Thoughts about Gundam Seed

[Kali-chan]

I was wondering if anyone but me really thought that this series was amazing. I mean, the characters (Dearka) were cool and the storyline was interesting.
Any thoughts?

Yes, I know many think that it was a poor remake of Mobile Suit Gundam, but I never saw the original, so I can't say anything.

[Amuro]

Well, relatively speaking it's probably something out of the ordinary if you haven't seen many series like it..

[Levon]

Not amazing. Not Bad. Just good.

[Amuro]

Not amazing. Not Bad. Just good.

Actually, I'd be more willing to call it "amazing" than "good" simply because I can see how the series might amaze a person who comes from a decidedly different viewing background, but I would be very hesitant to consider it a "good series".

[shin_gyokakuran]

Guess the younger viewers might appreciate it, I just watch it cause my niece watches it :lol: though i find the series it a bit racy in some parts, and the killing too, too much interesting charcters have died in the series, almost like Zeta, but in seed it feels they kill the character for the purpose of cutting budgets.

Compared to Zeta almost 70% of the main characters in Zeta have died in the closing of the series for a purpose which leaves a guilt feeling about War.

[Soluzar]

SEED doesn't suck. It's very derivative of Mobile Suit Gundam, but re-interpreted in a modern style. There are aspects of this which work, and aspects which don't work. Personally I enjoyed it a lot, but it wasn't as good as Mobile Suit Gundam. The direct sequel series, Gundam SEED: Destiny is another matter entirely. It starts out pretty strong, but the quality of writing towards the end is not as good as Gundam SEED was. It was dissapointing more than bad, but it was also... pretty bad.

Copypasta, yo.

[SkylineGTR]

The thing I didn't really like about Seed was Kira's unbreakable main character shield. At least Amuro can lose from time to time. In Seed Destiny, it's a lot worse though.

[Bernard_Monsha]

It was a mediocre series slightly below ZZ but above Wing and that show that shall not be named.

[Kali-chan]

I enjoyed the show, because of the theme in the Three Ship Alliance of anti war is what I want sooo bad in the world

[Vaikyuko]

It was a mediocre series slightly below ZZ but above Wing and that show that shall not be named.

Copypasta'd for truth, justice, and the Gundam Way.

[Suiko Eiji]

Yes, I know many think that it was a poor remake of Mobile Suit Gundam, but I never saw the original, so I can't say anything.

I may be kinda mean for pointing this out, but I think the heart of it lies here.

Now, I'll agree that Gundam SEED isn't completely trash. In fact, there are parts of it that I found to be enjoyable. Where I will contend is that it is 'amazing'.

It applied the tried-and-true story of the original Mobile Suit Gundam rather well, as fr as an over-arching story might be concerned. Unlike the original, I was not able to attach to any of the characters, or at the very least, identify with their positions and stances.

The animation, is hit or miss throughout many episodes; in most times it's average and bland for its vintage - something that Sunrise from 1985-95 has spoiled me with has been top-notch animation on just about every work. Even their post 1995 work has been everywhere from good to exceptional, not taking an individual series into account. I think what greatly detracts from the animation and art stylings is the "skill" of lead character designer, Hirai Hisashi. His designs were a welcomed change in Scryed; however, as SEED progressed and more characters were introduced, the interchangibility of designs was becoming rather annoying (it grew worse with SEED DESTINY and the even more craptacular Soukyuu no Fafner). While not all terrible, there are a couple of scenes where the animation is quite well done - namely the scene where one of the girls attacks Dearka with a knife. That scene was enough for me to get up and get interested in what could have saved Gundam SEED. Unfortunately, the rest of the series did not feature scenes where intense, burning emotion were captured by excellent animation.

Fukuda also uses many techniques that Tomino used parallelling both series. Both series were initially episodic in nature. I dropped Gundam SEED after about 5 or 6 weeks; which I picked up again with the re-cap episodes around the 25-26 mark at the encouragement of a friend and fellow mecha fan. Fukuda's use of recaps makes it a little easier for the viewer to enter the series at nearly any point of the series; Tomino did not use recaps as such in the original Gundam. Fukuda also continued Gundam's Anti-War themes; however, from judging these works, their anti-war ideals are strikingly different. Fukuda, by making use of the third-party ORB faction, sees the ability to be involved in a conflict and still try and cop-out and cry peace. Tomino; however, shows in the OG (heh) that war is a tradgic, yet almost necessary, evil.

