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Presentation PA #79How Can We Create A World Without War For The Future. In this issue, we are introducing you to one of the most talked-about and popular shows in 2003: Gundam Seed, a new Gundam TV series with a very fresh storytelling, directed by Mitsuo Fukuda. It is a very different Gundam world when compared to the previous Gundam series by director Yoshiyuki Tomino, and Gundam Seed is NOT a sequel to Tomino-san's work. Of course, this show is putting up a Gundam logo, therefore, it offers the viewer the good old Gundam classic elements: a war story, Gundam mecha, the evolution of human beings, such as the Coordinators, etc. However, the viewers can feel the energy and vitality of the fresh approach used by director Mitsuo Fukuda, who put his heart and soul into this show, along with the Sunrise people. Through Gundam Seed, director Fukuda is asking you viewers all sorts of questions: "How can we, humans, have hope, a willingness to go forward and how can we create a world without war for the future?" In the past, through shows like New Century GPX: Cyber Formula and Gear Fighter Electric Kid Dendo, director Fukuda has described the personal growth and friendship of characters and used sharp mecha action. In Gundam Seed, he is putting all that, as well as very deep questions on what we are facing today. In reality, we are at war against terrorism right now and the guerrilla warfare in Iraq still continues. Japan's next door neighbor, North Korea, is threatening to use nuclear weapons. People in the Middle East are suffering from a chain-reaction of hate and they are dying, with no solution in view. The characters in Gundam Seed -- the teens -- are first described as kids who thought they only saw the war and terrorism on TV and on the news media, just like the kids of Japan today. They felt bad and hurt when they watched the terrible news footage on TV and, yet, they thought they had nothing to do with it and had no interest, as they were enjoying a prosperous and peaceful life in the neutral country of Orb. But, suddenly, their lives were changed forever! Unwillingly, they get involved in the warfare and are forced to see what they did not wish to see and know about reality! The main character, Kira Yamato, and his best friend, Athrun Zara, are forced to walk inside a very cruel world, full of irony and hate, which would surely break anyone's heart. Although this show is a story of warfare, war is NEVER glorified here. Even in our own reality, warfare still continues and we really wonder when all this madness will end. What is the essential and intrinsic problem with war? When we just look at the Israelis and Palestinians, President Bush and Saddam Hussein, things go absolutely nowhere. We, as humans, really have to find a way for a future without war. Director Fukuda seems to be offering many questions to the viewers through his show. He is describing characters who try to face the essential problems of war, rather than just describing fighting. When we look at ourselves, we have our family, our friends, the local community and a nation and all of us want to feel a sense of belonging. Kira, the Seed's main character, really hates fighting because he knows killing people creates more hatred and misery. He and his friend Athrun gradually begin to see who is behind this madness and decide to try and stop it in the later episodes. This new Gundam world offers you not only entertainment, but also deep drama among the characters and both worlds' (Earth and the colonies) economy, society, political system, etc., which adds even more flavor to the series. What is the significance of warfare? Why do some people keep fighting until the enemy is annihilated in a genocide? In order for humanity to live peacefully, isn't there any other means to resolve conflict than "I'll atomize you, your family and your pets?" Think about that with Kira! So, let us sit and enjoy Gundam Seed and be prepared to experience a violent shock and lots of upheavals! Miyako Matsuda * * *The longest running anime & manga magazine in North America continues to offer you the most useful information, all condensed in a compact, affordable format! This issue offers spotlights on the latest Mobile Suit Gundam TV series Gundam Seed (which will start a second season on Japanese TV in Spring and will be released in North America later in 2004 by Bandai) as well as on the latest of Yoshiyuki Tomino's series, Overman King Gainer. It also provides several "Anime Stories", introducing you to new anime titles like Captain Herlock: The Endless Odyssey, GetBackers, GunParade March, Haibane-Renmei, Millenium Actress, Naruto, Ninja Scroll TV & Movie, Someday's Dreamers and Tokyo Godfathers !! Finally, it includes the usual "Anime World" articles (convention & festival reports on Fantasia, Big Apple Anime Fest, Anime Boston, Anime Central, Animazement, Project A-Kon and Fanime Con, as well as The Modern Japanese Music Database Part 23 on B'z), the reviews of lots of recent anime & manga-related products (48 anime DVDs, 5 CD sountracks, 26 manga, 2 books, 1 model kit, 6 live-action movies, etc.) and the latest news. Enjoy! As usual, we would like to hear your comments, read your letters and see your fan arts. Send them either to comments@protoculture.qc.ca or P.O. Box 1433, Station B, Montreal, Qc, H3B 3L2 Canada. Next Issue: a spotlight on The Cat Returns (the latest movie by Studio Ghibli), more convention & festival reports and tons of "Anime Stories" on Ashita no Naja, The Big O 2, Looking For The Full Moon, Monkey Typhoon, Nurse Witch Komugi-chan, Parasite Dolls, Raimuiro Senkitan, Stratos 4, Tamala The Punk Cat, Tokyo Mew Mew, Tree Of Palme, Yukikaze, and more!! Don't miss it! Check the Upcoming Issues section for details! Claude J. Pelletier |