At 10:54 AM 2/2/2007, Dr. Core wrote:
Now I really don't want to get into a debate what this Gundam message
is, and ESPECIALLY, if this message is right or wrong, good or bad.
But I think it's there and it's radically different from what's
accepted as True in most cultures, by "most cultures" here I am
definitely including the West (both Christianity and Democracy-ism)
but also part of the East (Feudalism/Confucianism and Maoist
Communism)
I honestly don't think it's an issue or right and wrong, because I
think the core of the message is anti-*war*, not anti-*fighting.* To
me, this isn't even a controversial viewpoint -- no one thinks war is
a *good* thing (at least, no one we'd call sane), and the show is
pointing out just how bad it can be. But ultimately, our protagonists
make a choice -- they choose to fight, not because they enjoy war or
because the subscribe to a particular ideology, but rather because
they want to defend their friends and family. That's the central
message of Gundam IMO; war is hell, but you keep on fighting because
if you don't the people you care about will suffer, and that's worse.
If you think about the dialog between Amuro, Lalah and Char, if you
relish the last minutes of episode 43 (or Encounter in Space), if you
recognize 0080 as a Greek tragedy, if you find parallel between 0083
and SW ep.2-3, if your heart pounds listening to Queen Diana/Kihel,
then Gundam is not the least bit ridiculous or insulting.
I tend to agree; once you get through all the merchandising the
themes of Gundam are quite solid.
In the end, people are stupid and everything is pointless and we are
left with blissful nihilism. So... what's the next HGUC again?
As someone who doesn't do the merchandising angle of things, my
opinion on this is mixed; on the one hand I'm not giving in and
supporting the commercialization of the show, but on the other hand
I'm also not supporting it and prolonging its lifespan (or keeping it
on life support, as the case may be). I'm as yet uncertain which is
the morally preferable stance.
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