Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance - The Best Gundam in Years

Key Takeaways

Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance focuses on a team of Zakus defending a Zeon base, showing the human side of war.
The series emphasizes following orders and the personal toll of war on soldiers.
The show offers a true front-line experience, showcasing chaos, desperation, and the terror of facing the Gundam.

As a lifelong fan of the Gundam franchise, I must say that “Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance” has truly left me astounded. Having watched countless episodes and series over the years, this new CGI anime stands out as a breath of fresh air.

The Gundam series is well-versed in Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) animation, particularly for depicting Mobile Suits, machines such as weapons or aircraft. However, they tend to avoid using CGI for character and landscape/background elements. The last time everything was rendered in CGI was with the 2004 mini-series titled “Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO,” which unfortunately didn’t turn out well.

When the announcement of a completely CGI series titled “Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance” surfaced, fans were initially hesitant about it. While the news that it would be powered by Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 5 was reassuring, enthusiasm wasn’t exactly high. However, when “Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance” premiered on Netflix, it turned out to be one of the best Gundam series in years.

A Human Story

Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance - The Best Gundam in Years

In “Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance,” we follow a unit of Mobile Suits named the Red Wolf Squadron, as they strive to safeguard a fresh Zeon base in Eastern Europe. Yet, their mission becomes more challenging than anticipated when the Federation introduces a novel type of Mobile Suit – the Gundam. It doesn’t take long for them to grasp that they are now the ones pursued, with the hunters becoming the hunted, and the once fearsome wolves transformed into vulnerable prey.

In the opening episode of “Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance“, we see that beyond the sleek spacecraft and advanced mech suits, this narrative delves into the harsh realities of war, viewed from the standpoint of those battling amidst the raging inferno. Fundamentally, it’s a tale about humanity. It explores individuals who struggle for their liberation versus those striving to safeguard their homeland.

Shut up and Follow Your Orders

In many Gundam series and films following the Universal Timeline, the narratives typically encompass a broad perspective, featuring significant characters from both sides who can significantly impact the course of war. However, Requiem for Vengeance offers a unique, intimate tale. It primarily revolves around the Red Wolf Squadron, with a strong emphasis on Iria Solari, their leader. While Iria and her team found resonance in a Zeon Principality free from Earth Federation Forces’ control, what they yearn for most is a return to their former life.

The Red Wolf Squadron, much like other Zeon troops, aren’t fond of the prospect of invading Earth. In fact, they detest being on this planet altogether. “This cursed gravity! I can’t stand this world”, grumbles Chubs as he falls in his Zaku. “Is it always so cold? Is the weather control system malfunctioning?”, LeSean queries while sitting outside with his comrades. “I can tolerate the chill, but these wretched field rations will never grow on me”, Zavaleta remarks. Yet, despite their constant grievances and harsh conditions, they persist, bravely battling on the frontlines. Why? Because they are soldiers, bound by duty to carry out their commands.

It’s Not Personal Until It Is

In the storyline, the characters strive diligently to keep a united perspective. We are combatants, obligated to abide by commands. It’s not a matter of emotion, merely carrying out our duties. However, this narrative brilliantly demonstrates across its six episodes that once you step onto the battlefield, everything takes on personal significance.

When LeSean beheld Chubs and Zavaleta, his comrades, succumb to the merciless Gundam, it turned deeply personal for him. Beyond Zeon, beyond the Federation, beyond the conflict, you’ve taken the lives of my brothers, and I won’t rest until I return the favor. In that moment, nothing else mattered but seeking retribution. Thus, the vicious cycle of violence persisted.

As a gamer immersed in this game world, I must say, the creators behind this masterpiece have truly captured the raw emotions of the characters. The anguish, the despair, and the relentless struggle against senseless conflict – it’s all so palpable. Kudos to everyone who poured their heart and soul into this project; the level of detail and authenticity is nothing short of marvelous!

A True Front-Line Experience

In these UC Gundam series and films, we often focus on the broader scope of the conflict, presenting the story of the war through the eyes of significant figures involved in the struggle. This approach is seen in titles like the original Mobile Suit Gundam, Char’s Counterattack, Mobile Suit Gundam Origin, and Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn, among others.

