Ep 11: Mecha Anime Review

 

Topic:  Mecha Anime Review

 

Last week we discussed Mecha Anime, the difference between a Super/Giant Robot series and a Real Robot series.  This week, we have two shows that are indicative of both genre of Mecha Anime, so lets see which one liked the most!

StarDriver

 

Premise:

Tells the story of three high school students who safe guard the world from dangerous alien mecha from escaping in to our time.  Set on fictional island of Southern Cross Island, the island is home to powerful mechanical creatures called Cybodies that have been hidden away and protected by four Maidens of the island.  Once one of the Maiden’s seals is broken, it allows those with marks, or masks, to pilot these Cybodies in what’s known as Zero Time, a realm where only they can exist.  If all four Maiden’s seals are broken, they’ll allow the Cybodies to exit from Zero Time and then take over the world.  Stopping them is Takuto and his mysterious Tauburn Cybody, which holds back the Glittering Crux Brigade from succeeding in their plans.

 

Phases

Depending on how many maiden seals are broken, allows for piloting of Cybodies and magical abilities:

• Phase 1: No maiden seals broken, limited access to magical powers like healing, illusions, mind control, etc
• Phase 2: One Maiden seal broken, access to Cybodies via piloting system in Zero Time
• Phase 3: Two Maiden Seal Broken, Only those with marks/masks can pilot Cybodies directly via mecha
• Phase 4: Three Maiden Seals broken, gives access to godlike powers, but pilots become trapped in Zero Time is cybodies are destroyed, release of King Cybody Samekh
• Phase 5: Cybodies gain access to our world

 

Main Characters

Takuto Tsunashi  (Red Hair)

• Pilots Tauburn
  • Unique as their Tauburn acts like Phase 3 machines and always stays more powerful than other Cybodies
  • Dual wields Star Swords
• Cheerful, Energetic, Optimistic, Pure Hearted
• “Galactic Bishounen” or “Galactic Pretty Boy”

 

Wako Agemaki (Short Yellow Hair)

• South Maiden
• Relatively Innocent, teasing
• Fully Aware of her status as a Maiden when she’s a child
• Engaged to Sugata as family tradition

 

Sugata Shindo (Blue hair)

• Cool, Intelligent, Reserved
• Rivalry with Takuto
• Pilots King Cybody Samekh
• Joins Glittering Crux Brigade at one point

 

Each Cybody/Mark is named after a letter in the Phoenician alphabet, which multiple modern Semetic abjads are derived from, notably Hebrew and Aramaic.

 

Reasons to enjoy the show:

Weird, even among anime

A good story, no intentional allegories or meaning

Good directing

Great sound track

 

Gundam Unicorn

Premise:

Set in 0096 UC(Universal Century), story tell of Banagher Links, a young Anaheim Electrics student who accidentally gets involved with Audrey Burne in her attempt to receive the Laplace Box.  The Laplace Box holds the key to spacenoid freedom and eventual succession of humanity; but forces from the Federation aim to keep the box hidden in order to safe guard their own power. Aided is the Unicorn Gundam, a normal looking machine until a potential Newtype appears, allowing it to transform and open its armor to reveal its Gundam form. 

 

Main Characters

Banagher Links

• Pilots the RX-01 Unicorn Gundam
  • Biometric linked to Banagher
  • Considered the Key to the Laplace Box, tests pilot if they are worthy to receive box
  • Unique that it starts standard looking and reveals its Gundam nature
  • Entire Frame is build of Pyscho-Frame, allowing pilot to move the Gundam without inputs
  • NT-D = Newtype Destoryer system, designed to release limiters
• Good person at heart, trying to do the right thing
• Pulled between not wanting the Gundam or Fighting, but learns that life doesn’t allow us to choose so we must make do with what happens to us and make something good out of it
• In Love, or Need to protect, Audrey

 

Audrey Burne, (Mineva Lao Zabi)

• Grand-daughter and last surviving of the Zabi Family, leaders of the Principality of Zeon.
• Pacifist in Nature, Noble, Upright, and Honorable
• Used the name Audrey to hide Identity from others, illusion to Audrey Hepburn
• Considered a Princess by Spacenoids/Zeon
• Not interested in leading/adoption the Zeonic movement or leadership, acts to bring peace and true to all.
• Wants the Box so that Spacenoids will have a right to evolve and be a part of the Federation, thus bringing everyone together.

 

Full Frontal

• Char Anology, “Second Coming of the Red Comit”, thought to be Char Anzable himself
• In reality, a genetically altered Cyber Newtype copy of Char.
• Pilots MSN-06S Sinanju
  • Used as test bed for Gundam Unicorn
  • Red in color
• Gifted Pilot, Charismatic Leader
• Intends to use power of Laplace Box to weaken Federation and allow Spacenoids to self govern, forcing the Earth Sphere to be subservient to Spacenoids instead.

 

Laplace Box?

Laplace Box is a closely guarded secret by the Vist Family/Foundation, which allows them to have unfettered power within the Federation due to its contents.  Members of the family use it to pull strings and control government officials within Federation.  Senior Members of Vist Family plan to reveal the box the world, but want to ensure it’s given to some who will use the box for noble purposes.  Gundam Unicorn is designed to test someone.

 

Great Example of traditional Gundam Story

No side is perfect/right

Everyone has an agenda

Starts in Space, heads to Earth, returns to Space

Great analogs for Char and Amuro Ray

Helps if you know previous series, not necessary to enjoy

Good character development