Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ | The Gundam Retrospective

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 เม.ย. 2022
  • Released in 1986 as a direct followup to Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, Double Zeta wraps up the original story of the Universal Centuries Neo-Zeon conflict. Not released to the west until 2014, Double Zeta still has no official dub, and has never aired in its entirety in North America. Considered the black sheep of the early franchise by some, DZ shifted the tone away from the dour bleakness of Zeta and offered a more humorous, slapstick version of the series. Now 35 years later we can finally look back on the underrated Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ
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ความคิดเห็น • 451

  • @donkeykong75m
    @donkeykong75m ปีที่แล้ว +477

    Gundam ZZ can be summed up as : "We always ask what Haman is doing, we never ask How Haman is doing."

    • @DIEGhostfish
      @DIEGhostfish ปีที่แล้ว +78

      What she's doing: Creeping on some 14 year old gigachad.
      How She's doing: ...Not well: See question 1.

    • @alexanonimo6876
      @alexanonimo6876 ปีที่แล้ว +38

      @@DIEGhostfish to be fair, her first love was a gigachad (with sunglasses) creeping on her when she was 15

    • @DIEGhostfish
      @DIEGhostfish ปีที่แล้ว +14

      @@alexanonimo6876 He didn't creep on her. Even in CDA.

    • @alexanonimo6876
      @alexanonimo6876 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      @@DIEGhostfish I swear, this was a good joke that you just missed real hard.

    • @DIEGhostfish
      @DIEGhostfish ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@alexanonimo6876 Sorry then

  • @waffy_kun
    @waffy_kun 2 ปีที่แล้ว +56

    Bruh I was just mad ZZ did not actually refer to Zaku Zeta. It would've been cooler (and funnier) for neo-zeon to be destroyed by a Gundam with a Zaku head.

  • @blakemonway
    @blakemonway ปีที่แล้ว +134

    Mashymyre might be one of my favorite characters of anything Gundam. I've never seen someone go Super Simp 3 before, and I don't think there's much that will beat that in my mind.

    • @Retcon404
      @Retcon404  ปีที่แล้ว +21

      Hahah super simp 3 I love it

  • @DIEGhostfish
    @DIEGhostfish ปีที่แล้ว +122

    The african episodes are some of my favorites. The fact they see the Federation as the enemy because to them it's an extension of the French colonial system is fascinating to me. Like that one map that says the southeast US was one of the anti feddie hotspots.

    • @SudrianTales
      @SudrianTales 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Money on it being the original 11 confederate states doing it for ~~Totally not racist reasons~~

    • @Duchess_Van_Hoof
      @Duchess_Van_Hoof 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

      Spacenoids showing up and being called French as a slur was such a cultural confrontation and Blue Squad was genuinely tragic.
      The Africa arc was really good.

    • @DIEGhostfish
      @DIEGhostfish 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@Duchess_Van_Hoof I love the map that shows the hotspots that are a problem for the federation. You've got dixie, africa, various zeon landing hotspots, Afghanistan, naturally.

  • @orihara16
    @orihara16 2 ปีที่แล้ว +295

    the fact of so many people thinking of how good is ZZ in the last years make me glad we need more Judau Ashta, and we need Crossbone Gundam anime

    • @MultiYogibear
      @MultiYogibear 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Give me some Gump action

    • @Coolio_Ash
      @Coolio_Ash 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      But if that happens then bandai would need to make standard release kits for it oh noooo

    • @DaiSenshiMounir
      @DaiSenshiMounir 2 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      ZZ put me onto Judaus VA kazuki Yao. Hearing his voice in any other anime is just a treat to me now because I always love his performances lol

    • @Gahahgaga1
      @Gahahgaga1 2 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      We def need a crossbones gundam anime! And a redo of Gundam F91. An actual series instead of the movie

    • @timebrain3188
      @timebrain3188 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      I agree we need more Judau, however I kinda wish they go in a different direction than Crossbone. Don't get me wrong, like the pirate themed designs, but they feel out of place in UC. Would like to see an original take of some sort

  • @Herr_Gamer
    @Herr_Gamer ปีที่แล้ว +26

    Char’s Deleted Affair is an amazing manga for getting to know Haman’s past. She is one of my favourite characters after having explored her backstory

  • @AJGundam
    @AJGundam 2 ปีที่แล้ว +101

    It was a real struggle to get through ZZ. I went in DIRECTLY after Zeta, so the whiplash was real.
    I think I only started to enjoy the series midway when you (spoilers) are made to believe Judaus sister died.

    • @shadowofthenorthstar989
      @shadowofthenorthstar989 2 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      i dropped it once cause of how awful the first episode was but Haman made me pick it up again . also the fact that they never explained how Judeau's sister survived was bullshit

    • @acidous
      @acidous 2 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      for me it started getting good around episode 45, right before the end. Only then you finally gets mature characters and real politics. Everything before is a shitshow - main characters are annoing shitbrats you want to see dead, zeon characters are idiots and characters from the previous are either turned into trash (bright noa stalked by some weird lady trying to get into his pants) or not even mentioned at all. I also came to it stright form the Zeta and I was f***ing pissed that I must struggle trough this shit just to have some closure to Zeta and have context before moving to CCA... which wasn't even true in the end, because ZZ story could be entirely cut out (except final four episodes where zeon colapses under itself) and nobody would notice.
      God, it's been years now and it's still triggering me lol.

