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Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny

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Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny
File:Gundam seed destiny.jpeg
Title of the series
GenreMecha, Action, Drama
Anime
Directed byMitsuo Fukuda
StudioSunrise

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny is the second TV series set in the Cosmic Era universe of Gundam. Set two years after the original Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, Gundam SEED Destiny features many new characters and some returning ones, most prominently Cagalli Yula Athha, Athrun Zala, Kira Yamato and Lacus Clyne.

Gundam SEED Destiny had its premiere broadcast in Japan on October 9, 2004 at 6:00 PM on the JNN TV stations (Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS TV), Mainichi Broadcasting System (MBS TV, producing TV station), etc.) and ended October 1, 2005. Bandai Entertainment has announced that Gundam SEED Destiny is licensed for the North American market.

On Christmas 2005 a special episode ("Final Plus") aired, called "The Chosen Future". The episode is mainly a remake of the Final Phase (Ep 50), with a few storyline changes, a lengthened battle, and an epilogue to the series.

An abridged version of the TV series will be released as Gundam SEED Destiny: Special Edition, and a spinoff, called Gundam Seed C.E. 73: Stargazer, will be released starting May 2006.

Overview

Template:Spoiler Gundam SEED Destiny is the sequel to Gundam SEED and both are set in the Cosmic Era timeline. For background information see Factions of the Cosmic Era, for the events in the first series see Bloody Valentine War, for the events in Gundam SEED Destiny see Second Bloody Valentine War.

Praise and Criticism

Fans are heavily divided on the merits of this series, and several significant criticisms have been levelled at it.

  • The director Fukuda, as with the first series, was accused of writing poorly and pandering to both the fan base and his wife, Morosawa. Animation director Yousuke Kabashima also critized Chikaki Morosawa in his blog, for shifting the storyline on the fly and habitually turning in scripts late, and also implied that she only had her job as chief writer because she was Fukuda's wife.
  • Fans felt that characters were poorly handled. The characters of Shinn Asuka and the rest of the Destiny characters were said to be sidetracked as a result of the reintroduction of Kira Yamato as a result of requests to have him as a main character, backed up by Newtype magazine reports that consistently listed him as a the most popular male anime character. Mu La Flaga was resurrected from the dead following an outcry that came as the result of his death at the end of the first series, with the result that his heroic sacrifice was negated.
  • Some felt that characters of Gundam Seed were superficial shells of their former selves. This is seen most in Kira Yamato and Lacus Clyne who had little character development in the series. Athrun Zala was also affected by this, while he did change over the course of Destiny, his final destination has him acting the same way that he did in the final episodes of Gundam SEED. Some would argue that Cagalli Yula Athha had it the worst, with her being turned into an easily-manipulated crybaby for the early episodes of the series; a brief return to tough yet emotional character she was in SEED was then negated by a sudden and unexpected cut from the series.
  • The Earth Alliance was said to be far too weak; the final battle was regarded as uninspiring as a result, with the Orb and Terminal mobile suits finishing almost completely unscathed, while both ZAFT and the Earth Alliance forces were significantly damaged by the smaller force. This complaint would later be addressed in the OVA Final PLUS, which showed the Orb/Terminal forces taking more damage.
  • Many felt reused scenes became a serious problem, with animations from the first series being constantly recycled. As with the first series, clip shows became frequent, with the two in the climatical final ten episodes particularly prompting serious criticism. This also was somewhat rectified by the release of Final PLUS.
  • The villianization of the former supposed main character, Shinn Asuka notably occured after defeating popular Kira Yamato, prompting derision from fans.

However, the series was a ratings success, though admittedly lagging behind previous series Gundam Seed, Fullmetal Alchemist (both of which used the popular Saturday evening prime-time slot previously). A number of viewers have praised the series.

  • Towards the end of the series, the portrayal of two rival ships, the Archangel and the Minerva, along with their respective policies on warfare, was described as being extremely effective; the viewer is invited to, in effect, pick sides and so becomes personally involved in the series.
  • The social commentary the series provides was effective, and proposes an interesting global government conspiracy theory for the real world since it dives into Project for the New American Century ideology.
  • The relationships between characters were said to be interesting and although not used to their full potential, notably the friendship between Shinn Asuka and Rey Za Burrel, the bizarre family that was Gilbert Durandal, Rey Za Burrel and Talia Gladys, and the newly resurrected Mu La Flaga and his old love Murrue Ramius. Also, the romantic relationship between Kira Yamato and Lacus Clyne appears to have blossomed from what it was in SEED.
  • The design of some of the mobile suits was said to be outstanding, particularly the mournful face of the Destiny Gundam and the golden Akatsuki. Many fans celebrated the return of familiar designs in new guises, such as the ZAKU, and the DOM.

Cast & Crew

Japanese Cast

Staff

  • Director: Fukuda Mitsuo
  • Series Writer: Morosawa Chiaki
  • Character Designer: Hirai Hisashi
  • Mechanical Designer: Okawara Kunio, Yamane Kimitoshi
  • Design Works: Fujioka Kenki
  • Art Director: Ikeda Shigemi
  • Sound Director: Fujino Sadayoshi
  • Music: Sahashi Toshihiko
  • Producer: Takeda Seiji (MBS), Sato Hiroyuki (Sunrise)

English-language Cast

Openings & Endings & Insert Songs

Openings:

Endings:

  • Reason by Nami Tamaki (ep. 1-13)
  • Life Goes On by Mika Arisaka (ep. 14-25)
  • I Wanna Go to a Place... by Rie Fu (ep. 26-36)
  • Kimi wa Boku ni Niteiru (You Resemble Me) by See-Saw (ep. 37-50, Final Plus)

Insert Songs:

Trivia

Template:Spoiler The series contains several references to previous Gundam and Fukuda series.

  • The series appears to be designed to parallel Zeta Gundam, with the plot, character, and mobile suit designs notably mirroring it at several places. Most notable of these are the main character Shinn Asuka, the character Stellar Loussier , the title, and the designs of the mobile suit Akatsuki.
  • Most notable among the non-Gundam references are those to Fukuda's GPX Cyber Formula television and OVA series. These include several vehicles used in these series, such as the convertible that Athrun drives in Episode 8, and the motorcycle that Shinn rides in Episode 21, as well as some images including the scene in the fourth OP with Gilbert and Talia is almost an exact duplicate of a scene with Kyoshiro Nagumo and Kyoko Aoi in the Cyber Formula Sin OP.

See also

Preceded by (in production and chronological order): Mobile Suit Gundam SEED

Followed by (in production order): Mobile Suit Gundam SEED C.E. 73 Stargazer.

Gundam Portal: Portal:Gundam.

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