The music is SEED's strongest point. The BGM was rather well written, especially for the combat scenes towards the end of the series. A blend of classical feelings along with militaristic marches puts it near the top with Saegusa Shigeaki's Char's Counterattack, which I consider to be the best Gundam soundtrack. Each of the opening and ending themes was stronger and more enjoyable for me than the one preceeding it. Out of all seven songs, I would say that TM Revolution's Invoke is the weakest sounding of them, but Meteor makes for a very good insert song. SEED has introduced me to both Tamaki Nami and Nakashima Mika; Nakashima being one of the most moving singers I've heard in a while, Japanese or otherwise.

Gundam SEED does its job of trying to introduce new viewers to the Gundam franchise. I don't think it is better than any of the older Gundam series, especially the first one, after which it was modeled. Gundam portrayed war as bad because of the death toll of people like Ryu, Matilda, Lalah, and Slegger; however, while there were a couple notable character deaths in SEED, thier overall lack of personality or SEED's inability to accurately portray a connection between characters did not communicate the same message to me. Rather, it sounded like a forced message that war was wrong in the manner of an adult scolding a child.

Overall, I would give SEED a 4.5 out of 10; save for its soundtrack and a couple of scenes, it takes severe hits for shoddy animation, poor characterization, excessive use of recaps/loops, and most glaringly, wasted potential. Comparitively, I would give Mobile Suit Gundam a 7 out of 10 for strong storytelling and revolutionizing a genre but even for Nippon Sunrise and for 1979, the animation suffers in several areas during the TV series due to budget constraints.

[Rahxephon91]

I liked it. One of the best Gundam shows.

[Shin Asuka]

Yeah I like it so much i still watch it over and over i never get tired of Seed, i agree that Seeds make point is its BGM and I mainly enjoy watching Kira and Athrun fighting on the same side i really enjoyed the series starting at phase 34 when the freedom first makes it appearance :D :P.

[Suiko Eiji]

I think Justice is the only SEED suit deisgn I've really liked, but the Stargazer Gundam looks rather interesting...

I might actually pay for a 1/144 scale kit again... (http://www.hlj.com/product/BAN946748)

[Kali-chan]

While not all terrible, there are a couple of scenes where the animation is quite well done - namely the scene where one of the girls attacks Dearka with a knife. That scene was enough for me to get up and get interested in what could have saved Gundam SEED. Unfortunately, the rest of the series did not feature scenes where intense, burning emotion were captured by excellent animation.

the girl was Miriallia, otherwise known as Milly( my fav. girl in the series), and yes, that scene was amazing

I worshipped this series, and was devestated when it ended.

[shezaei_neko]

I enjoyed it......perhaps 'cause it's the 2nd Gundam Series I've seen......so I don't have any other reference, but it was a good show...

[Rydis]

<_< Guess the younger viewers might appreciate it, I just watch it cause my niece watches it :lol: though i find the series it a bit racy in some parts, and the killing too, too much interesting charcters have died in the series, almost like Zeta, but in seed it feels they kill the character for the purpose of cutting budgets.

Compared to Zeta almost 70% of the main characters in Zeta have died in the closing of the series for a purpose which leaves a guilt feeling about War.

That would be true if it all didn't happen in the last 2 episodes <_<. You Crew wasn't that large either so 70% isn't saying alot.

Seed was my first one, and still my favorite to this day (seen seed, destiny, Zeta, g fighter, wing). I like the art style (if not all characters looked the same) and all the stories are basically the same so no comparison there. I did like the music and how the incorporated space/sea/land/desert battles through out the series. However all the series have a bad tendicy to throw everything out in the last 2 episodes. Still decent though.

[demecowen]

The series is ok and all, but I felt it took too much ideas from the other series. The first half would be call a rip-off, when the second half finally to start go on it own. Destiny took a new level of rip-off that is not even funny.

The Music was nice, but animation was ok at first, but battles were using way too many scene of the same mech suit getting blown up.

