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F-ZeroOne

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  1. F-ZeroOne
    We can't handle the truth...! I can believe in toy sponsor pressure, of which there have been enough accounts to make it at least a factor. And it could be argued that evidence for Tomino "flips" can be seen in his work; for example, I have trouble sometimes believing that Turn-A was the work of the same man who did V-Gundam or Ideon. of course, all directors experiment or change styles occasionally, but Tominos earlier work certainly seems grimmer, for the most part, than his more recent stuff.
  2. F-ZeroOne
    Sigh. I wish at this point to assert that I in no way have some kind of man-crush about Harry Ord. Sigh...
  3. F-ZeroOne
    Presumably Bright likes blondes too.
  4. F-ZeroOne
    Well, like I say, I've seen so many different reasons... the first I saw, long before I saw any Gundam, was that he was tired of the series and deliberately tried to sabotage it (he may also have been under pressure from Bandai about the design direction of Gundam mecha; similar pressures apparently resulted in the "land battleships" of V-Gundam). However, I've also seen interviews responses where hes both claimed that maybe he wanted to "lighten up" after Zeta Gundam and that "he doesn't remember the reasons". Tomino can certainly do a light comic touch, as evidenced in Xabungle and Turn-A. There is some indirect evidence that Tomino can be fairly headstrong; Syd Mead got a lot of (unfair, possibly) flak for the Turn-A design but he says that it was Tomino that actually encouraged him to make it more and more esoteric. Alternatively, possibly Tomino suffers from mood swings. I have a horrible feeling that this makes me sound like some sort of expert, which I quite definitely am not (or I'm not trying to sound like an expert, I hope!); this is just bits and pieces I've read here and there...! I haven't seen that Gundam Ace magazine, no, but your description is making me chuckle!
  5. F-ZeroOne
    I suspect - rather like the mysterious case of ZZ Gundams first twenty-odd episodes - that the truth will never truly be known... (Tomino was also allegedly responsible for the dub-only US version of Gundam; I might be getting my legends mixed up... ) It could be argued that Tomino does have a habit of destroying (or at least severely vexing) successful companies. The creative decision to alter the Gundam design quite late in the planning process hurt original Gundam toy licensee Clover very badly (this is why the early Gundam toys are somewhat different to their on-screen incarnations [1]) and he followed that nail in the companys coffin with Dunbine, whose mecha designs wouldn't be accurately recreated in toy form until about 15 years after the show was broadcast...! Sorry if this is turning into a "Cult of Tomino" [2] discussion, please carry on with the Gundam watching! [1] Ironically, these are now some of the most sought-after Gundam toys of all. [2] Like the Cult of Skaro. Only scarier.
  6. F-ZeroOne
    You, sir, are a bounder of the highest order! I will see you on the cricket field at dawn with your chosen weapon! Me, I'm going for the Hyper Hammer...
  7. F-ZeroOne
    Ta! I guess the Turn-A figures are Gashapon? Do you know if there was a Harry Ord in the line?
  8. F-ZeroOne
    One of the reasons I heard is that Tomino said that episode "Is too good for Westerners!" or something similar. And who is going to argue with the man who created Gundam? Not the puny licencing arm of some Genom-like Japanese toy company, thats for sure! I bet Tomino gets away with a lot like that. Just bursts into places and yells "I CREATED GUNDAM!". Probably gets great discounts at Uniqlo.
  9. F-ZeroOne
    Didn't know the character at all, and never got past the first issue. My recollections are mainly based on the art, which I remember as being really bad. So, try it if you want, but low expectations.
  10. F-ZeroOne
    Avoid "The Cyber Pirates" like the plague if the first issue is anything to go by. Back then, I bought anything I thought had mecha in. I've learnt better since.
  11. F-ZeroOne
    While I think of it, ITV are due to show a remake of The Prisoner, I believe a mini-series, later this year. It will star Sir Ian McKellen as Number Two, and apparently they found an ex-German colony in Africa a slightly more hospitable climate than Wales... I've just remembered that The Prisoner helped me get a handle on Utena. I was really struggling with that series (sure, it was pretty, but WTF was going on?!) until I realised that, in its set-up of someone possibly trapped in a cage of their own making, it was essentially the same premise. Few more roses, though.
  12. F-ZeroOne
    Its difficult to answer some of your questions without more spoilers... I think the best way I can put it is that the Federation and the founders of Zeon grew to have different viewpoints about the future development of humankind... and this is the real root of the conflict.
