Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ
Encyclopedia
is a TV series aired on Japanese TV from 1986–1987, was the third Gundam
series, and a direct follow up to Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
. Director Yoshiyuki Tomino
returned to lead the series, and he assembled a new team consisting of character designer Hiroyuki Kitazume
, who had been one of Zeta Gundam's animation directors, and mechanical designers Makoto Kobayashi, Yutaka Izubuchi
and Mika Akitaka. The series was later aired by the anime satellite television
network, Animax
, across Japan and later its respective networks worldwide, including Southeast Asia
, Hong Kong, South Asia
, and other regions, but is one of the few Gundam series which has never been brought to the United States.
, and also continues to follow Captain Bright Noa
and the ship, Argama, as well as introducing the new characters led by Judau Ashta.
This sequel to Zeta Gundam sometimes struck a much lighter, often comical, tone, in contrast to its predecessor's brooding melodrama. For example, in the second episode, the protagonist Judau Ashta attempts to help Yazan Gable by throwing oranges at the Argama. This is contrasted in the same episode however when Yazan kills the technician Saegusa, and Judau then attempts to pilot the Zeta Gundam to go after Yazan but is incredibly poor at combat in his first battle. The whimsical first opening theme song Anime Ja Nai (lit. "It's Not Anime") set the tone for the first half of the series. The second half of the series sports a more somber opening theme song. Silent Voice.
and the returning Zeta Gundam
, Gundam Mk-II and the Hyaku Shiki, the group is nicknamed the Gundam Team. As such, this became the first of a number of Gundam series where a team of Gundam mobile suits fight alongside each other regularly. The climax takes place at Side 3 in the Battle of Axis.
Out of the major Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam characters, Captain Bright Noa
and Axis leader Haman Karn are featured prominently in Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ; Hayato Kobayashi, Kamille Bidan, Fa Yuiry, Wong Lee, Yazan Gable, Mineva Lao Zabi
, and the children Shinta and Qum are featured in various episodes as well; Sayla Mass
, who had appeared in the first series but had no speaking role in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, also appeared in several episodes of Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ; Char Aznable
's planned appearance was canceled when Tomino was given the go-ahead to do the Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack
movie. Yoshiyuki Tomino's original plan for the show which involved Char's return was never revealed, nor does Tomino himself remember it. Also, aside from the openings and story recap/preview episode, Amuro Ray
does not make an appearance in the series either.
Endings: by Masato Arai (episodes 1–25) by Jun Hiroe (episodes 26–47)
Gundam
The is a metaseries of anime created by Sunrise studios that features giant robots called "Mobile Suits" ; usually the protagonist's MS will carry the name Gundam....
series, and a direct follow up to Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
is a television anime, part of the Gundam series and a sequel to the original Mobile Suit Gundam. The show was created and directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, with character designs by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, while the series' mechanical designs is split amongst Kunio Okawara, Mamoru Nagano, and Kazumi Fujita...
. Director Yoshiyuki Tomino
Yoshiyuki Tomino
is a Japanese mecha anime creator, director, screenwriter and novelist. He was born in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, and studied at Nihon University's College of Art...
returned to lead the series, and he assembled a new team consisting of character designer Hiroyuki Kitazume
Hiroyuki Kitazume
is a Japanese animator, manga artist, and illustrator. He is often noted for his work with anime studio Sunrise.-TV anime:*Aura Battler Dunbine - Animation Director...
, who had been one of Zeta Gundam's animation directors, and mechanical designers Makoto Kobayashi, Yutaka Izubuchi
Yutaka Izubuchi
is a Japanese anime designer and director. Izubuchi is credited for designing costumes, characters and creatures, but most of his designs are mechanical...
and Mika Akitaka. The series was later aired by the anime satellite television
Satellite television
Satellite television is television programming delivered by the means of communications satellite and received by an outdoor antenna, usually a parabolic mirror generally referred to as a satellite dish, and as far as household usage is concerned, a satellite receiver either in the form of an...
network, Animax
Animax
is a Japanese anime satellite television network, dedicated to broadcasting anime programming. A subsidiary of Japanese media conglomerate Sony, it is headquartered in in Minato, Tokyo, Japan, with its co-founders and shareholders including Sony Pictures Entertainment and the noted anime studios...
