Introduction
Today on X I saw a post from the Gundam account that was promoting the Hathaway 2 movie by sharing the staff’s recommended series to watch before you see the new film. Hathaway is Capt. Bright’s son who was featured in the movie “MSG: Char’s Counterattack” which concluded the original Gundam plotline, and this planned trilogy of movies they’re releasing now are a continuation of that plotline based on a novel named “Hathaway Flash”. I haven’t seen either of the Hathaway movies; they’re probably bad like other new entries into half-century old franchises.
The reason I’m bringing this up is because the Gundam team basically said “Watch everything except MSG ZZ” which includes MSG, MSG Z, Char’s Counterattack, and Hathaway 1. MSG Z is “Zeta Gundam”; MSG ZZ is “Double Zeta Gundam”. This has inspired me to put my thoughts on ZZ to paper as a writing exercise because it was my topic of thought today at work. I’m usually refining some idea about a useless topic, for example mech shows, over the course of the day, especially to entertain myself on the job. My goal with this is to improve my stream of consciousness writing by applying the @HAIRCUT method. Here’s what I came up with:
My experience with Gundam so far
I like Gundam and Z Gundam a lot. If you like BSG, 2001, Star Wars, or you generally like sci-fi anime, then I think you should watch them if you’re man enough to handle 50 episodes per series. The original show features young characters like most anime, but it’s mostly focused on the war and a collection sci-fi ‘A B and C’ plots similar to how DS9 is structured once they get to the dominion war. The characters often find themselves in these situations of Shakespearean irony where they break bread with the enemy, etc. The audience for this one is somewhat niche because of this clash between kids driving toy robots around and civies getting killed by backblast from a missile. Z Gundam is more of a conventional anime drama that loses some of the unique sci-fi elements of the original. Nevertheless it’s a strong sequel to MSG. The finale “Char’s Counterattack” is a worthy enough conclusion given its 120-minute runtime and the state of the franchise up to that point.
There are partially re-animated recap movies for both shows. I’ve heard that they change the ending of Z Gundam, so don’t watch that version.
Why ZZ is bad and how I will fix it
Denizens of the Promised Land are well versed in the art of the head-canon. Often a bird’s eye view of an intellectually neglected property, injected with your own interpretation, can still yield enjoyment. From a wholistic viewpoint, I like ZZ Gundam, because I like the series and there is enough to work with in this show that I’m willing to do the mental gymnastics to bring it all together.
The show does suck though, especially on an episode-to-episode basis. The main issue which will cause the largest hemorrhaging of audience members is the direction, specifically the tone and pacing in the first half of the show. I hate to compare ZZ to the new Star Wars movies (which are completely unsalvageable), but I get the impression it’s one of those stories with no thought put into planning out the beats and instead was directed seat-of-pants style.
If you’ve actually watched the show you probably hate most of the early ‘A’ plots and characters because of the tonal whiplash from Zeta. Maybe you dropped the show completely, which is the reasonable thing to do unless you committed yourself to finishing the original trilogy like I did. I’m going to argue that the people, places and things are actually all OK and simply “out of order”, that is to say the beats of the show are completely inappropriate. I’m going to fix ZZ not by removing any of these elements—but by rearranging and recontextualizing them. I’m also going double down on some elements I think appeared too late into the show or weren’t concluded in a satisfying manner.
Main Themes and Roles
Here I’m going to talk about what I think the studio was trying to demonstrate with this show. This is where the dramatic interest is supposed to come from. What’s getting me excited for the next episode? This is ZZ’s primary failure. I’m also going to go over the main roles of the show so you can understand what the characters are supposed to be doing. From this point on things will get apocryphal, though it will resemble a similar final product when I draw my conclusion.
Here are some key ideas found in ZZ that you should find familiar:
· The uncertain allegiance of characters. This is a failure in the actual show. The intrigue of the drama is supposed to come from this topic but it’s too little too late. In my version of ZZ, the loyalty of characters I go over later will often be called into question as the main topic of several episodes.
