Story is also a lot more interesting if you understand modern politics and old world. Like how ideologies like Marxism, Fascism and Nazism are surrogate religions for the people that are snared by them and like cultist often require years of deprogramming to get out of it. Makes Marida's words about how Zeon became an alternative for Religion among many spacenoids echo reality. The chants are literally religion. And almost all ideologies use chants to drawn out opposition and boost the spirit's of their followers, a form of self reinforcement to cut away doubt. You see this in a heartbreaking way with Loni Garvey. How the writer of the novelizations is a right wing libertarian yet is often misunderstood because a lot of people are taught right wing libertarians are bad, so don't understand how he could write such a good anti war story. I literally saw one Unicorn video where the reviewer called him a Right Wing Pro War Imperialist, I know nuts right? Even stating he thinks the writer failed at his message because he made a good anti war story.. Because he never bothered to understand other perspectives so that reviewer came to a false conclusion out of assumption/association.. obviously someone who never learned from watching Gundam what one of the primary messages of "Understanding" is. Even makes references to education, how we are taught to hate/distrust people, without ever actually meeting them like Banagler's anti Zeon education, even being in denial on who attacked his home colony during the first few episodes just assuming it was the Zeon attacking the colony. Even some other historical references like the Co-Prosperity Sphere, which is a reference to Imperial Japan's plans for Asia after WWII. I really loved watching Banagler having false assumptions just like that reviewer had early in the OVA series. There is a lot more depth well beyond just the Gundam lore within Gundam Unicorn. Depth that requires a lot of real world knowledge and alternative viewpoints on history and politics. But Gundam has kind of always been that way. For example Zeon Zum Deikun is literally the Gundam equal to Karl Marx. The Newtype Theory being a variation of Socialized man by Marx or Soviet New Man theory by Trotsky. Marxism's oppression with Oppressor vs Oppressed. Meanwhile despite having this obvious Marxist influence, the Zeons also share a lot of Fascist influences. I was quite surprised that the Zeons are not meant to represent either specifically but are meant to be a representation of "Revolutionary Action" ie Revolutionary movements like these ideologies were which sought overturning the existing world order. Something the Fascist and Marxist both wanted to do. So Interestingly Tomino just made up an ideology and merged elements from historical ideologies into one ethos. Everyone loves rooting for the "Revolutionaries" right?? What better way to add nuance to a story than make the villains the Revolutionaries. Interestingly enough outside of Gihren the Zeons generally only have the veneer of Fascism. Prior to Gundam 0080/83 the Zeon's even had exclusively Red Revolutionary Flags with "Yellow" Symbolism which is very Marxist like. So personally I sometimes wonder if the Zeons were never meant to be Fascist per se, and more so Marxist.
This is just you throwing up your American politics over a Japanese show. The zeon are clearly based on axis powers. They literally have German helmets and uniforms and the Gundam franchise was created by children of ww2. it has nothing to do with the American rights view on communism
@@humblegamer7876 Then why is the Newtype Theory so similar to the New Soviet Man Theory? Why is Zeon Ideology built around Oppressed vs Oppressor which is at the very core of Marx's Class theory of history to a point it uses Gramsci style Violence is Justified if you represent the Majority just as the Zeons claim? Starting to think you only disagree because you have Communist sympathies. The references are so blatant that it isn't deniable.
Something that low-key threw me for a loop is that--I haven't actually watched any Gundam other than Unicorn, I absorbed bits through osmosis before I brushed up on the timeline enough to understand Unicorn and God was it worth it--in the original, Degwin explicitly calls out his son, Gihren for being like Hitler. You can even find the clip on RU-vid. Fukui's "edits" to the overarching story of Gundam do make me hesitate a bit because they shift the message from the original's, but shifting the 'viewpoint' a little is perfectly valid and Unicorn's story still stands on its own, place in the UC timeline notwithstanding. Also, "Like how ideologies like Marxism, Fascism and Nazism are surrogate religions for the people that are snared by them..." - This is why I'm pissed off whenever people spit on religion. It's almost always hypocritical because political dogmas are themselves a religion--heck, refusing religion is itself a "religious" stance. It's like how freedom from association is a corollary to freedom of association. It's the biggest thing I despise in Legend of the Galactic Heroes despite largely loving the story, because "democracy" is treated no differently than a religion. I'm a Muslim, btw, so I kinda feel strongly about that.
