Name(s):

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Mobile Suit Gundam Movie Trilogy / Kidou Senshi Gundam I / Kidou Senshi Gundam I Gekijouban / Mobile Suit Gundam Movie 1 / 劇場版　機動戦士ガンダム I　特別編 / Mobile Suit Gundam I / Mobile Suit Gundam I: La Película / Mobile Suit Gundam Film I / Kidou Senshi Gundam II: Ai Senshi-hen / Mobile Suit Gundam Movie 2 / 機動戦士ガンダムⅡ　哀・戦士編 / Mobile Suit Gundam II: Soldiers of Sorrow / Mobile Suit Gundam Película II: Soldados del Dolor / Mobile Suit Gundam Film II / Kidou Senshi Gundam III: Meguriai Sora-hen / Kidou Senshi Gundam III: Meguriai Uchuu Hen / Mobile Suit Gundam Movie 3 / 機動戦士ガンダムⅢ　めぐりあい宇宙編 / Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space / Mobile Suit Gundam Película III: Encuentros en el Espacio / Mobile Suit Gundam Film III

Format: Movie(s) (139, 133, and 140 minutes respectively)
Studio(s): Sunrise

Original Publication: N/A (unknown)

This movie trilogy is pretty much the first Gundam “series” I’ve seen to completion. I was advised this was a good entry point, and I can’t disagree because I greatly enjoyed this saga. However, I was also familiar with several aspects of the story and characters from Gundam video games and other media, so I was already excited to see them in their original portrayal. In other words, I had a slight bias, but whatever.

There are some who say the syndicated series is still better than the movies, claiming its more natural pacing allowed significant events to feel more powerful. I can’t confirm the degree of truthfulness, but that’s a basic storytelling strength, so I can understand.

While watching this, I could very easily recognize the cut edits and implied-but-removed scenes. And while many scenes had a strong impact on me, I still couldn’t help but wonder if they’d mean more to me if I saw them in the series. I was also disappointed at never seeing a couple of classic lines from the franchise.

The second entry was my favorite of the three movies, and a lot of my most loved scenes are in it. Particularly those with Ramba Ral.