  13. F-ZeroOne
    VFTF1, thats a relief, thanks! As to the "rightness" of the various sides, Tominos view has always been that there are no "good" governments, they're all as bad as each other. See Chars Counterattack for a very good example of this. However, over the years, "Zeon" - who, in the original, are really an analogue of the Axis powers - have become very popular, to the degree that the Federation (representing the Allied powers) have become almost demonised. You can see this in Gundam 0083 and the first MS Igloo, and also in SEED to an extent with ZAFT (who have similar uniforms and style to Zeon, but are portrayed, IIRC, much more as the "offended" party... )
  14. F-ZeroOne
    I look forward to them, the world needs more Turn-A stuff. Gotta fill that third page!
  15. F-ZeroOne
    Sorry - not intentional. My mistake for just assuming that particular fact was fairly well known. Sorry again.
  16. F-ZeroOne
    It would have to be a toss-up between Battle of the Planets (Gatchaman) and Star Fleet (X-Bomber) - the last is not anime but is so heavily influenced by anime in its story, design and characterisation that it probably counts.
  17. F-ZeroOne
    Tomino has suffered from depression, and this has sometimes been reflected throughout his career. If you think the original series is depressing, you should try V-Gundam or Ideon (particularly the movie, Be Invoked)... However, it can be argued that Sad Tomino is better than Happy Tomino - the evidence for this can be found in the first twenty or so episodes of ZZ Gundam. Tomino eventually found a balance with Turn-A Gundam - he even went on to write a book about how uplifting an experience it was, and the series itself is a perfect antidote to several bouts of Gundam-induced blues. My understanding is that Char was trying to get revenge on the Zabi family - Garma was doomed just for being related to them.
  18. F-ZeroOne
    Lets put it this way: possibly the only man in the Universe to put one over Captain Kirk.
  19. F-ZeroOne
    I never have seen very much of it, but what I have seen... well, "Iconic" is the word that springs to mind.
  20. F-ZeroOne
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7829267.stm
  21. F-ZeroOne
    Where did the Sochie figure come from?! Must... have... Turn-A... merch!
  22. F-ZeroOne
    If you think Lacus is a one-dimensional trophy girl, wait until you see Destiny... I enjoyed Seed whilst watching it, but I also found it a little hollow, like a beautifully wrapped Easter egg with nothing inside. I saw Turn-A Gundam shortly afterward and the contrast between the two is fascinating - Seed is like a super highway, direct and efficient but just a little soul-less. Turn-A is the road less traveled - windier, much less direct, but with better views. In my opinion, of course; I know a fellow Gundam fan who thinks I'm insane... For long-term Gundam fans, its "homages" can grate a little bit at times... Also, Seed violates the Gundam Club rules: First rule of Gundam Club: Everyone dies. Second rule of Gundam Club: No-one comes back. [3] Third rule of Gundam Club: NO-ONE COMES BACK. [3] Okay, except in ZZ Gundam. We're invoking the directorial insanity clause on that one.
  23. F-ZeroOne
    I can sort of answer some of this - from the Earth to the Moon with current (well, 1960s technology) takes about three days. Presumably, the White Base has Minovsky/Tokamak engines and can keep up a constant thrust for longer (I just know someone is going to point out the problems of sustained high-Gs etc...!), so could do it quicker, but they're often shown as being in zero-G on-board a lot of time so maybe they coast a lot. Also, the White Base was used as a distraction for Zeon forces by the Federation, so they were rarely taking the direct route home. Many of the "middle" generation have been killed in the war, which is why there are so many really young and old folks around... note this isn't canon, personal theory, but it does kind of fit the background. Incidentally, Bright is the awesome.
  24. F-ZeroOne
    I haven't seen the US version myself. People who saw the pilot with Colm O'Meaney as Gene Hunt weren't overly impressed but my understanding is that the full US series has a new cast...? Philip Glenister, who played Hunt in the UK version, is currently starring in UK-Buffy-type fantasy series Demons (playing, oddly, an American monster hunter) and is teaming up with John "Sam Tyler", "The Master" Simm for a new comedy crime film.
  25. F-ZeroOne
    "The aircraft carrier will be the 10th and final Nimitz-class sub and the ninth in the Navy's fleet." Looks like the ol' plane-carrying submarine concept is making a comeback.
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