Gunota Headlines
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Suit CD hits the charts
Oricon's weekly album sales chart has DESTINY Suit CD Vol. 6 as the 13th best selling album in the country with 19,000 copies sold.
GA Graphic has info on various upcoming Banpresto prize merchandise:
-October-
Diecast Creative Zaku Part 2
Genkina Haro Desktop Clocks
-November-
Gundam Series Custom Mobile Suit Selection 1
MS Gundam Super DX Plushies 3
MS Gundam Air Vinyl Helmets
-December-
Gundam SEED Series Customize Mobile Suits Selection 1
Gundam Series Amazing Pose Figures
Gundam Series Genkina Haro Stamps
Gundam Series Genkina Haro Gradation Lights
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Gundam Vs. Z Gundam Sweepstakes
Bandai is running a Gundam vs. Z Gundam trivia contest starting today and ending July 20th. Prizes include various Gunpla and the Zeta Gundam DVD boxset.
Reports on 2ch state that Famitsu revealed a new One Year War PSP game entitled "Gundam Battle Tactics" to be released on September 22. The game is described by one poster as looking like Lost War Chronicles with a cockpit view. OVA characters & MS appear and it supports up to 4 players in versus mode.
Edit: GameSpot put up further details.
ITmedia Games posted a review of game with more pics.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
A new page concerning weapons is up.
Sony Music Online Japan has Windows Media audio clips up of vestige (SEED DESTINY) and crosswise (Sengoku Basara).
The System page on the official site is up.
Monday, June 27, 2005
Heirs To The Stars just manages to hang in the top 10.
Gundam: True Odyssey's Customize page is finally up.
Haro's Puyopuyo's also now has a Character page.
The novelization of MS IGLOO by Jouji Hayashi (author of the Lost War Chronicles, Rise From The Ashes, and Zeonic Front novels) was announced for August 1st.
The first collected volume of MEIMU's MS IGLOO manga from Gundam Ace will be out on August 26th.
Akira Yasuda's Turn A Gundam: Wind Of The Moon manga also gets its own separate volume on August 26th.
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Released by Kodansha as a complete documentary of the Zeta I - Heirs to the Stars, the book had some interesting info regarding the Zeta movies including a copy of Tomino memo (movie concept notes) dating November 2002. The book also contains interviews with Tomino, Gackt, and staffs of the movie.
Zeta Gundam the Movie (concept)
- 3-part 85 minute long movie or 2-part 120-150 minute long movie.
Part 1 : 星を継ぐ者 (Heirs to the Stars)
Part 2 : 恋人たち (Lovers)
Part 3 : 三つ巴 (Three Ways, Triskelion, etc we'll leave the imagination up to you)
*Title for part 3 is not official. This was the tentative title listed in the Tomino memo).
Based on interviews with Naoyuki Onda, Morifumi Naka, and Kenichi Matsumura (producer), Zeta II will have more new animations (over 500 cuts which amounts to 40% of the movie), will cover episode 15-32, and will be fast paced.
Ep 38 -
"A New Flag" - Dullindal tells the LOGOS to surrender at Heavens Base. Shinn and Lunamaria stand by as the deadline approaches. Shinn promises Luna that he will protect her. All the suddenly, Earth Alliance attacks. ZAFT forces are pushed back by the Destroy Gundam. Embroiled in revenge, Shinn reverses the battle in favor of ZAFT.
Ep 39 -
"Kira of the Sky" - Lacus secretly returns to PLANT looking for the evidence, which will uncover Dullindal's true motives. She successfully finds it. As she tries to return, she comes under ZAFT's pursuit. However, Kira piloting Strike Rouge comes to the rescue.
Ep 40 -
"Golden Will" - Dullindal praises Shinn for his fight at Heavens Base. Shinn is determined to become stronger by forgetting the weakness he encountered when he shot down Athrun. Rumor spreads that Djibril, the only person to flee Heavens Base, escaped to Orb. Shinn starts to point his hatred toward Orb...
4 New, Great Gundams Appear!
Infinite Justice Gundam (Pilot: Unknown) - Created together with the Strike Freedom. It flies freely on its back-mounted Lifter while beams on its wings and legs tear enemies to pieces.
