Reviews for Turn A Gundam (7.77) 602t73

The best description for TurnAGundam is that it is a very beautiful piece of work. That in itself is a testament to how different it is from other gundams. In contrast to the usual action/political-stuggles that characterize most gundam series, TurnAGundam by far and away the most dedicated to its characters.

When I watch a gundam series, I usually look for the mecha, the action, the adventure or the storyline to keep me entertained. Thus, this was quite a different experience for me. Was I disappointed? No, I might have been somewhat disconcerted initially given the unfamiliar territory, but I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. While the animation and the unorthodox style gave me a scare at first sight, the characters certainly made up for it. Indeed, I have never grown to love gundam characters as much as I did for TurnAGundam. For a series that usually prides itself on action and storyline, this change of pace is quite refreshing.

Animation

The animation is average, even by 1999 standards. If my memory serves me right, I think Gundam Wing had better animation, even though it is older. While this may have damaged the overall experience had the focus been on action and mecha, fortunately this is not the case. Really, even though I enjoy watching well animated shows, I believe a good storyline or a good cast of characters brings much more to the quality of the series.

Sound

The voices of the characters were very nice, and suited them perfectly. They brought out the emotions of the characters very effectively, and that in itself deserves a 10. However, the music isn't too shabby either.

Characters

Despite my raves about the quality of the characters in TurnAGundam, I really have trouble finding the right words to describe just how much I liked them. The characters aren't incredibly cool, nor cute, nor hot, nor evil, etc. What makes them stand out though, is how refreshing they were. The decisions they made, the actions they took, the way they talk, is just like you and me. Indeed, the fact that they are so 'normal' is what draws you into the series, and makes you believe that you are truly there, with them.

Does 'normal' mean bland? No, they are very deep characters, they falter, they evolve, they fall in love; but all of that contributes to the realism of the characters. They are vulnerable, they do not feel unreachable like many typical anime characters. And thus, you feel as if you could be them, that you could be there, with them, and experiencing all that they are experiencing. When they cry, you feel the sadness. When they are separated, you long for their reunion. When they fight against each other, you wish they could both win. TurnAGundam's characters are very unique, and I enjoyed watching them evolve throughout the series.


Value and Enjoyment

As with most gundam series, if you aren't a hardcore fan, then its rewatchability of somewhat low. Nevertheless, it is a worthwhile show to check out, because it is a very enjoyable ride. The ending somewhat hard to describe: it is mostly a happy ending, but it also leaves a tiny bittersweet taste in your mouth afterwards. I am also quite sad that the series is over, because the characters really did grow on me.

While many gundam fans prefer action/story driven series, I believe that a character centered one like TurnAGundam can be quite refreshing. I also think that TurnAGundam is the last 'classic' series: Gundam Seed and Gundam 00 are simply too commercially driven to be considered as successors to the original gundam storyline. They cater to a much younger audience, whereas the 'classic' series are more enjoyable to older viewers. I am confident that older viewers will find TurnAGundam to be quite enjoyable.[/U]