TV GUIDE 1979.06.29 ISSUE
The “Weekly TV Guide” was a TV info magazine published by Tokyo Post Co. Each issue contained a section called “Choice TV Theater,” which featured scenario for drama, anime, special effects, etc. The June 29, 1979 issue contained the script for Mobile Suit Gundam’s episode twelve, “The Threat of Zeon.” Scripts for this series often underwent drastic changes in dialogue and other aspects during the process of storyboarding and then onto ADR scripts. Episode twelve is no exception. I hope that you enjoy this unique alternative view into an episode that could have been.
SIDEBAR NOTES:
- One episode (30 minutes) has between 4,000 to 5,000 key animations.
- The time from scripting to broadcast is roughly three months with one month for animation.
- Gundam’s intention was a mixing of “combat” and “007” for kids.
- Almost two hundred people are involved from key animators, inbetweeners, and animators.
- The recording was done every Friday afternoon in Shinjuku.
THE THREAT OF ZEON
TV Asahi
June 24 (Saturday) 5:30 Broadcast
STAFF
Original Work: Hajime Yatate & Yoshiyuki Tomino
Mechanical Design: Kunio Okawara
Character Design: Yasuhiko Yoshikazu
Scenario: Kenichi Matsuzaki
Animation Director: Kazuo Nakamura
Music: Takeo Watanabe & Yushi Matsuyama
Producers: Wataru Sekioka (Nagoya TV), Noboyuki Okuma (Sotsu Agency), Yasuo Shibue (Nippon Sunrise)
Main Theme Song: Fly, Gundam! (King)
Lyrics: Rin Iogi
Composition: Takeo Watanabe & Yushi Matsuyama
Sung by: Koh Ikeda
VOICE ACTORS
Amuro Ray: Toru Furuya
Bright Noa: Hirotaka Suzuoki
Ryu Jose: Shozo Iizuka
Hayato Kobayashi: Kiyonobu Suzuki
Sayla Mass: Yo Inoue
Mirai Eiland: Fuyumi Shiraishi
Fraw Bow: Rumiko Ukai
Sovereign Degwin Zabi: Yuzuru Fujimoto
Commander Char: Shuichi Ikeda
Vice Admiral Dozle Zabi: Daisuke Gori
Supreme Commander Gihren Zabi: Takashi Tanaka
Admiral Kycilia Zabi: Mami Koyama
Narrator: Ichiro Nagai
1 OUTER SPACE
Rows of Zeon space colonies are gone over one after another. We approach one of them. On the hull of an ever-expanding exterior wall is the text ZION 0 (Zero). It is the central colony of the Principality of Zeon.
2 A ROOM, ZEON’S OFFICIAL RESIDENCE
Sovereign Degwin stands alone. The screen of a small TV flickers brightly just above his gaze. Garma appears on the screen.
GARMA’S VOICE: I’ll be returning to Zeon for a while within two months or so. But Father, before I return, I promise you a military triumph.
Degwin stares at the screen with a sorrowful look on his face.
GARMA’S VOICE: I shall not disappoint you. Well then, I look forward to seeing you soon.
The screen suddenly cuts out, turning white. Degwin’s eyes remain transfixed on the screen. His hand moves to press a single switch, and a card slides out of the slit (a laser video plate?).
DEGWIN: Prudence is a virtue.
He holds the card in his hand and stops moving. Then, after a short pause, the door suddenly opens. Degwin’s eyes flit open as Kycilia walks in briskly.
KYCILIA: Oh, Fath– I mean, Imperator!1
DEGWIN: Oh, is that you, Kycilia?
KYCILIA: You’re still here?
DEGWIN: …
KYCILIA: I do understand how you feel. However, there will never be another opportunity like this to foster spirits for war.
DEGWIN: I know that.
KYCILLIA: Well then, shall we…
At that moment, the door opens again, only violently this time. It is Dozle.
DOZLE: Here you are, Father!
He makes an exaggerated gesture.
DOZLE: What are you doing? Our people are pained by the death of my brother Garma and are waiting expectantly!
Kycilia, as if to urge him on,
KYCILIA: Sir.
