Based on the manga Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin, this sixth OAV named "Rise of the Red Comet" shook the walls of the great Rex in world premiere thanks to Paris Love Anime. It is available on blu-ray from @Anime.
A real pleasure to discover on the big screen a quality film about the great villain of the Mobile Suit Gundam universe. And if you'd like to learn more, also read our review on Mobile Suit Gundam SEED.
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin "Rise of the Red Comet"
Original title: 機動戦士ガンダム THE ORIGIN 誕生 赤い彗星
Translated title: Kidô Senshi Gundam The Origin VI: Tanjou Akai Suisei
Studio: SUNRISE
Genre: Science fiction, adventure
Author: YASUHIKO Yoshikazu
Director: YASUHIKO Yoshikazu / IMANISHI Takashi
Writer: SUMISAWA Katsuyuki
Character Designer : KOTOBUKI Tsukasa
Composer : HATTORI Takayuki
Release date: 05 May 2018
For the informed public: no
Official synopsis
January 23 of the year 0079 of the Universal Century.
The battlefield has moved to Loum, and a clash between the Zeon and Earth Federation fleets is about to break out. Char Aznable, a young pilot in Zeon's forces, built his fame on his remarkable exploits at the controls of his red Mobile Suit Zaku. It is now nicknamed the "Red Comet".
After the fierce battle, as both sides meet at the negotiating table, a transmission is broadcast through space. Meanwhile, Federation forces launch "Operation V", their counterattack plan.
Amuro Ray, a young boy leading a peaceful life on Side-7, acts alone to uncover the mystery behind the new weapon called "Gundam"…
The origins of a big bad guy
Gundam is no longer to be presented, as this cult science fiction series based on mecha, political entanglement against the backdrop of war between the Earth Federation and its colonies has found its audience since the 80s! Comparable to Star Wars in the West, the Gundam series is part of pop culture in Japan.
Directed by manga author Yoshikazu YASUHIKO himself, this OAV proposes to explore even more deeply the origins of the war between the Duchy of Zeon and the Earth Federation. It is an opportunity to learn more about the background of the different protagonists of this great series, but also to understand why the political machinery that is woven in both camps leads inexorably to the conflict that rages in the Gundam series, while both sides manage somehow to find themselves at the negotiating table…
A beautiful achievement
From a technical point of view, the production is closer to an animated film than a classic OAV intended for video. For good reason, these OAVs are released in cinemas in Japan. The character design is reminiscent of the films of the 90s to the delight of animation fans of that time. They are augmented by modern traits that infuse them with an eye-catching dynamic, full of vitality. The animation, for its part, is not left out. The different protagonists express themselves naturally, without any economy of movement. The animation studios had fun and you can feel it.
This quality of realization is also noticeable in the Cel Shading rendering of mecha and ships in 3D. They gain over the years in realism and can now boast of integrating perfectly into the animation, without it ever jumping to the eye. On the contrary, we are asking for more! The red Zaku of Char Aznable (the charismatic villain of Gundam) is sublime, the space battles and colorful explosions are an intoxicating aesthetic! They participate amply in the rhythm of the FVO, which is extremely sustained.
Thus, we do not see the time pass as the narrative is well crafted and the phases of space combat superbly staged. All good, as much for fans as neophytes who still manage to hang on to the universe and the plot.In short, what a pleasure to be able to watch a Gundam movie with such a high level of quality on the big screen!