, across Japan and later its respective networks worldwide, including Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
, Hong Kong, South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
, and other regions, but is one of the few Gundam series which has never been brought to the United States.
Overview
Gundam ZZ was conceived of as a sequel to Zeta Gundam, featuring a mostly all-new cast. Tomino originally wanted to make Char the main character before receiving the "okay" on Char's Counterattack. Its broadcast immediately followed that of Zeta Gundam and continues to follow a major plotline from Zeta involving Haman Karn, regent to Mineva Lao ZabiMineva Lao Zabi
In the TV anime Gundam universe, is the last surviving member of the Zabi family and heir to the Principality of Zeon; she is the daughter of Dozle Zabi and Zenna Zabi.Mineva was born during the One Year War...
, and also continues to follow Captain Bright Noa
Bright Noa
is a fictional character from the Japanese science fiction anime television series Mobile Suit Gundam and the related films. In the anime, he is only mentioned as Earth-born...
and the ship, Argama, as well as introducing the new characters led by Judau Ashta.
This sequel to Zeta Gundam sometimes struck a much lighter, often comical, tone, in contrast to its predecessor's brooding melodrama. For example, in the second episode, the protagonist Judau Ashta attempts to help Yazan Gable by throwing oranges at the Argama. This is contrasted in the same episode however when Yazan kills the technician Saegusa, and Judau then attempts to pilot the Zeta Gundam to go after Yazan but is incredibly poor at combat in his first battle. The whimsical first opening theme song Anime Ja Nai (lit. "It's Not Anime") set the tone for the first half of the series. The second half of the series sports a more somber opening theme song. Silent Voice.
Plot summary
As the continuation of Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, this series once again follows the story of the Anti Earth Union Group (AEUG) battleship Argama after Mobile Suit Zeta Gundams final episode. To fight off the Axis Zeon, now called the Neo Zeon, Captain Bright Noa recruits a group of teenage junk collectors led by the loudmouthed but powerful Newtype Judau Ashta to pilot the Argamas mobile suits. Now sporting a line-up of the behemoth ZZ GundamZZ Gundam
The MSZ-010 ΖΖ Gundam , designed by Makoto Kobayashi, is a fictional weapon from the Universal Century timeline of the anime Gundam metaseries. Its popularity has led to many variations, upgrades, redesigns and influenced later design works such as S Gundam...
and the returning Zeta Gundam
Z Gundam
The MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam, designed by Kazumi Fujita, is a fictional weapon of the anime Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam from the Universal Century timeline of the Gundam metaseries. Its popularity has led to many variations, upgrades, redesigns and influenced later design works such as the Zeta Plus and the...
, Gundam Mk-II and the Hyaku Shiki, the group is nicknamed the Gundam Team. As such, this became the first of a number of Gundam series where a team of Gundam mobile suits fight alongside each other regularly. The climax takes place at Side 3 in the Battle of Axis.
Out of the major Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam characters, Captain Bright Noa
Bright Noa
is a fictional character from the Japanese science fiction anime television series Mobile Suit Gundam and the related films. In the anime, he is only mentioned as Earth-born...
and Axis leader Haman Karn are featured prominently in Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ; Hayato Kobayashi, Kamille Bidan, Fa Yuiry, Wong Lee, Yazan Gable, Mineva Lao Zabi
Mineva Lao Zabi
In the TV anime Gundam universe, is the last surviving member of the Zabi family and heir to the Principality of Zeon; she is the daughter of Dozle Zabi and Zenna Zabi.Mineva was born during the One Year War...
