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Ever since its inception, I’ve always admired this franchise for revolutionizing the Real Robot mecha anime genre, stepping away from the exaggerated Super Robot anime style that preceded it. It has mostly maintained this realistic approach over the years, with some installments pushing even further into this grittier realm. Consequently, many of these anime often provide endings that may leave some viewers feeling a tad pessimistic due to their sobering story resolutions.

As a die-hard Gundam fan, I must admit that I’ve often been left feeling melancholic by the bleak endings some of these anime series have in store. The franchise is notorious for its ruthless approach to character survival, which can sometimes result in unexpected and heart-wrenching demises. This bleak outlook is a hallmark of the franchise, instilled by its creator, Yoshiyuki Tomino, who has consistently infused these stories with a sense of pessimism. While these endings may align with the overall tone of the narratives, they undeniably serve as a stark reminder that this isn’t a series for the sensitive or timid-hearted viewers among us.

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED was both debated and widely watched anime series, garnering praise from fans and critics alike as a modern take on the classic Mobile Suit Gundam. The climax showcased what was intended to be the decisive confrontation between Coordinators and Naturals, with the Three Ships Alliance intervening to prevent total annihilation of humanity. Regrettably, even in this final battle, there were significant losses, including a beloved character who met an untimely end.

In its final episode, shows like Gundam SEED seemed to secure a hollow triumph with characters such as Mu La Flaga apparently deceased. Alongside him, Flay Allister, Natarle Badgiruel, and even Kira Yamato vanished by the end of the last episode. Since Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny hadn’t been released at that point, this left viewers with a sense of unease, as some of these deaths were later undone in the sequel. Despite the possibility of peace, the high stakes and numerous fatalities gave an air of tragic authenticity to the storyline.

Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team” was among several OVAs delving into a particular aspect of its universe. The final episode of The 08th MS Team presents a series of intensifying, heart-wrenching scenes, which, though somewhat improved by the conclusion, leave a profoundly somber impression. Particularly noteworthy is the apparent demise of Shiro and Aina, but the actual truth might be even more distressing.

Despite being thought dead by most others, they were actually alive, enduring severe injuries – Shiro had lost part of his leg, while Aina had been severely burned. Months, if not years, later, Michel and his companions began searching for them. Tragically, Michel had turned to alcoholism during this time. Fortunately, Shiro and Aina (who was pregnant) managed to build a life in the woods, which gave them a somewhat happy ending.

Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam was the initial sequel to the original Gundam anime, and it was noticeably darker than its predecessor. This darkness was evident through numerous character deaths in Zeta Gundam, including significant figures meeting their demise. Even the finale showcased an unconventional end for the main character.

In the concluding chapter of Zeta Gundam, Kamille engaged in a Gundam duel with Scirocco, both being Newtypes. After losing, a weakened Scirocco utilized his Newtype abilities to severely affect Kamille’s mind, leading to a somber and fittingly grim ending.

The first film in the series served as a conclusion to several plotlines established in the 1979 “Gundam” anime. This movie gathered characters from across the Universal Century timeline, most notably the protagonist who returned as an antagonist. The climax of the film was a poignant goodbye for him and his adversary, bringing a close to their story.

In Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack, both Amuro and Char are last seen, implying they’ve disappeared rather than died. This disappearance creates a significant gap in the Universal Century timeline, especially considering Char’s influence. Since neither character experiences a heroic or triumphant departure, their stories conclude in a way that is quite melancholic.

In the Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance, there was a more gritty and militaristic atmosphere compared to other installments in the series. This production vividly portrayed the dread of being on the receiving end of cutting-edge mobile suits. The harshness of war is depicted through Iria, a former musician who was conscripted, and her team, who are relentlessly pursued by the pilot of a novel Gundam. However, it’s the shocking revelation about this Gundam pilot that makes for an incredibly chilling finale.

