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
The story is basically a rip-off of the Zeta Gundam series. If you were looking for a fresh new idea, you won't find one in this series. Not only do they rip-off the plot, but mech designs look similar as well. Everything from the UC makes a cameo in this series... From the Hyaku-Shiki, to the Zeong, to the Big Zam... This series was a pathetic way to gain sales through models.
The main character is no longer Kira, but a kid named Shinn Asuka- A Dark Hero sort of character, and perhaps debatably the most hated main character in any Gundam series. Perhaps it was because of the weak character developments, slow pace,s the fact that Athrun became a useless defected war hero with more screen time than Shinn did in the first 30 episodes, Kira's new Jesus image, and Cagalli's constant crying that weakened this series. At least its predecessor was heading somewhere. This series was a true disappointment.
It's constant reuse of scenes and flashbacks in the most inappropriate places were also a bother. There weren't many flashback episodes, but PLENTY of filler episodes that made no character development whatsoever. Strangely enough, the flashback episodes were placed at the END of the series, instead of the traditional middle of the series.
The main character Shinn, can be compared to Camille of the Zeta Gundam series. The love relationship between Camille and Four was reused in this series between Shinn and Stellar- only lacked substance and contained plenty of plot holes.
Rating:
Art
The art to this series was superb. The designs are consistant with the original Gundam seed series and not awkward at all. Of course it is expected with every new series that they naturally become shinier...
The mech designs reused the ones from the UC series, thus containing almost no originality, but at least they were well drawn. The battle sequences were well executed despite having many reused frames. What is most surprising at first is the similarity between the character Shinn and Kira. They made no effort to make them look original from each other. If that was intentional, then it worked great. There is almost no difference to the looks of the old cast. Maybe longer hair and new outfits, but that's about it.
Rating:
Sound
The music to this series is excellent. From the background music to the opening and ending songs- Excellent. The only complaint awkward song is the fourth opening theme song to this series. Instead of an expected fast-paced opening, there is a slow, calm and happy song instead. Not necessarily a bad song, just a little out of place and weird. T.M. Revolution fans should be happy to know that he actually has a small part voice acting in this series. His first, and hopefully not his last!
The voice acting was well done and not at all awkward. They matched each character very well. Hard core fans would be happy to know that the Char Aznable's amazing voice returns in this series.
Rating:
Presentation
Not a very original series but enjoyable if you had never watched the older Gundam Series. Ignorance is bliss. Fukada made no effort to be original whatsoever. Also, the entire series was obviously his point of view on current political matters between America and the rest of the world. It was obvious there was no intention to entertain hard core Gundam fans with this series, but instead it was focus on the "newer" generation of Gundam fans. That would explain the boyband demi-god pilots and the lack of realism. What was most irritating was the fact that this series did not even connect to Gundam Seed in terms of plot. The only thing the two series had in common were the old cast. There was poor character development for the new cast, and for some reason, there was an increase focus on the old cast for a good fifty percent of the series.
It seems the series' true goal was to increase revenue in its model an poster sales. Once again this series alone spits out more barely enhanced mechs than almost all of the UC series combined. Renaming Zakus because they are given a new paint job or have a new gun attached to it is an example.
This series almost destroys the image of the older cast. Most oif their decisions and personalities change drastically- either becoming indecisive, weaker, or just plain annoying. I would suggest that newer fans to the Gundam series watch the older series as well, so that they are not entirely brainwashed by this series' attempt to be original.
Rating:
Final Verdict
6.1667 (average)
Reviewed by xRedPhoenix, Sep 30, 2005
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