, and the children Shinta and Qum are featured in various episodes as well; Sayla Mass
Sayla Mass
, is a fictional character from the Universal Century Gundam universe, first appearing in the groundbreaking 1979 43-episode anime series Mobile Suit Gundam...
, who had appeared in the first series but had no speaking role in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, also appeared in several episodes of Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ; Char Aznable
Char Aznable
, born is a fictional character from the Gundam franchise. He is originally one of the main antagonists in Mobile Suit Gundam and later becomes one of the protagonists of Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. In his final appearance in Char's Counterattack, he assumes leadership of the Neo Zeon movement,...
's planned appearance was canceled when Tomino was given the go-ahead to do the Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack
is a 1988 anime film set in Gundam's Universal Century timeline of Gundam, specifically U.C. 0093.Making its theatrical debut on March 12, 1988, Char's Counterattack is the culmination of the original saga begun in Mobile Suit Gundam and continued through Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam and Mobile Suit...
movie. Yoshiyuki Tomino's original plan for the show which involved Char's return was never revealed, nor does Tomino himself remember it. Also, aside from the openings and story recap/preview episode, Amuro Ray
Amuro Ray
is a fictional character from the anime series Mobile Suit Gundam and its sequels, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam and Char's Counterattack, voiced by Tōru Furuya , Brad Swaile , Michael Lindsay and Matthew Erickson is a fictional character from the anime series Mobile Suit Gundam and its sequels, Mobile...
does not make an appearance in the series either.
Openings and endings
Openings: by Masato Arai (episodes 1–25) by Jun Hiroe (episodes 26–47)Endings: by Masato Arai (episodes 1–25) by Jun Hiroe (episodes 26–47)
Voice actors
- Kazuki YaoKazuki Yaois a veteran voice actor and actor currently represented by Mix Max.- Television animation :* Agatha Christie's Great Detectives Poirot and Marple * Astro Boy * Beast Wars * Beast Wars Neo...
as Judau Ashta - Tsutomu KashiwakuraTsutomu Kashiwakurais a Japanese voice actor and sound director. He was formerly credited as 柏倉 つとむ .- Primary roles :* young Terry Bogard in Fatal Fury: Legend of the Hungry Wolf* Ryo in Generator Gawl* Glemy Toto in Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ...
as Glemy Toto - Yoshiko SakakibaraYoshiko Sakakibarais a Japanese voice actress.-Direct-to-video animation:* 1983 Dallos - Melinda Hurst* 1985 Greed - Mimau* 1985 Area 88 - Yasuda* 1985 Cream Lemon – Rio* 1985 Megazone 23 – Reina* 1985 The Karuizawa Syndrome - Kaoru Matsunuma...
as Haman Karn - Chieko HondaChieko Hondais a Japanese voice actor.-Notable voice roles:*After War Gundam X *Akihabara Dennō Gumi *Bosco Adventure *Devil Hunter Yohko *Dragonball *Dragon Century...
as Elpeo Puru, Puru Two - Eriko HaraEriko Harais a Japanese voice actress formerly employed by Arts Vision.-Anime voice roles:* Tokimeki Tonight - Ranze Eto* Kimagure Orange Road - Hikaru Hiyama* Slam Dunk - Ayako...
as Elle Vianno - Hazuki Monma as Chara Soon
- Hirotaka SuzuokiHirotaka Suzuokiwas a Japanese voice actor and actor from Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture who graduated from Tokyo Keizai University.His best known roles include Mobile Suit Gundam , Captain Tsubasa , Saint Seiya , Dragon Ball Z , The Transformers , Ranma ½ , Rurouni Kenshin , Pokémon...
as Bright NoaBright Noais a fictional character from the Japanese science fiction anime television series Mobile Suit Gundam and the related films. In the anime, he is only mentioned as Earth-born... - Kenyuu Horiuchi as Mashymre Cello
- Kôzô ShioyaKozo ShioyaKōzō Shioya is a veteran seiyū born in Kagoshima Prefecture. He is currently represented by Aoni Production...
