Gundam X is set 15 years after a devastating war ravaged mankind causing inevitably a colony dropping on Earth. Already, there is a plot from the original Gundam series but set after the war focusing on the remnants and after effects of it all. A great idea with a fantastic set up, but poorly executed. Remember, the original series was canceled too.
The remains of the two factions, Federation and Space Revolutionary Army, try to reclaim the power they once had. In the case of the Federation, they try to unite Earth again and wage war against space, again. Needless to say, this is the focus of 90 percent of the anime due to cancelation causing the space part only being the last bits.
As the plot is usually slow and character grinding, the main characters of Garrod (pilot) and Tiffa (newtype) along with the rest of the Gundam X cast are incredibly archetyped by the plot and filled with too much over dramatizing and teenage angst on top of it all. It gets to the point of suffering, predictability, and the worst offender of all, re-hashing. Everything from fight scenes to “romantic” developments are constantly re-hashed and not to mention the worst villain(s) to ever come out of a Gundam series. Characters in Gundam X are so blank and insufferable it is no wonder the anime got cut.
Music and art are slightly above average for the time in the mid-90s. Although, consistent re-hashing of fight scenes and fast paces low pitched music create a less impressive overall look to the anime. Really, nothing memorable animation or music wise tends to stand out.
Gundam X has been called a sleeper mech and under appreciated, but a good idea and great setting can’t make up for bland characters and bland execution.