In the final episode, Iria grapples with remorse for the loss of her squad and feels uncomfortable about the fact that the Gundam is controlled by a child younger than her son. At first, she hesitates to engage in combat. However, as the Gundam takes a hit directly to its chest and appears to be malfunctioning, it seems like the pilot might be reconsidering things. In the end, Iria survives, but the harshness of war leaves an indelible mark on her.

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Initially, Mobile Suit Victory Gundam was designed with the intention of attracting a youthful audience for the series, but surprisingly, it turned out to be one of the bleakest installments. The death toll in this anime is just as significant, if not more so, than that in Zeta Gundam. Naturally, this led to a rather somber conclusion, despite it being relatively upbeat compared to other mecha anime.

In the grand finale of “Victory Gundam”, a multitude of characters, including the Shrike Team, meet their tragic demise, and so do Uso’s parents. Katejina too is left paralyzed for life, adding to the grim toll. Fortunately, Uso manages to live out his days in peace, but the bleak outcomes for many others – a significant portion of the cast – serve as a stark reminder that not everyone emerges unscathed from this tale.

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The animated series “Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory” was an Original Video Animation (OVA) in the Universal Century timeline, and it essentially paved the way for the plot of the preceding anime “Zeta Gundam”. Regrettably, its conclusion was disappointing, mainly due to production issues that affected its coherence. This inconsistency is noticeable in characters like Nina, whose portrayal varied significantly across different episodes, particularly during the finale.

The most disappointing aspect of Stardust Memory’s ending was how excellent the rest of the series was, as the finale seemed disjointed and lacked a strong narrative thread. Even viewers familiar with Zeta Gundam might find themselves bewildered by the Titans’ role in the story, and it’s unfortunate that additional materials are required to clarify events. This inconsistency makes the betrayals and other significant moments feel unexpected and underwhelming.

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Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt stands out as one of the most grim and mature Gundam anime series, even compared to other Universal Century installments. It’s situated in a timeline similar to, yet slightly separate from, the current anime Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX. The narrative is filled with numerous casualties, but the ending of Season 1 is particularly devastating.

Season 1 of Gundam Thunderbolt concludes with numerous casualties on both the Federation and Zeon sides, as well as Io and his team successfully defeating their Zeon adversaries. Regrettably, Io’s mobile suit sustains severe damage in the battle, resulting in him and his troops being captured by incoming Zeon reinforcements. This ending leaves an impression that the “antagonists” emerged victorious, implying that unless you possess special abilities like a Newtype or have an advanced mobile suit, your role is insignificant.

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According to its title, “OVA Mobile Suit Gundam: War in the Pocket” is a spin-off story taking place within the Universal Century timeline. The narrative primarily focuses on a young man named Al, who idolizes protagonist Bernie for his role as a mobile suit pilot, harboring an idealized view of war. However, this notion is shattered when he experiences the brutal realities of conflict firsthand.

In a different version of events, it’s revealed that only AI (Al) among the three principal figures understands that Chris, their mutual friend, has murdered Bernie. Instead of truthfully bidding farewell to Bernie when asked by Chris, AI deceives Chris directly. When AI recounts this incident in class, he is overcome with emotion and begins to cry before he can complete his story, demonstrating the profound impact the event had on him. The situation becomes even more heart-wrenching as AI’s classmates remain unconvinced that war is anything but exciting, adding a layer of sadness to the already tragic loss.

Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans wasn’t an anime that portrayed a bright or hopeful outlook, and it even faced criticism from Japanese television authorities due to its grim subject matter, which revolved around child soldiers. True to form, the conclusion was anything but cheerful, testing the characters more than ever before. However, despite its somewhat optimistic ending, the main heroes had to make tremendous sacrifices to reach that point.

In the aftermath, what remained of Tekkadan embarked on a fresh journey towards a more promising existence, yet their collective identity had dissolved. Similarly, adversaries like Nobliss met their end, while key figures such as Mikazuki paid the ultimate price. The valiant deeds of Tekkadan gradually faded into obscurity for those who didn’t experience them firsthand, leaving the survivors with the world they yearned for, but at a heavy toll.

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2025-05-31 01:09