· Second, the destruction of good men in war. This is not a groundbreaking theme; it’s in every war flick. When the dust settles, only cowards remain. Again, this isn’t seen until very late in the show despite being what I interpret to be the writers’ main sticking point for ZZ. The Federation—and by extension mankind—are at their lowest point after the events of the first 2 shows, and this is where the issue of tone arises near the beginning. ZZ has a ‘happy’ ending which I intend to keep, but it needs to start low and build over the course of the show, which is not what happens.
· Third, the sexual tension between the pilots, or alternatively the ‘point’ of Newtypes. This is supposed to be demonstrated with the love triangle concerning Judau, which I am going to argue was never established properly. The point of this triangle is that the female cast members are exploiting Judau as the sensitive young man. He must rise above this and take control, which does happen, but it’s unsatisfying due the lack of uncertainty in Judau’s actions.
Key characters:
· Capt. Bright – Premise: Is he loyal to the Federation or to Space and Spacenoids/AEUG?
This should be demonstrated in episode 1. I argue this is the 2nd most important plotline of the show and it doesn’t really come up until the end of act 2. The conclusion is unsatisfying and frankly forgotten.
· Judau – Premise: Will he embrace light or darkness or a secret 3rd thing? Judau has no ties to the Feds and should be completely at odds with them, only serving as main pilot of the Double Zeta because of circumstance. He is tempted sexually and ideologically by Haman Karn, the “Bad Guy”, and (this is new btw) Sayla who is the “Good Guy”. Ultimately, they are both manipulators trying to wrap Judau up in their cause, because he’s the classic Nietzschean anime protag who is going to reform society on pain of death. He will eventually join the Federation as a power play paralleling Char in Z.
· Haman Karn – Premise: Is she a villain or not? Haman Karn is a good character, but they let the cat out of the bag too early, especially considering she was set up back in Zeta. Midway through the show general audiences should be on her side, but instead she’s gassing the proverbial Jews or something at that point. The audience should be thinking “she has a point though”, not “obviously Judau will resist her”.
· Sayla – Premise: Is she loyal to the Argama (Bright) or Char? This idea is from the OG series in which Sayla was proven to be a hitter for Bright despite still loving her brother Char. Now that Char is presumed dead, Sayla should be the key element in building suspicion that he’s alive and up to something. She is a “Good Guy” but midway through the show we should think she actually is a spy this time. She’s the second Double Zeta pilot and the opposite side of the Haman coin. This was Roux Louka’s role; one I think she fit poorly. Roux is an interesting character to follow around but not really an interesting character to doubt.
· Roux Louka – Premise: She is (at least initially) a straight shooter for the Federation. I am promoting Roux to MC status along with Judau, but I’m pulling her from the Double Zeta initially to be on the bridge; you’ll see why later. She is going to be our yard stick for everything else going on in the show.
· Mashymre – Premise: Judau’s main rival. Largely unchanged as a character, but he is important. As Haman Karn takes more interest in Judau, his conduct becomes less carefree and more severe.
· Other characters: Glemmy, Puru, Chara, Torres, Shangri-La gang (Beecha Mondo Elle Iino Leina). These characters are all largely unchanged, and other characters I didn’t mention are still there, I just want to remind you they exist because you forgot what their names were. Elle is taking a backseat to Sayla, but she can still be there.
The Pitch - Introduction
Opening: AEUG’s Argama (under Capt. Bright) is damaged and undermanned; Kamille’s situation is resolving; Char Aznable is MIA; The Axis, led by Haman Karn, regent for the child successor to ZEON Mineva Zabi, becomes NEO ZEON. They oppose the Federation and the TITANS, and to a lesser extent AEUG, all of whom are severely diminished and disordered due to the events of MSG and MSG Z (Yep its WW2 for the 3rd time). Haman Karn declares: assimilate with NEO ZEON or be destroyed!
