| Mobile Suit Gundam SEED | |
Cover of the first Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DVD volume featuring Kira Yamato and his mobile suit, GAT-X105 Strike, in the background. |
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| 機動戦士ガンダムSEED (シード) (Kidō Senshi Gandamu Shīdo) |
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|---|---|
| Genre | Mecha, military, romance |
| TV anime | |
| Directed by | Mitsuo Fukuda |
| Written by | Chiaki Morosawa |
| Studio | Sunrise |
| Licensed by |
Madman Entertainment |
| Network | MBS, TBS, Animax |
| English network |
Cartoon Network |
| Original run | October 5, 2002 – September 27, 2003 |
| Episodes | 50 |
| Original video animation | |
| After Phase: In the Valley of Stars | |
| Directed by | Mitsuo Fukuda |
| Studio | Sunrise |
| Released | March 26, 2004 |
| Manga | |
| Published by | Kodansha |
| English publisher | Del Rey Manga |
| Demographic | Shōnen |
| Original run | February 17, 2003 – January 29, 2004 |
| Volumes | 5 |
| Novel | |
| Written by | Riu Goto |
| Published by | Kadokawa Shoten |
| English publisher | Tokyopop |
| Demographic | Male |
| Imprint | Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko |
| Original run | 2005 – 2006 |
| Volumes | 5 |
| Related | |
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Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (機動戦士ガンダムSEED (シード) Kidō Senshi Gandamu Shīdo) is an anime series developed by Sunrise and directed by Mitsuo Fukuda. As with other series from the Gundam franchise, Gundam SEED takes place in a parallel timeline, in this case the Cosmic Era, the first to do so. In this era, mankind has developed into two subspecies: Naturals, who reside on Earth and Coordinators, genetically-enhanced humans capable of withstanding the rigors of space who inhabit orbital colonies. The story revolves around a young Coordinator Kira Yamato who becomes involved in the war between the two races after a neutral space colony is invaded by the Coordinators.
The television series was broadcast in Japan between 2002 and 2003, on the Tokyo Broadcasting System and Mainichi Broadcasting System networks. The series spawned three compilations films and was adapted into a manga as well as various light novels. A sequel series, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny followed in 2004. Various types of merchandising have also been released, including models, CD soundtracks and video games. Gundam SEED was licensed by Bandai Entertainment for broadcast in North America, and began airing in the United States and Canada in 2004 and 2005 respectively. The films and the sequel were also licensed by Bandai. The manga and light novels as well as the spin off series, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Astray, were also licensed. A number of video games were also released in North America.
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED was widely popular with the public in Japan, winning numerous awards, with high sales of both the series DVD and music. The character development and animation has gained praise, but similarities with previous Gundam series has drawn both comparisons and criticism from Gundam fans.
Contents |
The series is the first of the Gundam franchise set in the "Cosmic Era" in which mankind is divided between normal Earth dwelling humans, known as "Naturals", and the genetically altered humans known as "Coordinators", who live in space colonies.