Strike Freedom Gundam (Pilot: Kira Yamato) - Freedom's successor, which Lacus had developed for Kira. Possesses firepower that exceeds Freedom's and is equipped with a DRAGOON system.
Legend Gundam (Pilot: Rey Za Burrel) - A unit in the vein of the Providence with a DRAGOON system which can simultaneously attack multiple enemies from every direction through the use of sub-units that detach from its back.
Destiny Gundam (Pilot: Shinn Asuka) - Possessing all the abilities of the Impulse without the exchanging Silhouettes, it's ZAFT's most powerful Gundam. Fires beams from its palm.
Destroy army corps appears! - Destiny and Legend attack Heaven's Base to defeat Logos but their path is blocked by 5 Destroy units!
SEED DESTINY
AWACS DINN - "Derived from the DINN model, who's forte is atmospheric flight. The armament of this MS is the same though it's furnished with a large radome on its back to specialize in Airborne Warning."
Murasame Reconnaissance Type - "A variation of the Murasame. Equipped with a large radome on its back, it shows its true value in MA form. There's no change in its armaments and other specs."
MS IGLOO
The official site put up a QTVR for Char's Zaku II as well as details on DVD 3.
Gundam: True Odyssey
The World Map page is up. Cue Charlton Heston's dialogue from the end of Planet Of The Apes.
The monthly Gundam power rankings in Gundam Ace. Zeta-related character/MS jumps while all of DESTINY's Zaku-this got purged.
Top 30 Male Characters
1) Kira Yamato - SEED DESTINY
2) Char Aznable - MSG/The Origin/Zeta
3) Amuro Ray - MSG/The Origin/Zeta
4) Athrun Zala - SEED DESTINY
5) Quattro Bageena - Zeta Gundam
6) Kamille Bidan - Zeta Gundam
7) Shinn Asuka - SEED DESTINY
8) Anavel Gato - 0083
9) Heero Yuy - Wing
10) Auel Neider - SEED DESTINY
11) Yzak Joule - SEED DESTINY
12) Kai Shiden - MSG/The Origin/Zeta
13) Shiro Amada - 08th MS Team
14) Bright Noa - MSG/The Origin/Zeta
15) Ramba Ral - MSG/The Origin
16) Garrod Ran - Gundam X
17) Jerid Mesa - Zeta Gundam
18) Paptimus Scirocco - Zeta Gundam
19) Heine Westenfluss - SEED DESTINY
20) Norris Packard - 08th MS Team
21) Rey Za Burrel - SEED DESTINY
22) Dearka Elthman - SEED DESTINY
23) Colonel Todaka - SEED DESTINY
24) Andy Waltfeld - SEED DESTINY
25) Kou Uraki - 0083
26) Master Asia - G Gundam
27) Yazan Gable - Zeta Gundam
28) Loran Cehak - Turn A Gundam
29) Duo Maxwell - Wing
30) Mu La Flaga - SEED
Top 30 Female Characters:
1) Lacus Clyne - SEED DESTINY
2) Lunamaria Hawke - SEED DESTINY
3) Sayla Mass - MSG/The Origin
4) Stellar Loussier - SEED DESTINY
5) Haman Karn - Zeta Gundam/Portrait Of A Young Comet
6) Cagalli Yula Athha - SEED DESTINY
7) Emma Sheen - Zeta Gundam
8) Four Murasame - Zeta Gundam
9) Aina Sahalin - 08th MS Team
10) Murrue Ramias - SEED DESTINY
11) Elpeo Ple - Gundam ZZ
12) Christina Mackenzie - 0080
13) Meer Campbell - SEED DESTINY
14) Miriallia Haw - SEED DESTINY
15) Cima Garahau - 0083
16) Tiffa Adill - Gundam X
17) Fa Yuiri - Zeta Gundam
18) Dianna Sorel - Turn A Gundam
19) Fllay Allstar - SEED
20) Sara Zabiarov - Zeta Gundam
21) Rosamia Badam - Zeta Gundam
22) Lalah Sune - MSG
23) Shiho Harnesfuss - SEED DESTINY
24) Reccoa Londe - Zeta Gundam
25) Matilda Ajan - MSG/The Origin
26) Relena Peacecraft - Wing
27) Mirai Yashima - MSG/The Origin
28) Rain Murakami - G Gundam
