After War Gundam X

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After War Gundam X

機動新世紀ガンダムＸ (Mobile New Century Gundam X)
Genre	Adventure, Drama, Mecha, Science Fiction
TV anime
Directed by	Shinji Takamatsu
Studio	Sunrise
Network	Animax, TV Asahi GMA Network
Original run	April 5, 1996 – December 28, 1996
No. of episodes	39

After War Gundam X or Mobile New Century Gundam X (機動新世紀ガンダムX, Kidō Shinseiki Gandamu Ekkusu^?) is an anime television series from Japan. It is a part of the Gundam franchise that started in 1979, but takes place in an alternate universe called After War Era. The series has 39 episodes, aired in Japan from April 5, 1996 to December 28, 1996 across TV Asahi's ANN stations and the anime satellite television network Animax. It was directed by Sunrise veteran Shinji Takamatsu (SD Gundam, Golden Brave Goldran, School Rumble), and the screenplay was written by Hiroyuki Kawasaki.

1 Overview
2 Cast & Crew
- 2.1 Japanese Cast
- 2.2 Staff
3 Episode List
4 Openings & Endings
5 See also
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Overview

Following the phenomenal success of Gundam Wing (and the end of its run), After War Gundam X premiered in early 1996. This series was the third of Bandai's alternate universes, and the last Gundam series to air for several years. This series is, in a way, a "what if" on the Universal Century's One-Year War. What if the colonists had dropped dozens of colonies instead of one, and destroyed Earth's surface? What if most of the world's population died, leaving the survivors in a ruined Mad Max-like world?

That basic premise is the setting of Gundam X, which uses the After War (AW) calendar. The series begins in AW 0015, as the Earth is just beginning to recover. The star of this series is fifteen year old Garrod Ran, a member of a "Vulture" (a scavenger group that patrols the wasteland for profits) which is on a mission to find and save mistreated Newtypes in the world from those who wish to take advantage of them. Ironically, given the post-apocalyptic setting, Gundam X has a considerably more upbeat cast of heroes than most Gundam series, and one of the higher survival rates as well. Nonetheless, Gundam X's story eventually engrosses itself into the typical Gundam war theme by featuring a new space war between the New United Nations Earth and the Space Revolutionary Army.

The series was canceled after only 39 episodes, ten episodes shorter than the previous two Gundam series. This was due to the pulling of support from the sponsors due to the slumping TV ratings and merchandise sales in Japan. The series started off strongly with a viewership rating of 6.2% TV tuned in for the Kanto area of Japan. From that point on until Episode 26, the ratings only exceeded a 4.3% rating twice, whereas 4.3% was the average rating for the previous series, Gundam Wing. After a few sponsors pulled their support, the series was moved to an abysmal 6 AM Saturday morning slot, where the ratings declined to unprecendented levels for a Gundam series, with 0.6% viewers tuned in for the final episode.

There are several explanations for Gundam X's unpopularity. These include speculation that its attempt to merge Universal Century concepts with the flashier elements of previous alternate universes alienated rather than unified the two sets of fans, or that Japan was, with a new Gundam series and/or movie released every year, simply experiencing "Gundam fatigue". A relatively slow-moving storyline may also have had something to do with it. However, no clear answer has been established and it must be noted that the series did not actually become "unpopular" until the timeslot change: which-for all intents and purposes-effectively "killed" the Series. After this, TV Asahi has yet to air another Gundam Series.

One of the more memorable parts of this series, however, is that it gives an answer to the everlasting Newtype question. It is also well-known for the relatively trouble-free and lasting romance that eventually blooms between Garrod Ran and Tiffa Adill.

Ironically, the side story manga Gundam X: Under the Moonlight, released as a tie-in with the DVD release of Gundam X, proved unexpectedly popular and was extended from its initial run of six chapters.

[edit] Cast & Crew

[edit] Japanese Cast

Carris Nautilus - Yuko Mizutani
Ennil El - Chieko Honda
Fixx Bloodman - Shin Aomori
Garrod Ran - Wataru Takagi
Jamil Neate - Kenyuu Horiuchi
Lancerow Dawell - Hiroshi Takemura
Olba Frost - Nozomu Sasaki
Roybea Loy - Takumi Yamazaki
Shagia Frost - Toshiyuki Morikawa
Tiffa Adill - Mika Kanai
Toniya Malme - Kotono Mitsuishi
Witz Sou - Kazuya Nakai
Zaider Rasso - Kazuhiko Kishino

