The Anime That Brought Gundam To America: Looking Back At ‘Mobile Suit Gundam Wing’

In the mid-90s, an anime series emerged from Japan that would change the course of American television, and anime, forever. Mobile Suit Gundam Wing was the first of the Gundam franchise to cross the Pacific and make its way onto American TV. It captured the hearts and imaginations of millions of people and marked the beginning of the global spread of the Gundam franchise.

The first Gundam anime, Mobile Suit Gundam, premiered in Japan in 1979 and was swiftly followed by numerous TV series and movies. Mobile Suit Gundam was revolutionary, featuring more realistic giant robots than the mecha genre had previously seen. With its unflinching look at the emotional and psychological effects of war, the show spearheaded anime representation of war’s human cost and carried a powerful message that resonated all the more coming from a country devastated by World War II.

Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, or simply Gundam Wing, premiered in Japan in 1995, but it wasn’t until 2000 that the anime (dubbed in English) made its way to America, airing on Toonami in March 2000. Fans were blown away. The incredible robot designs, combined with a captivating soundtrack and darker, grittier themes than audiences had previously experienced from anime, Gundam Wing sky-rocketed to popularity among American audiences and even temporarily displaced Pokemon and Dragon Ball Z as the most popular anime in America.

Gundam Wing follows a group of five young pilots – Heero Yuy, Duo Maxwell, Trowa Barton, Quatre Raberba Winner, and Chang Wufei – who use giant robots (Gundam) to fight against the forces oppressing Earth’s space colonies. Nearly 30 years after its debut, Gundam Wing remains visually compelling, with classic animation and impressive fight scenes. Most notably, the mecha designs are agreed to be one of the show’s strongest points. Tallgeese, the Deathscythe, Heavyarms, Sandrock, and the Epyon are some of the most popular suits in the Gundam franchise, with the Gundam Deathscythe snatching a place in the top ten best Gundam designs. Gunpla, or Gundam plastic model kits, have dominated the action figure market for years thanks to Bandai, which continues to re-release these beloved models to an eager audience. Gundam Wing was also the debut of the iconic Gundam Tallgeese, the first mobile suit in the show’s After Colony timeline, which remains one of the most popular models collected by fans.

While Gundam Wing is beloved by many, particularly for its nostalgic appeal, there is some debate as to whether it stands the test of time. The main characters, all young men, are sometimes described as bland and lacking personality, although others feel that the group dynamic works well, especially in how it differs from previous Gundam series and movies. Feelings are generally positive about the villains, who bring a dynamic, theatrical element to many of their scenes. Zechs Merquise, in particular, is regarded by some as one of the most popular characters in the show (even if he is a Char clone). He is also the pilot of the Gundam Tallgeese, making him a consistently formidable opponent for our young protagonists.

Whatever its faults, there is real love for Gundam Wing among its fans. For young American viewers, it was a show like none they had seen before, bringing with it dark themes and confronting realities that few other series dared to explore. It’s a fun, engaging, action-packed, and innovative show and, while newer shows may offer better animation, more diverse and well-rounded characters, and slicker writing, we will always have a place in our hearts for Gundam Wing.

Have you seen Mobile Suit Gundam Wing? Do you think it stands the test of time? Let us know in the comments. And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest in anime, TV, online deals, and more.

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