Gundam Wing reached its popularity around 1997 in the United States when it was released during the brand new Cartoon Network's Toonami block series. The series was highly anticipated and when I saw the previews for it, I thought "nothing special". When the first few episodes rolled around, Gundam Wing caught my attention and was one of the first animes that began to peak my interest in a deeper story than just action and swinging beam swords of gun combat. Of course there are much better ones out there now, and Gundam Wing is seen majorly as a "sub-par" anime, but I have a different opinion on it when you watch the series growing up. From a story standpoint Wing has it.
It is not terribly in depth and does lack some flavor, but it does exist to a certain degree. The action is superb, and Wing is known for its darker themes. I would say the #1 turnoff about the entire series is a major character by the name of Relena Peacecraft/Relena Dorlin. Gundam Wing is huge on war, and asks many questions, such as "What are the costs of war?" "Who is right in this conflict?" "How can we attain peace?" Politics and War will be raging constantly throughout the entire series. Relena has many "policies" and "philosophies" of peace, and she explains them to a fine lead point. It actually is very sickening, mostly because the dubbing for her voice is just HORRIBLE. It is like me never changing my tone of voice. "Oh, look a giant monster!!!!! kyahh!!!! =O". Change that to Relena style, we have "A giant looking monster, gyahhh -__-". Its creepy, and a huge turn-off. I think everyone can agree that Relena plays a bad part in this series. (I have not seen the original Japanese so that may hold merit).
Onto Waltz. Both Waltz and Wing share one thing in common: This is a pre-new millenium anime, so expect it to be hand drawn. Bandai did an excellent job in the past producing high quality cel images and top notch anime. Wing and Waltz are no exception. When they released Waltz on DVD, some of the scenes are just spectacular (combat) but you would assume they are improved with computer effects. 5 Gundams were sent to earth to maintain order and gain control, that was Operation Meteor. The Bartin family has now sezied control of a small military force after the war, when all militaria was discarded. The bartin family continued operation Meteor and set to conquor the Earth's Sphere (World) yet again. Gundam Pilots raced back to the disposal block carrying their Gundams to the sun to retrieve them, then use them just one more time in battle. Marie (Mari) Meiya Kushrenada, daughter of Treize Kushrenada, is the figurehead of "MM", the new organization founded by Dekim, the creator of the original Operation Meteor. Wufei is still confused after the war about himself and other soldiers who once fought and for what purpose. Heero is prepared to rescuse Relena (again) as Quatre (Kat-tra) sends Wing Zero back to Earth's Orbit where Heero can pick it up. Duo, Trowa, and Quatre all are prepared to go back to Earth to retaliate against Marie Maiya.
The story is good, but it lacks in depth detail and emotion. Animation is superb and well drawn. The OVA is three episodes long, and the DVD also contained the actual movie, which is to a degree aided with computer effects. Dubbing for the most part is OK, but the Japanese is better. Soundtrack is SUPERB (and I actually own it, it is called "Operation S"). Songs like White Reflection have gained huge popularity by fans. The main question is now.... would I recommend this series to the casual anime fan (NONE OF US ARE CASUAL ABOUT OUR ANIME =P) For someone who watches little anime, this may be a good series for you, however I feel it is genre specific, and you will only like it if Mecha, War, Politics, and Romance is on your list. As a must buy, I would say no. If you are looking to burn some money in your wallet and Waltz is available, pick it up if you are a fan of the extended colony series of Gundam (the series like Turn a Gundam, Gundam Wing, Gundam Seed (BLECH) G Gundam, etc. No masterpiece title on this one, but it did rise to popularity in the United States, and Bandai did it well, at that.
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