@@EthanKironus8067 TIKhistory has some great video on such ideologies. They were all created by men who grew up in religious families but denied religion as they got older but held onto the altruism said religions ingrained into them as they grew up. So they created Collectivist ideologies to fill the void of religion to satisfy their altruist beliefs. Wanting to create societies of selfless people placing society/community above individual needs.
This! This right here is the thing that truly separates Unicorn from most other Gundam shows. Hope and Compassion are real, tangible forces that lead to changes in the events. Minor spoilers but the best example of this I can think of is Marida Cruz’ fight with Banagher in episode 3. In typical Gundam fashion, Banagher receives a psychic connection with Marida just as he’s about to run her machine through with a beam saber. He sees her full life story in the blink of an eye. In any other Gundam series, this would come a moment too late, the saber cuts through, and Banagher would be left to mourn the person that he just came to understand through a missile scope. But that’s not what happens. Banagher, in a moment of clarity, shuts off his sword before it kills her. They have no reason to like each other beyond basic cordiality, and Marida has every reason to want the Gundam pilot dead. And yet, Even So, Banagher chooses to do what he can. Marida isn’t his enemy. She never truly was.
EVEN SO! Great video. I love how they executed the core message. Even if the future is uncertain or dark, or you know it's going to be dark, no matter what happens, do what you feel is right. Even a possibility of a better future is enough to fight for it. Such a simple idea, but done so well and touchingly
Video: "There are no aliens in gundam." 00: "hold my gn drive." Jokes aside, Gundam Unicorn is peak for me as well. If I remember correctly, people hated Banagher because he cries a lot and doesn't want to kill people. People need to understand that not all 16 year olds are like Heero, Setsuna or Mikazuki who are super soldiers. Banagher is a highschooler lol.
Those insecure men just wanted to have a power fantasy show to insert themselves in, they don't think about how realistically killing and genocide would be like, how people would mourn their deaths and fuel the cycle of hatred, how conflict tortures you, how suffering and anguish literally destroys your mind and soul just like how the Zeon remnants are (especially Loni)... With all the grey area, ending a conflict realistically never always as simple as "just smash the enemy and saves the day" and that's what I like about Unicorn, it actually tries to get to the root of the entire UC conflict since 0079 and presented a solution that makes path to a better future (as shown in Narrative that Mineva led a Zeon faction that everyone respects)
If you Watch Gundam Unicorn you can at best Grasp all the context and references silently if you watch nearly all of the series they released. Unicorn Encompasses Mobile Suit Gundam, Mobile Suit Gundam Zeta, Gundam ZZ [Depends how], and also Gundam CCA [Char's Counterattack]. Unicorn even if some say is rushed is not rushed so much and what happened so it depends how one reacts. I want to Emphasize that Sawano Hiroyuki was also the Composer of the series which made it feel more rich and engaging in a music level. If you know the name Sawano Hiroyuki you will now know how to a big extent he made his music present in this OVA and other versions of Gundam Unicorn. My suggestion is at best enjoy all the prior series if you want but some say you can watch the old which may help. For now enjoy Unicorn and I hope you feel the same way as well.
Sawano has been one of my favorite composers for a long time. It's actually kinda crazy how many staff members in this show I love, but I cut out talking about them cause it seemed fake lol. Like the director did Samurai X and Dororo which I love too.
@@NopeMechs dude there's so much good scenes. Stark Jegan vs Bell Pepper, Byarlant handing out Ls, and remember this ECOAS Jegan casually dispatching melee enemies with a recon suit? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-A6qrjXJhGrM.html
Excellent review , very well explained on the meaning of Gundam theme. And actually realising the implications and consequences that a ton of gundam fans just gloss over or completely miss.
Unicorn was actually my first gundam, even though I didnt understand the nuances and details of the gundam lore, the narrative and the way it handles its themes made me curious to dive deep into the franchise.