DEGWIN: Yes, well.
He gets up as if his body were heavy. With Dozle leading the way, Degwin and Kycilia leave the room. As they exit, Gihren follows behind. Gihren to Kycilia,
GIHREN: I appreciate what you’ve done.
KYCILIA: Of course.
3 A BALCONY, SAME RESIDENCE
A crowd of people is buzzing nearby. Suddenly, cheers went up from them as the four of them appeared.
4 SATELLITE ORBIT
A battleship flies in orbit. Two cruisers fall into formation to follow. It is the battleship Zanzibar of Ramba Ral, who is taking over for Garma following his death in battle. The Pacific Ocean is below them.
5 BATTLESHIP ZANZIBAR
The orderly interior of the bridge. There is a sense of discipline. The Captain walks up to Ramba Ral. Ral takes notice.
RAL: What is it, Captain?
CAPTAIN: Commander, sir! I have spotted something “interesting” during my routine surface scan.
RAL: Hm. Show me.
On the screen in front of them is the White Base flying over the Pacific Ocean.
RAL: This is it?
CAPTAIN: We haven’t entered the identification of the machine yet, but all data indicates that it’s the Federation Forces’ newest ship, the White Base.
RAL: Hm…
A voice comes from behind him.
VOICE: Darling, isn’t this your chance to avenge Garma?
It belongs to Ramba Ral’s woman, Hamon.
RAL: Don’t be so hasty. This position is quite a distance from our base. We need to factor in our cruising range.
CAPTAIN: The Zanzibar’s descent capsule can surely make it, but the rest of the ships pose a problem.
RAL: Yes, you’re right.
HAMON: So…
RAL: Captain, hurry up and gather all the data together.
CAPTIAN: Yes, sir.
RAL: Hamon.
HAMON: Yes?
RAL: Don’t you worry. I’ll do it, even with just the Zanzibar. The Gouf is also on board, just in case.
He turned towards the screen displaying the White Base.
RAL: It’s the Federation mobile suit that the Red Comet failed to shoot down. I’ll just have to see what it can do.
6 GUNDAM ROOM, WHITE BASE
Amuro is alone, assembling some kind of small electronic device. One of the parts rolls out of his hand and falls to the floor. Amuro picks it up, bringing it up in front of him to look at it before throwing it away violently.
VOICE: Kyah!
Fraw Bow is standing beside the part he tossed, he is unaware that she came in.
FRAW: You’re cooped up in here again? It’ll be time to eat soon.
AMURO: I’m good.
FRAW: You didn’t eat the last time either, did you?
AMURO: I’ll be fine.
FRAW: No, you won’t.
AMURO: …
FRAW: I’ll bring you some, so you should eat.
AMURO: Would you just shut up already?
He shoves Fraw away. She hits the wall with a thud. Amuro looks at his hands in disbelief. Tears well up in Fraw’s eyes.
FRAW: What’s with you? God, it’s like I don’t even know you anymore!
She runs off.
7 BRIDGE
Bright and Hayato are in the middle of a discussion.
HAYATO: Also, there’s been a delay in resupplying the missiles in the seventh shooter.
BRIGHT: Relay that to Fraw Bow in the supply department.
Sayla appears at his side.
BRIGHT: What is it?
SAYLA: The main engine’s third nozzle has 2% less thrust than displayed.
BRIGHT: How much is that, in concrete terms?
SAYLA: About 40 tons.
BRIGHT: Why did we leave it until it got this bad?!
SAYLA: It couldn’t be helped. We haven’t had time for proper maintenance.
KATZ, LETZ, KIKKA all run past, the three making a ruckus.
BRIGHT: This isn’t a playground! Get out of here!
TRIO: WAH!
The trio runs for the exit, sticking their tongues out in unison with a “blah” before running away.
BRIGHT: Shut down the third nozzle and check it right away.
SAYLA: Understood.
She leaves. Bright to Mirai.
BRIGHT: Put all of that into the programming. I’m retiring to my room for a bit.
MIRAI: Yes, sir.
