Good review! =] I thought the sound was okay, though. 0__o))
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny tv Review
The year is CE 73. Two years after the battle of Jachin Due, tensions still run high between naturals and coordinators. ZAFT has developed several new mobile suits, including several new gundams, and is preparing to unveil them to the world.
However, three of the gundams are hijacked by three of the EAF's Extendeds: Sting Oakley, Auel Neider, and Stellar Loussier. To recover the stolen mobile suits, the new ZAFT battleship Minerva heads out, with Shinn Asuka piloting the new Impulse Gundam. Once again, the world is plunged into a state of war between ZAFT and the EAF. Where will this new war lead? And how will the heroes of the previous war, Athrun Zala and Kira Yamato, react?
Credits: destati
Story & Characters
After seeing and reviewing the original Gundam SEED series, it felt only right that I did the same for the sequel.
Let's begin with the story... Like in the first series, the story in GSD clearly doesn't stand out through originality. Many events are strikingly similar to those in the prequel. Another batch of new-and-insanely-powerful units is stolen. Another soldier who was living a nice and peaceful life is dragged to the war after losing everything he had. Once again, Athrun and Kira are forced to fight each other. There's a new bad guy who wants to destroy PLANT and exterminate the Coordinator race forever, and there's a new seemingly good guy who claims he can save the world and the human race from itself and offer everyone a better future. Even if you haven't seen too many anime series yet, you'll most likely have a bitter sense of deja-vu once again. But all these flaws can be overlooked, because the story in itself is dynamic and well-written, although you'll probably be disturbed by corny speeches and OOC-ness (for reference, OOC - Out Of Character) from time to time. Another negative point is the 'good-guy-gone-bad' and 'bad-guy-gone-good' routine. Again, been there, done that.
Most of the recurring characters, like Kira or Athrun, are portrayed nicely. Both Kira and Athrun have become more mature (although they still have their own dilemmas to sort out). So did Lacus, although her next to total dependence on Kira may seem annoying for some fans (to me, it certainly did). Cagalli has a somewhat wild temper, going from crying brat to strong-willed woman in the blink of an eye, which seems somewhat normal if we consider that she lost her father, took part in a decisive battle and was then propelled in a crucial position which involved plenty of responsability and pressure, and all this while she was still in her teens.
On the other hand, the new characters aren't always that well developed. If characters like Rey, Shinn or Meer are deeply characterized, Lunamaria, Meyrin, Arthur and a few others are simply "there" to spice up the plot. PLANT's chairman, Gilbert Dullindal, and Lord Djibril, head of the Logos organization, are both convincing in their parts as opposed antagonists.
Rating:
Art
For short, Gundam SEED Destiny is eye-candy. Fron stunning sunset / sunrise scenes, to ship and mobile suit design and even character design, GSD couldn't look any better. There are also a few CG effects, used for the Minerva and the shots taken outside of PLANT. The characters aren't too different from each other essentially (again, the artists resorted to flashy hair / eye color to make a difference between various characters, which isn't entirely bad).
The amount of recycled footage has been lowered, but on the other hand there are plenty - and I mean *plenty* of annoying flashbacks from both Gundam SEED and Gundam SEED Destiny. Personally, I would've stuck with the recycled footage... it's definitely better than seeing Shinn's family die over and over again or going through the battle of Junius Seven a bajillion times over.
Rating:
Sound
The music was somewhat disappointing to me. The last two intros were a poor choice, at least in my view, in oposition to the first one, which was rather catchy. The endings were good enough. On the other hand, the background music was certainly of a lower value than in Gundam SEED. There were hardly any remarkable tunes, and at one point during one of the final episodes, they stuck in some opera bit which left me baffled. Why the heck would they use *opera* in an anime like that? I think the best themes were those sang by Lacus and Meer - especially Meer's version of 'Silent Night' (Shizukana Yoru Ni).
The voices were nicely done (again, I'm talking about the Japanese version) - with a few notable exceptions for a few characters whose voices took some time to get used to and were fairly annoying at first.