Ive always loved unicorn. The very end is a bit silly with the colony laser but thats to be expected when newtype shenanigans are really front and center. Also the animation quality of the OVA is truly next level considering its relative age. It still looks top tier, even with the cgi
I disagree with a lot of things you cover about unicorn and would rather agree to disagree; but your criticism on antagonist's is an interesting point to talk on. The statement is correct with the villian's motivations being a blunt mess however the sleeves as a faction's plot is legit one of the few times a faction devises a smart way to attack the federation outside of blunt conquest. It's borderline noble if only there wasn't as many causalities being made on the path to it and the disregard for the serious repercussions of aggravating the feds into a serious conflict . The OVA sadly cuts out a lot of story and plot from the Dakar/Garvey plot that I felt was really well done and by far some of my favourite bits of Unicorn which built more on themes from the North-Africa arch in ZZ.
is double zeta actually...relevent to easter egg's in unicorn? i ask because i could stand the full 1979 gundam series (would recommend the movies :P) and zeta but i think i lasted 2 episodes of double zeta and went char's counter attack :P after the end of zeta the tone shift almost gave me whiplash :P but if anything i love unicorn for the mobile suit designs the unicorn, sinanju and kshatriya are just fantastic was split on the unicorn but once it go's in to destroy mode or in it's full armor trim...just a monster of a MS.
It's mainly relevant to understanding the state of the Neo Zeon conflict as well as Marida's situation. Although I'll admit Char's. Counterattack also works lol Edit: It also gives you perspective on how Newtypes have been developing and in spite of carrying major conflicts are still undercut by the Federation
I love unicorn, I watched it early in my gundam viewing and probably set my expectations too high. There a lot of 'good' gundam shows that I found hard to sit through. (War in the Pocket is also top tier)
its good, but i wouldnt put it anywhere near my best list. hell, it probably wouldnt even react top 5 gundam animes for me. let alone anime in general. the series starts amazing, and with great potential all the way up until the last third. but the reveal coupled with the over the top newtype time travel nonsenical magic was basically the ending of 0083's love triangle that comes out of nowhere. its literary trying to outdo char's counter attack, and to me, it failed miserably.
@NeedSitRep im not talking about them traveling back in time, im talking about the nonsensical, regressing time effect it had on other mobile suits. also, didnt the phenex later literaly time traveled?
@NeedSitRep its not just narrative, that was in the end of unicorn as well. as they were being pursuit by a squad of jegans(or delta+, been some years since i watched it). their engine was literaly being disassembled as the unicorn flew by.
My main issue with unicorn is, sure, hope is the main driving force in the end, but it also feels like it reaches that point by the most contrived reasons that also just keeps retreading on old ground we've seen in basically every other gundam series. The action is great, soke of the set pieces are cool, but all in all unicorn felt like dust in the wind in terms of gundam stories. Of course though, it really depends on what you really want out of your gundams at this point, which personally, Unicorn just felt like it was just going through a checklist and also introducing the stupidity of Laplace.
Reasonable take for sure. Now that I've mellowed out a bit I can see I definitely should have been more specific on my expectations and experiences with the franchise up to this point. I'll try to be more thorough in the future.
Definitely, it's just not a great experiential show. It's hours of lecturing strung together with some high quality visuals Also the internal plotting just isn't coherent. Mineva lecturing full frontal on he how he doesn't understand humanity by comparing him to chars colony drop? Are you seriously making the argument that char tried to destroy the earth because he actually just wanted to evolve humanity. This is literally contradicted by char himself in cca, just terrible, water treading, nonsense
I actually found the series depressing because I was thinking about the whole picture of the uc while watching. To keep light on spoilers with a metaphor it's like watching a movie about survival that begins with a flash forward of the main character died.