[edit] Staff

Director - Shinji Takamatsu
Story & Script - Hiroyuki Kawasaki
Character Design - Nobuyoshi Nishimura
Art Director - Masaru Sato
Mecha Designer - Kunio Okawara & Junya Ishigaki
Music - Yasuo Higuchi

[edit] Episode List

#	Title	Airdate

Alternative Arc
01	*"月は出ているか? Tsuki wa Deteiru ka?"* "Has the Moon Come Up?"	05 April 1996
15-year-old Garrod Ran is hired to find Tiffa Adill, a girl with unusual powers. Quote by: Jamil Neate

02	*"あなたに、力を… Anata ni, Chikara o…"* "I'll Give You Power…"	12 April 1996
The discovery of a powerful Mobile Suit—the GX-9900 Gundam X—spurs a "feeding frenzy" among the renegade riders to claim the mech for themselves. Cornered, Tiffa activates the GX's fearsome superweapon. Quote by: Tiffa Adill

03	*"私の愛馬は凶暴です Watashi no Aiba wa Kyōbō desu"* "My Favorite Mount is Ferocious"	19 April 1996
Garrod is imprisoned for kidnapping Tiffa, and a skilled Mobile Suit pilot makes a proposition for the laboratory where she originated. Quote by: Shagia Frost

04	*"作戦は一刻を争う! Sakusen wa Ikkoku o Arasou!"* "This Operation is Time Critical!"	26 April 1996
Tiffa is on the brink of death, and Jamil hatches a desperate plan to save her life. Quote by: Jamil Neate

05	*"銃爪はお前が引け Hikigane wa Omae ga Hike"* "You Will Pull the Trigger"	03 May 1996
Facing annihilation, Garrod, Jamil, and Tiffa use the Satellite Cannon to turn the tide. Quote by: Jamil Neate

Saint Angelo Arc
06	*"不愉快だわ… Fuyukai dawa…"* "I Don't Believe This…"	10 May 1996
Completely unaccustomed to community life, Garrod's reckless behavior leads to a life-threatening crisis. Quote by: Sala Tyrell

07	*"ガンダム、売るよ! Gundam, Uru yo!"* "I'm Selling This Gundam!"	17 May 1996
Garrod flees from the Freeden crew, and tries to sever all ties to the ship by selling the GX. As the now-defenseless Vulture landship hires Roybea for protection, Witz finds himself entangled in a fight for his treasure. Quote by: Garrod Ran

08	*"あの子、許さない! Ano Ko, Yurusanai!"* "I Won't Forgive That Child!"	24 May 1996
The Gundam Airmaster limps on board the Freeden, and Garrod rejects Ennil's business and personal proposition. Outraged, Ennil uses the information broker market to initiate another "feeding frenzy" on the Freeden. The Frost brothers use this, and their imminent participation, to coax Garrod into coming to the ship's defense. Quote by: Ennil El

09	*"巷に雨の降るごとく Chimata ni Ame no Furu Gotoku"* "Like the Rain Falling on the City^[1]"	31 May 1996
Amid the flames and heat of the battle, Jamil regains consciousness. Despite his injuries, he quickly formulates another strategy using the Satellite Cannon. Quote by: Techs Farzenbarg

Fort Severn Arc
10	*"僕がニュータイプだ Boku ga Newtype da"* "I Am a Newtype"	07 June 1996
Directed by Tiffa, the Freeden heads north to Fort Severn, where Garrod meets his first Newtype opponent. Quote by: Carris Nautilus

11	*"何も考えずに走れ! Nani mo Kangaezu ni Hashire!"* "Don't Think, Just Run!"	14 June 1996
The overwhelming defeat of the GX and the loss of Tiffa demoralizes Garrod, and the Frost brothers return to destroy the Freeden and her Gundams. Quote by: Jamil Neate

12	*"私の最高傑作です Watashi no Saikō Kessaku desu"* "This is My Finest Masterpiece"	21 June 1996
Knowing that he is still unable to beat a Newtype, despite the power of the new Gundam X Divider, Garrod throws himself into anti-Bit training simulations. Later, he infiltrates Fort Severn, where he discovers Ennil's involvement with Nomoa Long and Carris' secret. Quote by: Nomoa Long

13	*"愚かな僕を撃て Oroka na Boku o Ute"* "Shoot the Fool That I Am"	28 June 1996
Carris' faith in Nomoa and his Newtype abilities is shaken because of Tiffa's nature as a natural Newtype, and he clashes with Garrod in a rematch battle. Quote by: Carris Nautilus