    • @Retcon404
      @Retcon404  2 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      @@acidous Maybe ZZ needs a Movie that explores more of the final arc and just sums up the first part hahah

    • @subbinbacktoallsubbs5272
      @subbinbacktoallsubbs5272 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      For real, i was having a blast with zeta killing every live interest in its way and then comes this drag. Chara is the only saving grace for me.

    • @walterkovacs2865
      @walterkovacs2865 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      By the time I get to episode 24 I started watching it at x2 speed. I just had to read extra fast but watching it at that speed saved me about 3 hours of watch time.

  • @WaterArk
    @WaterArk ปีที่แล้ว +98

    I just finished ZZ yesterday, and I gotta say, it was a breath of fresh air! I think the most jarring part though, was seeing how goofy Mashymere, Chara, and Glemy were initially lol

    • @vincentprice713
      @vincentprice713 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I'm about to start it after finishing zeta.

    • @Herr_Gamer
      @Herr_Gamer ปีที่แล้ว

      The first 10 or so episodes probably caused half it’s potential biggest fans to drop it

    • @OrtadragoonX
      @OrtadragoonX ปีที่แล้ว

      Crazy thing is that Chara says pretty silly until the very last battle in the series.
      Once she unzips her jacket she becomes a psychopath.

    • @mudawott
      @mudawott 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      ​@@Herr_Gamer Which honestly feels really weird to me. Isnt like half the fun and horror of Gundam seeing initially light hearted normal kids get put through the horrors of war. The establishment of those kids in the first 10 or so episodes is crucial to learning about them and the dynamics between them.

    • @mudawott
      @mudawott 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      I think it's cool that the villains start off as unprepared for war as the protagonists, with Mashymere not just being goofy, but a rather pacifistic Neo-Zeon idealist with eccentric tendencys. At the start of the series, hes geniunely trying to do what he believes is right and by the end he executes a colony drop. Glemy starts off as excited to finally see combat and quickly devolves into seeing how his leaders are assholes and trying to betray them. Chara is just batshit, but we need3d the chaos

  • @JackpotSyndrome
    @JackpotSyndrome ปีที่แล้ว +68

    Having only seen up to CCA, ZZ is absolutely my favorite Gundam so far and I think it's very telling that the biggest mark against it aside from the initial tone seems to be that it just doesn't offer up any critical *information* for the *plot* of later Gundams, as if the story that it tells on its own isn't enough to make it worth watching.
    My piece on that initial tone is pretty much that I think it makes a lot of intuitive sense if you consider who the focus characters are and what the actual situation is, it's right after Zeta, the war situation is over, the Shangri-La arc probably takes place over a few days so I thought it was pretty natural because Axis' big retaliation isn't going to be immediate and the characters it focuses on are a rag-tag group of teens. Like yeah life on Shangri-La isn't easy, but they're still kids who like to fuck around, and I think that if you take things as they come, it clicks into place and serves its role of introducing like 6 new characters into the part right after Zeta ended. Even still, I can understand not caring for it, but I think it's best to try and approach something on its own merits.
    Beyond that, I think the absolute most important part of ZZ is the fact that Judau, from start to finish, from beginning to end, lacks the nerve needed to just kill people. In the final few episodes, he helps Chara like 5 times and tries to save even someone like Haman. The show posits numerous times that maybe being desensitized isn't a good thing, that it's losing part of your humanity. When Haman says to Judau that he can stop worrying about death, he responds simply with "I don't want to lose that concern!" and I think it's that simple idea for a simple protagonist that makes it work. His motivation in the latter half, in his own words, is "I'm gonna teach those who love fighting so much a lesson!".
    Maybe that's naivete and has no place in war, but war has no place in people's lives. That kind of care that might be considered childish, the total lack of the nerve needed to kill, that's plenty human and plenty real. It may be idealistic to think that things can just work out like that, but that belief, *that's* what's not an anime, it's really real! And it's the youth who will lead towards the future right? It's because concerns that may be considered childish are worth having!
    At the same time, the Africa and Dublin arcs of ZZ will never let you forget that things simply won't work out sometimes, that the tragedy of war can't be overcome with pure belief. But that it's always worth caring and always worth trying, no matter how hard it is, to move forward. Towards the future. Once again, it's *that* belief that's not an anime, it's really real!
    This belief is directly tied to CCA, because while the youth might lead towards the future, the old, the disillusioned and desensitized won't simply disappear. They'll do anything to escape the gravity of the past, into the future's orbit. That's why CCA doesn't even bring back Kamille in my eyes, because it's focused so much on the now-old, Amuro and Char. Char's ideological basis is pretty much cracked, it's just a thin veneer of "Newtypes are the next stage of evolution!" over pretty revenge and a need for self satisfaction. Whenever he encounter and fights Amuro, it's also accompanied by trying desperately to get him on his side and approve what he does. As if getting the approval of the one chosen by Lalah will just absolve him of everything and justify what he does. Amuro on the other hand still has beliefs, but he feels cold and distant, as if it's actively tough for him to do something other than look over battle plans and tinker with machines. But regardless he *does* believe! He looks forward, towards the light of the future, even if it's something he won't be able to bask in himself.
    I think there's something to be said about how, despite the stunning animation, a lot of CCA feels oddly low energy compared to what came before. But I think it only improves the movie as it contrasts so much with the youthful energy that ZZ has throughout, and with the final 10 minutes of CCA itself. When things go to shit, human souls and something that connects them, overcomes Earth's gravity...! Something that's always possible, with a bit of hope, persistence and the desire to work together...
    And I think that's where it comes full circle, hope, "naive" concerns, some persistence, and the desire to move forward are always worth having, regardless of it all. And that's something that is genuinely most felt in ZZ and CCA. Even if you don't get any critical *information* for the *plot* of CCA from ZZ, I really think they complement each other quite well.
    Sorry for the essay!

