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A show that offers so much yet very few take up that offer. It strays away from previous Gundams in all the right areas and delivers a unique, touching, captivating experience. While it's not my favorite Gundam, I would definitely place it in my top 5 and is an easy recommendation. To offer up a brief history, this show was the third in the trio of Gundam shows during the 90s that were placed in Alternate Universes (the other two being G Gundam and Gundam Wing). It was cancelled midway through its run which is why it has an odd 39 episodes instead of ... the normal ~50 episode runtime Gundam shows usually run. However, the writing in this series is great and you won't even notice that it was cut short, the show wraps everything up and ends smoothly.

Animation(8/10): The animation is similar to Wing and G Gundam so it's not going to be breathtaking but it does it's job and you won't be distracted. There are also little repeats of footage and for the most part the animation of fluid.

Sound/Music(9/10): I really really like the soundtrack for this show, all the openings and endings are excellent and really set the mood, as well as the final song to end the series. The sound effects are typical of a Gundam show so no problems there. The only complaint I have is the intermission sound can be a little distracting because it's a more energetic sound and often comes right after a very dramatic moment, which causes some clashing.

Character(10/10): As with any Gundam show, it's the characters that make or break it. What I love about the characters here is that they are actually likeable and relateable, unlike many gundam characters. Garrod is an awesome protagonist, he's energetic, crafty, skillful, and he grows throughout the series in both skill and maturity. What I like about Garrod though is that he never lets anything get him down, he always charges forward and is a very strong character. Tiffa is the main female protagonist and while quiet and mysterious at first, she matures greatly and breaks out of her shell becoming another great and strong character. Jamil is the "char" analog and is a badass. He's the captain of the ship the characters travel on and is very likeable and you have his respect basically from the beginning. The rest of the characters are all deep, complex, relateable, and just a joy to watch. You won't find angst or depression in these characters.

Story(7/10): The story here is a little weak. It focuses heavily on Newtypes and jumps around a lot. Alot of times you feel like the characters are going nowhere, fighting in random battles for no point, and overall lost. While the direction of the story can be confusing the actual plot and interactions between characters and elements is still well done and you won't be bored. The story also picks up rapidly towards the end (due in fact to the cancellation) and the last 10 episodes are a fun ride.

Overall(8/10): Overall a great show both as a part of and independent of the Gundam franchise. I loved the hopeful tone and optimism the show radiated, especially after watching the depression that was Victory Gundam and the seriousness that was Wing. The show, while not groundbreaking, does do nearly everything right and deserves its place in the Gundamverse. I highly recommend it.