Customer Reviews

Mobile Suit Gundam Seed: Complete Collection, Volume Two (Anime Legends)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The second collection of Gundam Seed picks up where the first left off. It takes the series and characters to a new level. I couldn't stop watching these two collections and I watched Gundam Seed Destiny Anime Legends, Vol. 1 in less than 4 days because of how intriguing the characters and universe are. If you are a fan of Gundam, I encourage you to see how this wonderful series has grown in the new millenium.

I loved watching the rest of this show, and the second half made me a D'arka fan!
The final battle is amazing and fast paced~!

Though, if you love this ending, and you are completely satisfied with it, I DO NOT RECOMMEND watching Gundam SEED Destiny.
Instead, go watch a GOOD Gundam show, like Gundam 00 or Gundam Unicorn. Destiny is not worth your money.

Although I didn't buy the fisrt half due to product problems, i strongly recommend the second half of this anime to any Gundam fan of for the hardcore action fans. unlike the first 25 episodes, this is were Gundam Seed takes on a life of it's own from the original Mobile Suit Gundam. Kira really steps up into the role of a leader, plus the added fact the my fav Gundam of all time, The Freedom, is finally in action.

After watching Gundam Seed, I just had to watch the next collection. Awesome series. So totally hooked, recommand highly

For this being my first Gundam, Gundam SEED is probably the best (Aside from the fact that SEED Destiny might be better). The first two episdoes of this box set are more-or-less recap episodes which lead to kira designing OS's for Naturals. The end of the first disc is a face off between the two leads.

I won't get to much into the plot but I will tell why this Gundam is very good. Rau Le Cruset is the twistiest of anime villains, The genocidal behavior of the was is very reminisent of Elfen Lied. The characters (aside from Rau Le Cruset have very strong personalities)

OVERALL: Gundam SEED is thrilling mecha experience, that teaches you humans dont just judge those by abilities and status.

Things start to happen in this part of the series. Instead of there just being Earth and Plants there are others with different agendas. I thought it was a good end to the series.

I do NOT give away 4 star ratings lightly (unlike some of my fellow Anime "lovers").

This 2nd installment in Gundam Seed was better than the first (call me dense, but "Complete Collection, part II" is an oxymoron... but with this much content, I'll forgive the misnomer) in every way.

NON Spoiler (again, unlike my fellow reviewers) review:

"What is it you believe in? What are you fighting for? Is it that medal? Or your fathers orders?"

For this 2nd part of the story, the drama intensifies, the true horrors of war are even more revealed and the characters (some of whom, may have appeared to be comic relief or eye candy...such as the person who uttered the above quote) become more complex, more grown up, more of a player than we were led to believe.

The "Giant Uber Weapon Dispensing Machine" is in full production as both sides reveal their secret weapon(s) (mobile suit and otherwise) in a bunch of "AHA!" moments. It gets a little much, but does add to the suspense.

This is a "cartoon" but is not for children. People are shot, bloody, chopped in half, blow up in the horrors of space (vacuum) combat and die in briefly violent ways. I'd rate it PG13.

The music is over all passable, but with flashes of particular greatness. The Music video alone on this set is worth watching again and again, "Believe" by Nami Tamaki. I'm listening right now and getting goosebumps. And this other particular song was beautifully haunting (and imho, under used) [EDIT - link to Youtube video deleted by Amazon. Search on Youtube for Akatsuki no kuruma by FictionJunction and you'll find it...]

The character development, the plot twists, the music, the story, the hard edge, all were brought together in a very satisfying way. Its not perfect, but its close. Ironically, my biggest turn off is the cartoonish Gundams. Giant humanoid fighting machines have only the barest of military justifications, painting them in clown colors just makes it worse. Robotech (Macross in particular) had much more realistic looking Mechs (Gundams, whatever) and that was 25 years ago. This grown up story with its tight production is worthy of a more grown up design of weaponry.

It is a strange mix. On the one hand, you see the horrors of war, the loss of your friends, coming face to face with those who loved the people you killed, the treatment of Prisoners of War, civilian casualties. Then another well choreographed battle that draws you into the action, but shouldn't I feel guilty now for enjoying it?