    • @Bilbo490
      @Bilbo490 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Don't be. I found it quite engaging.

    • @mudawott
      @mudawott ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I started watching ZZ recently and your analysis feeld really spot on. These early episodes don't feel like meaningless light hearted filler, they feel like a sigh of relief and character building so we can see who these characters are before the horrors of war start to crushthem

    • @Jazzimus
      @Jazzimus 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Amazingly well written post.

  • @Norbert_Sattler
    @Norbert_Sattler ปีที่แล้ว +90

    I really would not recommend skipping ZZ to anyone who plans to go into later U.C. series. Apart from being a really good series in it's own right, once you get through the first couple of episodes, it also helps greatly to contextualize Unicorn, making character motivations make more sense and certain scenes hit so much harder.

    • @Rrgr5
      @Rrgr5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Yep, I watched unicorn without ZZ, so somethings were a little off, when I watched ZZ I understood somethings and it hit like a truck.

    • @waifupatter4193
      @waifupatter4193 ปีที่แล้ว

      Zz is shit lol

    • @xgray2012
      @xgray2012 ปีที่แล้ว

      I suppose.

    • @OrtadragoonX
      @OrtadragoonX ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@Rrgr5
      To understand Marida one must watch ZZ, specifically the episodes involving Elpeo Ple, Ple 2, and the battle between Chara Soon and the Ple mass production clones. It’s the key to her entire character.

    • @NoOne-us9xv
      @NoOne-us9xv 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      ​@@OrtadragoonX No, it's really not. Oh no, she was one of the mass produced Ple clones, who was then incidentally sold into prostitution!
      Like, knowing that's what she was doing beforehand really does nothing to enrich or build upon her character, any more than if she had been just another random girl. Oh no, you won't know who the Glemy silhouette is! Good thing that can be summed up in a single sentence, and has really no bearing on Unicorn otherwise.
      I'm getting really tired of people trying to make the argument that ZZ is essential viewing for Unicorn and/or CCA. If you just want to watch ZZ for its own sake, that's fine, but if you're one of the many people who was put off by it, you really shouldn't be made to feel like it's just 47 episodes of homework for later UC content. Zeta absolutely is, for the development of both Char and Mineva. CCA is, for obvious reasons. Ditto for MSG. Can you seriously tell me, in all honesty, that you think ZZ provides even a fraction of the context that any of those things do? "Making character motivations make more sense"? What the hell does anything in ZZ have to do with anyone's motivations? If you're talking about Marida, her motivations stem from her gratitude to Zimmerman for rescuing her from the brothel; if that really matters, then MSG provides more context for that than anything else does, considering it's an obvious nod to Lalah.
      I really like Marida as a character, so it's not even like I'm discounting her. I love what she brings to Unicorn. I do not, however, think her participation as one of the nameless MP Qubeley pilots in ZZ is tremendously important to that, and it genuinely feels like that was just something they tacked on to be able to say "look guys, ZZ gets callbacks in this story too! Kind of!" Even if you watched it and had no idea who the hell Glemy was when his silhouette popped up for a second and a half, it really doesn't have an impact on the story Unicorn is trying to tell, so it doesn't matter much.
      All you really need to know about the war in ZZ is that it came and went, and took Haman with it. Beyond that, it has very little to do with the second or third Neo Zeon wars. Again, watch ZZ if you really want to, for its own sake. Don't watch it because you feel like any of it is required viewing for the UC content that follows; it's really not.

  • @thefirstguyjaek255
    @thefirstguyjaek255 ปีที่แล้ว +107

    I think one or two episodes in ZZ featuring Amuro and Char would have really strengthened Chars Counterattack. It just would have been nice to see what really led into their conflict in that movie as it opens up so many years later without a ton of explanation for Char’s motivation

    • @uhoh7545
      @uhoh7545 ปีที่แล้ว +21

      Unhealthy break up

    • @Rrgr5
      @Rrgr5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Same with Hathaway's flesh, seems a little bit off giving it went right after NT, and Hathaway somehow acquired the ZZ Gundam, or at least, something pretty closer to the ZZ and the Federation Gundam isn't well explained considering the end of NT there should be no more gundans untill the F-91.

    • @fakesmile172
      @fakesmile172 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I've heard that most Gundam series based on a source material cut out a bit too much.

    • @Demospammer9987
      @Demospammer9987 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Not to mention the rushed development of CCA. Could have worked better as an OVA

    • @ryanmoore6259
      @ryanmoore6259 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@Demospammer9987 Or a series.

  • @someone_one_one
    @someone_one_one 2 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Don't forget thanks to the moon moon arc we get the moon Gundam!

  • @Caelum_NLD
    @Caelum_NLD ปีที่แล้ว +12

    I watched 0079, Z, ZZ, CCA, 0080, 0083 and 08th and I think I love ZZ the most. I am a big fan of Japanese slapstick in anime, so I found the first part very refreshing. I really like Mashymare's attitude in the beginning, I REALLY loved the combination of the Zeta series suits together with the ZZ suits and the three way battle between Haman and her group, Glemmy and his group and the Agamar team. Very great character design and play alround.