What really get me that fans even some reviews site would get Seed better rating than MSG.

[shin_gyokakuran]

<_<

That would be true if it all didn't happen in the last 2 episodes <_<. You Crew wasn't that large either so 70% isn't saying alot.

Seed was my first one, and still my favorite to this day (seen seed, destiny, Zeta, g fighter, wing). I like the art style (if not all characters looked the same) and all the stories are basically the same so no comparison there. I did like the music and how the incorporated space/sea/land/desert battles through out the series. However all the series have a bad tendicy to throw everything out in the last 2 episodes. Still decent though.

I just wished the quality that Gundam seed released was of high standards not just rehash stories and killing some squinty eyed charcter cause there's a new love interest between another character cause he has a gundam. Even freedom was an >can i say a low??< improved version of GundamX. Even the Meteor upgrade in terms of design is very low quality Orchis. XD And the targetting zit system.......

i just enjoy my gundams more for the high quality story or the design of mechs and the interesting charcters. Wish there was more to seed that i could appreciate, maybe colored zackus? nah never did have interest in destiny too. XD but my nephews and niece might appreciate it.

[Hara!]

In before homoeroticism.

[Bernard_Monsha]

but in seed it feels they kill the character for the purpose of cutting budgets.


Yes it saves them on the next season when they bring them back for no reason.

[Rydis]

I just wished the quality that Gundam seed released was of high standards not just rehash stories and killing some squinty eyed charcter cause there's a new love interest between another character cause he has a gundam. Even freedom was an >can i say a low??< improved version of GundamX. Even the Meteor upgrade in terms of design is very low quality Orchis. XD And the targetting zit system.......

i just enjoy my gundams more for the high quality story or the design of mechs and the interesting charcters. Wish there was more to seed that i could appreciate, maybe colored zackus? nah never did have interest in destiny too. XD but my nephews and niece might appreciate it.


Guess it just all really boils down to what was watched first. For me, it was seed. Was my second anime ever seen after yu yu hakusho, so it kinda stuck. For someone who never seen MSG they would see it as original when it wouldn't. If anything, it could probably be just another updated remake of things we have already seen (like moves. Texas Chainsaw Massacure, House of Wax, The Fog). Then just doing what every good director does and screw the story up adding in bad elements and taking out good elements and creating more eye candy leaving out plot and character development. Its common in all TV today. But to anyone who see the latter first, it can be good. (not always a good thing *thinks of FF7 fanboys).

Yes it saves them on the next season when they bring them back for no reason.

Ya, thats just pathetic.

[shin_gyokakuran]

Rydis i grew practically every gundam released. Gundam is an institution in japan not just a licensed for merchandise. >I even like the 3d one, i just keep forgetting titles:lol: <To prove this I enjoyed TurnA Gundam even if the animation was very choppy, but the characters and story just pulls out the weakness the series has. I'm not much a fan of gundam, > i'm more super robot types than real military robo, Jig anybody? XD< but i expect the quality of the series to somewhat increase or improved just a little.

[Levon]

I'm not much a fan of gundam, > i'm more super robot types than real military robo, Jig anybody?

There is a super robot Gundam(Mobile Fighter G Gundam).

[cutiepieanna15]

Guess it just all really boils down to what was watched first. For me, it was seed. Was my second anime ever seen after yu yu hakusho, so it kinda stuck. For someone who never seen MSG they would see it as original when it wouldn't. If anything, it could probably be just another updated remake of things we have already seen (like moves. Texas Chainsaw Massacure, House of Wax, The Fog). Then just doing what every good director does and screw the story up adding in bad elements and taking out good elements and creating more eye candy leaving out plot and character development. Its common in all TV today. But to anyone who see the latter first, it can be good. (not always a good thing *thinks of FF7 fanboys).

i myself have watched most of all the gundam series, but i do like the love story ones better than the more mecha ones, i think more b/c im a girl and i thinks it really cute :lol: Destiny was very touching but some what annoying about the plot.
gundam wing was a good mix of both though. i never really cared much for the others. my brother loves Gundam MS 8th Team though, i havent seen it myself but it looks really cool. (its a old mecha series)

[Levon]

I really doubt you have "watched most of all the gundam series".