29) Shakti Kareen - V Gundam
30) Talia Gladys - SEED DESTINY
Top 30 MS:
1) Freedom Gundam - SEED DESTINY
2) Zeta Gundam - Zeta Gundam
3) Hyaku Shiki - Zeta Gundam
4) Strike Freedom Gundam - SEED DESTINY
5) Nu Gundam - CCA
6) Gundam Mk-II - Zeta Gundam
7) Saviour Gundam - SEED DESTINY
8) Destiny Gundam - SEED DESTINY
9) Gundam - MSG/The Origin
10) Sazabi - CCA
11) Qubeley - Zeta Gundam
12) Infinite Justice - SEED DESTINY
13) Wing Gundam Zero - Wing: Endless Waltz
14) Zaku II - MSG/The Origin
15) GOUF Ignited - SEED DESTINY
16) Dom - MSG/The Origin
17) Gouf - MSG/The Origin
18) Destroy Gundam - SEED DESTINY
19) Gundam F91 - F91
20) Strike Gundam - SEED
21) Justice Gundam - SEED
22) Abyss Gundam - SEED DESTINY
23) Asshimar - Zeta Gundam
24) Gouf Custom - 08th MS Team
25) Marasai - Zeta Gundam
26) Kampher - 0080
27) Strike Rouge - SEED
28) Z'gok - MSG/The Origin
29) Hizack - Zeta Gundam
30) Rick Dias - Zeta Gundam
Models
PG Strike Rouge (comes with Aile Strike, Sky Grasper, and Cagalli figure) - Aug, 19950 yen
HCM Pro Asshimar (no release date)
Voice I-doll Part 3
Lacus Clyne - late Aug
Kira Yamato - late Aug
First off, customers can reserve MS IGLOO DVD 3 starting Aug 1 at Lawson's Loppi stations. The reservation period will last until Sep 30 and will cost 5040 yen. The DVD's arrive at stores on October 28th.
Second, there will be a special showing of MS IGLOO ep 2 at the 44th Japan SF Event "HAMACON2". HAMACON2 is a 2 day event taking place at Pacifico Yokohama during July 16 and 17. However, the special showing of MS IGLOO will only take place once in the morning of the 17th.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
∞ Justice Gundam
Head machine gun: MMI-M19L 14mm dual machine guns x 2
Chest machine gun: MMI-GAU26 17.5mm CIWS x 2
Leg/shin beam cutter: MR-Q15A Griffon beam blade
Hip beam saber: MA-M02G Super Lacerta (Speel Lacerta?) x 2
Lifter beam cannon: MA-6J Hyper Fortis beam cannon
Lifter retracted beam cannon's short beam saber: MA-M02S Prefis (?) Lacerta x 2
Lifter wing beam cutter: MR-Q17X Griffon 2 beam blade x 2
Lifter edge beam saber: MA-M02G Super Lacerta (Speel Lacerta?)
Beam rifle: MA-M1911 High energy beam rifle
Beam boomerang: RQM55 Shining Edge beam boomerang
Beam shield: MX2002 beam carry shield x 1
Shield anchor: EEQ8 Grapple Stinger
Strike Freedom Gundam (addition)
Wings: EQFU-3X Super DRAGOON mobile weapon wings
DRAGOON beam cannon: MA-80V beam assault cannon x 8
ZGMF-XX09T Dom Trooper
AMRF-101C AWACS DINN - Appeared in episode 34.
GAT-X255 Forbidden Blue - Will appear in episode 36.
Destiny Astray
RGX-00 Testament Gundam - (Note: the writer of the article looks to be making personal conjecture based on the outward apperance so there's a lot of "seems like this", "appears to be that" language) A mysterious mobile suit that appears in front of Jess. Equipped with enormous parts on its back that seem to be some kind of flight unit. In the head is a distinctive pair of antenna that are overall much the same as the Out Frame's. Seems to have some type of stealth function though different from the N Dagger N's mirage colloid. It's also noted that the 3 Gundams stolen from Armory One apparently had their model numbers amended by the Earth Alliance (eg., the Abyss was shown designated as RGX-02 when it was shot down).