Series begins aboard Federation Vessel La Vie en Rose, a massive mobile repair station, where we meet pilot Roux Louka. We follow Roux performing her duties as war torn AEUG ship “Argama” docks to receive much needed repairs and urgent medical care for its crew following the Gryps Incident. This procedure is cut short as the station is engulfed in a battle between NEO ZEON and fanatical remnants of the TITANS paramilitary force. Among the ZEON forces are Haman Karn’s Flagship “Sadalahn” and new character Mashymre’s “Endra”. Haman Karn uses the chaos of the skirmish to sink the La Vie en Rose, knowing key Federation officers are aboard. She spares the Argama to sow the idea of AEUG formally seceding from the Federation to join the ZEON confederacy. The Argama escapes after partially re-arming, including receiving a new Core Fighter delivered by Roux. No other survivors from the La Vie en Rose. The first arc of the show begins as Mashymre attempts to pursue the weak Argama attempting to flee to the neutral colony Shangri-La.
Act 1
Stop. You have to watch the title sequence “Anime Ja Nai” before you read this.
· Bright learns at La Vie en Rose the Argama is to be decommissioned and the crew, including himself, to be relieved. This is unbelievable after the Gryps Conflict. Due to the chaos of his superior officers at La Vie en Rose all being killed, Bright is able to delay this order. He is now conflicted about the future of his crew and the state of the Federation.
· Roux Louka and Fa Yuiry are the only pilots left aboard capable of defending Argama. Roux pilots the Zeta Gundam restored to service with the new Core Fighter, Fa pilots the Mk.II Gundam to poor effect due to fatigue and the Kamille situation. Roux is stretched thin protecting the Argama, and ultimately injured before arrival at Shangri-La. Roux doesn’t seem to have the potential to be a Newtype.
· Overall the situation is bleak, contrasted by Mashymre’s insane character. He is a fanatic for Haman Karn, though he has disobeyed her order to free the Argama out of a warped sense of jealousy.
· Chara introduced. We learn that Haman Karn has poor control over her ace pilots and officers due to how effective (and rare) they are as Newtype combatants. This causes NEO ZEON to acquiesce to their bombastic personalities despite their strict military conduct. Like Mashymre they are often insubordinate and participate in in-fighting.
· Glemmy introduced. He becomes obsessed with Roux due to her acts of heroism. Obviously Roux thinks he’s insane.
· At Shangri-La Judau and his crew are introduced as a band of thieves, they attempt to steal 3 jets from a secret base. They will later discover this is the ZZ Gundam. Judau incidentally meets Sayla who is working for Anaheim, and they are caught right before Argama arrives.
· Bright’s plan doesn’t go as expected when Mashymre violates the Neutral zone, Sayla knows Bright is aboard the Argama, maybe because she’s a Newtype. She frees Judau and friends in order to go rouge with the ZZG and save the Argama.
End of Act 1 key ideas – The show primarily follows Roux Louka’s perspective with brief cutaways to whats going on with the antagonists. Even though we as the audience know Bright, he is treated as a stranger, one whom Roux secretly harbors doubts about. She knows something is going on behind the scenes. The antics of Judau and the gang are supposed to be a huge white pill for the series, because Bright (and in my version Sayla) know he has the potential to be an ace Newtype pilot, and because he can go band for band with Mashymre’s attitude unlike beaten down crew of the Argama. He and the ZZG are the spark of hope that makes it all possible from here.
Act 2
· The Argama is ordered back to earth to prepare for the defensive operation of the Federation HQ in Africa.
· Judau and the gang are forced to become members of the crew because they are fugitives now.
· Fa quits being a pilot to leave the Argama with Kamille.
· Though she is injured Roux becomes a member of the bridge crew due to the further loss in manpower aboard the Argama since the beginning of the series. For now she is off MS duty.
· Sayla says that she is to ensure the delivery of the ZZ Gundam to Federation HQ aboard the Argama. Unsure if this is actually true.
· The ZZ Gundam is huge. Built as a response to the Psycho Gundam (from Z Gundam), its almost as large and possesses similar psycommu abilities. Unlike the the Psycho Gundam, the strain of operation is distributed among 3 pilots. Furthermore, the ZZG is too big to launch from the hangar of the Argama, and must be stored in 3 jet form (like Getter Robo).
· Episode to episode hijinks often include the ZZG struggling to combine during battle, and the various pilots learning to work as a team. Once deployed, however, the ZZG makes light work of whatever Mashymre and company send at the Argama.
· Pilots are Judau (Main), Sayla (Secondary), and usually another member of the Shangri-La crew, though they struggle to find a competent 3rd pilot. We often see other members of the gang piloting the Zeta and Mk.II but yet again they kind of suck.
