CXXV: "Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ"

Some time ago, I covered Z Gundam, the successor to the original Mobile Suit Gundam anime. Succeeding this title is Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, featuring not only new machines and characters, but also the return of the mobile suits seen in the previous series, namely the Zeta Gundam, Gundam Mk. II, and Hyaku Shiki.

Long after the Gryps Conflict concluded and Paptimus Scirocco was defeated by Kamille Bidan, both the Earth Federation and AEUG, after dealing with old subsidiary, the Titans, are worn down as they face down Axis, know known as Neo Zeon, led by Haman Karn. But AEUG's Argama fleet lost its 3 star pilots: Emma Sheen, who was mortally wounded, Quattro Bajeena (who is Char) after losing to Haman Karn, and Kamille, who's brain was dragged by Scirocco as he passed on. As a result, veteran Commander Bright Noa enlist some teenage junk dealers from Shangri-La to help. Well, one actually came to him. Meet the protagonist Judau Ashta, who attempted to steal Zeta Gundam for a little extra cash in his pockets, mostly to help his sister Leina. However, while he was  dragged into the war, he becomes more involved when his sister is captured, thanks to Neo Zeon soldier Glemy Toto (who does so, mistaking her for his crush Roux Louka.) Even though his main reason is to save Leina, Judau, along with Roux, Mk. II pilot Elle Viano, and fellow pilot/friend Beecha Oleg, fight alongside Noa to end Neo Zeon and their leader, Haman Karn.

Unlike Z Gundam, Gundam ZZ never saw an English translation/licensing of the anime, and are only adapted to English though the games, namely Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs Gundam Zeta, and the Dynasty Warriors: Gundam trilogy. As with all Gundam titles, Gundam ZZ was made in the Sunrise studio, running for 47 episodes. This would be succeeded by the movie Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack, in which Amuro Ray, Char, and Bright returns to their respective sides from Mobile Suit Gundam. Char was supposed to return in Gundam ZZ, but was dropped when the creator was given the okay to make the film. Chronologically, all mentioned titles fit in the Universal Century storyline, which started with the original Gundam anime.

Gundam ZZ wasn't as great as Z Gundam, but with the in-game adaptions, I understand the story somewhat. I only regret they did not think of licensing the anime for the US, as they have a cast to do so, as well as them going through enough trouble to incorporate that in the games in English, much like how Toei did so for Dragon Ball Z: Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans. I can't really blast it, so I'll leave it at a 6.7 of 10 for now.