Bright exits. Mirai looks back at Bright as she incorporates the data into the control system, then stands up and tells the Operator.
MIRAI: Take care of the rest, would you please?
OPERATOR: Sure thing.
Mirai leaves.
8 BRIGHT’S QUARTERS
Bright flops back in his chair, letting out an exasperated sigh. There is a knock at the door. Bright turns and looks towards the door. Mirai enters.
MIRAI: Your attitude just now is unbefitting a commander.
BRIGHT: Yeah.
MIRAI: You even took it out on small children.
BRIGHT: I know, I know! I hate myself for it too.
Mirai walks up behind Bright, gently placing her hand on his shoulder.
MIRAI: You’re tired, I get that.
Bright leans back.
MIRAI: But, so is everyone else. You have to be the responsible one. After all, everyone relies on you.
An alert! Bright jumps up and switches on the intercom.
BRIGHT: What is it?
9 BRIDGE
OPERATOR: It’s a Zeon drop capsule! There’s a large one approaching from above the ship!
10 FROM THE STRATOSPHERE TO NORMAL ATMOSPHERE
A formation of capsules descends at high-speed. One of them is unusually large and has a different shape than the others. It is the capsule of the flagship Zanzibar.
11 FUNERAL HALL, PRINCIPALITY OF ZEON
Sounds of cannon blasts echoes throughout the air. A military band plays a funeral song and a parade proceeds. Degwin, Gihren, Kycilia, and Dozle are at the ceremony. Kycilia to Dozle,
KYCILIA: What has been done about Commander Char?
DOZLE: Hm, Commander Char? Hmph, I demoted him since he’s the kind of guy who shamelessly runs off when his superior officer gets killed.
KYCILIA: Is that so.
She pauses for a moment, then quietly steps backward as not to be noticed by those around her. She summons an aide, and she can be heard saying something.
AIDE: Yes, my Lady. I understand.
The aide quickly leaves. Kycilia returns to her original position with an unconcerned look on her face.
GIHREN: What were you doing?
KYCILIA: Just some military matters.
12 OVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN
The capsule formation swoops down from high altitude towards the White Base. Light streaks from the White Base still appear to be nothing more than a dot! Each of them is hit by several shots—still, the fleet begins to mount their attack as well.
13 WHITE BASE BRIDGE
VOICE: Block C12 is hit!
BRIGHT: Can’t we shake them off?
MIRAI: That seems impossible! They’re using speed from the reentry, and one of our nozzles is shut down.
BRIGHT: If we don’t do something, we’ll be riddled with holes. Are there any clouds nearby?
OPERATOR: 40 degrees starboard. Dense cloud cover 3.6 kilometers out.
BRIGHT: Excellent. Course 167!
MIRAI: You’re sure about taking us into a thunderstorm?
BRIGHT: Yes. The beam cannons’ power will be halved, though.
MIRAI: Understood, sir.
X X X
White Base changes course in a shower of beam cannons. They’re being tracked from above as they enter the swirling black clouds. The Zeon fleet follows.
14 A ROOM, WHITE BASE
Katz, Letz, and Kikka are latched onto Fraw Bow. Flashes of lightning and thunder roar incessantly through the darkness all around them. Then, close to them, a flash of lightning.
EVERYONE: Aaah!
Kikka begins to cry.
KATZ: I’m scared, Lady!
LETZ: I don’t like this one bit!
FRAW: (cringing) Well, that’s easy for you to say. This is my first time too, you know.
Katz and Letz start crying. Fraw also joins in, and they all cry together.
15 IN THE SKY
White Base flies through the storm. They’re flying at a slight angle.
16 WHITE BASE BRIDGE
OPERATOR: Port-side main engine losing power!
BRIGHT: One hit bit it, huh? That’s not good, especially at a time like this. How’s the E.C.M.?
MIRAI: It’s transmitting at maximum output.
BRIGHT: What’s our current position?
OPERATOR: X07, Y161, over the Line Islands.
BRIGHT: Mirai. We’re going to have to land somewhere and wait this out.
MIRAI: I’ll try.
X X X
The White Base descends in altitude, and a small island in the rough seas comes into view ahead of them.