For me it’s on the lower end of UC shows, not as bafflingly horrible as Narrative, but still not eclipsing Victory. As a purely visual and action piece, it is very much an amazing action piece, but Fukui’s writing often fails to give the usual weight to both sides of a conflict that most UC series does. I would rather agree with your statement regarding CCA taking the ideas of Gundam full circle, and then Hathaway picking back up where it leaves off. Which leads me to my other main issue with Unicorn. It is entirely removed from the rest of the UC timeline after it’s ending. Of course this is because the UC entries set after Unicorn were written decades before Fukui got to write his works. I very much appreciate the attempt to continue Mineva Lao Zabi’s story, but it sadly goes nowhere. I must also bring up how ridiculous the tech gap between CCA and Unicorn is and then being entirely reeled back in by Hathaway. As for the literal Char clone villain, I don’t think it has been done any better than Tomino’s own take in Gaia Gear, though that novel was never intended as true canon or to recieve any sort of manga or anime adaptation. I still wish to read the Unicorn and Narrative novels to see if my issues were more with Sunrise than Fukui. I do after all like his Moon Gundam series, but I still feel he leans too hard on newtypeism as the force from star wars
@@NopeMechs probably not, it hinges more on the early stuff. Hathaway is great (praying for part 2 this year), but the later series have a plethora of issues and you really have to read the subtext to get the vision. Cancellations, sudden reworks i to movies, episodes being shuffled out of order because the execs thought they knew better… The ideas are as Tomino as ever, but the execution is marred. Still, worth watching and there is of course many great side stories both in UC and alternate universes to look into after catching up. Not to mention great manga and novels. I especially recommend Char’s Counterattack: Beltorchika’s Children, which is the original draft of what was reworked into the movie. It has a lot of key differences and is a quick read at only about 30 chapters
@@Herr_GamerIdk if you know this but there is a fan translated Gundam Unicorn light novel from start to end on the website Baka-Tsuki, i hope this will help.
I'm gonna wrap up Universal Century soon and then I'll get to Wing pretty fast. As for Mercury, I plan to do the other timelines in release order so it may be some time! Thanks for the love!
I mean F91, Victory, Crossbone Gundam, and G-Savior. While not direct sequels, they succeeded it in the Universal Century. I'll try to be less vague in the future.
@@NopeMechs Yeah I guess it was just me enjoying Victory so much, I am also a newer fan and I loved every Gundam I've watched and am caught up. But it just made the timeline a little complicated I guess, maybe you will see in the future. Ultimately all that matters is you enjoy things. 😀
@@brandonament832 I finished Hathaway and Narrative already, (videos in editing process), and I'm starting to get it a bit now lol. Not quite at Victory yet but I'm looking forward to it.
@@NopeMechs the whole ending sequence and how it borders on super robot level of craziness. I love S.R. shows but that particular one felt a little out of place. To me it felt like the show jumped the shark on that last part, and it is honestly my one complaint about the show, there are some minute details here and there but that really felt like a Deus ex machina moment, especially with the whole solar cannon shenanigans and how the power of friendship could stop it. Again a good show that took a weird turn at the end that did not convince me
@@Map4ch3 Watch "Turn A Gundam" and UC (and all other gundams) will make more sense. At some point, all Gundam universes will converge in to the 'Turn A Moonlight Buterfly' effect.
Gundam Unicorn needs hours and hours of dialogue to accomplish what 0080 does wordlessly. The show has terrible pacing, you're just being lectured by whatever writer banagher is the mouth piece for, for hours Minevas conversation with the diner owner is about as even handed/subtle as the show can manage
i agree with everything you say, but it's still not the best or even my favorite. i cannot connect with Banaji because his character is so flat and boring. i feel like his motivation to join the war is weak and too similiar to Amuro. hell, even his arc is just Amuro but sped up. we got the desert scene, we got the running away with the gundam, and we got the "he's dead but actually no" ending (i know it's a retcon from the novel, but Bandai run with the notion that Banaji survive, so that's the canon). not to mention, Full Frontal as a villain is not a good character. he supposed to be the literal clone of Char, and yet he lacks charm or authority feeling Char's have. he just an idealist villain. i also understand your point of this is a much more positive view at a mature story unlike the other Gundam or the example you mention, but man i feel like Banaji is not a good character to be a catalyst for this new "light in the darkness" theme. he just plain and naive.
Unicorn is indeed my favorite Gundam of the entire franchise, Zinnerman and Marida character arcs are one of the best I seen, like you mentioned my only complain is that while Unicorn is amazing, it hard to recommend cause it has a bit of an entrance barrier since it requires for you to see 0079, Z , ZZ and CCA.
Honestly I only watched this cause I started getting into Gunpla and my 2nd kit was the MG full armor Unicorn. My only issue with this show is the lack of an epilogue.
