Mobile Suit Gundam: Awakening, Escalation, Confrontation (Paperback)

~ (Author), Frederik L. Schodt (Translator) "THE GUNDAM MOBILE SUIT is no ordinary three-volume science fiction series....." (more)
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Mobile Suit Gundam was and remains a captivating epic saga ... "Gundam viewers can enjoy a rendition that departs significantly from its animated counterpart ... Highly recommended, especially for "Gundam anime fans." -- "Library Bookwatch

Product Description

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.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Stone Bridge Press; illustrated edition edition (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880656868
• ISBN-13: 978-1880656860
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #447,331 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 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 (REAL NAME)

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.

1 of 1 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 (REAL NAME)

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.

3 of 4 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 (REAL NAME)

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.