Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Shooting Stars (Episodes 1-4)
Masashi Ikeda, Director
1999
(of 5)
Gundam Wing is now quite the rage, courtesy of Cartoon Network. Many people, however, do not realise Gundam has been around a lot longer than many of these new, younger viewers. I knew about Gundam for years, but I never watched it - until now.
The story pulls you in right away, entrapping you in the plot that is quickly woven around you. The animation is very fluid, and the story moves quickly from point to point. This is one of the reasons the story grabs you so strongly - it picks you up and CARRIES you along. The work is clear and crisp, and the plot is airtight. I usually cannot keep characters straight until the second or third episode of something, but here, EACH character is memorable. I consider that to be quite a feat.
I can see why Gundam is gaining so much popularity, and I hope the new fans will think to take a look back into the older parts of the Gundam saga as well as follow the new parts yet to come. Watch this, and then you, too, will be able to take part in the great debate of "Gundam or Macross: Which is Better?" - It's a tough call!
Copyright TLM 2000