  • @lauxbonet4475
    @lauxbonet4475 2 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Silent voice is the best way to start a ZZ video

  • @StrongZeroPowerHour
    @StrongZeroPowerHour 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

    I think it's possible to like ZZ now, because we know that it was something of an oddball one-off. We can appreciate it now for what it was.
    I was talking to an older guy, who watched it as a kid while it was airing. Anime was going through major changes, and people were really unhappy that it felt like Gundam was going to just turn into one of those new teen shows that some "real robot" people really hated. "Anime Janai" seemed like it was making fun of the fans, and it seemed like the whole Gundam franchise was being disrespected somehow.
    Well, in hindsight, none of that came to happen (or did it?) and I think we can all appreciate the show for what it is, instead of what people feared it would become.

  • @chrisward5263
    @chrisward5263 2 ปีที่แล้ว +61

    I actually loved ZZ more than Zeta. I think it's mainly because I connected with with most of the new main cast from ZZ.

  • @spagredo
    @spagredo 2 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    I love ZZ so much. I love the beginning and when shit hits the fan I still like it as much

  • @martinhennigan1113
    @martinhennigan1113 2 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    The midway of ZZ when they start getting dark and grim was so abrupt and I found myself laughing hysterically. It'd be like Team Rocket suddenly being killed during Pokemon. Overall I liked it and was glad I watched it. Its Sentai like atmosphere was dumb fun.

  • @stanza77
    @stanza77 2 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Brutal to get through the first half but it levels out and has useful info for CCA and Unicorn and Stardust

  • @franciscomedina7701
    @franciscomedina7701 2 ปีที่แล้ว +40

    Can’t wait for you to do CCA and Unicorn. Hope you do the side stories and ovas like 0080, narrative, 0083, thunderbolt

    • @Retcon404
      @Retcon404  2 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      I loved CCA so im excited to get that video done. I'm planning on doing everything(almost) in release order so 0080, 0083, Thunderbolt etc... will be done for sure!

  • @maxstewart8846
    @maxstewart8846 ปีที่แล้ว +36

    I think a large issue of ZZ is trudging through the first set of episodes where all that happens is Fa gets her shit wrecked, Judah tries to steal the Zeta but helps the Argama, then it all goes back to normal until the next day.

    • @Retcon404
      @Retcon404  ปีที่แล้ว +13

      yeah, and then it repeats this pattern for the first 10-15 episodes. The hump before Judau joins the Argama crew is a big one to get over.

    • @maxstewart8846
      @maxstewart8846 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@Retcon404 oh God I'm only on episode 7, it keeps going like this???? 😭

    • @ltb1345
      @ltb1345 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@maxstewart8846 It goes until episode 12.

    • @drsatanrx
      @drsatanrx ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@maxstewart8846 it varies for everyone. The rule of thumb is that the first 1/3 of the show can be skipped because it's just nonsense, but the intro speaks volumes. This is not an anime.

  • @AgentActive
    @AgentActive ปีที่แล้ว +8

    What’s crazy is that Zeta and ZZ released back to back

  • @stonerjesus6144
    @stonerjesus6144 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    the ending conflict in ZZ has got to be the best display of straight Newtype power i've seen yet in Gundam in a mass conflict.

  • @aconfusedperson7374
    @aconfusedperson7374 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Gundam ZZ is probably one of my favorite Gundam series.

  • @hitachicordoba
    @hitachicordoba ปีที่แล้ว +9

    CR just started streaming ZZ today. Good luck getting through the first 5 eps lol. Fun fact: Roux Louka has a very brief cameo in Z/ZZ/CCA character designer Hiroyuki Kitazume's Starlight Angel short in Robot Carnival.

  • @seanwilliams5711
    @seanwilliams5711 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    ZZ got so good half way through the show. I will admit, I struggled with the start of it as well, sticking with it mainly cause of the hope it would get better (which it did) and the ZZ was damn cool. Though when I look back at it, I think the commedic first half was actually quite important for character establishment and what would become great character growth and story telling for the second half

  • @shadowofthenorthstar989
    @shadowofthenorthstar989 2 ปีที่แล้ว +34

    ZZ is like the DBGT of UC Although I have my issues with it I didn't hate

    • @ShMarioX
      @ShMarioX 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      wow
      this is so troo
      Perfect analogy

    • @EverydayLegend
      @EverydayLegend ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@ShMarioX No, it’s not. DBGT isn’t plot relevant. ZZ is absolutely necessary.

    • @LagunaShirogane
      @LagunaShirogane ปีที่แล้ว

      @@EverydayLegend Another GT hater who believes GT is non-canon. Dont get me started. You're one of those who jumped on the bandwagon of all those who believe what they hear about GT after Super began. Super isnt a replacement of GT. Its considered its prequel. GT was quoted to be just as canon as Super. Toriyama did approve of GT. Just never actually worked on the project. Not once did Toriyama say that GT wasnt canon. Thats the issue with all you people who make claims about GT being a "fan-made" series and that its non-canon. You dont do your homework on it and make straight up assumptions or jump on a bandwagon because someone says this and that. Which is sad because alot of people do that for alot of things in this world. I rest my case, do what you want with what i say here. And as people this era does these days..... ~ drops the mic ~

    • @EverydayLegend
      @EverydayLegend ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@LagunaShirogane
      I’m just saying that you can skip from the end of Z to Super and miss nothing. However, you can’t say the same about ZZ Gundam, as there are plot relevant events in ZZ that carry over from Zeta and flow directly into the events of Char’s Counterattack. It’s a bad comparison for that reason alone.
      You haven’t dropped any mics. You’ve just proven that you don’t know what grass feels like underfoot.

