Mobile Suit Gundam Double Zeta

Zeta Gundam was a bonafide hit when it began broadcasting in 1985. A follow-up was to be expected, and it came in the form of Gundam ZZ, which aired from 1986-87. Following the end of the Gryps War, Haman Karn and the Axis Zeon become the Neo Zeon and make their power play for control of the Earth Sphere. With Kamille Bidan comatose and Char Aznable missing, the AEUG has been severely weakened. Enter loudmouthed 14-year-old Judau Ashta and his friends from Side 1's Shangri-La colony. Although this series is a direct sequel to Zeta Gundam, its tone is very different. Where Zeta Gundam was a serious drama, Gundam ZZ in its first half focuses on goofball comedy designed to appeal to young children. Tomino's original plan for the series called for the return of Char, but the storyline was rewritten halfway through when he received the approval to make the Char's Counterattack film, which premiered in 1988. Because of the comic antics and rewrites, many fans consider this to be a poor show. It should be noted though that Tomino's rewrite significantly changes the tone of the show and brings it close to the quality of Zeta Gundam. In 2002, Bandai released the series on DVD in Japan, but it has yet to see a U.S. release.

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