Gundam the 08th MS Team isn't old, in fact its the newest UC anime. They were released from 1996 to 1999. Its newer than Gundam Wing.

Also, how is Gundam Wing have a love story? That Gundam hardly has a love story at all.

[Rydis]

Rydis i grew practically every gundam released. Gundam is an institution in japan not just a licensed for merchandise. >I even like the 3d one, i just keep forgetting titles:lol: <To prove this I enjoyed TurnA Gundam even if the animation was very choppy, but the characters and story just pulls out the weakness the series has. I'm not much a fan of gundam, > i'm more super robot types than real military robo, Jig anybody? XD< but i expect the quality of the series to somewhat increase or improved just a little.

Think you misunderstood me a little bit though I was probably vague. I wasn't commenting on just your thoughts of the series but the way most people think as a whole. What I mean is they get the impression that just because something is not as good, it just sucks, which isn't the case. Something can not be as good as something else, but still be good. Get what I mean?

Like I said though, I never seen the original gundam so I can't really compare. I went from Seed->wing->g fighter->zeta->destiny. Thats all I seen. I enjoyed seed the most and probably more biased on it because I can't compare it to the older ones in which it might of copied. Zeta was ok but I couldn't really get into it. To each their own though. Not all people will be pleased by everything, so dont get me wrong. I accept your bad impression of seed just fine.

As to recommeneding G Fighter for super robot....I put that below wing. Its terriable.

[Bernard_Monsha]

Also, how is Gundam Wing have a love story? That Gundam hardly has a love story at all.


Why Relena saying "Heero!" and Heero saying "Relena" a bunch of times in an episode = Love Story. Haven't you ever seen Inu Yasha?

[Amuro]

I remember that, when I was a Gundam newb, I said at one point that "I like G Gundam better than Wing because of the action even though Wing has a better love story." Which is amusing considering that, all things considered, G was infinitely more overtly focused on the Domon-Rain relationship than Wing was on Heero-Relena, but I suppose that, at the time, the "freshness" :P of a prepubescent-looking girl becoming obsessed with a cold guy who tries to kill her and eventually finds himself paralyzed by emotions for the first time in his life more memorable than G Gundam's "Main character and a large-breasted woman travel together and fall in love" deal. :P

[Levon]

I might consider G Gundam having the best love story in a Gundam.

"These hands of ours are burning red!" - Domon and Rain
"Thier loud roar tell us..." - Domon
"To grasp happiness!" - Rain
"Erupting God Finger! Seiti-ha Love-Love Tenkyoken!" - Domon and Rain

:lol:

[demecowen]

Oh I don't know 8th MS team could be good contender as a love story.

Second to last espiodes Shiro fighting that gouf zaku, willing to tear apart his own mecha arm and use as a weapon. At the same time saying "Ania and I are going to be together" Clang " we are gonna get married." Bam :P

I mean how couples do get together and have a kid?

[Haxspidor]

I watched some episodes of this and thought it was cool, though i missed nearly all of them since i had school on, and it viewing at like 12am - 2am so i was either asleep or computering. does anyone know where to buy every season?

[Shin Asuka]

Yeah go on Ebay lol my bro bought Zeta, 08th MS Team, Wing, Seed, And whatever of Seed Destiny is out i think so far Seed and Seed destiny are the best but i do Think 08th Ms Is awesome i think if they're were more episodes i was disappointed when it ended i really did love that series of gundam

[Levon]

Are you talking about bootlegs? I can't reccomend Ebay unless you know what your doing.

[Kali-chan]

Are we still talking about Gundam Seed?(only one I've watched)

[Haxspidor]

I think so. I want every episode, cause I like missed them all. Still groovy

[Techrobo]

You can find them all on R1 and R2 disks. I'm personally waiting for a cheaper brink case or something for them. I waited out on upgrading my Gundam collection to DVD and it paid off. 0080, 0083, and Wing all came in bricks for a fraction of their former costs. Still have the VHS hanging around though. I'm sure Seed and Seed Destiny will be available as such eventually, for R1 and R2 release at least. In the meantime I'm just glad I have DC++ on my PC.