    • @thomasffrench3639
      @thomasffrench3639 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      It’s more like the Rebels of Gundam, I mean Rebels is better, but it has some of the same issues.

  • @brig.badger2896
    @brig.badger2896 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    ZZ is honestly my favorite UC show, it kept me consistently engaged and the characters had good motivations

  • @ryanleclaire3948
    @ryanleclaire3948 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Honestly, ZZ was incredibly refreshing to the absolute, and perhaps unnecessary, brutality that is Zeta. And it treats its characters far better. While I will agree the first several episodes were tough, and the mini-arcs were arguably not needed, they're still somewhat fun to watch and see how all the characters on both sides react to each other. Plus, the comedy was honestly good. Overall, I think this show is unfairly maligned and left me feeling complete wheres Zeta took something from me. Fantastic review!
    P.s., Judau is the best protagonist. Non whiney alpha male chad who managed to refuse the wiles and charms of best girl Haman.

  • @GeoDelGonzo
    @GeoDelGonzo 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    "Double Zeta" is my kind of fever dream. It feels like fan service to those who liked "Zeta Gundam".

  • @michaelcortez1531
    @michaelcortez1531 2 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    Loved ZZ when it first aired in 1986, love it even more in 2022. Thanks for the balanced overview of this underappreciated series.

  • @concon09090
    @concon09090 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    i don't know if I like ZZ but it's a fascinating show. the Africa arc alone honestly makes it worth a watch, since it's essentially ten straight episodes demonstrating why Char's Dakar speech in Zeta was completely insane, something that Zeta never really grappled with. not to mention that the mini-arc in Ireland where Kamille and Fa return, capped off by the absolutely terrifying colony drop, is Gundam firing on all cylinders. it legitimately has some of my favourite stories and moments in the Universal Century, but they're mired in inconsequential episodes, annoying characters, and an overall story that is transparently being made up as the creators go due to CCA's production interfering with their plans for the second half. it's a slog and while I haven't seen the rest of the UC, my understanding is that nothing in ZZ is plot critical, but i think the combination of the show's handful of incredible moments and its extension of some of the themes and ideas Zeta never fully resolved make it worth a watch.

  • @derpenstein713
    @derpenstein713 2 ปีที่แล้ว +113

    I'm still struggling to make it through ZZ. I can say for me that the VERY weak start to the show has definitely affected my interest in it.

    • @Retcon404
      @Retcon404  2 ปีที่แล้ว +38

      That's a totally valid opinion. Even knowing I was going to finish it for this video there were some episodes early on that made me want to bail. All I can say is that if you decide to stick with it, it DOES get better, it just takes a while to get there.

    • @johnsonwang7253
      @johnsonwang7253 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      Honestly, as a young high-schooler who was just learning to navigate the post-napster era of online piracy, the first half of this show was a hard sell to sit through. It wasn't until the early 2000's that I finally manged to really check out the rest of the story. I think it was a mix of my desire to be a completionist, love for the crazy-ass designs, and addiction to the amazing score that got me to realize how awesome the rest of the story is

    • @Tuning3434
      @Tuning3434 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      For sure you should push trough. I honestly believe the late ZZ mecha action is better than Zeta, and Judeau is actually a pretty interesting lead.

    • @BlooCollaGal
      @BlooCollaGal ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Honestly you can skip the first couple chunks of the show.

    • @shinmasterryu
      @shinmasterryu ปีที่แล้ว +7

      It starts getting serious around episode 20 then episode 27 is when it gets it's second opening and kicks up the heat. ZZ is good but it's missing one thing that made Zeta felt so powerful at the end of both series.

  • @Neethan3247
    @Neethan3247 21 วันที่ผ่านมา

    It has it's fans and that's respectable. However, as a sequel to the hard and intense sci fi war epic that Zeta Gundam...it falls flat. I am glad videos like yours exist because I've watched ZZ Gundam one too many times to be able to watch it again.

  • @weebak5933
    @weebak5933 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    ZZ holds up so so beyond well, for me 🤗

  • @ErinTheFennec
    @ErinTheFennec ปีที่แล้ว +9

    I had a lot of issues with pretty much the entire first half of ZZ, it felt so slow compared to 79 and Zeta, and the lighthearted tone felt overdone. I'd be happy with something more lighthearted than Zeta but ZZ felt like too big a change. By the second half of ZZ I was completely invested though, the brief return of kamille was incredibly emotional, the villains were much stronger, and the characters felt so much better than they had been earlier on. One of the characters I did like in later stages of early ZZ was Elpeo Ple, and I was hit real hard by her inevitable fate along with the fate of Ple Two, the similarities to the stories of Four Murasume and Rosamia Badam with the idea of these people who absolutely could and even should be supporting the main cast instead of fighting them was something I found incredible, and by the time of their deaths I genuinely cried for them.
    ZZ is genuinely good if people can push their way through the early stages, it has so many things to love and it's a shame that a poorly set up start is the factor keeping many from enjoying the amazing things it does later on.

    • @michaelhoule2134
      @michaelhoule2134 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Yup once you get past the slapstick beginning episodes ZZ gets really really good.

  • @ct_tele
    @ct_tele 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    The broken record that I am, chimes in here to say, absolutely amazing video, loved that you went back to doing some IRL video bits. Watching you grow is ALMOST as good as watching your videos!

  • @theworldsmostgiantDr
    @theworldsmostgiantDr 27 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Even when I was experiencing the tonal whiplash that is that first arc of ZZ, I always loved Mashymere. To me he was like Gundam's version of Don Quixote; A hilarious knight committed to chivalry in an age where it is dead.

