Customer Reviews

Gundam Wing: Episode Zero

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The anime series "Gundam Wing" has more manga that deals with sub-stories in the series' universe than the actual series. Manga like "Blind Target" and "Ground Zero" deal with stories outside the stories told within the series, and "Episode Zero" is no exception. So what makes "Episode Zero" different? First of all, it deals mainly with the history of the Gundam pilots, not the events between the series and the "Endless Waltz" movie. Second, and more importantly, most of the information in "Episode Zero" can actually be considered as canon!

Of all the "Gundam Wing" manga, "Episode Zero" has to be the largest volume ever. And within this volume are stories that deal with several of the characters' pasts. Many Gundam fans who are familiar with "Endless Waltz" will recognize some of the information in "Episode Zero", but the tidbits of the stories found in "Endless Waltz" don't do justice to the brilliant storytelling in "Episode Zero". The stories here can sometimes be a little melodramatic, but they all work beautifully. There are six stories that deal with characters' lives before the series, involving each Gundam pilot and Relena Peacecraft. Another story deals with what happens just before the series' first episode, and the final story is a little cliffhanger tale that occurs after the movie. All in all, it's a very well-rounded package, but the biggest pro is that most of this information can be considered canon. Why? The series' creators didn't have time to add in a lot of the information found in this volume, so they put it in "Episode Zero". So rest assured that whoever wrote and drew these stories knew what they were talking about. Plus, the novel explains several things you might have wondered about. Ever wonder about the significance of the Relena segment with the teddy bear in the first opening of the series? That's all I'll say about that...

Visually, the artwork is amazing. Those who liked "Blind Target" will love "Episode Zero". Everything is so clean and detailed, and its reminiscent of the beautiful shojo style of manga that made "Blind Target" such a joy. The characters look like they do in the series and, more importantly, they act in character. And VIZ's translation is near perfect, unlike TOKYOPOP's mediocore translation of the three-volume series. The pacing in the stories is dead-on, and the stories actually make sense, especially if you're familiar with the series.

All in all, "Episode Zero" is an absolute must-have in any "Gundam Wing" fan's collection. It receives my highest recommendation and it shouldn't be missed.

Episode Zero was better than I could've hoped. Twice as thick as any other GW Manga, it is filled with information about the GW characters that you can't find anywhere else. Plus it is official information, as it was made to be in the TV series but due to scheduling problems and such they were unable to fit it in. Episode Zero explains the pilots and Relena's histories from when they were children up to the beginning of the T.V. series, plus it has Preventer 5, a short story that occurs after Endless Waltz. Again I was very pleased with this book; it answered several questions including why Duo wears his priest outfit and calls himself the "god of death" and where Hero got the philosiphy to "follow what your heart tells you", or "follow your emotions" as the TV series says. Also, thanks to this book I finally understand Wufei.The only question I wish they'd answered was what relation did Middie Une have to Lady Une? In my opinion, if you want the full GW story in the best format, read Episode Zero, watch the TV series, read Blind Target, watch Endless Waltz, and read Preventer 5 (whcich is included in EZ). All in all, this is a must have manga to all GW fans who want to know as much as possible about the characters and what made them who they are.

This book really explains how the characters came to be and why they are the way they are. It's a great book for people who are interested in learning more about the characters. It gives good reasoning for their actions throughout the series. Also, the animation is spiffy. The animators really capture younger versions of the pilots extremely well.

This is an awsome manga! When I first started to read this, I thought,"Okay, so another great manga to read!" but I was far off from what should have been said. It's more than great! I really can't describe it in actual words... The eyes, among the other various places hard to draw on the face in manga style, are incredibly detailed. The artist took a lot of time making things just perfect, and it really shows. The emotion of Mobile Suit Fighter GUNDAM Wing: Episode Zero is unbelievable, and the bishounen (Pretty Boys, you know, what girls consider sexy) will keep even girls reading. There are a bunch of different stories in this book, explaining Duo Maxwell, Hiro Yui, Trowa Barton, and others pasts up to the beginning of GUNDAM Wing. If you like GUNDAM Wing, or any of the GUNDAM series (or just great art), pick up this book; it's worth a read or two!!!

Have you ever asked yourself while reading or watching the Gundam Wing series why the characters are the way they are. Why Duo piolets the Deathscthy and wears a braid. Why Wufei calls Gundam Shenlong Nataku. Why Heero has the name of some famous dead person. Why Trowa seems to belong to every army at once (kinda confusing). Why the rich Quatre is a piolet. And why Relena wants peace, besides here name. If you have then this book explaines it, plus at the end they have a mission that fallowed Endless Waltz about the Gundam piolets relationship after the war. Also this explains some relationships not fully explained in the series and Endless Waltz. Enjoy.

I got this book with pretty much no other knoweledge of GW except for what they showed in the TV series that aired on Cartoon Network,then later,the Endless Waltz movie,so I was fairly clueless as to the lives of the five boys we GW fans know as the Gundam pilots. I believe,if you call yourself a fan,or if you think you would like to get into the Gundam world,this is a book for you. If you're a newbie to GW,then get this book..why not start from the very beginning? And,if you're already a fan,and you don't know anything but the basics,then go back into the past and witness what can only be called "Episode Zero" of this strange universe. It answered a lot of the questions that some,like myself,asked while watching the show. It told us why these boys(and the other characters) acted like they did all throughout the series,and why some seemed more detached than others. It also told us,the readers and viewers,why and how they were chosen as pilots. I personally enjoyed this book because it was very informative,and answered many of my questions. If you have read it and don't feel the same,then that's okay,because opinions count;however,this may help someone understand the GW universe a little better. I would definitely recommend it.

If you call yourself a Gundam Wing fan then GET THIS BOOK! Its all drawn like the manga, but it goes left to right like a comic book. It does explain more about the boys' past before the series began. Heero and Duo probably had the more interesting back stories to me. Though we do see where WuFei's personality comes from [personally he still needs a good kick up the behind]. Its a must have for any gundam wing fan that's all i have to say. The shipping and everything was great. The book was well drawn [Heero in something that isn't spandex!!]

I received the book in perfect condition, and in due time (even before the due delivery date! and it was an international shipment!)... thank you very much for this really good service !

The item was just as described and was at a good price. It arrived with in the previously set time frame.

I can't help it I just love those gundam boys....though this was a little confusing... i got it in time....