[Kali-chan]

I am currently angry because Gundam Seed recently finished in my area, and I was hoping to get Destiny, but suddenly the YTV schedule changed, and now there is absolutely NO Gundam series where I live on tv, and I just don't have the money to go out and buy dvd's(hey, I'm only still in school-_-; )

[Levon]

They havn't even shown Destiny on Cartoon Network in the US. I'm sure they never will ethier because SEED failed on Cartoon Network.

[Amuro]

I don't know if this works as a consolation or not, but, as has been mentioned, Seed Destiny is generally considered a sub-par product compared to Seed.

[Kali-chan]

I know, but I just wanted to see some things that I have read about on the net, and find out what happens with all the relationships in Seed

[Bernard_Monsha]

I know, but I just wanted to see some things that I have read about on the net, and find out what happens with all the relationships in Seed



Not unless you want to get spitting mad at the director you don't

[Kali-chan]

ohhhhhhhhhhhhh... have you seen Destiny? Is Deamiri still intact?

[Bernard_Monsha]

ohhhhhhhhhhhhh... have you seen Destiny? Is Deamiri still intact?


Yes I had the misfortune of seing it all the way through. Every fan should have it inflicted on them as an example how to not make a series.

[master terrence]

I actually liked Seed Destiny. I liked seeing the politics, but I hated seeing Shinn, that guy sucks. I really wanted him to die. In Seed, there was the theme of disarming with out killing. Shinn sucks.


I could pilot a gundam much better than he could through most of the series. Another thing that bothered me was Athrun and his emoness. There was no reason for him to hold back so much.

On the other hand I enjoyed watching the politicians. Dullindale using his propaganda and ORB pretty much taking orders from the alliance/Logos. Still, even then if I were Cagalli I would have said things differently... and said different things.

[Kali-chan]

I really wanna see Destiny... but... I will only watch it if Deamiri(my fav couple) is intact

[Shin Asuka]

If you hate shin i know what you mean i made this account here on animenation before I started watching destiny so i didnt know at the time that shin is such a stupid dumbass.

[HitokiriShadow]

I really wanna see Destiny... but... I will only watch it if Deamiri(my fav couple) is intact

So that's what you meant, Dearka x Miri(whatever her name was).

Sadly, they both barely show up and not together. I believe it was implied that they broke up.

[Vaikyuko]

I actually liked Seed Destiny. I liked seeing the politics, but I hated seeing Shinn, that guy sucks. I really wanted him to die. In Seed, there was the theme of disarming with out killing. Shinn sucks.


I could pilot a gundam much better than he could through most of the series. Another thing that bothered me was Athrun and his emoness. There was no reason for him to hold back so much.

On the other hand I enjoyed watching the politicians. Dullindale using his propaganda and ORB pretty much taking orders from the alliance/Logos. Still, even then if I were Cagalli I would have said things differently... and said different things.

The political aspects of DESTINY were handled horribly, I think. One major example that speaks for itself: Destroy Gundam. What the hell was Djibril/LOGOS thinking in Berlin? Seriously, it made absolutely no sense and overall, the whole political thing was eventually downplayed big time so a few pretty mobile suits could shoot stuff without much context other than "lol war". As for Shinn, I agree with you to a point; had he changed during the series, like most characters do, I would love him ever so much. Unfortunately, he is mostly shunted off to the side so Athrun and Kira can take the spotlight. That effectively prevents him from changing at all, particularly since he's treated less as a main character and more as a major side character, like Lacus or Meer. It's just bad writing, IMO.

[Altema]

I actually liked Seed Destiny. I liked seeing the politics, but I hated seeing Shinn, that guy sucks. I really wanted him to die. In Seed, there was the theme of disarming with out killing. Shinn sucks.


I could pilot a gundam much better than he could through most of the series. Another thing that bothered me was Athrun and his emoness. There was no reason for him to hold back so much.

On the other hand I enjoyed watching the politicians. Dullindale using his propaganda and ORB pretty much taking orders from the alliance/Logos. Still, even then if I were Cagalli I would have said things differently... and said different things.

You can pilot a non existent machine better than an anime character? Wow. Give him some credit, he did beat Kira :(.

But yeah, Athrun's emoness was wow. I thought he found his reason to fight in Seed, but he comes back in Destiny completely lost.

