Mobile Suit Gundam 0080 Vol 2

Rating:
Summary: Not your average Gundam fare
Review: "Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket" is one small offering in the Gundam multiverse, and it's also my favorite. Rather than glorifying combat, the military, and war itself, which the majority of Gundam's ten TV series, ten (soon to be thirteen) theatrical movies, and four direct-to-video series do (sometimes inadvertently), these three episodes are the conclusion of what is definitely Gundam's greatest anti-war statement (and perhaps the greatest one in all anime).

"Gundam 0080" is not an action-flick disguised as Science Fiction, as better-known Gundam titles like "Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory", "Gundam Wing", or even "Gundam: The 08th MS Team" are. This show is completely character-driven, though when battles are depicted (this is Gundam, after all, so there are battles, they simply aren't the focus for a change) they are among the best planned and animated fight sequences in Gundam's 25 year history, and the five-minute opening battle is one few fans can forget. But the show has only four mobile suit battles in six episodes, so if all you want is Big Guns and flashy explosions, try "Gundam Wing", "Z Gundam", or "Gundam SEED".

Although released in 1989, "Gundam 0080" remains one of the finest sections of the Gundam multiverse. No prior knowledge of any Gundam series is needed to enjoy this series, though having seen the original "Mobile Suit Gundam" TV series or Movie Trilogy certainly helps. There are no direct tie-ins with other shows set in Gundam's original Universal Century setting, "Gundam 0080" is a stand-alone.

As the story concludes, the Cyclops Team pinpoints the location of the testing facility for the new Gundam "Alex" and attempts to steal it while their own mobile suit creates a diversion, though they are unsuccessful, leading their superiors to form alternate plans of removing the new Gundam mobile suit from the war. Bernie, hiding from the Federation, tries to run away but is unable to leave his young friend Al at the mercy of his leaders, and decides to challenge the Gundam once again, this time in a jury-rigged Zaku. After his battle with the Gundam, his parting words to Al admonish him (and the viewers) not to hate the "enemy", because they are people just like everyone else.