17 ZANZIBAR CAPSULE
CREWMAN: The White Base has disappeared, sir.
CAPTAIN: I want a full report!
CREWMAN: Sir, we’ve been receiving substantial interference, but the jamming signature has disappeared from our radar.
CAPTAIN: Commander, how shall we proceed?
RAL: They can’t have escaped from this storm. Continue searching as long as we can stay in the air.
The Zeon fleet breaks formation and scatters in three directions.
18 ISLAND
The White Base is landing.
19 WHITE BASE BRIDGE
MIRAI: How long are we going to have to keep this up?
BRIGHT: Until they give up.
To Ryu, who is heading for a combat panel
BRIGHT: Ryu.
Ryu turns around.
BRIGHT: Have the Gundam and Guncannon standby.
RYU: Understood, sir.
Ryu leaves the bridge.
20 OVER THE ISLAND
A Zeon capsule passes overhead.
21 CAPSULE
CREWMAN: I’m picking up an anomalous magnetic response!
22 ISLAND
The Zeon capsule turns back around, correcting downward to a lower altitude.
23 GUNDAM ROOM
The alarm continues to blare. Ryu comes running in. There, Amuro sits assembling something.
RYU: Amuro, what’re you doing? You have to get the Gundam ready to launch!
Amuro looks at Ryu with a wry smile.
AMURO: I’m not going.
RYU: What’re you talking about? Can’t you hear the alarm?
Amuro ignores him.
RYU: Christ, what the hell is wrong with you?
He picks Amuro up.
RYU: Hey, look at me!
He slaps him lightly across the face.
RYU: Take a good look!
He shoves Amuro’s face toward a nearby screen where a capsule is seen heading towards the White Base. Amuro turns towards Ryu.
AMURO: Oh, Ryu.
RYU: Pull yourself together, man, sheesh!
24 OCEAN
The three capsules link up.
25 ZANZIBAR
The island where the White Base landed is displayed on the screen.
RAL: Heh, let’s see just how good they are. Vice, Lang, you’re with me! Captain, don’t interrupt our fun once we get down there!
26 WHITE BASE BRIDGE
OPERATOR: Enemy craft approaching!
X X X
The Zeon formation heads towards White Base through the storm.
BRIGHT: Have temporary repairs been made to the engine yet?
VOICE: No, sir!
27 ISLAND
The three capsules pass over the White Base. At the same time, three Gouf descent from the Zanzibar. Beams shower the three from the ground; however, the terrain hides them, and they have no effect.
28 RAL’S COCKPIT
VOICE: I’m terribly sorry, but we can no longer remain airborne at this place.
RAL: Thank you for your assistance. Go ahead to base.
VOICE: Roger. We wish you success.
X X X
The other capsules fly away, leaving the Zanzibar behind.
29 WHITE BASE BRIDGE
MIRAI: What does this mean?
BRIGHT: I don’t know. But we have a better chance at winning now.
30 GUNDAM ROOM
BRIGHT’S VOICE: What’re you dawdling for? The enemy Gouf’s are already on the ground!
RYU: Amuro’s go that thing that rookies used to get!
BRIGHT: Great, one more hassle to deal with. There are three Gouf. Ryu, you’ll have to take on two of them. I’m sure Amuro can handle just one as he is now.
RYU: Sink or swim, huh? (to Amuro) That’s how things go, kid, gotta accept it!
He forces Amuro into the cockpit and hurriedly climbs in himself３.
RYU: Ready for launch! Let’s do this, Amuro!
31 ISLAND
RAL: Oh, they’ve come out. Lang, Vice, you two take the one with the twin cannons, and I’ll handle the other one.
LANG & VICE: Yes, sir!
Amuro readied and fired his beam cannon while retreating slowly. However, the beam cannon is repelled by Ramba Ral, who jumped close to him a moment earlier, and now has drawn him into close combat. Amuro is continues trying to back away.
RAL: Oh, you’re running away? Even Char and I are no match for you when it comes to close combat!
X X X
Ryu fires off his beam cannon as well. One suit fails to avoid a shot, but it doesn’t penetrate it!