· Judau developes a crush on Sayla.
· Judau and Roux butt heads. Judau hates the Feds and Roux is the only full Feddie aboard the Argama. Roux is frustrated that she cannot be the pilot for ZZG.
· Other antics with the Shangri-La crew, including trying to steal the ZZG.
· Moon Cult Arc and other Arcs are still here, not going to get into that other than the Endra is eventually destroyed and Mashymre is humanized a bit while Glemmy is rapidly climbing the ranks in NEO ZEON.
· Battle at earth ensues at Federation occupied city of Dakar and is captured personally by Haman Karn before the Argama can arrive. They are overwhelmed by the surprising size of NEO ZEON forces and the complacency of remaining Federation officials.
· ZZG confronts the one of Glemmy’s aces and captures the pilot “Elpeo Puru” a young girl suspected to be a Cyber Newtype, and the mobile suit Qubeley.
· Puru becomes the obsessive sister archtype towards Judau. Eventually she becomes the ZZG’s third pilot. The ZZG is more powerful with this setup of Judau, Sayla, and Puru, but Puru is mentally unstable.
· Haman Karn scene where she shows up to that opulent Federation banquet and politicians begin to swear loyalty. She wants the entirety of Side 3 seceded back to ZEON.
· Strange hijinks ensue. Judau meets Haman Karn for the first time. Haman Karn wants Judau to join her. Newtype mindfuck hijinks. Judau’s sister Leina is kidnapped by Glemmy. Haman Karn is captured by the crew of the Argama (perhaps willingly).
· AEUG and Kabara form an alliance to re-take Dakar which is eventually successful.
· Members of the Federation sworn to ZEON betray AEUG and back them into a corner. When hopes seems lost, Haman Karn (aboard the Argama as a prisoner) bizarrely takes up arms against the ZEON sympathizers in the ZZG with Judau and Sayla. The ZZG operates at an insane level to solo the federation forces and save the Argama, but Haman Karn escapes.
· AEUG now has leverage to continue their existence. Argama is retired and replaced with the Nahel Argama and the crew is finally back to strength. Nahel Argama has the proper facilities for ZZG to operate out of.
End of Act 2 key ideas – We are still primarily following Roux and Judau’s PoV. Often times the ZZG sorties from the PoV of the bridge, which adds to the tension with Roux because we never know what Judau or Sayla are going to do. Haman Karn is only adding to the confusion. Judau now openly hates the Federation but is forced to stick with the Argama crew to save his sister. Maybe AEUG is on the wrong side this time? Bright has further doubts. Roux is worried he will do something rash but stays inline. We see that Minerva Zabi is very innocent and NEO ZEON isn’t nearly as violent as the TITAN forces were in their negotiations for territory in Space and control of Earth governments.
Act 3
Stop. You have to watch the title sequence “Silent Voice” before you read this.
· AEUG begins the offensive against Glemmy’s forces on earth to drive out NEO ZEON
· Federation forces fleeing ZEON gather in Dublin. The Nahel Argama is making headway through Glemmy’s forces and finds out he is mounting an attack against Dublin.
· Roux is back in the Zeta, Puru insists on being the final ZZG pilot.
· Sayla begins to uncover the truth about the nature of Newtypes from the ZZ sortie with Haman Karn. This causes her to act suspiciously.
· Glemmy is like a pedophile or something, he not only kidnaps Leina but is a fanatic for Minerva Zabi and is responsible for what was going on with Puru.
· Leina ZEON princess arc. Leina uncovers key intelligence on ZEON but is unable to escape Glemmy in several hijinks.
· ZZG encounters the Psycho Gundam. This freaks Puru the fuck out and prevents the ZZG from defeating it.
· More antics between Glemmy and Roux
· As pressures with the war and his sister rise, Judau fights Sayla about her intentions.
· Judau learns to pilot ZZG solo, this frees up other pilots to go to the other suits, but widens the gap between them and Judau.