  • @TheWarshire
    @TheWarshire 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Zz gundam also had major early production issues. The core being sponsors thought the show too dark and not kid friendly enough.

    • @TheWarshire
      @TheWarshire 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      So think of the first 12 episodes as, see everything is fine. This is lile scooby doo with robots. ......... are they gone. ....... BRING ON THE VIOLENCE!

  • @goldgodryukendo913x
    @goldgodryukendo913x ปีที่แล้ว +2

    ZZ is never to be skipped. there is so much with the first neo zeon war that is needed to understand to watch things like Unicorn and Chars CounterAttack. Yes Zaku 3 is bangin I agree. I'm more a fan of the Dom like suits in that series.

  • @Chaosic
    @Chaosic ปีที่แล้ว +3

    The Openings for this anime are cool,I wish they dub this anime with ocean group,funimation or bang zoom in the 90s or early 2000s when Gundam was in its prime here in America.

  • @pressngo
    @pressngo 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    ZZ is my favorite gundam series. Glad to see it get some love.

  • @mfrattola
    @mfrattola 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Love this video of yours too. You make me want to watch ZZ again 😀 You sold it well.

  • @crimsonnewtype3241
    @crimsonnewtype3241 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Awesome video yet again! I'm loving these retrospectives. Thanks for another great video!

    • @Retcon404
      @Retcon404  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hey thanks again man! I appreciate it!

  • @RetroRed101
    @RetroRed101 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Gotta say I don't see the hate this was way more up my alley. Wish it would get a full dub

  • @thomasffrench3639
    @thomasffrench3639 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    I would say ZZ is skippable if you don’t care about plot points or arcs being resolved. I also love that they used Marshmallow turning into a cyber newtype making him competent so that he can be used later in the series. Some hilariously good writing there.
    One thing I find is that this show is one of the most anti-military things I’ve seen. The whole command structure of AEUG is what is holding them back and it takes a group of teens with no discipline to actually be effective in the war.

  • @elgamermexican2359
    @elgamermexican2359 ปีที่แล้ว

    I've been watching the series during my art streams and I was sad to see there was no dub for this. Thank you so much for the rundown on this season!

  • @MG-us5el
    @MG-us5el ปีที่แล้ว

    Man, I love it when you sneak in that SNES Waterworld OST in your videos. Keep up the fantastic work.

  • @lien-chinwei4815
    @lien-chinwei4815 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you for sharing different and deeper perspectives of Gundam ZZ. When I followed gundam ZZ, it was different from the serious atmosphere Zeta and original Gundam and quite "childish and fun" atmosphere in the early episodes in Gundam ZZ. It was somewhere difficult for me to follow. However, from your perspective, I decide to re-visit Gundam ZZ and have an open mind to explore the uniqueness of Gundam ZZ. Thank you.

  • @aFinalNote
    @aFinalNote 14 วันที่ผ่านมา

    After seeing Kamille in that state "Look at how the massacred my boy"

  • @iiLouixie
    @iiLouixie ปีที่แล้ว

    I love your videos. Beside great presentation and good script. It is very soothing to listen too. I like to put up one of your video(mostly Z, ZZ and Macross) when I am ready to sleep and I will fall asleep before the video is over).😅

  • @someone_one_one
    @someone_one_one 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I can't wait if/till you cover victory Gundam based on your opinions

    • @Retcon404
      @Retcon404  2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      I've heard a bit about Victory Gundam and I've decided to go into that one without knowing any spoilers, so im interested to see what I'll think as well!

    • @someone_one_one
      @someone_one_one 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Retcon404 ,😀

  • @demilung
    @demilung 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Double Zeta Gundam is like my favourite model. I love that twin gun

  • @VaatiOfDarkness
    @VaatiOfDarkness ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Digital Devil Saga OST in the background? Yes

  • @OuroborosChoked
    @OuroborosChoked ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I'm glad to see people finally giving ZZ the shake it deserves and feel somewhat vindicated that others consider it "refreshing" as well. ZZ is funny when it needs to be (beginning airing immediately after Zeta) and serious when it needs to be. It's a better Gundam show that people give it credit for, and I'd watch it a dozen more times before rewatching SEED. It also has some of the coolest mobile suits in UC with the Doven Wolf (developed from the Mk. V Gundam and developed into the Silver Bullet and Silver Bullet Suppressor, later piloted by Banagher Links!), the Dwadge, and the criminally-underused upgraded Rick Dias: the Schuzrum Dias. 7.5 or 8/10 show.

  • @glennross85
    @glennross85 ปีที่แล้ว

    I only ever got about 10 episodes in to ZZ ,the change in tone was so jarring after 79 and Zeta ,but you have convinced me to give it another shot!

  • @shahzan2481
    @shahzan2481 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video dude! Thank you and hope to see more from you.

  • @Alienworkshop995
    @Alienworkshop995 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Glad that you enjoyed ZZ so much, it's one of my favorites. I think the Dublin Arc is the best arc of the original 3 UC shows! Also really excited to see what your thoughts on Victory Gundam are, since that one is incredibly divisive as well (I enjoy it a lot despite its many faults).

  • @calcifieddirt4120
    @calcifieddirt4120 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    if nothing else i got to see more qubeley and haman being a stone cold badass and i'm happy with that

  • @NightWatch652
    @NightWatch652 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I just finished this show last week, and I would say it's really enjoyable. The highs are really high and the lows are very low. Very fun though

  • @leonwolf4
    @leonwolf4 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Found ZZ on crunchy roll. Yeah the first set of episodes were hard to sit through but I'm glad I did cause the rest was legit great.

