Gundam - Where's A Good Place To Start?

[baronv]

I just got into Gundam about a year and a half ago and that was after I picked up the 0079 movie trilogy. After that I was digging the series. Picked up Char's Counterattack (I actually watched this before any GUndam show and it confused the hell out of me, then I ended up getting the movie trilogy and it explained a lot of things). Then I purchased the remaining U.C. series stuff. I like watching the condensed movies since I don't have 40 hours to watch an entire cartoon show. I bought the Z Gundam series and after 2 discs out of 5 or 6 I believe I just ran out of time. Now waiting for the Z gundam movie trilogy to finish up in Japan before I get that.

[Vermillion21]

I think the only way to get it right now is the 3 disc box set, which is the  best way to get it (can't miss it, it's big shiny & blue).

403648[/snapback]

Perfect - thanks Keith!

[Vermillion21]

Actually, I've been to the official Gundam website and got confused, that's why I posted here. Basically, I like some of the Gundam models/toys that I've seen and just wanted to get an idea of what the heck the storyline was about. Some of their mechas look way cool, none as good as the classic VF-1's though!

It looks hard to navigate at first but you need to first select your "world" that you want to know more about first. (ie Universal Century) And then from there go to the relevent section (mecha, story, timeline, maps, glossary on the menu to the side of the screen) concerning that universe to see more. Because there are so many damn shows a noob has to decide which is the most relevent to them. You don't want to bog your mind down into details or you will be discouraged but it is always handy to have some reference of the various locations and places that each story is involved in so you won't get confused.

Over the course of the timeline some colonies get renamed and even moved - knowing where they are and whose side they are taking helps - think about how confusing lord of the rings movie would be to someone who didn't read the book or know where the hobbits were coming from and going to on thier journey? Also over time there are factions working on the same side who end up betraying thier own people or allying with the victors of the previous wars (for political reasons or for some other reason) so it can get confusing if you don't read up on the various groups or have some reference. Gundam imo can be confusing at first because of the amount of people involved.

We can all agree that to start with UC and then go onto the newer alternate universe stuff is the way to go since that is where it all began. Even though I am much more a fan of macross, liking that won't stop me from seeing the various shows. Some of the fighting in char's counterattack for example is really cool. (it's really the robot equivalent of two jedi but with bits and funnels and lots of other crap - ie the battle between the 'wills' of two characters and not just federation and zeon)

But seriously don't just only watch the UC stories with 'newtypes' in them: definately see 8th MS team (everyone loves this!) and gundam 0083: stardust memory in thier order of the UC timeline. The main characters in these may not move with the grace of the heroic aces, but if you like the realism in robots then these beat the tv series in overall animation quality and suspense. (ie it is because they are no-name soldiers that you are actually scared they might die in them So because it keeps you gripped to your seat, you want to continue watching until the end - no robot of the week syndrome)

403704[/snapback]

LowViz Lurker - thanks for the input, it is mucho appreciate mate!

[Keith]

I just got into Gundam about a year and a half ago and that was after I picked up the 0079 movie trilogy. After that I was digging the series. Picked up Char's Counterattack (I actually watched this before any GUndam show and it confused the hell out of me, then I ended up getting the movie trilogy and it explained a lot of things). Then I purchased the remaining U.C. series stuff. I like watching the condensed movies since I don't have 40 hours to watch an entire cartoon show. I bought the Z Gundam series and after 2 discs out of 5 or 6 I believe I just ran out of time. Now waiting for the Z gundam movie trilogy to finish up in Japan before I get that.

403937[/snapback]

Ran out of time, what, did they self destruct? While the Zeta movies are interesting, they pale in comparison with the TV series, unfortunately only the 0079 movies have succesfully condensed their story, the other movie versions just seem to drop too much & are too hap hazardly slapped together. Especilally the SEED movies, now there's a trainwreck...