Gundam X - After War

3 reviews - 13.0 total score (Explanation of the rating system)
avg. score: (4.3)

3. Silver Scorcher

Despite standing out as the first Gundam series to be canceled, I can think of a dozen reasons why this series is better than Gundam Wing. For one thing there's a lot of character development, something Wing was lacking. Actually the series sometimes devotes whole episodes towards character development and then treats us to a lot of mecha action in the following episodes. Oh. Did I mention that there are only 2 pretty boys in this series (Roby & Olba) as opposed to at least 7 in Wing? You'll also be happy to know that the main character, Garoad Ran, is not an emotionless bastard like Heero Yuy, and Garoad is probably the most normal protagonist in the whole Gundam Universe. He's just your average 15 year old guy trying to act like an adult and trying to score with the very cute Tifa Adil. The way the two interact with each other is one of the main things that keeps this show on its feet.

Gundam X takes place after a full scale war between the Earth Federation and the Revolutionary space colonies, a war that bears many similarities to the original Gundam sagas. The Federation eventually looses this war when Newtype pilot Jamil Neete (A scarred version of Amuro Rei), opens fire on a colony that descends into Earths atmosphere, killing billions of people. The Federation collapses and pirates called Vultures reign supreme in a war torn world. Fifteen years later Neete, trying to atone for what happened, uses his ship the Freedin along with 3 Gundams to find and protect Newtypes that were abused in the last war. Sounds good right? Unfortunately the basis for the plot is really the only plot we get, as this series is somewhat lacking in that aspect. However the plot picks up towards the middle of the series when the New Federation is formed and tries to reunify the people of Earth in an attempt to launch a retaliatory strike on the people of the colonies. Little does either faction know that the devious Frost brothers, and their demonic looking Gundams, have their own little vendetta to settle.

While its plot is somewhat nonexistent in the first half of the series, it makes up for that with great characters, excellent battle sequences, well drawn mecha, great music, and bits and pieces of comic relief, something that wasn't seen in a Gundam series since Double Zeta. While given a bad reputation due to its cancellation, Gundam X stands out in my book as the best Alternate Universe Gundam saga. I highly recommend it to fans of mecha, Gundam in general and to those of you who couldn't stomach the pretty boys of Gundam Wing.

2. Iodine

The major problems of Gundam X are almost the complete opposite of the problems of Gundam Wing. While the latter had a strong plot at the expense of its characters, this time it's the characters who get plenty of attention in a series with a very weak plot. It's initially very easy to watch Garrod and Tifa, two young survivors of a massive global war, who share daring adventures and build a nicely unforced relationship. But once they join up with the vigilante Captain Jamil and his crew of desert wanderers, the story essentially goes around in circles for twenty episodes, leading up to a hurried and lackluster conclusion. Also, though the characters are well-rounded and interesting, they all feel derivative of others in the Gundam universes. It's a little too easy to categorize the angst-ridden captain, dutiful female second, and smart-aleck mecha pilots.

The animation is very nice, and the designs are a bit softer and more relaxed than the usual Gundam types. The characters and their fancy machines all look stellar. While the main plot doesn't seem to know what it's trying to accomplish, the dialogue is usually fair enough to almost patch the gaps. Thus, the series has a great amount of potential, with several very good concepts and visuals ready to outdo every other Gundam incarnation that came before, but collapses on delivery. A possible fault is the post-apocalyptic setting, rumored to have been purposely extrapolated as a "what if" from the original Mobile Suit Gundam. More likely, there simply wasn't enough material developed to give the show any solid legs.

1. X-MAN

Another side story in the Gundam series. Gundam X is underrated! It's the only one of its kind to ever get canceled. Why you ask? I have no idea. I've spent a lot of time wondering why people hate this show. I've asked many times. The popular response is "Gundam Wing was better" (I don't agree with that) That's also not a good response. This leads to "the show was boring" (and GW wasn't?) That's enough of my rambling.

The story follows Garrod Ran as he wanders through many conflict's. It's been 15 years since the end of the Great Space War. Threatened by the Mobile Suits and New Types, the world is in danger once again. Above this there still exist certain super humans, called New Types, who can extend there power with Gundams even further. This series concentrated a lot on a girl named Tifa who happens to have psychic powers. She's also a New Type. Finding and protecting any New Types remaining from the war. Garrod and the others have to stop history from repeating itself. The animation is decent for a 1996 series. The music fits in well and the voices are really good.