Destiny MSV
ZGMF-X101S Zaku Splendor - A Zaku used for testing purposes which makes use of an Impulse-style Core Splendor system.
It's being mentioned on 2ch that Famitsu gave True Odyssey scores of 7, 7, 7, 8 in their formal review section.
Toru Furuya announced that he will be making the annual appearance at Chara Hobby for Kadaokawa Shoten and Bandai Visual on August 20th and 21st. Last year, Toru Furuya promoted the G-BOS arcade and participated in a talk show with Shuichi Ikeda.
Over at the official Chara Hobby site, Isao Sasaki (performer for the Space Battleship Yamato's OP) is the only announced guest.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Updates on the official site:
Another page explaining fight options in the System section.
More mobile suits on the MS page and the Enemy File page.
Two new characters:
Marie - Age and true character unknown. Provides support for the protagonist with her superior intellect and wide range of knowledge. Full name: Marie Origin Naykeschneck Tokita.
??? - Mystery girl.
Another post on Unicorn Tsuushin elaborates on the G-System and its MS. In order to create MS, one needs not only the blueprints but an energy source known as "ECAP(L)" to start up the system. The player can make 39 MS in all this way, only 19 of which are revealed in the post:
From MSG - RX-78 Gundam, Gelgoog, Gyan
From Zeta - Zeta Gundam, Rick Dias, Gundam Mk II, Hyaku Shiki, HiZack, Marasai
From ZZ - ZZ Gundam, Zaku III, Dreissen
From CCA - Nu Gundam
From G Gundam - Shining Gundam
From Wing - Wing Gundam, Deathscythe, Heavyarms, Gundam Sandrock, Altron Gundam
Zeta manages to hang in the top 10 at #8 in its fourth weekend as Batman Begins and The Ring 2 open in Japan.
The official site for the GBA game, first mentioned last month, is up. Not much there as is usually the case for new official game sites but you can enjoy the amusing character designs.
The Character page on the official site was updated.
Monday, June 20, 2005
More pics to be seen at ITmedia Games.
It's been up for several days now but may as well link to Toy News International's WCC 2005 gallery for anyone who's missed it.
MSiA GuAIZ
Cosmic Region Freedom Gundam
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Through the program's blog it was announced that Chemistry's "Wings Of Words" will first be heard over airwaves on the June 29th edition of their Oh! My Radio radio show on J-Wave.
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Longtime fansite Gundam Watch is closing its doors. The announcement made by webmaster GrayBear can be read at their forums.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Though T.M. Revolution's "vestige" won't be released until August 10th, Sony Music Online Japan says that the song will first be heard over the airwaves on the June 20th edition of Takanori Nishikawa's All Night Nippon radio show.
Gpara.com put up a large number of new images of Alliance Vs. ZAFT.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
New figure listings from AmiAmi. These are spoilers for upcoming episodes of SEED DESTINY:
MSiA Blaze Zaku Phantom New Color Ver. (tentative name) - The personal color model piloted by Dearka of the Joule Team. Will appear in the program's second half. (end of September, 1,575 yen)
MSiA Gaia Gundam New Color Ver. (tentative name) - An MS that appears in the program's second half piloted by Archangel member Waltfeld. (end of September, 1,575 yen)
MSiA Strike Rouge Destiny Ver. (tentative name) - Destiny version with Cagalli's emblem on the shoulder and the modified Aile Striker Pack. (end of September, 1,575 yen)
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Plamoya-san's Useless Diary lists additional armaments taken from the 1/144 Collection Series Strike Freedom description:
Official name: EQFU-3X Super DRAGOON mobile weapon wings
Armament: MA80V Beam Assault Cannon x 1
Note: The model number given for the DRAGOON is similar to the Chaos Gundam's EQFU-5X mobile weapon pods.
I'll also add that this same site is known amongst rumormongers for breaking news about the Super Freedom->Strike Freedom name change a few days before it was announced on the official site.