  • @gunplakiwi
    @gunplakiwi 19 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Shout out to you for using the Digital Devil Saga OST ❤️‍🔥

  • @ProfessM
    @ProfessM ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Dang what a review great work and bonus points for using Metroid ost for background. And poor Zaku 3 it never gets love.

    • @Retcon404
      @Retcon404  ปีที่แล้ว +3

      The Zaku 3 is pretty cool. The Hizak takes some wind out of it's sails because that is also a great design. Zaku 3 is A tier though.

    • @ProfessM
      @ProfessM ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Retcon404 Fine tastes you have.

  • @wingzero-0014
    @wingzero-0014 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Watching ZZ all I can hear is "Silent Voice" but for real tho although I thought it started draggy, it's more important than some viewers given credit for seeing that some of these events played into Char's motivation in Char's Counterattack and its a great contrast from the silly carefree first half and the more serious darker second half turned out to be good overall
    Edit: If u guys want to know more about Lady Hamans backstory check out C.D.A(chars deleted affair)manga

  • @Captainlunchbox
    @Captainlunchbox 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Feeling that Golden Sun track in the last minutes. 😊

  • @trentdd15
    @trentdd15 ปีที่แล้ว

    I remember watching ZZ for the first time and I could not for the life of me get passed the first couple episodes no matter how many times I tried. Whilst I'd like to watch and enjoy it. The first episodes are just so on the goofy side it really puts you out of it for me.

  • @DarkMetroid777
    @DarkMetroid777 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video. Got me to rewatch ZZ. I enjoyed it more to this round. Definitely rough at the start because the comedy I wasnt a big fan of. Also, love the SMTIV music at the end of your video. 🤘

  • @enkidu7356
    @enkidu7356 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    just dropping in to say how much ive been enjoying your videos keep up the fantastic work

    • @Retcon404
      @Retcon404  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hey thank you very much!

    • @enkidu7356
      @enkidu7356 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Retcon404 no worries just wanted to say how good these videos have been and that I'm looking forward to what you produce going forward

  • @thechangamire3495
    @thechangamire3495 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Well, I got around to watching ZZ. As much as the first half was admittedly a slog to get through, I really enjoyed it.

  • @theDrzhivargo
    @theDrzhivargo ปีที่แล้ว +3

    silent voice is catchy lol

  • @Duchess_Van_Hoof
    @Duchess_Van_Hoof 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    An interesting thing to note in the early episodes is that the show is deadly serious when it focuses on the old Zeta characters rather than the new cast.
    And one thing that I rather like is that ZZ asks the political questions and gives us context that Zeta lacked. From the imperialism in Africa, to the corruption in the Federation to spacenoids questioning if they're on the wrong side, to the lunarians being confronted about their war profiteering.
    I do question Haman's colony drop, it seems needlessly spiteful and strategically backwards. She was recognized by the Federation, given Side 3 and had a large army and a military base. At that point, she had won, just pull back and root out the Glemys in her ranks.

  • @FlipPyro
    @FlipPyro ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I have been loving your Gundam deep dives. Especially zeta and zz. I haven't watched either but I feel like you gave a good analysis without spoiling much. Minor critique: I noticed you repeat some lines in some of your videos like the antagonist getting vaporized.

  • @jaredalexander9546
    @jaredalexander9546 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    In my whole uc watch I just finished this the one that got me 15 ep in and I was done after zeta being so good for me

  • @treebush
    @treebush ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I'll never understand the dislike for ZZ when alot of the first half are loved things done in future gundam series like Mr simp man is literally proto immortal Patrick from gundam 00 from a recurring gag character who has a hard on for his superior constantly get knocked around

  • @Roader72045
    @Roader72045 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The Moon Moon colony coming back in a manga with Moon Gundam(can’t remember the exact name, been a minute) is hilarious to me

  • @LegendofNelda
    @LegendofNelda 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    ZZ is my 2nd favorite after Gundam Wing

  • @Rkader11
    @Rkader11 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Based ZZ PILLED

  • @seanwilliams5711
    @seanwilliams5711 ปีที่แล้ว

    also man of culture with the armored core V music near to the start of the videk

  • @johnrhogan2908
    @johnrhogan2908 ปีที่แล้ว

    The Double Zeta looks like a frelling fortress. I also love the 1st intro song.

  • @Exdeathmore
    @Exdeathmore 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I can kinda understand Yazan's predicament. If he tried to go back to the Federation, he'd probably be labeled as a traitor for working with the Titans.

  • @buckroger6456
    @buckroger6456 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I would say ZZ is only the black sheep since it went so far away from how the first two are. Although I gotta say it does darken it's tone up some later on.

  • @TheDarkkilla12
    @TheDarkkilla12 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Don't think i didn't notice the Golden Sun OST in the reivew. Even though i missed the chance to binge ZZ from the official Gundam channel, this is just as good to tie me over.

    • @nickschwear1610
      @nickschwear1610 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I really think gundam info should always keep one show from the UC timeline up.

  • @stevesamson3940
    @stevesamson3940 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I've seen nearly every Gundam now and ZZ is my favourite. I didn't find the start too sloggy as some of the delightedly non-woke dialogue made me chuckle. I didn't mind Moon Moon either as that colony and Shangri-La itself do a good bit of expanded world-building, most of the colonies depicted in the various series are interchangeable. And the when Judau's SPOILER gets SPOILERED and the series gets more serious it really jars you as you've gotten into the light-hearted vibe. The development of Noa's character is really well done too.