14	*"俺の声が聞こえるか！ Ore no Koe ga Kikoeru ka!"* "Can You Hear My Voice!?"	05 July 1996
Carris, despite reconciling with Garrod, is captured and placed in the core of Nomoa's titanic Mobile Armor, "Patulia". Garrod and the others must now find a way to stop the maniacal Revolutionary scientist and his quest for genocide. Quote by: Garrod Ran

At Hometown Arc
15	*"天国なんてあるのかな Tengoku nante Aru no kana"* "I Wonder If There Is a Heaven"	12 July 1996
Witz and Roybea visit family and old flames (respectively) on their shore leave. Quote by: Roybea Loy

Lorelei Arc
16	*"私も人間だから Watashi mo Hito dakara"* "Because I Am Also Human"	19 July 1996
Tiffa's new sketch leads the Freeden on a search for a certain place on the coast. Tiffa's uncharacteristic departure on a raft compels the pilots to scramble and rescue her from bloodthirsty pirates called Orcs. Quote by: Tiffa Adill

17	*"あなた自身が確かめて Anata Jishin ga Tashikamete"* "You Must Find Out For Yourself"	26 July 1996
Garrod's sighting of the targeting laser for the Satellite System leads the Freeden out to sea, where they do battle with the Orcs. Quote by: Tiffa Adill

18	*"Loreleiの海　Lorelei no Umi"* "The Sea of Lorelei"	02 August 1996
Olba Frost hires an Orc submarine to help him retrieve sunken relics in a forbidden region of the sea. Quote by: Olba Frost

19	*"まるで夢を見てるみたい Marude Yume o Miteru Mitai"* "It's As If I'm Dreaming"	09 August 1996
Jamil's comrade and old love speaks to him through Tiffa, and the Freeden give chase to the Orc submarine that captured her body, along with several Bit Mobile Suits. Quote by: Tiffa Adill (Lucille Rilliant)

Saint's Island Arc
20	*"…また逢えたわね …Mata Aeta wa ne"* "…So We Meet Again"	16 August 1996
During a shopping trip on Saint's Island, Toniya meets Ennil, and the two become fast friends although they know nothing about one another. Quote by: Ennil El

Zonda Epta Arc
21	*"死んだ女房の口癖だ Shinda Nyōbō no Kuchiguse da"* "Like My Dead Wife Always Said"	23 August 1996
As the Freeden draws closer to a secret base, the UNE Reconstruction Committee sends a commando team to infiltrate the ship. Quote by: Katokk Alzamille

22	*"15年目の亡霊 Jūgonen me no Bōrei"* "A Fifteen-Year-Old Ghost"	30 August 1996
Ennil is shot down by the Frost brothers for discovering the new Gundam Double X. Katokk captures the Freeden bridge, and forces Jamil to approach Zonda Epta in the moonlight. Quote by: Katokk Alzamille

23	*"私の夢は現実です Watashi no Yume wa Genjitsu desu"* "My Dreams Are Reality"	06 September 1996
As the imprisoned Freeden crew acts on Jamil's veiled order to break free, Katokk decides to help Garrod on his mission to rescue Tiffa. Quote by: Tiffa Adill

24	*"ダブルエックス機動！ Double X Kidō!"* "Double X, Activate!"	13 September 1996
Ennil helps the beleaguered crew escape, despite betraying Techs to Aimzat earlier. Garrod and Katokk fight their way to the Double X, and the Frost brothers decide to cut Aimzat out of their plans. Quote by: Garrod Ran

Estard Arc
25	*"君達は希望の星だ Kimitachi wa Kibō no Hoshi da"* "You Are Our Stars of Hope"	20 September 1996
The establishment of the New United Nations Earth sparks conflicts with independent nations, and the Freeden decides to help Estard assault a bomber base. Quote by: Jackson Lee

26	*"何も喋るな Nani mo Shaberuna"* "Don't Say Anything"	27 September 1996
As the New UNE strategically attacks Northernbell, the Frost brothers send a Newtype candidate against the Double X. Quote by: Witz Sou

27	*"おさらばで御座います Osaraba de Gozaimasu"* "It Is Time For Farewell"	05 October 1996
Roybea assumes a normal life with Yurina, a woman he met at a bar. While en route to stop Defense Minister Lee's suicide charge against the allied Gastarl and UNE troops, Garrod and Witz are intercepted by another Newtype candidate with multiple personality disorder. Quote by: Jackson Lee

28	*"撃つしかないのか！ Utsu shika nai no ka!"* "I've Got to Shoot!?"	12 October 1996
After seeing Yurina and her fellow resistance guerillas killed by UNE troops, Roybea returns to the Freeden, which is facing a fearsome Mobile Suit piloted by another Newtype candidate sent by the Frost brothers. Quote by: Garrod Ran