Nikkei news reports Bandai has started implementing cost-cutting and eco-friendly moves for its Gunpla line. Bandai is cutting the amount of plastics used to manufacture by making the runner thinner, eliminating some of the plastic bags, improving the mold. Bandai hopes to implement this to the their other merchandises as well.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
A page showing off some of the over 170 enemy units in the game is up.
The new character Basulee has a page but nothing in his main profile text. All that's written about him is: "A rough, barbaric character. Though he has a frightening face, isn't a bad person."
Finally, Unicorn Tsuushin announced that there will be a "Customize MS Contest" in connection with the game though details will have to wait. Also asked about was if characters like Amuro and Kamille appear. The answer was that they won't.
The poll determining whether or not G Gundam would make an appearance in the Japanese Gundam War CCG is over. With 6,780 votes, the final results are:
Approve - 68.2% (4,623 votes)
Oppose - 31.8% (2,157 votes)
G Gundam will show up in the 16th Gundam War set coming out in February 2006.
Monday, June 13, 2005
Heirs To The Stars ranked #7 this past weekend, now having made 553 million yen to date (about 50% of its predicted final box office tally).
The official site for the upcoming PS2 game is up. No real content to speak of yet though.
Not much of a redesign, however Gundam Perfect Web got a new look with same ole contents.
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Following are part of Yoshiyuki Tomino interview from the July issue of Gundam Ace.
Question: Any plans for making a new Gundam series?
Tomino: I believe that's a job for the younger generation. We are starting to see a genealogy with SEED and DESTINY so there is no need for me to create one. Before SEED came, I believed there was no need for new Gundam. The main reason was working on Turn A Gundam. I believed Turn A Gundam was the final statement for Gundam. That's why I have no interest in the newer Gundam series. As a series, market will continue to exist so I hope Gundam becomes a project for the younger generation. The important thing is how the young creators make the series and what kind of new message they include in it. I believe that is going to be rigorous job. On top of that I still feel old people should not be working on it.
Following are comments made by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko at an autograph session for the Collector's Edition of The Origin 1.
- The Origin itself will end about in 4 years.
- Outbreak of War edition will be about 8-9 episodes.
- Odessa will happen. Same with Kai and Miharu episode.
- Casval and Char looking the same was Yas' idea.
- Asked whether he watches SEED, he replied NO.
Just thought it would be interesting to mention the past winners of Newtype Magazine's #1 Favorite Male/Female characters.
Male Characters
1985 - Kamille Bidan (Zeta Gundam)
1986 - Judau Ashta (Gundam ZZ)
1987 - Ken Wakaba (Dragonar)
1988 - Ryo (Sonic Soldier Borgman)
1989 - Ranma Saotome (Ranma 1/2)
1990 - Asuma Shinohara (Mobile Police Patlabor)
1991 - Parn (Record of Lodoss War)
1992 - Kou Uraki (MSG 0083)
1993 - Uso Evin (Mobile Suit V Gundam)
1994 - Nekki Basara (Macross 7)
1995-1997 - Shinji Ikari (Eva)
1998-2002 - Spike Spigel (Cowboy Bebop)
2003 - Kira Yamato (Mobile Suit Gundam SEED)
2004 - Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist)
Female Characters
1985 - Four Murasame (Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam)
1986 - Elpeo Ple (Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ)
1987 - Linda Pratt (Dragonar)
1988 - Anice Farm (Sonic Soldier Borgman)
1989 - Noa Izumi (Mobile Police Patlabor)
1990 - Deedlit (Record of Lodoss War)
1991 - Nadia (Secret of Blue Water - Nadia)
1992 - Usagi Tsukino (Sailormoon)
1993 - Belldandy (Oh My Goddess)
1994 - Mylene Jenius (Macross 7)
1995-1997 - Rei Ayanami (Eva)
1998 - Ruri Hoshino (Nadesico)
1999-2001 - Sakura Kinomoto (Card Captor Sakura)
2002 - Chii (Chobits)
2003-2004 Lacus Clyne (Mobile Suit Gundam SEED)
For 2005, Kira Yamato and Lacus Clyne are #1 at the moment.
