Mobile Suit Gundam: Awakening, Escalation, Confrontation [Paperback]

Yoshiyuki Tomino (Author), Frederik L. Schodt (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2004

Called "a cornerstone of anime SF," Japan’s Gundam franchise that began in 1979 now boasts a worldwide cult of devotees. In the Gundam universe, the Earth Federation battles rebellious off-world colonies, and "Newtype" warriors with evolved mentality pilot gargantuan suits of high-tech armor. This novelization presents creator Yoshiyuki Tomino’s unvarnished vision for his own core series, with richer characterizations and a shocking ending. Controversial when it first appeared in English in 1990, the trilogy is being brought to fans in a single re-edited volume.

Introduction by Gundam expert Mark Simmons.

Yoshiyuki Tomino is a writer and one of Japan’s best known SF directors. Translator Frederik L. Schodt has written extensively on Japanese culture and lives in San Francisco.

"For anyone unfamiliar with the Gundam cultural phenomenon, this could be the perfect introduction." -- The Asian Reporter

"Gundam viewers can enjoy a rendition that departs significantly from its animated counterpart, exploring the future world in greater detail, yet retains the visionary science fiction themes of exploration, change, and the struggle to adapt and survive in a technology-driven era scarred with conflict." -- Midwest Book Review

Translator Frederik L Schodt received the The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette for his contribution to the introduction and promotion of Japanese contemporary popular culture.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Yoshiyuki Tomino is one of Japan's best known sci-fi animation directors, and the author of numerous fiction and non-fiction books. Since working on the Tetsuwan Atomu (Astro Boy) series in 1964, he has directed or created some of Japan's top robot and fantasy-themed works, for television, theaters, and the original video anime market. Best known for the hugely popular Gundam TV shows, in recent years he has attracted attention for his works, Brain Powrd (1998), Turn A Gundam (1999), and Overman King Gainer (2002). Fluent in spoken and written Japanese, Frederik L. Schodt is an author, interpreter, and translator who has written extensively on Japanese culture and Japan-U.S. relations. His classic Manga! Manga! introduced the English-speaking world to Japanese comics culture.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Stone Bridge Press (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880656868
• ISBN-13: 978-1880656860
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,242,192 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gundam the way it was meant to be, at last., July 26, 2007

By 

Bo Hunt "The Robot Devil" (Robot Hell, AKA: Arkansas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mobile Suit Gundam: Awakening, Escalation, Confrontation (Paperback)

I must start this review by stating my bias. I love Yoshiyuki Tomino's work, and Gundam is my favorite saga of anime.

This book, in my opinion, is the best piece of Gundam fiction hands down. As the original Gundam series neared it's end, Sunrise pulled the plug. The series was cut by almost a full season, forcing an entire story arc to be squished into a handful of episodes. About this time Tomino wrote the first of the three books contained in this volume. A few years later, as the series entered a revitalization and Sunrise ordered a three movie compilation to be made, Tomino began writing the final two books. Oddly enough, the original translation of these books were the very first part of the Gundam saga to reach America at the tail end of the 80s.

The books are a masterwork. They diverge from the original series from the first page, dropping the cliche of "young civilian boy finds giant robot his father built and fights evil" for a more realistic view. Amuro Ray is now a cadet, and the refugees of Side 7 are booted off White Base at the first chance. The story is dark, focusing on the pain of war and the stress of battle. Many characters who survived the anime die, and other are left out almost entirely. The story focuses more on Newtypes than the anime did, explaining what they are in better detail. There are only a frwMS attles, but each is heart pounding and well written.

The bottom line is this: Do not read these looking for a novelization of first Gundam. However, if you love serious science fiction, this volume will blow you away. Low points: Some of the translation is ackward, and the ending may make you cry. Personally I liked yhe ending, it was very powerful even if depressing.

I strongly recommend this book, to any Mecha or Sci-Fi fans.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic U.C. Gundam Together Again for the First Time, April 27, 2005

By 

Serge Marcos "Illustrator" (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mobile Suit Gundam: Awakening, Escalation, Confrontation (Paperback)

The legendary GUNDAM series cast the mold for all relaistic robot anime to follow and good majority of todays realistic mecha driven anime/manga owe credit to this series. The novelized version of this anime classic differs greatly from the original animated series in several regards. The novel is not wayed downed by the dated look and feel of the original animated series thereby making it more timeless and classic a tale. Instead readers are treated to a rich retelling of this legendary franchise. Tomino goes into great depth explaining details and customs in the gundam universe from the psuedo physics of minovski particles to the very lockets pilots wear around their neck. The drama, politics and philosophy run high through the novel making the space opera that is GUNDAM race by. A definite must read for anyone curious about the legendary series and everyone who appreciates solid sci fi.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a surprisingly different retelling of a classic, June 19, 2004

By 

S. Leung "xinsomniacboix" (East Brunswick, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mobile Suit Gundam: Awakening, Escalation, Confrontation (Paperback)

The book goes very in depth and has lots of philosophical undertones, making it a lot more mature than the tv series or the movie compilations. But it was extremely enjoyable as well. Lots of events int he book are different from the series but thats why its a retelling. I think it was done very nicely and will be very enjoyable for long time fans of the gundam saga.