David Bridges
The latest addition to the renowned Gundam franchise, GQuuuuuuX, introduces an incredibly intriguing premise that stands out among recent mainline Gundam series. This new installment encourages fans to reflect on over 45 years of history, tracing back to the iconic 1979 anime while simultaneously exploring a rather amusing yet thought-provoking concept that reshapes familiar narratives.
The core narrative of Gundam GQuuuuuuX—as detailed in its prequel and compilation film GQuuuuuuX Beginning, which is currently screening in select American theaters for a limited time—takes place in an alternate version of the beloved Gundam “Universal Century” timeline. This new adaptation prompts viewers to ponder a pivotal question: what if the infamous Zeon forces, known for their opposition to Earth, actually triumphed in their quest for independence during the war?
GQuuuuuuX skillfully transports audiences back to the original episode of the 1979 anime, where the film Beginning opens with an almost exact, shot-for-shot replication of the original series’ iconic beginning. After a brief overview of the catastrophic “One Year War” between the Zeon and the Earth Federation, viewers are introduced to three Zeon mobile suits infiltrating the Side 7 colony, aiming to gather intelligence on the Federation’s development of a groundbreaking prototype mobile suit.
However, the story diverges significantly from its predecessor. Viewers learn that one of the intended pilots for this crucial mission is sidelined due to repairs on his Zaku, allowing the legendary Zeon ace pilot Char Aznable to step in. This pivotal change sets off a chain reaction that alters the entire timeline of GQuuuuuuX: Char discovers the prototype mobile suit, the Gundam, and makes a daring decision to abandon his Zaku, seizing the opportunity to commandeer the Gundam amid the chaos of Zeon’s incursion into Side 7, leading to an entirely different historical outcome.
For dedicated Gundam enthusiasts, the unfolding events in Beginning are nothing short of captivating. Witnessing how the initial half of the film reinterprets the classic moments from the original Gundam series, while simultaneously reflecting the impact of this significant change, is a delight. Fans of the original 1979 classic will recognize the character who was originally slated to join the mission in place of Char, and they will understand the implications of his failure in the original series, as young Amuro Ray is the one who ultimately finds himself in the Gundam cockpit, bravely confronting the Zeon forces.
In the original Gundam series, the character Gene is portrayed as somewhat insufferable. Despite being tasked with a covert reconnaissance mission, he exhibits a loud and brash demeanor, fueled by an inflated sense of self-importance and the influence of his superior officer, Char Aznable, a decorated war hero. Growing restless while stationed in his formidable weapon of war, Gene disregards orders and the looming threat of court martial, choosing instead to recklessly fire upon Federation facilities and residential areas, thus setting off a chain of events that will alter the course of history.
This singular act, GQuuuuuuX posits, is the catalyst for everything that follows in the Gundam narrative as we know it. Without Gene’s reckless actions—driven by an insatiable desire to attain the fame and glory that Char has achieved—Amuro would never have piloted the Gundam, never confronted Gene and the other Zeon attackers, and never escaped aboard the White Base, effectively shifting the tide in favor of the Earth Federation. The entire saga of Mobile Suit Gundam originates from one self-serving individual pulling the trigger, consumed by envy towards his superiors, particularly Char.
What makes this situation both immensely humorous and profoundly intriguing is the fact that, in the original series, Char is far from the valiant war hero that Gene aspires to imitate. While he is indeed an exceptional pilot, his persona is layered with cunning, deception, and strategic manipulation rather than straightforward heroism. Char operates in the shadows, crafting elaborate schemes to undermine and eliminate the Zabi family, exhibiting a deep-seated agenda that transcends the mere notion of warfare. His focus is not on the war effort itself, but on orchestrating a vendetta against those in power while masquerading as a military icon.
This characterization remains consistent in GQuuuuuuX, where Char utilizes the Gundam not as a tool for altruistic purposes, but as a means to further his own vendetta against the Zabis while simultaneously contributing to Zeon’s war efforts. Even Char’s acquisition of the Gundam is devoid of the noble heroics Gene had envisioned; instead, he seizes the opportunity while the Gundam is incapacitated, creating a distraction to stealthily commandeer it from a transport vehicle. This is the true essence of Char’s character, whether in the original 1979 narrative or in the alternate timeline presented in GQuuuuuuX. Gene’s beliefs and aspirations are ultimately built upon a foundation of deception.
All of this is intricately woven into the fabric of Char’s character, whose layers of intrigue and manipulation are accepted by those around him—whether it’s his triumph in eradicating most of the Zabis at great personal cost in the original series or the new alternate scenario we explore in GQuuuuuuX. This complexity makes Beginning a satisfying experience for long-time fans, crafted with genuine admiration for the original series and a profound understanding of its significance within the mecha genre of anime. The creators of GQuuuuuuX demonstrate not only a respectful homage to the pioneering work of the original series but also a commitment to delivering an engaging narrative that transcends mere replication.
If GQuuuuuuX continues to maintain this balance of innovative storytelling and respect for the franchise’s roots as it transitions into the broader TV anime, Gundam fans are sure to be in for an unforgettable experience.
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Ethan Carter
