Way Back: Gundam Wing (2000)

Twenty years ago, Cartoon Network began airing Mobile Suit: Gundam Wing in their afternoon Toonami block. Wing was the first of the long-running Gundam series to be English dubbed and regularly broadcast in the US. The mech-based show focuses on a future where humans can live in space colonies adjacent to Earth. The ensuing wars between the colonies and Earth are fought using the massive Gundams. In every iteration, the main characters are teenagers.

The tone was admittedly different from most of the other anime that had broken through in America. Gundam Wing dealt with colonialism, dictatorship, and the shockwaves of war, and utilized kids to tell these stories. This was not Sailor Moon or Dragon Ball Z, which were the typical lead-in shows for Gundam Wing. There was no humor to be had between arguments or fight scenes. Heero Yuy and the other Gundam pilots were out to save the world, even if they’d barely finished puberty.

While the themes are heavy, GW is also a coming-of-age story. The six teens ( five pilots and one political leader) combat inner demons in addition to opponents. They perform at optimum level in battles despite their age. They are faced with very adult situations and high stakes. Through this eustress they grow, and achieve victories that are worth at least a few viewer tears.

The overarching theme of the series is the debate on war or peace. Pacifism is a prominent topic in the show, and the Sanc Kingdom is described as a place that thrived with that philosophy.  But when its contested, should those pacifists be willing to literally fight for their ideals? The answer always becomes “yes” when civilized discussions get flipped with the “good guys” bludgeoining their opponents into retreat. But this conflict leads to many monologues and dialogues from our characters about how to navigate war. They talk about the cost of that much fighting and if it can ever really end without sore feelings.

It’s this part of the show that turned a lot of people off after the big mech fights. It just didn’t have the silly moments of the average animated show. But for those that tuned in, they got something really special. Plus they never cheapened the story with a forced romance. The gravity of all-out war was everybody’s priority, as it should have been.

Dubbed versions of Gundam Wing and a few other great Gundam series are currently streaming on Hulu. If you’re new to Gundam or just want an anime worth watching, Gundam Wing is a great place to begin.