Since I’ve apparently been bit by the random Gundam ZZ info bug, here’s some more fabulous information from B-CLUB 15! Let’s just say that some of the bombshell info dump may come as a shock to some fans. Say hello to Dozle’s 12-year-old mistress? As if we didn’t have issues with the previous post! As always, more great content is coming your way soon, so if you’ve got a few spare bucks, please toss a few my way via the donate link to the right. Your patronage keeps more random goodness like this coming (like the original ZZ setting proposal)!

Mobile Suit Z Gundam and Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, which spanned for two years, will end with Episode.47 “Farewell, Warrior*” to be aired on January 31st. But, this does not spell the end of the Gundam saga… We’re on the verge of new developments!

▼ THE ENDING OF ZZG’S FINAL STORY

Translation has been omitted due to it being a summary of Episode.47 with no new or relevant information.

▼ HAMAN & GLEMY: JUST WHO ARE THEY?!

We have covered the final episode at a glance, but many things are still shrouded in mystery… Many of you must have thought the same. Yes, for example, “Mineva (in ZZ) was just an ordinary girl,” her saying “I will not become like my sister,” and the “bloodline” mentioned by Glemy that meant Glemy and Ple are related? All of these mysteries were not made clear in the main story of ZZG, it seems. According to Director Tomino’s “Tomino Memo,” all of these settings had already been fleshed out. It is unclear why it was not depicted in the main story, but let us unravel the mystery once and for all.

First of all, Haman’s identity. She is the younger sister of Zena (Mineva’s mother and) the wife of Dozle, the 3rd son of the Zabi family, and was Dozle’s lover. After losing Dozle to her sister, Haman swore to take revenge on the Zabi family. She became the guardian of Mineva only to use the restoration of the Zabi family as a cover to advance her own agenda.

On the other hand, Glemy actually has no father or mother. He is a clone created from the sperm left behind by Gihren Zabi, the dictator, in the same way as Ple and Ple Two. This is why Glemy clung on to their blood relations and was convinced that he could mentally control Ple Two.

Now, about Mineva. In the final episode, she confessed that she is only a body double. It appears that the real Mineva was taken away by Char during the time in between Z and ZZ. Is he also trying to revive the Zabi Family…? Now, we have an even deeper mystery on our hands.

(Note: Here’s the old backstory about the origin of Glemy here.)

▼ WHERE IS TOMINO’S ANIME HEADED?

So, Zeta Gundam was depicted as an acknowledgment of reality. That is to say, in the first series of “Gundam,” the catchphrase was “One day, it will be possible for people to become Newtypes and connect their hearts and minds.” Still, the theme in Zeta was “However, mankind is still unable to achieve this ascension because their souls are weighed down by gravity…“, presenting the vision of today’s social circumstances. That led to the portrayal of the tragic final scene in Zeta.

In contrast, ZZ depicted a dream for the future, suggesting “Someday, somehow…” Judau, who couldn’t be further from a perfect Newtype, took the opportunity to reflect on himself and went to Jupiter, and in the end, his consciousness was completely connected to Kamille’s, successfully opening up his confined heart. Humans will someday be able to connect with one another… The grand scheme of the Gundam saga earned the opportunity to explore new horizons thanks to the two years depicted in Zeta and ZZ.

Will humans truly be able to connect our hearts and minds? It set the stage for the next Gundam series to explore the roles that true Newtypes will play, fighting for either Char or Amuro’s ideals.

The previous Gundam series and its novel, three movies, MSV, MS Wars, Z Gundam and its novel, and ZZ Gundam concluded the Gundam Saga in a way. However, this appeared to be just a prelude, and Yoshiyuki Tomino seems to be set on continuing with the Gundam Saga as he did with the “Tales of Bystone Well.” It is still up in the clouds whether it will be the rumored movie or a new TV anime series…

So, what significance did Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ have? In short, it was probably an attempt to depict a refined version of the theme that was not fully illustrated in Zeta Gundam. Tomino’s animes always revolve around the central theme of the salvation of people’s souls and the soul’s struggles connected subconsciously in the fight against evil. This series was also packed full of these themes. However, in “Gundam,” this theme was sort of concluded through Amuro’s exclamation of “Nothing feels as good as this!“, so it may be a complicated theme to explore again in a Gundam Saga.

* Note: While the previous issue of the magazine lists the correct final title, this is a translation of the title listed in this particular issue.

ビークラブ15雑誌

B-CLUB Issue No.15

PUBLICATION INFORMATION

Publisher: Bandai
Released: 1987.01.31
Price: 650
Size: —

Issue 15 includes the fourth installment of Kazuhisa Kondo’s Mechanic Linguistics (odd takes on Gundam-related things), a small sampling of Gunpla models, Gundam fan art, and a pullout poster with two Gundam-related mecha artwork images.