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Or so says an e-mail we received earlier today from 'Niko':
"I was just talking to a friend about the 'Men of Gundam' panel I attended at Anime North a few weeks ago (Matt Hill, Sam Vincent, Trevor Devall, and Scott McNiel). She's a big Gundam fan, and was very excited when I mentioned that the actors had started work on dubbing GS Destiny.
She was surprised she hadn't seen this mentioned on any Gundam sites, and suggested I mention it to you.
At the time of the convention, dubbing had *just* started. One of the actors (I think it was Matt Hill) had been in the studio the previous week, and the others were scheduled to go in the week after. Not much more was said, except Trevor D. mentioned that he would be playing the 'Mu LaFlaga'-like character. (I'm not a Gundam person, so I don't know who that would be. :) )
Sorry to bother you if this is old or silly news. I'm taking my friend's word for it that it will be of interest. :)"
Something amusing on the new Animage On-Line website: Commemorating the release of the first Zeta movie, Quattro Bajeena sunglasses from Kamuro. Going for 29,000 yen, the shades are designed by none other than the venerable Yutaka Izubuchi and supervised (as well as, uh, modelled) by Yoshiyuki Tomino himself. The photos shown are of a prototype and the actual item may differ.
Official Zeta site has announced "Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam II : Lovers" is coming out on October 29th.
Friday, June 10, 2005
New character profiles:
Hakuho - Met in the middle of the journey, she's a martial arts expert. Uses the legendary "Houshouken" (Flying Phoenix Fist) but you wouldn't be able to guess how strong she is from her lovely appearance. Her hand-to-hand combat instincts are peerless even though she pilots mobile suits and in battle she displays magnificent skill.
Vangas - Leader of the Vangas Skypirates. Freely flies around the world in a Gau collecting treasure without regard for the law. A scoundrel filled with a chivalrous spirit. His unparalleled lust for women leaves him unable to look at one without making a pass at her.
Leanser - A beautiful Major of the Izengrad Army. With a noble demeanor, she excels at both command & combat. It can be said her position within the male-dominated organization is unique. Her favorite MS, a silver Gyan, symbolizes that spirit.
The System page also now has details on various aspects of gameplay. If you've ever played an RPG before, you won't find much surprising in how all these all work. In addition to that stuff, in dungeons: blue lights are save points, green lights are customization areas, battles with enemies take place when you touch yellow crystals, and fights with even stronger enemies occur with red crystals.
The first Battle page gives simple descriptions of the battle commands:
"Attack" - Use weapons to attack 1 enemy
"Boost Skill" - Flashy, powerful attacks
"Technique" - Various techniques possessed by characters
"Item" - Self-explanatory
"Defense" - Halves damage taken
"Charge" - Charges Boost energy
"Change" - Shift the column positioning of party members
"Escape" - Run away
And a bit more on the manga version: The story starts just a little before the beginning of the game. It'll be in the August issue of Gundam Ace, on sale June 25th.
Up now are QTVR's of the Technical HQ's leader, Alberto Schacht, and the Jotunheim's observation shuttle.
The mechanics pages were updated at the official site:
Dom Trooper - An MS that brings a heavyweight style to mind. Its affiliation, country of manufacture, armament and other details are unknown though the use of a monoeye suggests a connection to suits like the Zaku Warrior and Gouf Ignited.
Ratings for the 7th month of SEED DESTINY and spoilers courtesy of Newtype magazine.
DESTINY:
Ep 25: 4.4
Ep 26: 4.7
Ep 27: 5.0
Ep 28: 5.6
Ep 29: 6.1
spoilers
Ep36 - "Athrun Escapes" - Dullindal gives Shinn the latest MS, Destiny. Dullindal does the same for Athrun by offering Legend. However, Athrun starts to become suspicous of Dullindal's motives.
Ep 37 - "Thunder of Darkness " - Athrun is pursued by Shinn and Rey after escaping Minerva. Shinn however could not pull the trigger against Athrun. Meanwhile, Dullindal commences a large offensive against the Earth Alliance.
Ep 38 - "A New Flag" - ZAFT and their Earth-based sympathizer near Logos' headquarters at Heavens Base. However, the battle turns in favor of Logos.
Thursday, June 09, 2005