Rating:
Presentation
Like any anime, Gundam SEED Destiny has its good points and its bad points. The question is which ones prime overall. Let's take a look...
On the good side, the story is nicely developed and is well linked to that in the first series. We finally get to find out what Earth Alliance's 'extended' pilots really are (a side story which spreads some light on the behavior of the first three extended pilots in Gundam SEED - Shani, Orga and Crot). We finally get to see Raw Le Klueze's face for once (I just had to point that out XP). Also, the questions and problems raised by this series are quite deep and sometimes they leave you pondering. And finally, Gundam SEED Destiny contains a few bits of humour, which are pretty enjoyable, even though there's not that many of them.
On the bad side... *sigh* Unfortunately, there are plenty of negative aspects that need to be pointed out. From the disturbing amount of flashbacks (and believe me, there are a LOT of them, and plenty of recap episodes as well), to illogic behavior and occurances (how did Shinn get so strong and so suddenly, anyway?) and to OOC-ness and striking similarities to the first series (it would take me at least half a screen to make a complete list of them), these points dramatically lower the quality of the series to the point where you find yourself shaking your fist at the screen and growling in anger ("What, yet *another* flashback?" "Why did he DO that? Wasn't he supposed to be a GOOD guy?!" "Oh no, here we go with the old good-guy-gone-bad routine...").
But all in all, this anime is a good series and is worth watching. Please do so if you have the chance. Unless you're not an extremely critic spirit (like me), you'll most likely enjoy it.
Rating:
Final Verdict
7.5000 (good)
Reviewed by Odeena, Apr 01, 2006
Comments
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Hira-Chan Apr 01, 2006
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MapleRose Retired Moderator Apr 02, 2006
good review. I agree with a lot of what you've said. Destiny rips off a lot from SEED. The ones that annoy me the most are:
Shinn/Stellar meeting, ripoff of Athrun/Cagalli meeting
AA vs Minerva, ripoff of AA vs Dominion
phase 49 of Neo's actions, ripoff of phase 49 of SEEDand all the new ones aren't nearly as well-done as the originals.
Yes, I'm glad that we get to see Rau's face too XD it bugged me SO much that they didn't show it in SEED...
The background music is pretty bland, doesn't stand out much at all. I didn't like any of the OP. but the last two endings were pretty, though doesn't carry as much meaning as Find the Way.
I dunno, I don't like Meer's version of Shizukana Yoru Ni. I think it's supposed to be a sad/melancholy song, and she made it into a fast, happy one. but Field of Hope is good, so is Stellar's image song, it fits her so well. -
Aremana Apr 02, 2006
Great review! On a lot of the points i have to agree with you especially with the flashbacks which are so annoying! All in all i liked Seed Destiny but i don't think it's better than the first season. Plus what is with Athrun x Meyrin it should be Athrun x Cagalli i definately hated that!*pouts*
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phamster2002 Apr 04, 2006
this is a good review but i kinda disagree with the sound part cause i didn't see anything wrong with the third intro with hitomi takahashi. but the thing i agree with you on sounds was the forth and final ending that was really a poor choice of music for the makers of GSD to use chemistry because there music is way to laid back to be use in an anime like GSD.
oh well everyone has there own opion on music im just stateing my opion
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XDE Mute Member Apr 04, 2006
Gundam Seed SUCKS
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EldaLacus92 Apr 08, 2006
This is good reviw. I do especially agree that flashbacks are quite annoying but I do like the third intro... But I hated the fourth intro :/
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itachan Apr 15, 2006
Good review. The only thing I don't agree is with the sound. Most of the BGM and Themes were good. Quiet Night CE 73, Shinkai no Kodaku, Honno no Tobira were good inserts, I think the one I like the least is Emotion. As for BGM OST 3 and 4 As great music. And the OP/Ep Themes were great. As for Wings of Words is a great song it just the animators did a worng choice as opening.