as Mondo Agake - Masami KikuchiMasami Kikuchiis a veteran voice actor who was born in Nagano. He works for Kenyu Office.-Anime:* Air Gear * Aoki Densetsu Shoot * The Brave Express Might Gaine * Captain Tsubasa J...
as Ino Abbav - Maya OkamotoMaya Okamotois a Japanese voice actress.-Notable voice roles:*Maya Jingu in Burn Up W and Excess*Mio in Grander Musashi*Reiko Hosokawa in Idol Defense Force Hummingbird*Harumi Nakagawa in Irresponsible Captain Tylor*Diana in Lupin III: The Pursuit of Harimao's Treasure...
as Leina Ashta - Miki Itou as Mineva Lao ZabiMineva Lao ZabiIn the TV anime Gundam universe, is the last surviving member of the Zabi family and heir to the Principality of Zeon; she is the daughter of Dozle Zabi and Zenna Zabi.Mineva was born during the One Year War...
- Naoko MatsuiNaoko Matsuiis a Japanese voice actress from Hakodate. Matsui was a member of Production Baobab for 20 years before becoming a freelancer. She is also a voice acting instructor....
as Roux Louka - Shingo Hiromori as Beecha Oleg
- Bin ShimadaBin Shimadais a Japanese voice actor. He is currently affiliated with the talent management firm Aoni Production.-References:* Nakagami, Yoshikatsu et al. "You're Under Arrest: Full Throttle". Newtype USA. pp. 48–49.-External links:...
as Nie Gihren, Niki - Chika SakamotoChika Sakamotois a Japanese voice actress from Tokyo affiliated with Arts Vision.-Television animation:*Baby and Me *Ashita no Nadja *Legend of the Mystical Ninja *Fighting Foodons *Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ...
as Shinta - Fumihiko TachikiFumihiko Tachikiis a Japanese voice actor and narrator.-Career:Formerly a blues singer and known for his low voice, Tachiki is best known as the narrator for the pre-fight movies for Pride Fighting Championships and currently for Dream...
as Panpa Rida - Hideyuki UmezuHideyuki Umezuis a Japanese voice actor and member of 81 Produce.-Anime:* Bakugan Battle Brawlers * Blood+ * Bonobono * Death Note * Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood...
as Nelmarsen - Hiroyuki Shibamoto as Creyue Oye, Torres
- Houchu Ohtsuka as Yazan Gable
- Jun'ichi Kanemaru as Chimatter
- Kayoko Fujii as Emary Ounce
- Kazuyo AokiKazuyo Aokiis a Japanese voice actress employed by the talent management firm Kiraboshi.- TV :*Huckleberry Finn in Adventures of Tom Sawyer *Jean in Story of the Alps: My Annette*Susan in the anime version of Himitsu no Hanazono...
as Anma - Kenichi Ogata as Dido Kaltoha
- Kenichi OnoKenichi Onois a seiyuu, tarento, and actor from Tokyo. His birth name is .-TV anime:* Super Pig * Zillion * Martian Successor Nadesico * Kindaichi Case Files...
as Ein - Kouji Totani as August Gidan, Gottn Goh
- Masako Irie as Anna Hanna
- Mayumi Shou as Haro, Qum
- Minoru InabaMinoru Inabais a Japanese voice actor from Shizuoka Prefecture. He is affiliated with Ken Production.Inaba is best known for his roles in Disney productions , Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory , Buzz Lightyear of Star Command , and The Transformers .-Television animation:*After War Gundam X - Rike Anto,...
as Dune, Magany - Miyuki Matsuoka as Fa Yuiry
- Nobuo TobitaNobuo Tobitais a Japanese seiyū from Mito. He is represented by Arts Vision.He is most known for the roles of Kamille Bidan , Albert Heinrich/004 , and Sueo Maruo...
as Kamille Bidan