Why Gundam Isn’t the Perfect Image of Grey Morality That Has Ruled Over the Anime Industry for So Long
- Mobile Suit Gundam is hailed as one of the best anime of all time, thanks to its groundbreaking mecha storytelling and complex portrayal of war.
- The series deeply resonates with fans through its exploration of mature themes, such as trauma, loss, and the moral complexities of war.
- Mobile Suit Gundam stands out for its revolutionary approach to the mecha genre, challenging traditional "good vs. evil" narratives and emphasizing the human cost of conflict.
Yoshiyuki Tomino is hailed as the “God of Anime” for his immense influence on the industry, particularly with the Gundam series, which has become an iconic and groundbreaking mecha franchise.
Despite its growing popularity, mecha anime is viewed as formulaic, with gigantic robots used as tools of war and battles based on technological progress. Tomino, the creator of Mobile Suit Gundam, was the one who revolutionized the mecha anime genre with complex storytelling and a realistic portrayal of war.
Mobile Suit Gundam shines in illustrating the complex duality of man and leaves an audience with an idea of “grey vs gray”. Yet, this is just a surface-level idea, with far deeper meanings beneath the surface that many fans overlook.
The hidden depths of Yoshiyuki Tomino’s Gundam that fans often miss
2025 is indeed a big year for anime, considering Gundam fans will finally have a valid reason to celebrate. The renowned Mobile Suit Gundam is likely to see a Hollywood live-action show, which should be enough to take the franchise to a whole new level.
The announcement of the upcoming Gundam live-action Hollywood movie has brought the beloved series back into the spotlight, with fans reacting positively and anticipation continuing to grow.
As anticipation builds, concerns have also arisen over the flaws that the animated version faced. Despite consisting of only 43 episodes, Mobile Suit Gundam received rather low ratings, putting its chance of becoming a global sensation in serious jeopardy.
The Mobile Suit Gundam series explores the impact of war, particularly on individuals’ emotional and moral health. Themes of trauma, loss of innocence, and duty deeply affect the complex characters throughout the franchise.
Yoshiyuki Tomino’s Mobile Suit Gundam is the first title in the series and introduced the concept of Mobile Suits as the most advanced technological weapon. Through his work, the legendary mangaka aimed to highlight the long-term physical and psychological effects of war on humanity.
The war between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon showcases Tomino’s beliefs behind the anime’s highly praised narrative. It’s no coincidence that Gundam comes from the generation of Japanese adults who were kids during World War II.
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Certain events in the show draw parallels to real-world events, such as the dropping of a space colony on Earth, which mirrors the atomic bomb’s impact.
The warring factions also carry real-life significance—Zeon, a fascist allegory and the aggressor in the conflict, is depicted with clear Nazi symbolism, while also drawing from the Rising Sun imagery of imperial Japan.
How Gundam delivers more than just an Anti-War Message
From being a secret inspiration behind the Hollywood blockbuster movie Pacific Rim to solidifying its status as the father of mecha anime, Yoshiyuki Tomino’s Gundam is arguably the most popular franchise in the community.
Tomino’s storytelling revolutionized the mecha genre and left a long-lasting impact on audiences through the anime. Mobile Suit Gundam captured the viewpoints of characters from both sides of the war, namely Team Zeon and Team Earth, thus gaining the attention of many fans.
The series defies the simplistic “good vs. evil” storyline, giving a war perspective that has different motivations for each side and, therefore, blurred moral lines between heroes and villains.
Mobile Suit Gundam shows that the so-called “good guys” can also play the role of antagonists, as seen with the Federation in sequels like Zeta Gundam.
With different timelines and settings, Gundam discusses themes ranging from the emotional and moral struggles of characters to how the war affects individuals and the very difficult choices they have to make. Through child soldiers and opposing factions, Mobile Suit Gundam powerfully highlights the inherent flaws in conflict.
Mobile Suit Gundam is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