The story, set during the Bloody Valentine War,[1] begins in the neutral space colony Heliopolis, where secret development of advanced mobile suits for the Naturals' war effort is being conducted. The colony is attacked by ZAFT forces, the military of the Coordinators, with the objective of stealing the new units. During the incursion a teenager Coordinator named Kira Yamato, upon seeing his friends in danger, pilots the GAT-X105 Strike mobile suit to fend off the invaders but the colony is critically damaged in the ensuing fight.[2] As Heliopolis disintegrates, the survivors board an Archangel class assault ship belonging to the Earth Alliance, the Natural's military, and begin their journey to the Alliance base in Alaska.[3] During the journey to Earth, Kira pilots the Strike to counter a series of attacks by ZAFT but is seemingly killed by his childhood friend, ZAFT soldier Athrun Zala, during one of their battles in which the Strike is destroyed.[4] Kira survives the Strike's destruction and is treated in one of the PLANT space colonies, home to the Coordinators. The Archangel arrives in Alaska but ZAFT launches a full scale attack on the base overpowering their enemies.[5]
Kira goes to Alaska with the ZGMF-X10A Freedom, a highly advanced ZAFT mobile suit stolen by the Coordinator Lacus Clyne daughter of Siegel Clyne, President of the Supreme Council of PLANT. Using Freedom, Kira ends the battle between the two armies, but the base is subsequently destroyed. The Archangel flees to the neutral country of the Orb Union. They subsequently join Lacus Clyne's faction to form the Three Ships Alliance, with the common goal of ending the war between the Naturals and Coordinators. In the midst of the conflict, Athrun learns that Kira survived and searches for him under orders to recover Freedom.[6] However, after learning of Patrick Zala's, Athrun's father and the radical faction leader of the PLANT Supreme Council, plan to commit genocide Athrun deserts him and joins the Three Ships Alliance.[7] In a final battle, the Earth Alliance deploys nuclear weapons to destroy the space colonies but are stopped by ZAFT's GENESIS, a super weapon designed to commit genocide on the Naturals. The Three Ship Alliance intervenes to defeat the Earth Alliance's forces and destroy the GENESIS ending the battle. The war ultimately ends as a peace treaty is signed.[8]
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED was directed by Mitsuo Fukuda (Future GPX Cyber Formula and Gear Fighter Dendoh) with music by Toshihiko Sahashi.[9] The series was first announced in June 2002, while a trailer was available in September on the series' official website.[10][11] A total of eight writers were in charge of the series. The characters were designed by Hisashi Hirai, while the mechanical designs were made by Kunio Ohkawara and Kimitoshi Yamane.[9] Mobile Suit Gundam planning manager Koichi Inoue stated that the staff making Gundam SEED was a new and young team that would continue working with following Gundam series. Inoue, however, would work with anime based on the original Gundam series.[12] Fukuda stated that Gundam SEED was initially told from Kira's point of view, but deeper into the series the point of view would shift to other characters. His main focus with the series was to entertain the audience, pointing out that the drama would develop through the series in a similar vein to previous Gundam series. The first part worked on was the plot followed by action sequences, stating that the human characters were more important than the combat sequences.[13] In retrospect, Fukuda said that Kira's wish to fight was forced upon him stemming from his desire to protect his friends. Moreover, he considered these actions as being based on Japanese thoughts.[14]
The series premiered in Japan on the terrestrial Tokyo Broadcasting System and Mainichi Broadcasting System networks, where it occupied the Saturday 6 pm timeslot, replacing Ultraman Cosmos.[15] Mobile Suit Gundam SEED aired between October 5, 2002, and September 27, 2003.[16] Each episode was also streamed on the Internet the day after broadcast, for users subscribing to Nippon Telegraph and Telephone services, in Windows media or Real format.[17] The series was sold in Japan as thirteen DVD volumes released from March 28, 2003 to March 26, 2004.[18][19] On March 26, 2004, a five minute epilogue called After Phase: In the Valley of Stars was released on the thirteenth and final DVD of the Japanese release.[19] A DVD box set of the series was released on February 23, 2010.[20] A fifty-episode sequel titled Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny aired in Japan from October 9, 2004 to October 1, 2005, airing on the same stations as Gundam SEED.[21] Gundam SEED Destiny takes place two years after the original series and follows Shinn Asuka, focusing mainly on his involvement in the new war.[22]