RYUU: !!
The other suit takes advantage of the situation and rams him. The Guncannon can barely withstand the power.
RYU: T-these guys are different from the ones we’ve fought until now! Amuro!
The bodies of Ramba Ral and Amuro are tangled together and fall from the cliff into the sea.
32 WHITE BASE BRIDGE
BRIGHT: Ryu, what’s happening?
RYU: Amuro’s in danger! These guys are different… Their armor, power, speed, it’s all–!!”
33 ISLAND
An explosion! One of the Gouf is hit by Ryu’s cannon fire. Then, before Ryu could even turn around, he’s struck by enemy fire. Partial damage!
RYU: Now you’ve done it!
34 UNDER THE SEA
The Gundam is knocked down by the Gouf’s hammer.
RAL: Well, how do you like the taste of my penetrating hammer? It’s certainly better than a weak missile!
35 GUNDAM COCKPIT
Amuro has lost consciousness.
GUNDAM COMPUTER: Pilot unconscious. Automatic defenses activated.
X X X
The Gundam positions its shield to protect itself from the hammer blows, but it is flung backward with each shot.
RAL: So, this is a Federation mobile suit, huh? Hahaha!
X X X
Amuro is having nightmares. Missiles and the Gouf loom ominously.
AMURO: Ungh… don’t come any close… stop!
GUNDAM COMPUTER: Pilot: unharmed. Resuscitation measures.
A sharp light flits wildly around Amuro’s eyes.
AMURO: Nnngh.
GUNDAM COMPUTER: Still unconscious. Resuscitation measures, second stage.
The Gundam’s shield is repelled away.
RAL: I’ll crush your head! Get ready!
X X X
Amuro’s body is shocked (electric shock?). His eyes open. The Gouf’s hammer roars towards the screen. The Gundam dodges it just in time.
X X X
Amuro is panting hard.
AMURO: I-I AM NOT GOING TO BE KILLED!
Amuro draws out his beam sword2.
36 ISLAND
The Guncannon takes out the remaining Gouf.
RYU: Amuro!
He races towards the sea and jumps in.
RYU: Amuro, can you hear me? Amuro!
X X X
A searchlight shines on the battlefield between Amuro and Ramba Ral. The Guncannon draws closer to them.
RAL: Nuh!
Ral is distracted briefly, and the Gundam slashes at him from above. The sword of light slices through one of Ral’s arms at the shoulder. Lots of air bubbles float upward.
37 WHITE BASE
The surface of the sea bubbles up.
MIRAI: What happened?
BRIGHT: I don’t know.
Just then, Ral’s Gouf jumps out.
FRAW: Amuro!
BRIGHT: Amuro! Ryu!
OPERATOR: Enemy mothership incoming!
The Zanzibar invades from a very low altitude. Both sides cross each other’s lines of fire. When the capsule is just above Ral’s head, a special hook retrieves his Gouf.
38 ZANZIBAR CAPSULE
Ramba Ral is still in his Gouf.
RAL: We’re heading back.
HAMON: Are you alright, dear?
CAPTAIN: Commander, what about the enemy?
RAL: So long as we have the Gouf, we can defeat him anytime.
CAPTAIN: So, they’ll be able to see the broadcast then?
RAL: Yes, they will.
The capsule flies off.
39 ISLAND
The Gundam emerges from the sea, dragged by the Guncannon.
RYU: Amuro, you okay?
AMURO: Yeah…
BRIGHT: Amuro, you’re…!!
RYU: Don’t bother, Bright. It doesn’t matter what you say in this situation.
BRIGHT: Right.
RYU: We’re going to have to hurry with the repairs to White Base and the Gundam before the next attack.
40 PRINCIPALITY OF ZEON
Gihren is at a podium.
GIHREN: We have lost a hero! But does this mean our defeat?! No! It is a new beginning!
A cheer goes up
41 BAR, PRINCIPALITY OF ZEON
Gihren is shown on a TV screen. Char is there looking up at him.
CHAR: A hero? Oh, what a great hero indeed!