Guilty or not, I completely enjoyed Gundam Seed.

the vol 1 goes to episode 1 to 25 and the vol 2 goes to episode 21 to 50 little bit confuse about this two volume's

Like the previous reviewer, I had no defective dvds with this set (unlike collection 1).

The 2nd half is just as great as the 1st, and it's one of those shows you can't stop watching once you put in the first dvd.

Now, when do the destiny collections come out...

While the plot of the first 25 episodes in the first set was very in line with the original Mobile Suit Gundam series this is where is starts to develope it's own identity. The formula of the plot takes a drastic shift, making way for lots more action.

The first two episodes were flash back episodes which I really hate. A new character is briefly introduced in the second one, but she's such a minor character that it doesn't improve the episode's quality. The next three episodes are the beginning of the end for what we've seen so far. Kira and the rest of the Archangel crew are given refuge in the country Orb, an independent nation that wants nothing to do with the Earth Forces and the war overall. It even welcomes Coordinators to live there as a sign of good faith which really infuriates many within the Earth Forces. Orb just happens to be Cagalli's homeland and her father is it's leader.

Athrun Zala who now commands Team Creuset launches an attack after the Archangel leaves Orb, resulting in Kira killing one of Athrun's fellow Gundam pilots. In response in the following battle Athrun kills one of Kira's friends who he'd been protecting all this time. Then an all out brawl ensues between the two main characters, one of pure rage and no holding back. Though it ends in a draw, both the Strike Gundam and the Aegis Gundam are both destroyed.

After this battle it all changes. In the original Mobile Suit Gundam there was a war with two factions. It has been like that with Seed until now, The Earth Forces (Naturals) and ZAFT (Coordinators). Now a third one rises with people from both the Earth Forces and ZAFT, consisting of most of the characters we've come to know so far. Kira sets this all in motion. While he at first just fought to protect his friends, now he wants to end the war no matter what because he is sick of the fighting. The problem is that won't happen by simply fighting for the Earth Forces. For now the leader of Blue Cosmos, a coordinator hate group is gaining more power and authority of the Earth Forces military. Athrun's father meanwhile has become the leader of the plants who hates all Naturals.

Kira armed with a new Gundam along with Cagalli who has now embraced her father's Anti-War sentiment, Athrun's now former fiance Lacus Clyne with some ZAFT defectors, the Archangel with most of its crew and soldiers from Orb launch a crusade to end the war once and for all. Athrun later joins them with a new Gundam of his own after seeing his father for the hateful, cruel man that he is.

The Positive: Rau Le Creuset who was in question for the first half of the series is now truly painted as the villian. He has some very good dialogue and is always fun to watch when he takes center stage. The animation and action is just great all around!!! The three new pilots with the Earth Forces, Orga, Shani and Clotho were also fun to watch. When Kira fought against Team Creuset it always felt like he was holding back and Team Creuset defintely was holding back because they had to originally capture the Strike Gundam, not destroy it. Against the new Earth Forces Gundams though it's truly an all out battle for survival for Kira and Athrun, who now can summon the power of the Seed like Kira.

The Negative: Going back to Orga, Shani and Clotho, while they helped provide some of the best fights in the series their characters were undeveloped. The Earth Forces erased all their personal data. It would have been nice to find out more about them, like why they're so insanely ruthless. Kira's two remaining friends on the Archangel, Sai and Miriallia have little to no role in the series anymore, it's like they were just tossed aside. Sure we see Miriallia conversing with Dearka, but nothing ever comes of it. Natarle Badgiruel leaving the Archangel for another ship I felt was a bad idea. She was the only one who questioned Captain Ramius's orders which I found refreshing. The blood relationship between Kira and Cagalli I felt was poorly handled. Partly because I felt it was unneccessary because their relationship remained pretty much the same, but also they never spell out what Cagalli really is. Is she a Coordinator or something else like Orga, Shani and Clotho? Lastly some of the dialogue got just a little to preachy for my taste towards the end. Kira, "Why do we have things like Nuclear Weapons in the first place? Why do we have guns for that matter?" Lacus Clyne, "We can't let one of those weapons reach the plants for it will bring about never ending tears and hatred!" Gee no kidding!!!

You have to see these epiosdes if you haven't yet. The other reviewers are right, you want be able to stop watching once you've started.