· Battle for Dublin draws closer. After forces on either side begin to gather, it is revealed that Haman Karn has recaptured the old ZEON asteroid base AXIS and set in motion a colony drop on Dublin akin to the beginning of the One-Year War. Glemmy’s purpose in Dublin is to deny the Feds a rescue operation until the colony strikes.
· Despite this, AEUG and Karaba mount a rescue operation. Judau desperately searches for Leina after he learns she is here with Glemmy; he doesn’t find her.
· Colony drop begins. Things are down to the wire between Glemmy’s interference, the Dublin operation, and the Leina situation. In the final moments Judau is forced back to protect the Argama.
· Puru suicide attack to defeat Psycho Gundam. The Psycho pilot is a clone of Puru (she is also presumed to be a clone now).
· Glemmy abandons Leina on Earth in a moment of self preservation.
· Dublin attack results: ZZG is grounded in need of repair; Sayla MIA with the Mk.II; Hayato is KIA (Kabara Commander, OG GUNTANK pilot from MSG), Argama is temporarily immobilized; Puru KIA and Qubeley destroyed; Psycho Gundam destroyed. Puru 2 and Glemmy escape. Leina presumed dead.
· Glemmy’s forces withdraw to space.
· Things get weird for Judau. The death of Sayla and his sister rack him with grief for only a day. In the morning, he is serene and convinced they are both alive. Argama crew think he is becoming delusional but need him to pilot ZZG.
· Haman Karn claims victory over the Federation and moves to retake Side 3 unopposed. However, Glemmy orchestrates a coup-d’etat and NEO ZEON is plunged into a civil war.
· Remaining AEUG to return to space and destroy ZEON once and for all. They will strike while the ZEON forces are fighting each other to kill Haman Karn, Glemmy, and Minerva Zabi. ZZG repaird; FULL ARMOR ver.
· Nahel Argama begins final space campaign. ZZ (Judau) and Z (Roux) only remaining MS and pilots.
· At this point Judau and Roux have a strong relationship and go unmatched on the battlefield despite being severely outnumbered. They face many powerful foes together such as Mashymre (now enhanced to be a cyber newtype) and a squad of Puru clones.
· All out 3-way battle begins between AUEG, ZEON, and Glemmy sympathizers.
· Mashymre tragically loses his original, fun personality from the beginning of the series due to his cybernetic enhancements overloading in battle. This inevitably results in his death and he is flung into deep space in a compromised mobile suit.
· Final showdown between AUEG and Glemmy. Comes down to Judau vs. Puru 2 and Roux vs. Glemmy. Judau is able to break Glemmy’s programming on Puru 2 but she ends up severely injured. Roux awakens to Newtype abilities and kills Glemmy but the Zeta Gundam finally meets its end. Roux is rescued by Judau and they return to the Argama with Puru 2.
· Argama prepares to face Haman Karn with their only remaining Gundam. Judau refuses to let Roux in the ZZ saying there’s no point in her coming. Things look bad.
· Sayla arrives to the battlefield in a Kabara space shuttle. She reveals Kamille guided her to save Leina back on Earth but the Mk.II ended up destroyed.
· Sayla explains the true power of the ZZG that can only be utilized with the strong bond of 3 Newtypes. Judau, Sayla, and Roux sortie for the final battle together in the ZZ Gundam.
· The intense Psychic battle against Haman Karn in the White Qubeley begins on AXIS. The Qubeley and ZZG reach a stalemate as AXIS begins to collapse. The Argama has secured space around the asteroid. Haman Karn eventually chooses suicide over surrendering to Judau.
· Puru 2 locates the ZZG crew on AXIS but succumbs to her wounds after a final moment with Judau.
Conclusion
Ending: Nahel Argama crew disbanded. AEUG and Kabara disbanded and rebuild Earth Federation. Bright remains a Federation officer. Federation traitors indited and removed from office. Judau fully pardoned and reunited with Leina; they set out for a new life on Jupiter with Roux. Mineva Zabi is spared. Leina reveals Mineva was a clone as well. Federation speculates the real Mineva was either killed as a baby during the original AXIS conflict, or later assassinated by members of ZEON, possibly Haman Karn herself. Sayla hints at Char’s survival. Conjecture on the creation of what would become the Psycho Frame if ZZG data could be recovered from AXIS.
