"Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin" will begin airing on NHK General TV on April 29, 2019. While the Gundam series has seen countless releases, The Origin is different from the others in that it centers on Char and follows the story of Gundam's completion. The content of the series is a re-edited version of the OVA released in 2015, so we'll be introducing the plot of the series from that OVA!
The protagonist of this series is, without a doubt, Char!
Although the title includes "Mobile Suit Gundam," Gundam does not appear in this work. (Appearing only in blueprints) The main character is not Amuro, but Char Aznable, the Red Comet, as the subtitle suggests. The story centers on his covert activities as a soldier in the Zeon army.
No Mobile Suit Battles
When you think of Mobile Suit Gundam, you probably think of spectacular battles between mobile suits and that unique soundtrack, but this film does not feature any mobile suit battles. This is because the only mobile suit participating in the battles in this film is the Zeon Zaku. The Federation Forces were still in the process of building the Gundam and did not have a mobile suit capable of competing with the Zaku.
The story begins with Char (Casval)'s childhood.
The opening of this series focuses on the growth of siblings Casval and Artesia. Their father, Zeon Zum Deikun, represents Zeon, and they lead a fairly affluent life. At this time, Casval's innocent smile was still evident, and he and his sister, Artesia, were happily living the life of a rich boy.
After his father's death, Char finds himself caught up in the conflict.
When his father, Deikun, dies just before giving a speech, Char and his siblings are caught up in the conflict between the Zabi and Ral families, who are trying to seize power. While they temporarily take refuge with the Ral family, the conflict with the Zabi family intensifies. Separated from their mother, Char and his siblings escape to Earth with Jimba Ral, aided by Ramba Ral and others from the Ral family.
After fleeing to Earth, the two are adopted into the Mass family.
After successfully fleeing to Earth with Jimba Ral, the Char siblings are adopted by Teabolo Mass. At this time, their names change from Casval Artesia to "Edward Mass" and "Sayla Mass," and they live a peaceful life, despite being under constant surveillance. However, when Jimba's attempted coup d'état becomes known to the Zabi family, they find themselves embroiled in conflict once again.
The Char siblings flee to Side 5. And then, a fateful encounter...
After somehow managing to avoid the assassins, Char and Sayla decide to move to Texas Colony on Side 5 with the seriously injured Teabolo at Shu Yashima's suggestion. Texas Colony offers greater safety and natural beauty than their home on Earth. There, Char and his friends are treated kindly by the Aznable family.
Edouard Mass and Char. A Fateful Encounter
At this time, Char still called himself "Edouard Mass." Then, "Char Aznable" appeared before him. Though the two had different eye colors, their faces were so identical that anyone would be unable to tell them apart. Char Aznable, who had been accepted into a military academy, was destined for the Zeon military academy, but...
Edouard Mass and Char Aznable Swap Bodies
This scene is arguably the most important part of the film. Just before heading to Zeon, Char is stranded after a gun is found in his luggage. Edouard then suggests they switch bodies in the bathroom. Char boards the ferry as "Edouard" and heads for Zeon. However, this was a ploy to distract Édouard's Zabi assassins, who mistook Char for Édouard and blew up the entire ferry.
Char Lives Life as Char Aznable, Renamed Édouard Mass
Edouard successfully used Char as a substitute to make it appear as if he had died, and from that day on, he himself began living as Char Aznable. Armed with his stolen admission letter to the Zeon Military Academy, Char infiltrates the Zeon military. This marks the beginning of his third life.
Dawn Rebellion
During a time when skirmishes between the Federation and Zeon forces were frequent, Char incited his schoolmate, Garma Zabi, the youngest son of the Zabi family, and led a group of cadets to take control of a Federation military garrison by force. This action was later called the Dawn Rebellion, and Char was hailed as a hero by the citizens of Side 3. However, he was dismissed from the military for acting recklessly and returned to Earth.
Char and Lalah's Encounter
Surprisingly, upon returning to Earth, Char was practicing piloting a mobile worker and working diligently on the construction site. It was during this time that he met Lalah, who would later become an important figure to Char. Lalah possessed special powers, and a conflict broke out between those seeking to possess them. Char protects Lalah from these men.
Afterward, Char returns to the Zeon military and serves as the Red Comet.
"If I'm ever called back up again, please assign me to the role of mobile suit pilot." This is what Char said upon his discharge. He followed through on his promise and returned to the Zeon military, serving as a Zaku pilot. As you all know, the suit's color is a striking red. Its appearance, moving at three times the normal speed, was so striking that it was called the "Red Comet."
Mobile Suit Gundam THE ORIGIN Summary
This concludes a brief introduction to Mobile Suit Gundam THE ORIGIN. Of course, there are many characters featured in the series that we weren't able to introduce this time, making it a truly fascinating read. However, the most noteworthy part is the growth of Char and Sayla! This is a recommended series for those who want to enjoy a story with a slightly different perspective than other Gundam series.
