In the year 0068 of the Universal Century, Casval Rem Deikun's life is thrown into chaotic disarray after the assassination of his father, a prolific figure in the crusade towards civil rights for people who live away from the Earth's surface. Casval and his sister Artesia receive aid from soldiers who were loyal to their father, and the siblings are whisked away from their home, separated, and thrown into a twisted fate that sees them come into their own as soldiers and adults.
Years before stealing the name Char Aznable or his "Red Comet" moniker, Casval must contend with the rise of a militarized version of his father's ideology and his own vengeful nature as intergalactic war molds him into a legendary mobile suit pilot.
Synopsis
In the era of Universal Century 0068, a revolution marks the onset of a cosmic civil war. The militaristic Zabi family has seized control of the principality of Zeon and plans to conquer Earth, marking the start of the ‘One Year War’. Kidou Senshi Gundam: The Origin details how the war came into being, the pivotal players, and early prototypes of the giant ‘Mobile Suit’ mechs which stand at the forefront of this sci-fi battlefield later in this saga.
The story orbits around Casval Rem Deikun and his sister Artesia, children of Zeon Zum Deikun, the philosophical idealist who preached about the independence of Spacenoids. After their father’s death, their lives are steeped in turmoil and political conspiracies, steering both on a path towards bloodshed and warfare, and bringing about the rise of the legendary ‘Red Comet’.
The Review
Addressing the giant mechanized robot in the room, let’s accept is – Kidou Senshi Gundam: The Origin is supposed to be the genesis of the Gundam franchise, an induction and an alluring welcome for the new fans while satisfying the cravings of the old ones. And boy oh boy, does it deliver!
The immediate telling aspect of the series is how spectacularly it marries a political thriller framework with sci-fi warfare. The screenplay exhibits masterful handling of plot twists and character arcs, shaping an incredibly layered narrative.
Furthermore, Gundam: The Origin isn’t barley about death machines and space battles, it’s also a compelling coming-of-age story. Watching Casval convert into Char, donning the mask (literally and figuratively), stepping into the brutal world of warfare whilst managing to preserve his humanity, makes for essential, required viewing.
The series stands out with its sharp retro animation style, which masterfully combines hand-drawn and CG techniques. The Mobile Suit designs are striking, each mech brimming with integrated details while preserving their gritty, menacing ambiance intact. The battles are grand, moving through space and land with thrilling finesse and raw brutality. The unorthodox nature of warfare and combat tactics displayed is novel, it’s gripping, and ostentatiously grand!
And then there’s the music – thunderous, rumbling with potency, dictating the tempo of the war, the gentle nuances of the scenes and heightening the emotional quotient of the narrative. It harmoniously marries with the visually stunning environment, echoing through the blaring chaos of war and the tranquil calm before the storm erupts.
No anime lover, be it a Gundam neophyte or an ardent veteran, should miss this opportunity of experiencing this ever-evolving tale of political turmoil, coming-of-age amidst bloodshed, and of course, gigantic rampaging mechs! Whether you decide to stream it, rent it, or own it, just ensure that Kidou Senshi Gundam: The Origin is ticked off your revered watch-list!
Grab a comfy blanket, tune up the volume, sink into this immersive tale of birth, death, and evolution, and relish the experience called Kidou Senshi Gundam: The Origin. Gundam Rising!
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