Joseph Riggs wrote:
> The new Gundam TV series starts in just a couple of weeks.  And there's a new 
> trailer out.  A Youtube link with English subtitles is here -
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4ui60Jufio&mode=related&search=

Episode 1 will air this Saturday, YouTube will have at least some
highlights up by the time most of us wake up on Saturday morning.
Excited?

I am surprised no one follow up on the political theme other than the
alleged appearance of RX-78-2.  Just take the prologue on its own
(minus the video and sound FX):

   Year 2307 AD:
   Humanity has obtained a continual source of energy
   while an armed organization called the Celestial Being was formed.
   Their goal is to use military force to stop war.
   Bracing into their contradictory warfare with Gundams;
   What will the people think of this?
   Mobile Suit Gundam Double O
   (MBS and TBS Saturday, October 6th, 6PM)
   Is there the will to keep fighting on?

It's packed with meanings between the lines, isn't it? The second line
already established a Marxist focus on "control/concentration of
power" over "limitation of resource".  I.e. the resource in dispute
(energy) isn't limited, but wars erupt over who can _control_ this
unlimited resource. The third line can be read (translated) in subtly
different ways: is the Celestial Being (CB) approach morally or
logically contradictory (James Boren called it "unbelievably naive")
or their actions were _controversial_ amongst the people(s) of the
24th Century?  I think the forth line emphasized that the latter case
is the correct one: Mizushima doesn't plan to tell us what's right and
what's wrong, but he probably want us to participate in the (endless?)
debate over what's right and wrong.  If that's the case, then G00 is a
transposition of FMA into the Gundam mythos isn't it?

This longer promo seems to say kind of the same things:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BvNrcc4lgc&NR=1

But there's more than a hint of romanticizing/glorifying the
one-on-one uber-warriors that are the CB.

Jame Boren wrote:
>I have to conclude
> that our idealistic Gundam pilots are in for a severe case of
> reality.

Perhaps Mizushima has in store something even more convolved?  Maybe
"reality" isn't a single "case", but a complex entanglement of facts
and perceptions.  Perhaps it's non sequitur, but once in a while (not
when thinking about Gundam) Chris Campbell's assertion that "hate" is
not a matter of value judgment still pops in my head.

OTOH, I accidentally noticed a Dai Guard boxset sitting unwatched on
the selves was in fact directed by Mizushima, so I started watching,
now almost half way through, it's not a very remarkable show.  There's
a light hint of a deeper conspiracy, but one also get the sense it's
going to fizzle out before delivering any dramatic punch.   I have
kind of suspending the series in the last couple weeks, hope to
continue and finish it next week (vacation).  Perhaps it's a less
ambitious production for a younger Seiji Mizushima, but on its own
it's not worthy of comparison to FMA and/or Gundam.

-- 
Dr. Core
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