  • @ttravis10
    @ttravis10 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    ZZ Gundam is so slept on. First the music is top notch. Second people completely miss the point. (Imo) the entire crew of the Argama/New Argama is the living embodiment of what Char was preaching about in Zeta. The idea of people living/working together to cultivate their newtype gifts. It’s a shame he wasn’t around to see it playing out because he may not have gone as radical as he does in CCA.
    That’s just my thoughts though.

  • @fakesmile172
    @fakesmile172 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Ah ZZ. Just finished it today. While it was a very rocky start, I did enjoy it overall. I think the series gets much better once they leave Shangri-la. Even so, it's hard to ignore things that seem like straight up bad writing, a lot of it stemming from Bright seemingly being far more lenient than he should, though after what happened in the final episodes of Zeta, I wouldn't blame him. (Seriously, a ton of problems in ZZ could've been solved by locking people up more tightly, like Chara and Puru). Overall, worth watching and I've heard that Unicorn can be very confusing if you don't.
    Spoilers for the rest of ZZ:
    I think one of my favourite scenes in the final episode was Fa and Kamille playing on the beach. Kamille is one of my favourite characters in Gundam so far and it's nice to see him get a happy ending.
    I don't know where to find it, but there's a joke theory on 4chan that Chara is Char in disguise lol.

  • @thomasmeglasson228
    @thomasmeglasson228 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    ZZ is actually on Crunchy role now, along with the original series and Zeta.

  • @Kuja-Kitashida
    @Kuja-Kitashida ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks I did not feel like sitting through z after finishing the original zeta series not now I can catch up with the rest of the series in PEACE.

  • @RGRECON3
    @RGRECON3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I won't lie, when I first watched double Z it was hard and boom, the intro changed and I swear it felt like a new show.

  • @doyouwanttoplayagame4503
    @doyouwanttoplayagame4503 ปีที่แล้ว

    The moon moon people also reappear in mobile suit Gundam moon as the MC is from there and his moon Gundam is badass

  • @AH-is5yg
    @AH-is5yg ปีที่แล้ว +2

    ZZ is fun to watch.

  • @capwolfster
    @capwolfster ปีที่แล้ว

    loved this series. probably my favorite of the classics. while i loved og, z, and victory too, theyre much more emotionally taxing. zz was just way more fun to watch. still waiting for the Judau return

  • @maxwellwylie8356
    @maxwellwylie8356 8 วันที่ผ่านมา

    really solid retrospective !

  • @PlatinumHaro
    @PlatinumHaro ปีที่แล้ว

    ZZ is one of my favorite designs. I also watched this right after zeta about 10 years ago. Need to go.back and watch it after I force myself through victory

    • @Tuning3434
      @Tuning3434 ปีที่แล้ว

      What, Victory is a great show! Like many Gundam shows a bit of a rocky start, and for sure the designs that encapsolate goofyness 'cause of toy sales', and the mandatory ''You do you, Japan' moments. But it really gets super dark and Udo Ewin is an extremely tragic and powerful and sympathetic lead. I wish Victory would have had better animation budget, but just like Gundam X it really gives out a 'unique' and memorable vibe that really sets it apart from the more main stream franchises.

    • @PlatinumHaro
      @PlatinumHaro ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Tuning3434 I've gotten just past the half way point. While I enjoyed double x and even love turn a. For some reason victory just drags. I will finish it as it's my goal to watch all of gundam and victory is one of the last on the list.

  • @Reragi
    @Reragi ปีที่แล้ว +1

    ZZ is like a bunch of kids playing at a construction site. It's fun and laughs for a good chunk of the start, but then eventually one of the kids' little sister falls off a beam and lands on her head, then the rest of the day is just the kids desperately trying to find out what to do with the unconscious meatbag that was laughing a few seconds ago.
    Also, we do know one thing about ZZ
    *This is no anime!*

  • @gaoexkaiser
    @gaoexkaiser ปีที่แล้ว +2

    zz gundam can easly be fix if it had a trilogy movie, they can just toned down the first part from
    ep 1 - 11 when the ZZ gundbam shows up and continue on ep 18 onward where the dark stuff happens. the religious part moon colony can be switch up.

  • @colonelmustang854
    @colonelmustang854 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Personally, I found that the series starts to pick up after the Argama leaves Shangri-La. Those first ten or so episodes, while a much-needed breather after Tomino’s infamous “kill ‘em all” tendencies resurfaced at the end of Zeta, didn’t do much to move story forward. I did, however, like the characters enough that I was willing to keep going and sure enough, once Leina gets captured, giving Judau a personal stake in the conflict, the plot finally gets moving and moving fast.
    And this is all BEFORE you hit the OP change. That’s the point where ZZ gets REALLY good.

  • @tylerconley7739
    @tylerconley7739 ปีที่แล้ว

    As soon as silent voice starts im hooked.

  • @sirjules9714
    @sirjules9714 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    ZZ truly becomes special. Its a perfect example of takes a while to get into it. Definitely some of the best moments in Gundam and love when it takes itself seriously.

  • @safruddinaly5822
    @safruddinaly5822 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I think if you have time you should try make video of any gundam manga because the way you explain something is easy and good to hear

  • @drewdogg77
    @drewdogg77 ปีที่แล้ว

    ZZ Gundam also has a direct link to Gundam Unicorn's story as well. Unicorn's story is even more tragic after watching ZZ.