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iwasthere Apr 23, 2006
Meh, I agree with you. Though seed was really good, destiny totally destroyed all of the goodness in seed. But on the bright side, the fan-service in there is extremly extreme -- which is good, in a way...
Stellar! Best thing in GSD ^^
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enchantressinthedark May 27, 2006
Hmmm everything's okay but I don't really agree with your comment on the sound. I think that the music and BGM has gotten far much better than the ones in SEED. But yeah, the 4th opening sucks XD
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lacusxxclyne May 31, 2006
i kinda agree the opening abit lousy...
but i find that they choose the ending music quite well dont you think? -
RaiMinakami Jun 01, 2006
This is a good review. ^_^
I love gundam seed destiny!
Although the things that annoys me the most are:
=Shinn being so stupid
=Stellar cause she died
=Athrun for being so indicisive
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almina Jun 15, 2006
That's a nice review.
Even if I'm surprised you didn't write a lot about the lame ending. GSD seems too much for me as a pretty house without proper fundations. And I don't even think I'm someone really hard to please -_- .
Anyway I think that in at least a book of GS (and an article of... probably Newtype), we could see HIS face.
I really like Shinkai no Kodoku but it's true that Rie Tanaka's songs were nice... I was really fond of Meer.
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charcoal9046 Jul 02, 2006
they like added a lot of girls that fell for athrun. Is that made to piss off the asucaga fans. argg, oh well!
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znag008 Jul 06, 2006
Good review. I really enjoyed gundam seed destiny although shinn did piss me off alot during the series. Of FREEDOM ruled. Lacus so pretty. Anyway good anime.
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Rosegirl18 Jul 08, 2006
Exellent review based on good facts and what you felt about the series. However, you seem to overlook the many new relationships that are made in GSD. Overall, you seemed to know the series very well and wrote a thoughful and thought-inducing review. Good job.
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ahzira Sep 06, 2006
hmm i really like stellar's image song.It really suits her well i mean well duh she loves the sea and the song reflected her tragic life as an extended.
when stellar died, i felt the seireis being boring...
and shinn is stupid too. -
Vilma Jan 31, 2007
I think Rau is hot, I dont understand why he'd not want to show off his purdy face XD
To tell the truth I'm not to big a fan of GSD, I liked Meer, Rey, Dullindal etc. But i hate how it ruined the old original SEED characters. Kira, became super powerful he went to crybaby to God. Lacus was so cheerful in SEED and now in destiny she is boring and apparently a Goddess that knows all. They completely messed up Cagalli's image (which can be explained but still SEED Cagalli was better).
What i really want to know is why Shinn's cell phone never runs out of battery O.O
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deathknelld Feb 13, 2009
Their were good relationship devolpment in this series that think gets overlooked sometimes Like Athrun Zala and Meyrin Hawke and ShinnXLunamaria both couples were devopeled very well in the.
Like Athrun flirting with Meyrin in the concert sence in Doica and Meyrin showing signs that she Loved Athrun like in ep 4 when she jumped when he look at her in ep 15 her reaction when she saw Athrun pulling of his helment, When Meyrin was looking up his history with zaft and in ep 17 when talked how highy she thought of Athrun.Really think the Sences between both these couples were good. alot of emtion like the Archangel sence between when Athrun was holding Meyrin and showing is demation to protect her and she with him. Shinn and Lunamaria in ep 38 in their peduled to battle of heavens base sence.
I think Gundam seed expect for two couple Mu and Murrue and Kira and Lacus were the best devopled pairings in the show. The rest like Athrun and Cagalli and Kira and Flay were bad devoplment for alot reasons.
Any nice review even though some your points I disagree with.
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DarknessEmperor1337 Jul 10, 2009
Worst Gundam series ever. Seed is better. GSD broke up AsuCaga, had a bad main character, many reused scenes, and other bad things.
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Sanisa Sep 21, 2009
Thanks for the review!
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rukasu04 Mute Member Feb 08, 2010
Nice review
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Sanisa Feb 24, 2010
Thanks for the review! Nice ^__^
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