blue torso and white limbs and head. A prominent red "chin" or goatee, initally thought to be a mere stylistic touch, but is now believed to be a heat vent. Ornament on head resembling a V-shape, sometimes units possess two V-shapes. Face with two human-like eyes, which flash when the unit is activated. Humanoid form. Each story is not necessarily consistent with other stories within the Super Deformed series or stories outside them. Super Deformed Gundam is a series of super deformed parodies of the Gundam metaseries. has acted as an acronym for a variety of things, see the Mobile Suit Operation System page for details. In this timeline, G.U.N.D.A.M. "Cosmic Era" refers to the years after the foundation of the first space colonies. Mobile Suit Gundam SEED and Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny take place in the Cosmic Era calendar system. Director Yoshiyuki Tomino intended this as the distant future of all previous calendar systems. ∀ Gundam takes place in the CC (正歴 Seireki) calendar system. After War Gundam X takes place in the After War calendar system; "After War" refers to the years after the conclusion of the 7th Space War, in which the Earth was devastated by massive colony drops. "After Colony" refers to the years after the foundation of the first space colony. New Mobile Report Gundam Wing takes place in the After Colony calendar system. Mobile Fighter G Gundam takes place in the Future Century calendar system. |