A HD remaster edition of the series was confirmed in August 2011 although Mitsuo Fukuda stated it was leaked information and that the official information would come in few following days.[23] In November 2011, Bandai announced they would release the series in three Blu-ray compilations between March and September from 2012.[24]
Bandai Entertainment licensed the animation of Gundam SEED on February 15, 2004, and it began airing in the United States and Canada in 2004 and 2005 respectively.[25][26] The English adaptation was produced in association with The Ocean Group and the English-language dub was recorded at Ocean Studios in Vancouver, Canada.[9] The series was released on ten DVDs in bilingual format between August 10, 2004, and May 10, 2005.[27][28] The epilogue was not released on the North American DVD release because it was not licensed to Bandai Entertainment by Sunrise;[29] however, it was released on the final European DVD release.[30] Beez Entertainment also published the series in ten DVDs from June 13, 2005 to March 6, 2006.[31][32] A two part box set called the "Anime Legends Edition" was released on January 8, 2008, and March 4, 2008, with each set containing five DVDs.[33][34]
A three-part film compilation of the television series has been released as Mobile Suit Gundam SEED: Special Edition. Each compilation film is 90 minutes in length and retells the story of Gundam SEED, with additional and altered scenes from the TV series. Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny would also follow the same formula in four compilation movies as Gundam SEED Destiny: Special Edition. They were released from August 27 to October 22 during 2004 in DVD format.[35][36] The three films were also released alongside the four films from Gundam SEED Destiny on February 25, 2010.[37] Gundam SEED: Special Edition has been licensed for North America by Bandai Entertainment and was released on DVDs in English, between July 11, 2005,[38] and November 22, 2005.[39] A DVD box of the three films was released by Bandai on November 26, 2008 under the title of "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Complete Feature Collection".[40]
The music from the series is composed by Toshihiko Sahashi with CDs published by Victor Entertainment. Notable artists who sang opening and ending themes for the series include the Nami Tamaki, who was fourteen years old when the third opening theme was used, and T.M. Revolution, who also provided the voice for the character, Miguel Aiman.[41][42] A total of four original soundtracks were released between December 4, 2002 and December 16, 2004. They include background music, insert themes as well as some opening and ending themes.[43][44] Symphony SEED -Symphonic Suit Mobile Suit Gundam SEED- is a collaboration album between Mobile Suit Gundam SEED music and the London Symphony Orchestra released on May 8, 2004 containing a total of ten tracks.[45] A compilation DVD, featuring four music videos from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED and Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny,[46] was released on May 24, 2006 under the title Mobile Suit Gundam SEED & SEED DESTINY Clipping 4 Songs. Five character CDs with themes performed by the Japanese voice actors were released between March 21, 2003 and July 23, 2003.[47][48] Two compilation albums have also been released; Mobile Suit Gundam SEED COMPLETE BEST was released on November 22, 2006, featuring thirteen tracks.[49] Mobile Suit Gundam SEED ~ SEED DESTINY BEST "THE BRIDGE" Across the Songs from GUNDAM SEED & SEED DESTINY is a 2-CD compilation of ending themes, insert and character songs from Gundam SEED and Gundam SEED Destiny.[50] All the songs from Gundam SEED and Gundam SEED Destiny by T.M.Revolution were collected in a CD titled X42S-REVOLUTION, released on March 24, 2010.[51] The limited edition version includes a DVD with music videos from the anime series.[52]
A manga series was written by Masatsugu Iwase based on the events from the anime series. It was published in five tankōbon volumes from March 20, 2003 to January 21, 2005 by Kodansha.[53][54] The English version was published in North America by Del Rey Manga who licensed it in January 2004 as one of their first titles,[55] and released between April 27, 2004 and August 30, 2005.[56][57] Another spin-off series is Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Astray, written by Tomohiro Chiba and illustrated by Kōichi Tokita, which focused on the three MBF-P0x mobile suit prototypes and their respective pilots and organizations. It was published in three tankōbon volumes from April 28, 2004 to February 26, 2004 by Kadokawa Shoten.[58][59] The English release was announced by Tokyopop in December 2003.[60] The volumes were released between May 11, 2004 and November 9, 2004.[61][62] A one-volume manga titled Mobile Suit Gundam SEED featuring SUIT CD (機動戦士ガンダムSEED featuring SUIT CD) was written by Yasushi Yamaguchi and released on January 22, 2005 by Kadokawa.[63]