Newtype Lab Arc
29	*"私を見て Watashi o Mite"* "Look At Me"	19 October 1996
Tiffa finds that her power of clairvoyance is hindered by reduced interaction with Garrod. A final Newtype candidate is sent against the Freeden, who activates the dreaded Flash System. Quote by: Tiffa Adill

30	*"もう逢えない気がして Mō Aenai Ki ga Shite"* "I Felt That I'd Never See You Again"	26 October 1996
The Frost brothers conspire to destroy the UNE Newtype Research Laboratory. After helping Jamil escape from the lab, Nichola kidnaps Tiffa and takes her aboard a rocket bound for space. Quote by: Tiffa Adill

Cloud 9 Arc
31	*"飛べ、ガロード！ Tobe, Garrod!"* "Fly, Garrod!"	02 November 1996
Ennil provides the Freeden with information regarding the Space Revolutionary spies, and helps persuade a group of spacenoids to take Garrod with them to space, along with the Double X. However, the UNE has discovered the plans of the SRA spies. Quote by: Jamil Neate

32	*"あれはG-ファルコン！ Are wa G-Falcon!"* "That's the G-Falcon!"	09 November 1996
Tiffa is presented to the Space Revolutionary leader Zaider Rasso as an Earth-born Newtype. Garrod recaptures the Double X, and although he quickly becomes accustomed to zero-gravity combat, he is defeated by SRA ace Lancerow Dowell. Quote by: Lancerow Dowell

33	*"どうして俺を知っている！？ Dōshite Ore o Shitteiru!?"* "How Did You Know Who I Am!?"	16 November 1996
Garrod and the Double X are restored at the rebel Satyricon base. Zaider orders the destruction of Satyricon, and Garrod and his new friend Paula Cis barely escape with their lives. Quote by: Garrod Ran

34	*"月が見えた！ Tsuki ga Mieta!"* "There's the Moon!"	23 November 1996
In order to prevent the genocidal SRA Operation "Daria" and to retrieve Tiffa, Garrod points the Double X's Twin Satellite Cannon at the SRA Colony Laser. Quote by: Garrod Ran

D.O.M.E. Arc
35	*"希望の灯は消さない Kibō no Hikari wa Kesanai"* "The Light of Hope Will Not Be Extinguished"	30 November 1996
Although Tiffa is safely rescued, they learn that the Freeden crew have been captured by UNE forces. An old friend from Fort Severn comes to their aid. Quote by: Carris Nautilus

36	*"僕らが求めた戦争だ Bokura ga Motometa Sensō da"* "The War We Wanted"	7 December 1996
The Frost brothers manipulate UNE leader Fixx Bloodman into starting aggressions against the Revolutionaries. Nichola is executed for sedition, and the UNE committee is murdered by the Frost brothers, thus removing all obstacles for war.Quote by: Olba Frost

37	*"フリーデン発進せよ Freeden Hasshin Seyo"* "Freeden, Launch"	14 December 1996
As the UNE and SRA draw closer to an inevitable war, a powerful dream directs Tiffa and her friends to the old UNE lunar base that is home to the Gundam X's Satellite System. Quote by: Jamil Neate

38	*"私はD.O.M.E… かつてニュータイプと呼ばれた者 Watashi wa D.O.M.E... Katsute Newtype to Yobareta Mono"* "I Am D.O.M.E... I Was Once Called a Newtype"	21 December 1996
The newly christened Freeden uses a brilliant diversion to separate the two armed forces and rush to the lunar base. Quote by: D.O.M.E.

39	*"月はいつもそこにある Tsuki wa Itsumo Soko ni Aru"* "The Moon Will Always Be There"	28 December 1996
As the world leaders are brought into the lunar base to meet the "First Newtype" called D.O.M.E., the Frost brothers seize control of the Satellite System.

[edit] Openings & Endings

Openings:

"Dreams" by ROmantic Mode (ep. 1-25)
"Resolution" by ROmantic Mode (ep. 26-39)

Endings:

"Human Touch" by Warren Wiebe (ep. 1-13, 39)
"Human Touch" (Japanese Version) by Re-Kiss (ep. 14-26)
"Gin-Iro Horizon [Silver Horizon]" by Satomi Nakase (ep. 27-38)

[edit] See also

Preceded by: New Mobile Report Gundam W

Followed by: ∀ Gundam

[edit] References

^ Techs quotes Paul Verlaine (although he initially thought he was quoting Arthur Rimbaud), specifically Romances sans Paroles. The English translation of the title is based on the quote found on this site.