Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz
Synopsis — from MyAnimeList
It is A.C. 196—one year after the conflict between Earth and its nearby space colonies ended with the formation of the Earth Sphere Unified Nation. As mankind enters a new era of unity and prosperity, four of the five Gundam pilots decide to follow in society's footsteps and disarm by launching their mobile suits into the sun. However, their plan is unexpectedly suspended when a rebellion erupts with the emergence of Mariemaia Khushrenada—who claims to be the child of fallen dictator Treize and desires to conquer the world in his stead. Deciding that they are the last line of defense for the Earth Sphere, Heero Yuy, Trowa Barton, Duo Maxwell, and Quatre Raberba Winner scramble to retrieve their Gundams and fight to protect the peace the people of the colonies have pursued for so long. Despite their unwavering resolve to complete one final mission, the battle will be challenging: the pilots' former ally Wufei Chang has pledged his allegiance to Mariemaia's cause instead.
Audience Consensus
Audiences largely agree that Endless Waltz is a visual upgrade and a satisfying conclusion to the Gundam Wing series, with praise for its animation and music. However, there is some division regarding the simplicity of the plot and the controversial redesigns of the Gundam mechs.
Strengths
- Significantly improved animation and art quality compared to the original series, with more fluid action sequences and detailed designs.
- Strong voice acting and a compelling musical score that enhances the action and emotional beats.
- Provides a satisfying conclusion and natural continuation of the Gundam Wing series.
- Fleshes out pilot backstories and character development more effectively than the TV show.
Weaknesses
- The plot can be overly simple and at times feels like a rehash of the original series' themes.
- Some character motivations, particularly for new antagonists, are underdeveloped or derivative.
- The use of flashbacks for backstory can feel like padding and disrupt the narrative flow.
- Divisive redesigns of the iconic Gundam suits, which clashed with original designs for some fans.