Among all the Gundam series, only Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team delved into the hardships faced by soldiers on the frontlines instead of focusing on the broader picture. This miniseries follows a small unit from Earth Federation as they wage guerrilla warfare in the dense jungles of Southeast Asia. It’s widely regarded as one of the best Gundam series ever produced. Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance carries on that legacy, as it too offers a gritty portrayal of combat from the soldiers’ perspective.

The Chaos and the Desperation

In essence, what does a genuine front-line encounter involve? It’s about facing death, disorder, and despair. The series, both 08th MS Team and Requiem for Vengeance, effectively portray those harsh aspects of war. Let me give you an illustration using the opening scene of Requiem for Vengeance .

The forces of Zeon are facing intense pressure from the vastly superior army of the Federation, causing their tanks to be systematically destroyed by enemy fighter jets. Meanwhile, ground troops from the Federation relentlessly attack, firing suppressing shots at the disorganized and panicking invaders. Corpses pile up on the battlefield as Zeon’s soldiers fall, while survivors seek cover behind whatever objects can shield them from the Federation’s gunfire. The air is filled with explosions, gunshots, and heart-wrenching screams, creating a scene of utter pandemonium.

This brief sequence effectively portrays the tumultuous and ruthless essence of war. Remarkably, the meticulously crafted CGI visuals evoke memories of the thrilling urban combat encounters from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

Everything Goes Wrong

As a gamer, I’d say, “Just when things were looking peaceful on the battlefield, it’s like Murphy’s Law kicks in. You know, that old adage about anything that can go wrong, will go wrong? Well, today it meant jammed guns, stuck vehicles in ditches, and a mission gone awry. One moment I’m enjoying a relaxing afternoon with my comrades, the next I’m sprinting for my life as we’re ambushed by the enemy. It seems everything that could go wrong, did.

Gundam: Elegy for Vengeance skillfully illustrates that war is neither enjoyable nor glamorous. The Zeon soldiers sacrifice their lives in pursuit of independence, while Federation’s troops give up their own lives to protect their homeland. The young and vulnerable perish on the battlefield while the powerful and old orchestrate the conflict from their secure strongholds.

A New Perspective

Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance captivates audiences by offering fresh insights into this long-standing franchise, particularly within the Universal Century timeline, in just six episodes. The first episode delves into the authentic truth of the One-Year War, while the second episode underscores the sheer terror that the Gundam evokes, especially during the early stages of conflict.

It’s More Than Giant Robots

In the anime titled “Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance“, it’s not just a struggle between the Zabi family versus the Earth Federation leadership, or Amuro Ray against Char Aznable; it goes beyond these prominent figures and their machines, the Gundam and the Zaku. This conflict is primarily about the ordinary soldiers and civilians who endure loss and hardship on the battlefield. These individuals may not be renowned in history books, but their unyielding effort and sacrifice are the very foundation upon which the Earth Federation and Zeon build their power.

A fresh Mobile Suit from the Federation has surfaced, currently causing damage to our troops. Its instructions are to continue fighting until all of us are eliminated. Its armor is resistant to our scratches, and its beam weapons can effortlessly cut through our Zakus. Moreover, it’s faster than any mobile suit in operation at the moment.

—Iria Solari, Episode 3

The Terror of Gundam

In “Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance,” we get an unprecedented glimpse into the true destructive force that the iconic mobile suit, “Gundam,” poses to the Zeon troops. From this perspective, its terrifying potential becomes evident, earning it the ominous moniker, “White Devil.

Titled “Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance,” this production stands out significantly within the Gundam Franchise. It demonstrates that a Gundam series, utilizing cutting-edge CGI animation, can match the quality of traditional 2D animation when executed skillfully. Moreover, it suggests that there are numerous untold stories worthy of exploration, even if they don’t feature major franchise characters or impact the overall course of war. In essence, we confidently assert that “Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance” is an exceptional addition to the Gundam saga, having made a lasting impression in recent years.

Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance is available to stream on Netflix.

2024-11-20 05:36

Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance – The Best Gundam in Years