Kratos wrote:Zeonista wrote:The Japanese Gundam fans have seen the early OYW stories done in game animation snippets, but it would not be the same thing as an Origin episode doing Operation British from start to finish, or the chaotic brawl that is most of Loum.
I think Operation British is what I'm most looking forward to, due to how Yas portrays it.
Basically, it starts with a bit inside the colony itself, as the population is ordered into shelters and then gassed. One boy actually ends up staying outside the shelter and dies as the colony is moved out of its position. It's personal and powerful - and is followed by a very formal depiction of the drop itself, like a history program with timestamps and narration. It's a cool contrast that works really really well.
However, Loum is...well, as far as I remember, it's not much different from the IGLOO episode that portrays it, and actually might be a little bit LESS action packed. I certainly don't remember it feeling particularly exciting or chaotic, being more centered around character drama than the larger battle. That said, I might be remembering it wrong; it's been a while since I've read it and I don't have my volumes on hand.
The chapter on Operation British was the one that convinced me that
Gundam the Origin was all the hype said it was, and that an anime covering what went before the raid at SIde 7 would be good to have. For those of you who haven't read it, the chapter covers the events described by Kratos, plus an argument covering the operation concerning Dozzel Zabi & Ranba Ral. Ral-san had some cutting remarks about the whole thing and its reflection on the justness of Zeon's cause, which displeased the non-introspective Dozzel in turn. The events depicted around/on the doomed colony that framed the argument made for a powerful installment, even if I could barely read half of it.
I expect that Loum would do better as anime, due to the desire of Yas to focus on character inspiration & decision rather than fill up lots of panels with ship & mecha combat. We've discussed Loum several times on this and other forums, and it would be nice to see Sunrise provide a definitive visual version for us. I personally would not mind some coverage of the see-saw nature of the conflict, its somewhat messy nature which concealed ZMF losses behind the near-destruction of two EFSF fleets, the battle-turning charge of the MS with Char's Zaku S out in front, and Revil's hopes of escape dashed by the Tri-Stars.
A complete Operation British & Loum episode cycle would also give graphic explanation of Gihren's controversial decision to invade the Earth. Why take on the numerically EFF on its home turf, even for the stated gains of resource mining? Operation British & Loum would be the answer in the anime. The EFSF had been routed, and Earth itself had been attacked with spectacular if ineffective result. Why shouldn't the Zabis then go for broke?
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