He puts his empty glass down on the table and suddenly says,
CHAR: Bartender, another Beauty Boy.
Just then, from behind.
VOICE: That one’s on me.
Char turns around. There stood the man who had disappeared after being whispered to by Kycilia.
ATTENDANT: Do you mind?
He asks for permission to sit in the chair.
CHAR: By all means.
ATTENDANT: I’m afraid you have some tough work ahead of you, Commander Char.
CHAR: So, just who are you, exactly?
ATTENDANT: Oh, yes, how rude of me. My name is Pacchi. I’m with the 7th Division Royal Guards. My rank is Commander.
CHAR: The 7th Division… so you’re under Kycilia?
PACCHI: Haha, think of it as reporting directly to her.
CHAR: So, what is it you want with me?
42 NORTH AMERICAN BASE
M’QUVE: Anything unusual with the final checks?
SOLDIER: No, sir. Everything is ready for broadcast, sir.
M’QUVE: The same video will be transmitted from all Earth bases in ten minutes. I am in charge until Commander Ral arrives. So don’t make any mistakes.
43 WHITE BASE BRIDGE
BRIGHT: Well?
OPERATOR: It’s coming in across all channels.
A state funeral is shown on screen.
BRIGHT: Quite an elaborate setup.
OPERATOR: Shall I cut the feed?
BRIGHT: No, this will give each of us a good opportunity to see what our enemy is really like.
The crew takes a break from their work in various places across the ship to look at their screens.
X X X
GIHREN: Hear me! We must never forget this anger and sorrow! We shall focus it and bring it down upon the Federation!
There is a roar of excitement.
GIHREN: And, the greatest tribute to our soldiers will be to end this battle in victory for us. Victory is in our hands!
The cheers from the crowd grow even louder.
PEOPLE: Sieg Zeon! Sieg Zeon! Sieg Zeon!
Images of Zeon’s legions of people in a frenzy are shown on the screen. They spread out throughout the entire city.
X X X
Amuro and Ryu look up at the TV screens as they step out of the Gundam. Amuro’s eyes are glaring.
RYU: So, these are the ones that are coming for us?
X X X
Gihren motions for the crown to be silent, and the people grow quiet.
GIHREN: There is one more thing everyone must not forget: this battle is a holy war. Under the guise of humanitarianism, the Federation’s lax and compromising policies allow for the growing severity of idleness and inferiority and risks degenerating humanity as a species. Humanity must be controlled by a superior species to prevent this from happening. We, Zeon, are the ones who can do that; it is Zeon’s obligation to do so!
The populace erupts in a frenzy.
X X X
Amuro’s fist, in his pilot suit, shatters the screen.
RYU: Amuro!
Amuro shakes off the debris.
AMURO: I’ve pulled myself together.
He briskly leaves.
RYU: Hey, where are you going?!
AMURO: The galley.
Ryu, about to say something, instead stops. He goes back to the bridge.
BRIGHT: How is Amuro?
RYU: Well, he seems back on his feet.
BRIGHT: Oh?
RYU: He’s just…
BRIGHT: Just, what…?
RYU: I think he’s changed as a person.
BRIGHT: …
VOICE: Repairs are complete.
Bright turns around.
BRIGHT: Startup the engines. We’re taking off!
OPERATOR: Engine ignition, start.
A sudden electric noise follows a light vibrating sound.
44 ISLAND
Sunlight streams through the clouds that have started to break. Partially bathed in the sunlight, in strong contrast, the White Base begins their ascent, jets bursting from below.
TRANSLATION NOTES:
1 The term Kycilia uses here is 大元帥閣下, which translates to His Majesty the Generalissimo, or a more literal Your Excellency the Commander-in-Chief. In this case, I opted for Imperator. This term has never been repeated outside of this script draft, so it’s likely not that important to fret over how I’ve chosen to translate it. Just know that she’s referring to his exalted position as head of the Zeon army rather than his position as Sovereign over Zeon in this instance.
2 The term used here is 光線剣, which literally means light saber. In keeping with established lore, I’ve translated this as beam saber.
3 While this sounds misleading, Ryu actually climbs into his own mobile suit.
