Episode 1: His Name is Captain

Review by Chris Guanche

September 2, 2003

From another dimension, the evil Dark Axis prepares to invade the peaceful city of Neotopia. With the Zakrello Gate open, Zapper Zaku and his Zako soldiers travel to Neotopia on a Komusai. In the outskirts of Neotopia, a young boy named Shute uses his rocket skates to race past a train. He jumps into the air and nearly crashes into GM and Ball cops, who warn him to be more careful. The Zakrello Gate opens, and Shute watches as the Komusai flies by and is followed by the GM and Ball. The Komusai crashes into a hill, sending Zapper into the air. When the Zako troops disembark, Zapper yells at them for landing in the fields instead of Neotopia. The Zakos then deploy BaguBagus, which begin turning flowers and grass into concrete. The GM and Ball arrive and ask them to surrender, but Zapper has his Zakos blast them away. Shute watches in awe and wonders who these robots are. The BaguBagus then swarm together to form a big BaguBagu, and they prepare to attack Shute. From the skies, Captain Gundam flies by and pushes Shute out of the way. He asks Shute not to be alarmed because he has permission to carry a rifle. Captain asks the Zakos to surrender, and Zapper answers by pulling out two rifles and firing. Captain Gundam dodges the attacks, and he fires his beam rifle, which blows the legs off the Komusai and causes it to crash into the ground. Captain then tosses his beam rifle into the air as Zapper charges towards him. Captain sticks his shield into the ground and uses it as a post to jump in the air and kick Zapper . Zapper then calls the Musai in the Dark Axis dimension and has the Zakrello Gate opened so that it can fire. The Musai fires its cannons, and Captain tries to block it. His beam rifle is destroyed, and his shield begins to melt. After an explosion, everyone is tossed into the air, leaving only Shute. Shute examines the burned ground and wonders if anyone will believe his story.

As he skates home, Shute wonders what happened to Captain. When he gets home, he tries to tell his dad the story, but instead he has to baby sit his sister. When his mother gets home, he notices a large hole in the roof of his workshop. He runs over to his workshop and finds Captain inside. Since he is deactivated, Shute decides to repair him and return the favor for being saved earlier. Shute tries everything he can think of to repair Captain, but nothing seems to work. Looking for ideas, he sees a copy of Sleeping Beauty on a shelf. He reads the book and figures that he should try what the Prince did since nothing else seems to be working. He moves in closer to kiss Captain, but his chest suddenly opens and reveals the soul drive, which is a burning light inside a sphere. Shute wonders what it is and eventually falls asleep. Later, he wakes up just as Captain reactivates. He asks Shute why he repaired him, and Shute says it was to return the favor. He asks Captain for his name, but Captain says that it's classified, as is his very existence. He tells Shute to forget about him and act as if nothing happened. His V-fins begin to flash, and he takes off to attack the Zakos at a factory. At the factory, Zapper has his Zakos attack the GM Ground Types and Balls working there. Captain shows up, and Zapper Zaku attacks him again. Captain then jumps in front of the GMs and Balls to protect them. Zapper opens the Zakrello Gate to have the Musai fire again. Shute races towards the factory with Captain's shield in tow. Captain blocks the attacks from the Komusai, but he needs his shield. Shute jumps over the wall and gives him the shield. As the Musai fires, Captain spins his shield and blocks the shot. He then charges his fist and punches, which repels the energy and sends Zapper and his Zakos back through the Zakrello Gate. Gunperry trucks arrive and unload GM Snipers, which begin to take Zakos prisoner. Captain then thanks Shute for his help and gives him his name.

First, let me say this: it's quite obvious that I'm not the target audience for this latest Gundam series. Keeping that in mind, this is still garbage. Though it's targeted at young children, it does so in the most simplistic way possible. Despite the fact that this is a Japanese production with so many mecha from the One Year War, it has the feel of the typical moronic American kid's cartoon. Zapper Zaku is the typical ineffective villain who wants to conquer, Shute is annoying and Captain Gundam is a dork. Why does he feel the need to continually mention he has a permit to use a rifle? Also, I'm not too impressed with the cel-shaded animation. It lacks detail and doesn't look as fluid as a standard animated production. Make no mistake...this series is nothing like anything that has carried the SD name in the past.

Overall Rating:

Buy the DVD Dubbed (eps 1-3) from DVD Empire