I can't remember what first made me decide to watch this anime, but I was a pretty big Gundam SEED fan and was hungry for more and I heard that this was the next best thing, maybe even better. Boy - did I hear correctly! One of the things I love most about Gundam is that it isn't set in an alternate universe or anything, it's always set in an imagined future. The thing about Gundam 00 is that it's imagined future was really thought out well and it's like an actual possible future for our current world! At first, as always, the story is very political and you get introduced to all the factions and organizations and their goals, etc. It really reminded me of Code;Geass/Death Note, what with Celestial Being playing the "peace-keeping/justice" role for Earth. Every single episode was very interesting and manages to progress through the story one way or another. One of the main points is the mystery Celestial Being in every episode. It just leaves you more curious at the end of each ep to want to continue on to the next one. I don't know how to explain much more without spoiling, but.. The story was amazing.
There was nothing to complain about with the ending and it did a marvelous job of leading into Season 2.
Characters: 10/10
Each and every one of the Gundam meisters had amazing backstories that created their individuality/current personas and yes, you actually find out each of their pasts. I can't really say what they are without spoiling though. One of the unique things about this anime is that there really isn't simply 1 main character. All the meisters are as equally important as the other! The relationships between them and their backgrounds are but simply one of the many reasons why this anime was so good. All of the Gundam meisters are soo cool too! XD (As well as their Gundam's of course~)
Heck, I'd confidently say that every single character in this anime was perfectly created. I was even fans of the Antagonists, one of which is voiced by my fave: Kugimiya Rie!!
Music: 10/10
One of the things Gundam is best known for are their amazing soundtracks which most of you probably know I never stop raving about XD The openings and endings as well as the OST for this anime were GOD-LIKE.
For example, these are some of the greatest anime openings ever created IMO:
[video=youtube;akH8OQY0OxI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akH8OQY0OxI[/video]
[video=youtube;xChqT5_o50o]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xChqT5_o50o[/video]
Download OST Here!
Art: 10/10
The thing that drew me to this anime the most was the HD art! Don't believe me? Just look at those OP's above!
Those stunning visuals are B-E-A-UTIFUL. The art is so.. so... sleek. All of the characters have defining features and the Gundams are all amazing So much detail!! I can't even imagine how much work they put into this anime. Both the males and females were very pleasing to watch. I heard that almost the entire staff of Sunrise was used in this anime's development. And the end result is just amazing. This is exactly what happens when a bunch of talented people team up to create a masterpiece.
Overall Enjoyment: 10/10
Every single episode was so addicting and left a great impression on me, all the way up to the end. Just to let you guys know, I started this anime and then watched non-stop until the end of Season 2. That's how addicting.
(Season 2, HUGE plot twists) Every single damn thing in this anime was amazing. There's literally nothing one could complain about. Every person I know who's seen this has loved it as much as I do. It's always a great experience to witness a true anime masterpiece.
FINAL RATE: 50/50 (10/10 on MAL)
Yes, a perfect score. As you might know already (or perhaps not) all I only rate an anime 10/10 on MAL if I consider it a must-see, or if it blew my mid the whole way through. If you can sit through some politics, enjoy having your morals questioned and are willing to keep an open mind, it's a fantastic series and I recommend it. If the amazing artwork doesn't draw you in, the story and characters will. Even if you want to pay no heed to the story, the stunning visuals during battles are worth watching on their own. Very rarely is there a wasted moment in the show, spare one recap episode told from a different character's perspective. I can't possibly recommend this series more highly.
Reccomendations:
- Gundam 00 S2 -
Obviously watch the sequal after S1!! It's a rare occurence when the second season is just as good, if not better, than the first! O.O
- Code;Geass -
The way Celestial Being acted as peacekeepers and believing in absolute justice and the way they excecuted thier missions really reminded me of Code;Geass, also the heirachy of power.... is a thing to watch for ;D
- Mobile Suit Gundam SEED -
The anime which led me to this one. It's a very hard decision for me to choose which Gundam series I enjoyed more so... why not both? I reccomend Gundam SEED if you liked 00, because they're quite similar in the fact that the art, characters, music, and story were both on the "god-like" level. Ingenious.... masterpiece... Finding words to praise both these anime is really quite difficult XD