Two more side stories titled Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Astray R and Mobile Suit Gundam SEED X Astray were also created. Toda Yasunari replaced Tokita as the illustrator in the former, while Tokita reprised his role in the latter. Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Astray R follows the adventures of the Red Frame's pilot Lowe and his Junk Guild associates and interlocks with the events of the original Astray-series. It spanned four volumes published from March 20, 2003 to August 26, 2004.[64][65] The English volumes published by TokyoPop were released from February 8, 2005 to November 8, 2005.[66][67] Gundam SEED X Astray is about Canard Pars, who is a failed experiment from the Ultimate Coordinator program. Canard is searching for Kira Yamato, the successful Ultimate Coordinator, so that he can defeat him and prove he was not a "failure". Two volumes were published for the series in May and October, 2005.[68][69] TokyoPop published its two volumes on October 31, 2006 and February 27, 2007.[70][71] There was also a "photo novel" side story entitled Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Astray B which was illustrated by Toda Yasunari. A single volume from the series was published on August 31, 2005 and follows Gai Murakumo and his fellow Serpent Tail mercenaries.[72]
There is also yonkoma series titled Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Club Yonkoma that parodies the events from both Gundam SEED and Gundam SEED Destiny. The comics were a joint venture between Sunrise's official Gundam SEED fan club and Newtype Japanese magazine. Kadokawa Shoten released the first publications of the yonkoma on August 8, 2005.[73]
A light novel adaptation of the TV series was authored by Riu Goto. It was originally a supplement of Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko with illustrations by Ogasawara Tomofumi. The stories were eventually published in five volumes by Kadokawa Shoten with the first one in March 2003 and the fifth in January 2004.[74][75] Tokyopop released the first three light novels in North America from October 11, 2005 to May 9, 2006.[76][77] Two light novels volumes from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Astray spin-off series were also authored by Tomohiro Chiba and published by Kadokawa on September 1, 2003 and July 1, 2004.[78][79]
Various video games have been released based on the anime series: Gundam Seed: Federation vs. Z.A.F.T. II for arcades, Mobile Suit Gundam Seed: Tomo to Kimi to Senjou de (機動戦士ガンダムSEED: 友と君と戦場で, lit. "Friends and Foes on the Battelfield") and Gundam Seed: Battle Assault for the Game Boy Advance,[80][81] Gundam Seed: Federation vs. Z.A.F.T., Mobile Suit Gundam Seed, Mobile Suit Gundam Seed: Never Ending Tomorrow, Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny: Generation of CE, and Gundam Seed: Federation vs. Z.A.F.T. 2 Plus for PlayStation 2,[82][83][84] A PlayStation Portable game was also released under the title of Gundam Seed: Federation vs. Z.A.F.T. Portable[85] as well as a mobile phone game, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Phase-Act Delivery.[86]
Characters from Gundam SEED have also been featured in Gundam crossover games. These include Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Gundam Next, the SD Gundam G series and a few games from the Gundam Battle Assault series, and Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2.[87][88] Other crossover games featuring them are games from the Super Robot Wars series as well as Another Century's Episode 3 and Another Century's Episode: R.[89][90]
Various guidebooks have been released for Gundam SEED such as Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Ultimate Super Encyclopedia (決定版 機動戦士ガンダムSEED超百科) on July 10, 2003.[91] Two official guidebooks were released in Japan on July 18, 2003 by Kadokawa Shoten: Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Photos Freedom Kira (機動戦士ガンダムSEED写真集 FREEDOMキラ) and Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Photos Justice Athrun (機動戦士ガンダムSEED写真集 JUSTICEアスラン) focus on Kira Yamato and Athrun Zala respectively.[92][93] Also in the same month In the same year, a series of guidebooks with the label of "Official File" were released in Japan.[94][95][96] A guidebook titled Mobile Suit Gundam SEED - All Characters Analysis (僕たちの好きなガンダムSEED 全キャラクター徹底解析編) was published on April 19, 2004, featuring an extensive analysis on the storyline and characters.[97] A more detailed guidebook, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Perfect Archive Series (僕たちの好きなガンダムSEED PERFECT ARCHIVE SERIES), featuring articles on the characters, technology and universe was published in March 2006.[98] An artbook titled Mobile Suit Gundam SEED RGB Illustrations (機動戦士ガンダムSEED RGB ILLUSTRATIONS) was released on July 26, 2004.[99]
