Gundam 30th Anniversary

30 years ago anime was changed by this series. A new concept of the “real robot” where mecha were only a tool that was used by humans instead of the traditional anime of the era where the “Super robot” was the norm . This was all together a new concept in general. So being out of the norm for the time the series was met with luke warm ratings with it’s debut in Japan , which is hard to think about now that the series is an icon of anime in Japan and America. As we all know over time that changed, and introduced audiences to a concept that people would want more of for years to come.

Series creator Yoshiyuki Tomino creates a vivid world of fascinating mecha designs and settings that paint the picture of a future where technology ranging from the new invention of Mobile Suits, to immense colonies where millions of people live their lives in space and are even born in space, is now the fulcrum in human affairs. While these are great sci fi additions to the genera, I will always remember the human element that the series brought to anime. The sense that no matter how many technological feats the human race accomplished, there were always going to be human problems to go along with them. There will always be war, and it will always be brutal.

There are no punches pulled as prominent characters in the series on both sides of the conflict meet their death as this war rages on. There is also a strong focus of civilians who are trapped in the war, especially the young who have lost their parents to the war, so in many respects there are lots of anti- war themes. At the same time the main character Amuro Ray who eventually becomes the pilot for the Mobile suit Gundam embodies complex themes of the series as well. As a young boy he is thrust into a position of responsibility for his friends and shipmates in that he is the only person with the aptitude to use the Gundam beyond it’s full potential. So much to the point that he becomes a symbol of fear and an obsession for the antagonist Char Azneble.

As Amuro is just barely coming into adult hood his struggles come from the fear of a huge responsibility of protecting and entire ship full of people. A huge responsibility that most adults wouldn’t even want. There is also the notion that when one becomes grown their talents might be used for destructive and violent purposes which do not reflect the persons true nature, nor necessarily the true potential of one‘s talent. The time he lives in reflect how he must use this gift. He has no choice as he must fight or die along with his comrades. If war is an eventuality then one must fight if they whether one wants to or not out of necessity for their friends, family, and themselves, even if you have no stake in the wars eventual geo political (and space ) outcome.

These are only a fraction of the complex themes this wonderful series brings to the front in this great work of sci fi. I have been a huge fan of the series since I discovered it in the early 90’s when I was desperate to find the old anime series I used to watch as a kid. Every year I find something new and different that I haven’t seen before in Gundam. I had no idea that me and the Gundam were turning 30 on the same year so I had to do a tribute painting. For all you have given me thank you Gundam and happy 30th anniversary!!!

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