History Anime / MoBileSuITGunDam

[[WhereItAllBegan The one that started]] [[Franchise/{{Gundam}} it all.]]

* BigScrewedUpFamily: The Zabi family; the Deikuns aren't far behind.
* BittersweetEnding: [[spoiler: Amuro fights Char to a draw but is about to let himself die until he hears his friends' voices and is able to reunite with his adoptive family. Char survives, finishes his "revenge" by killing Kycilia, and escapes but is separated from his beloved sister Sayla forever. To add insult to injury, the CoolShip, ''Whitebase'' is destroyed, along with the Gundam, Guncannon and Guntank, leaving the protagonists without a home to go back to. On a larger scale, the destruction of A Baoa Qu and the death of Kycilia causes the remnants of Zeon to sue for peace, but the casualties of the war were horrific, and as the grievances between the Earthnoids and the Spacenoids were never really resolved, the war between the Federation and Zeon isn't really over, [[Anime/MobileSuitZetaGundam it's]] [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamZZ just]] [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamCharsCounterattack on]] [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamUnicorn hold]]]].

* BlondeBrunetteRedhead: The [[CoolShip White Base]] girls -- Sayla, Mirai, and Fraw.

* HumongousMecha

* PsychicPowers: Newtypes.

* StabTheSky: The Gundam's "Last Shooting" in the final episode was a Shoot the Sky.

*** Ghiren firing a superweapon too early just to kill his own father, also wiping out LOTS of Zeon's troops. Then a pissed off Kycillia executes Ghiren for Patricide, leading to the powerful Delaz Fleet (that Gato is a part of) to bail. And to think, they had spent 9 months at that point in a stalemate and were really close to winning...

** The Gundam. It's status as a prototype is actually played as an important factor in the overall series. Halfway through the series there is TheReveal of the GM, standard infantry mobile suits that are scaled down versions of the Gundam. It's this that turns the tide of the war using hundreds of them, rather than having one extra powerful mobile suit.

* SuperweaponSurprise: More than one, and used by both sides.

->''Who will survive?.''

** [[spoiler:[[ItWasHisSled Amuro is killed]]]] in Tomino's novelization. However, this wasn't due to his "Kill 'Em All" attitude but rather because he didn't anticipate any sequels, and he has said that he wouldn't have done it if he knew better.

* PyrrhicVillainy: Zeon resorted to a ColonyDrop among many other super destructive tactics in order to try and match the Federation resources. While it worked in the short term as they invaded Earth and gained a lot of ground, they basically destroyed the same infrastructure that could have benefitted them had they used more discretion. On top of that public perception of Zeon took a downturn, anyone affiliated with Zeon or [[TheRemnant Zeon Remnant]] would always be known as the ones who dropped a Colony.

* NuclearWeaponsTaboo: Averted. Nukes are used extensively in the opening battles of the war, resulting in up to a ''billion'' civilian casualties. [[SmugSnake M'Quve]] also launches an explicitly nuclear missile when it becomes clear that he's lost. Mobile suits also have nuclear reactors in them that GoCritical when hit by beam weapons; this happens several times in the series, including in [[DoomedHometown Side 7]] during the first episode.

* MascotVillain: Char Anzable, who is popular enough to show up in [[Anime/MobileSuitZetaGundam the sequel series]] and [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamCharsCounterattack an OVA]], as well as inspire [[CharClone a slew of copycats]].

* AgeGapRomance: Hamon and Ramba Ral. While it certainly seems to be a MayDecemberRomance from their appearances, Ral's much YoungerThanHeLooks and is actually in his 30s, his lined face and gray hair just makes him look older. There's a big age gap between the two.

** The novelization is compressed and skips the Earth-bound portion of the plot and cutting out a lot of the characters and mecha (Zeon only has two MS, the Zaku II and Rick Dom).

''Mobile Suit Gundam'' (''Kidou Senshi Gundam'', lit. "Mobile Soldier Gundam") is the original Franchise/{{Gundam}} show, created by Creator/YoshiyukiTomino. It started in 1979 as a planned 52-episode series, but it was cut down to 43 due to the show pulling in horrible ratings.[[note]]Actually cut down to 39, but the producers managed to bargain for a one-month extension to actually finish the story.[[/note]] However, the [[MerchandiseDriven merchandise]] for the show sold rather well, allowing the series to go straight into syndication, where it found its audience. A largely reanimated CompilationMovie trilogy successfully convinced the people with the money to further develop the series, and Mobile Suit Gundam eventually spawned a massive franchise.

* AnyoneCanDie: The series was, after all, created by a man who was ''nicknamed'' KillEmAll. In this case there are only a few main character deaths, though.

** [[spoiler:[[ItWasHisSled Amuro is killed]]]] in Tomino's novelization. However, this wasn't due to his KillEmAll attitude but rather because he didn't anticipate any sequels, and he has said that he wouldn't have done it if he knew better.

** [[MerchandiseDriven Heavier emphasis on Gundam auxiliaries]] with the G Fighter and associated combination modes. TechnologyPorn was a bit more consistent in later shows with the emphasis on the mobile suits and their weapons, rather than any support vehicles.

** The Federation's approach to Mobile Suits, while Zeon's very much AwesomeButImpractical pumping out a variety of different suits with different specializations and abilities. The Federation standardized their model, a downscaled version of the Gundam called the GM. It isn't a very flashy mobile suit, but it does have the basics: beam sword, shield, beam rifle and maneuverable in both Earthbound and space engagements. Coupled with the Ball Mobile suits they can be quite a formidable army, especially as Zeon never found an effective mass produced counter to the beam rifles. While Zeon pumped out esoteric designs like the Goggs, the Z'Doks, the Acguys (all of which were only deployed on Earth), the Federation had one design in mind and just mass produced it, ultimately winning them the war. The GM concept persisted into later series and other One Year War stories, with variations always coming across as a modification to a sturdy, versatile basic unit.

