Gundam Wing: Ground Zero [Paperback]

Reku Fuyunagi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 9, 2001 | Series: Gundam (Viz) (Graphic Novels)

In this episode in the popular series, a team of five Gundam are pitted against each other at a deserted space station. When assassination, mind control, and a loaded gun enter the picture, it's obvious they're not alone.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; 1 edition (September 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569316317
• ISBN-13: 978-1569316313
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,722,878 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A worthy "version" of the Gundam Wing universe., September 27, 2001

By 

"arxane" (Oklahoma City, OK United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gundam Wing: Ground Zero (Paperback)

At this moment, I do not know whether or not this manga associates or even connects with the "Blind Target" manga, but it doesn't matter. This comic is called Reku Fuyunagi's "version" of the time period between the Gundam Wing anime series and the Endless Waltz movie, and it is very good.

For those who are familiar with the three-volume Gundam Wing manga (for good or ill), this manga will definately appear different in almost very way. For starters, "Ground Zero" involved the work of a leading shoujo (girls) manga artist, so don't expect any Gundam mecha fighting and expect a lot of emotional confrontations between the characters. A few of the characters (particularly Relena and Wufei) are drawn in a way that makes them look younger than they really are, almost like 10-year olds. But that doesn't mean a Gundam fan, male as well as female, can't enjoy this delightful work.

Being influenced by a shoujo artist, the characterization and emotional tensions are a lot more apparent and satisfying than the Gundam Wing three-volume manga. And it isn't always serious; one minute Heero looks determined and serious, and the next he resembles a by-stander from "Sailor Moon". The action found here might not be too satisfying to readers who want hard-core mecha action fight scenes, but for me this manga shows a side of "Gundam Wing" that defines the series. After all, if "Gundam Wing" didn't have its complex story and deep characterization, it would be nothing more than an animated version of "Power Rangers." There's also the added bonus of Trowa actually laughing more than once (it's true!) and Relena lovers will definately love the last part of the manga.

Of course, nothing's perfect, and this is no exception. Fans of both the series and the Endless Waltz movie will find a few inconsistencies here, but anyone except a purist perfectionist can easily overlook them.

All in all, this is a worthy addition to the Gundam Wing universe, despite being someone's "version." For (the majority of) female readers, it'll show the side of the anime they enjoyed through the Gundam battles and fights. For (the majority of) male readers, it'll show the factor that made sure "Gundam Wing" wasn't just another mindless mecha-robot show.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Additionally.., November 1, 2001

By 

"nekotatsu" (Guatay, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gundam Wing: Ground Zero (Paperback)

The only bit of information I can give that wasn't already given in other reviews for this item is that the characters are largely Out Of Character. Duo resembles an airheaded, annoying brat (which, if watching the original series, you'll understand that he's not so bad). Trowa laughs not once, but /twice/, which is rather hard to picture in someone so stoic most of the time. Just the entire manga in general had me baffled, as it seemed what took place was highly unlikely to happen. Yes, Heero/Relena fans will love this one, if just for the ending. Those of you whom are used to the shounen-anime type art of GW should look elsewhere, this art is considerably "fluffy" and "shoujo" by all means. Poor Wufei..

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good!, September 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Gundam Wing: Ground Zero (Paperback)

After seeing the T.V. series and reading the three mangnas about GW by Hajime Yadate, I'd have to say this is a different style of GW. The mangna was too short, the drawings made everybody look like litle kids, and the part in the deserted colony with the Gundam pilots "pitted against each other" was kinda silly in that it had no point, but it did give more info about the pilots and what happened to them after the war and how they are dealing with becoming human beings instead of soldiers again. This comic shows the characters human sides without taking away their personalities and who they are from the T.V. series, which was great.

For Wufei fans, sorry, theres very little about him in this one.

For fans of the Heero/Relena relationship: You'll love the ending. It was really sweet! :)

For fighting/action lovers: Don't bother if that's all you want to see, there's really no fighting.

Besides the little funny comic at the end which wasn't funny, this is a very good magna, and if you want more to the GW series, it's a must read. Although is the author going to continue to do the rest of the "series"? (Ground Zero, Blind Target, Episode Zero?) I know Hajime Yadate, the original creator of GW is. :-) Look forward to reading more!