The show has become one of the most popular of the Gundam series in Japan, enjoying high television ratings and DVD sales.[100] In April 2004, Bandai Visual announced that one million copies of the Gundam SEED DVD had been sold in Japan, with the first volume having sold over 100,000 copies.[101] CDs sales have also been high[102][103] with the single CD from the series' first ending theme becoming one of the top-selling CDs in Japan during 2002.[104] By July 2004, 10 million plastic Gundam SEED models had been sold worldwide.[105] In the same month, Jerry Chu, marketing manager for Bandai Entertainment Inc., stated the response to Gundam SEED has been highly positive, having broken rating records when it first aired in Japan. Chu added that reaction in the United States was also the most enthusiastic Bandai received in the last six years.[106] According to the analyst John Oppliger of AnimeNation Gundam SEED became the first Gundam series which was widely successful not only among "Gundam fans and hardcore otaku" but also among "mainstream, casual Japanese viewers".[107] Gundam SEED was the eighth TV Feature Award winner at the Animation Kobe Awards in 2003. It was also the third winner at the Japanese Otaku Awards in 2003.[108] It also won Animage's twenty-fifth Anime Grand Prix award winner in 2002, with the characters of Kira Yamato and Lacus Clyne topping the male and female anime catergories, respectively.[109][110] It also topped the charts in the Newtype magazine reader poll during 2004.[111] However, the show was not well received by older Japanese fans. In February 2004, Sunrise's president, Takayuki Yoshii, stated it was because Gundam SEED incorporated elements from popular live-action television dramas.[112] On the other hand, Bandai Visual reported in April 2004 that Gundam SEED had a wide audience, including both young and older viewers.[101]
Gundam SEED has been praised for being a stand-out in a long line of Gundam series[2][113] with Anime News Network's Paul Fargo calling it "the best of the alternative timelines, but stands as one of the best Gundam titles".[114] The story has been praised for its battle sequences as well as its character-driven scenes, neither of which were reviewed to have detracted emphasis from the other.[5][113] The series was also noted to "downshift" in pace from its early episodes as the main characters development began to progress along political themes, which appealed to some audiences.[115] Early in the series, speculations were made with regards to the progress the characters' relationships.[2][116] The relationship between Kira Yamato and Athrun Zala earned praise as it resulted in entertaining action scenes between their mobile suits,[4] while in later reviews speculation arose as to whether the two would become allies. The climax has also been praised for bringing unexpected inclusions within the war, as well as revelations regarding the characters' roles.[7][117] A common comment amongst writers was that Gundam SEED blended elements from previous Gundam series and displayed it in fast-paced way, making it enjoyable to younger fans but still engaging older fans familiar with previous series.[2][113] DVD Verdict writer Mitchell Hattaway further noted that while it used elements from other anime series, it still "drew [him] in so quickly [he] soon found [himself] wrapped up in the proceedings".[118] Carl Kimlinger from Anime News Network stated that Gundam SEED adapted the original Mobile Suit Gundam series from 1979 for a modern audience in the same way Mobile Suit Gundam 00 would adapt Mobile Suit Gundam Wing.[119] Bamboo Dong from the same site stated that while this caused the appearance of "hardcore anti-Gundam Seed zealots" who criticized the series for these traits, it was nevertheless entertaining to watch and give anime fans a step into the "Gundam fandom".[115]
The quality of the animation led THEM Anime Reviews' Derrick L. Tucker to call it "by-and-far the best of any Gundam Series to date".[120][121] Additionally, the soundtrack was popular for bringing popular J-pop artists such as Nami Tamaki and T.M. Revolution to perform the theme songs.[120][121] The casting of many talented voice actors, such as Rie Tanaka, Seki Tomokazu and Houko Kuwashima, provided the emotional depth in scenes that required it.[114] The English dub was reviewed favorably for the most part but comparisons between the English and original Japanese dubbing revealed weaknesses in the portrayal of the characters.[118][121][122]
The sixteenth episode of Gundam SEED features a scene in which Kira Yamato is seen dressing after getting out of a bed where the teenage girl Flay Allster lies sleeping naked, suggesting a sexual relationship. The Japanese Commission for Better Broadcasting reported that viewers filed complaints regarding the scene as the show was aired at 6 pm when children would be watching. Mainichi replied by mentioning it should have given more careful consideration to the episode before airing it.[123] The scene was extended in one of the compilation films with John Oppliger noting it expanded the off-screen scene with three shots.[124]
| Preceded by G-Saviour |
Gundam metaseries (production order) 1979–2011 |
Succeeded by Superior Defender Gundam Force |
| Preceded by none |
Gundam Cosmic Era timeline C.E. 71 |
Succeeded by Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny |
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