Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ
Synopsis — from MyAnimeList
In Universal Century 0088, the Anti-Earth Union Group (AEUG) has emerged victorious in its war with the Earth Federation's Titans at the cost of devastating losses. Neo-Zeon, the third faction in the war formerly known as Axis Zeon, remains as powerful as ever. Led by Newtype Haman Karn, Neo-Zeon has been implementing plans to take over both Earth and the space colonies. The AEUG flagship Argama heads to the Side 1 colony Shangri-La for repairs. Living in the colony is Judau Ashta, a 14-year-old junk dealer who is struggling to make enough money to put his younger sister through school. Upon the discovery of an escape pod containing a former Titans pilot, Judau and his friends are quickly led to the Argama in hopes of stealing a mobile suit which they can sell for a fortune. However, with the arrival of a Neo-Zeon ship seeking to defeat the Argama, Judau and his friends are dragged into to a conflict that will bring them across space and Earth.
Audience Consensus
Gundam ZZ is a highly polarizing entry in the franchise, with a significant divide over its tonal shift. While the first half is widely panned for its jarringly comedic and childish tone, many viewers find redemption in the latter half, which returns to more serious themes and character development. Despite its flaws, it's often seen as a necessary, albeit controversial, continuation of the Universal Century timeline.
Strengths
- The latter half of the series improves significantly and returns to the darker, more serious tone of Zeta Gundam.
- Character development becomes more noticeable and engaging in the second half, with some characters finding their calling and coping with grief.
- The visual and animation quality is generally good for its time, with well-placed sound design and music that complements the shifting tones.
- The voice acting remains top-notch across the cast, with notable performances adding charisma and depth.
- The dynamic between Judau and Haman Karn is highlighted as a unique and engaging element, providing some 'fireworks'.
Weaknesses
- The first half of the series is widely criticized for being overly campy, childish, and even 'insufferable' by many viewers.
- Characterizations in the first half are often seen as weak, unoriginal, or unlikeable, with some returning characters being 'nerfed' or poorly handled.
- The tonal shift from comedy to seriousness is jarring and inconsistent, leading to a lack of commitment that hinders the overall narrative.
- The pacing is criticized for being too slow in the first half and having too many 'throw-away' filler episodes.
- The writing and plot are described as a mess, with poorly handled tragic moments, weak villains, and nonsensical plot points.