Give Cagalli a break, shes like 16/18, she has two other politicians ganging up on her, etc.

Other than that reply,

I liked Seed a lot. I already have a prejudice against Gundam series, so me liking Seed just amazes me.

[Levon]

I liked Seed a lot. I already have a prejudice against Gundam series, so me liking Seed just amazes me.

Have a prejudice against Gundam, what for? Or do you mean had a prejudice against Gundam?

[Altema]

No, I still have a prejudice against Gundam series. I watched a couple Gundam series when I was young, and it felt like the same thing with a different cast. Masked man, war, gundams, etc. I never would have watched Seed if not for my roommate who suggested that we watch the whole series together.

I'm probably just more open to the idea of watching a Gundam series nowadays.

[Levon]

Well SEED is just another Gundam with a "Masked man, war, gundams, etc."-_-;


The 08th MS Team, 0080, 0083, Zeta, Double Zeta, Char's Counterattack don't have masked characters. Although Mobile Suit Gundam, V Gundam, G Gundam, F91, Turn A, Wing, SEED & Destiny have masked characters.
Does X have a masked character? Its the only Gundam I still need to see.

[Altema]

Yeah, I wouldn't have watched SEED, but my friend insisted that we watch it as a group, so we did. I'm glad I did. I'm more open to watching Gundam series now. After we watched SEED, he proceeded to download as many Gundams as he could get.

[master terrence]

You can pilot a non existent machine better than an anime character? Wow. Give him some credit, he did beat Kira :(.




Before he beat Kira, ofcourse <.<; He pulled some great moves, and flying through the tunnel was cool, but sometimes it was really poor.

And of course I can pilot a non-existent machine :rolleyes: behold the power of Otaku.

[Vaikyuko]

Well SEED is just another Gundam with a "Masked man, war, gundams, etc."-_-;


The 08th MS Team, 0080, 0083, Zeta, Double Zeta, Char's Counterattack don't have masked characters. Although Mobile Suit Gundam, V Gundam, G Gundam, F91, Turn A, Wing, SEED & Destiny have masked characters.
Does X have a masked character? Its the only Gundam I still need to see.

Only if you count a man (Jamil Neate) who is always wearing sunglasses. Not Harry Ord glasses, but more traditional ones.

[akota]

I HATED IT! The whole thing was basically a crappy retelling of the original! They went from colony to space, kira almost burns in the atmosphere, then archangel goes through desert and faces Ramba Ral copy. Then goes to ocean(water area like jaburo) then goes back to space after fighting on earth. Then there a crappy Gundam vs Zeong parody and is a Char cosplayer.

[akota]

war is about eliminating enemies to reach a group's goalswhether on offense or defense, not disarming people and love. War is a very selfish and hateful thing.

[Chef Wun]

^The Edit button exists for a reason


I liked SEED but destiny was horrible. It was basically just milking the cash cow and there was very little sense to it and a lot of "wtf, why did that happen?"

heres a few examples

Why Athrun rejoins ZAFT
Why Archangel comes along to screw up battles
The Destroy Gundams rampage in Berlin
How Mu/Neo comes back
Why Dullandal sundenly turns from good guy to evil genius
Why Rey shoots Dulandal in the end

And also what got me was the sheer amount of recycling. Theres only so many times you can watch the same suit get blown up, the final battle was the worst, it was th exact same fight as the first series. Big super weapon fires, Justice and Freedom commence METEOR spamming, grunts die, Yzak and Dearka switch sides, final boss fight, lots of nonsensical dialouge about war and life, villain dies, everyone cries and it's a happy ending.

And also that thing where the Minerva fired on the Arcangel was SO predictable that Mu/Neo would intervene but it would work this time.

I also have to ask what was up with Meer? she shows up, pretends to be Lacus, has an identity crises then tries to get Lacus killed then saves her life?

This is why I hate Destiny. It's so nonsensical it makes my head spin more than Evangelion did (and that was a lot)

[akota]

U.C. is the best! SEED is for little kids that love explosions and shiny robots!

[Chef Wun]

Now now, I appreciate explosions and shiny robots and i'm no litle kid (though the matter is under debate), but I also appreciate decent writing and a comprehensive storyline that doesn't fill in the gaps with fangirl bait