Mobile Suit Gundam 00 – Anime Series

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (機動戦士ガンダム00, Kidō Senshi Gandamu Daburu Ō) is a 2007 Japanese mecha anime series produced by Sunrise and directed by Seiji Mizushima. The series aired from 6 October 2007 to 29 March 2008, spanning 25 episodes in its first season. Set in the Anno Domini (AD) timeline in the year 2307, the series follows the activities of Celestial Being, a private military organisation that uses advanced mobile suits known as Gundams to carry out armed intervention with the goal of eliminating warfare.

Overview

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 was created to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Gundam franchise and introduced a new alternate timeline, Anno Domini, set in the near future of the 24th century. Unlike previous Gundam series, Gundam 00 focuses on contemporary global political issues, including energy conflicts, terrorism, and the role of private military organisations in international affairs.

The series features innovative mobile suit technology powered by GN (Gundam Nucleus) particles, which provide nearly unlimited energy and revolutionary capabilities. This technology sets the Gundams apart from conventional mobile suits, making them formidable opponents against the world’s military forces.

Plot

Synopsis

Main article: Mobile Suit Gundam 00 episodes

In the year 2307 AD, humanity has exhausted fossil fuels, leading to a global shift to solar power. Three major power blocs control the world: the Union, a federation led by the United States of America; the Advanced European Union (AEU); and the Human Reform League (HRL), led by China, India, and Russia. Despite the end of fossil fuel conflicts, these powers engage in proxy wars and military exercises to maintain their influence.

Celestial Being, a mysterious private military organisation, emerges with the stated goal of eliminating all warfare through armed intervention. Operating four advanced mobile suits called Gundams—the GN-001 Gundam Exia, GN-002 Gundam Dynames, GN-003 Gundam Kyrios, and GN-005 Gundam Virtue—Celestial Being intervenes in conflicts worldwide, attacking all parties involved regardless of their affiliation.

The series follows Setsuna F. Seiei, a former child soldier who pilots the Gundam Exia, and his fellow Gundam Meisters (pilots) as they carry out Celestial Being’s mission. However, their interventions provoke unified resistance from the world’s power blocs, leading to increasingly intense conflicts that challenge Celestial Being’s goals and methods.

Themes

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 explores themes of armed intervention, the ethics of using force to achieve peace, and the role of private organisations in international conflicts. The series questions whether violence can truly eliminate violence and examines the motivations of those who seek to impose peace through superior military power.

The series also addresses contemporary issues such as energy conflicts, terrorism, and the impact of advanced technology on warfare and society. The GN particle technology introduced in the series serves as both a plot device and a metaphor for revolutionary technological change and its consequences.

Development

Conception

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 was conceived as part of the Gundam franchise’s 30th-anniversary celebration, with the goal of creating a series that would appeal to modern audiences whilst maintaining the core themes of the Gundam franchise. Director Seiji Mizushima and writer Yōsuke Kuroda sought to create a story that addressed contemporary global issues whilst introducing innovative mobile suit technology.

The series’ setting in the Anno Domini timeline allowed the creators to explore themes and conflicts that resonated with early 21st-century audiences, including energy security, terrorism, and the role of private military organisations in international affairs.

Production

The series was produced by Sunrise and featured character designs by Yun Kōga and mechanical designs by Takayuki Yanase, Kanetake Ebikawa, and others. The animation quality was praised for its high production values and dynamic mobile suit combat sequences.

The musical score, composed by Kenji Kawai, featured memorable opening and ending themes that became popular with viewers. The series’ soundtrack contributed to its overall atmosphere and helped establish its distinct identity within the Gundam franchise.

Music

The musical score for Mobile Suit Gundam 00 was composed by Kenji Kawai. The series featured several popular opening and ending themes.

Opening Themes

“DAYBREAK’S BELL” by L’Arc～en～Ciel (Episodes 1-13)
“Ash Like Snow” by the brilliant green (Episodes 14-25)

Ending Themes

“Wana” (罠, “Trap”) by The Back Horn (Episodes 1-13)
“Friends” by Stephanie (Episodes 14-25)

Reception

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 was well-received by audiences and critics, praised for its engaging storyline, memorable characters, and high-quality animation. The series’ contemporary setting and themes resonated with viewers, whilst its innovative mobile suit designs and technology captured the interest of mecha anime fans.

The series’ success led to a second season, Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Second Season, which aired from 2008 to 2009, and a theatrical film, Mobile Suit Gundam 00 the Movie: A Wakening of the Trailblazer, released in 2010.

Legacy

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 successfully established the Anno Domini timeline as a major alternate timeline within the Gundam franchise. The series’ innovative approach to storytelling and mobile suit technology influenced subsequent Gundam series, and its characters and mobile suits remain popular with fans.

The series’ exploration of contemporary global issues and its questioning of the ethics of armed intervention contributed to its impact on the Gundam franchise and mecha anime in general.

Television

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 spawned a direct sequel, Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Second Season, which aired from 2008 to 2009.

Film

A theatrical film, Mobile Suit Gundam 00 the Movie: A Wakening of the Trailblazer, was released in 2010, continuing the story after the second season.

Video games

The series has been featured in numerous video games, including:

SD Gundam G Generation series
Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs. series
Gundam Breaker series

Appearances

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 – Characters
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 – Mecha
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 – Factions
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 – Events
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 – Technology

External links

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 on the Gundam Wiki
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 on Wikipedia