* EvilIsBigger: If the Brow Bro, Elmeth, and Big Zam are any indicator, someone at Zeon's department of design likes to build large. This is justified, however: The Brow Bro and Elmeth were designed around the use of psy-commu weapons, then in its infancy, which forced them to be larger than Mobile Suits. The Big Zam was designed to be able to take a whole ''fleet'' on by itself, and is big in order to fit everything it needs.

''Mobile Suit Gundam'' (''Kidou Senshi Gundam'', lit. "Mobile Soldier Gundam") is the original Franchise/{{Gundam}} show, created by Creator/YoshiyukiTomino. It started in 1979 as a planned 52-episode series, but it was cut down to 43 due to the show pulling in horrible ratings[[note]]actually cut down to 39, but the producers managed to bargain for a one-month extension to actually finish the story[[/note]]. However, the [[MerchandiseDriven merchandise]] for the show sold rather well, allowing the series to go straight into syndication, where it found its audience. A largely reanimated CompilationMovie trilogy successfully convinced the people with the money to further develop the series, and Mobile Suit Gundam eventually spawned a massive franchise.

** The CompilationMovie trilogy, which are often considered of higher production value than the series. They streamline the plot (albeit at the expense of crucial character and plot development), and cut out a lot of elements that Tomino didn't really want in there to start with (Like the G-Fighter/Armour and Gundam Hammer). They also improve on the animation, which was [[OffModel not great]] in the original series.
** The novelization is greatly compressed when compared with the TV series, completely skipping the Earth-bound portion of the plot and cutting out a lot of the characters and mecha (Zeon only has two MS, the Zaku II and Rick Dom).

[[WhereItAllBegan The one that started it all.]]

* MotiveDecay: Explored in the series, as Char initially was hoping to slowly dismantle the Zabi family from the inside for their murder of his father. Once he met Lalah and Newtype research gained full swing, he shifted his attention to that as this was closer to the vision his father had for Zeon. But after [[spoiler: Lalah's death]] and it becoming evident Zeon was on its last stand, he returned to his plans for revenge in the last few moments.

** As one would expect for a science-fiction show from the late 70s, ''StarWars''' fingerprints are everywhere, from the Gundam's beam saber to Char's Darth Vader-esque helmet. Tomino wanted the Gundam to be all-white like an Imperial Stormtrooper, but was overruled by the producers, who wanted kid-friendly primary colors.

* [[{{StabTheSky}} Shoot The Sky]]: the Gundam's "[[{{FanNickname}} Last Shooting]]" in the final episode.

* BadassMustache: Ramba Ral.

* BoringButPractical: The Federation's approach to Mobile Suits, while Zeon's very much AwesomeButImpractical pumping out a variety of different suits with different specializations and abilities. The Federation standardized their model, a downscaled version of the Gundam called the GM. It isn't a very flashy mobile suit, but it does have the basics: beam sword, shield, beam rifle and maneuverable in both Earthbound and space engagements. Coupled with the Ball Mobile suits they can be quite a formidable army, especially as Zeon never found an effective mass produced counter to the beam rifles. While Zeon pumped out esoteric designs like the Goggs, the Z'Doks, the Acguys (all of which were only deployed on Earth), the Federation had one design in mind and just mass produced it, ultimately winning them the war. The GM concept persisted into later series and other One Year War stories, with variations always coming across as a modification to a sturdy, versatile basic unit.

* AdaptationOverdosed: The original series eventually came with a novelization by Tomino that differed on numerous parts while still maintaining the same approximate story structure. Then there was the compilation movies, which also had some minor and major differences. Other works also explore [[HeroOfAnotherStory different facets of the One Year War separate from the specific adventures of the White Base crew]]. Years later, ''Manga/MobileSuitGundamTheOrigin'' would be yet another retelling of the same events.

* AdaptationOverdose: The original series eventually came with a novelization by Tomino that differed on numerous parts while still maintaining the same approximate story structure. Then there was the compilation movies, which also had some minor and major differences. Other works also explore [[HeroOfAnotherStory different facets of the One Year War separate from the specific adventures of the White Base crew]]. Years later, ''Manga/MobileSuitGundamTheOrigin'' would be yet another retelling of the same events.

* StockFootage: Mostly involving the Gundam launching or combining with its various parts.

* SuperPrototype: The Gundam. The Big Zam and YMS-15 Gyan later in the series, as well, and for a certain definition of 'prototype', the Elmeth and Zeong.
** The Gundam's status as a prototype is actually played as an important factor in the overall series. Halfway through the series there is TheReveal of the GM, standard infantry mobile suits that are scaled down versions of the Gundam. It's this that turns the tide of the war using hundreds of them, rather than having one extra powerful mobile suit.

** Amuro ends up FallingIntoTheCockpit and becomes the standard Gundam pilot, and Bright is forced to [[YouAreInCommandNow take charge as everyone above him is killed or separated]]. They are forced to learn military protocol and combat skills in the field, which results in a lot of mistakes at first, and then more mistakes as they get tired and exhausted while separated from the rest of the Federation. Once they regain contact with the main Federation forces, they are given an offer to either sign on with official {{Battlefield Promotion}}s or be imprisoned for at least a year while the war is ongoing. Why? Because they had unlimited access to some of the most advance equipment the Federation had to offer.