Be it power-packed battles or giant robots, the Gundam by Yoshiyuki Tomino is one of the iconic mecha anime of all time. The anime is popular for its futuristic visuals and depiction of realism. With mecha often reduced to stereotypes, the profound meaning and themes behind it are lost in translation.
Gundam was one of the earliest anime that shaped the mecha genre for future generations. Although the backdrop of the story is fictional, Tomino san based Char on a historical figure namely, Manfred Von Richthofen, also known as The Red Baron.
Red Comet Char’s connection to Red Baron in Yoshiyuki Tomino’s manga
Char Aznable, also known as Casval Rem Deikun originally appeared as an antagonist in Yoshiyuki Tomino‘s series Gundam (1979). As a commanding officer and later, pilot, Char excelled in combat, firearms, and the use of mobile suits. He was given the title of Red Comet because of his exceptional performance during the Battle of Loum.
Besides that, Char Aznable is one of the most popular characters in the series. In a poll organized by NHK Broadcasting in 2018, he was chosen as the best character in the Gundam franchise by the fans. He also ranked 2nd in the popularity poll in the year 2000. He shares common traits with a historical figure.
In an interview with All The Anime, Yoshiyuki Tomino reveals Red Baron’s link to his manga. He quotes:
When I studied the Red Baron’s career I found out that one soldier, no matter his achievements, does not affect the overall result of the war at all. I learned that from World War I.
Red Baron has 80 air combat victories and is considered a hero in Germany. As an ace pilot, Char Aznable shares similar traits with him. Some similarities include their fondness for the color red and their excellence in warfare. While Gundam is a popular mecha anime that revolutionized robots, its essence is lost in translation.
Gundam represented the anti-war stance
Gundam along with Mazinger Z is one of the early animes that shaped the genre of mecha anime. With its futuristic concepts and elements of realism, the anime played a pivotal role in depicting war and unrest. Although the 1979 anime is anti-war, Tomino san believed that its stance was lost in translation.
Gundam is iconic and revolutionary in several ways. From its navigation of complex and profound themes to its depiction of futuristic elements, it paved the way for several anime decades later. However, its core idea of depicting narratives of war from both sides isn’t talked about often.
The 1979 series differs from the present-day mecha anime through its exploration of realism and darker themes. Besides that, the author’s process behind the creation and conception of the series involved heavy research. The author revealed the journey behind representing both narratives in his series. He quotes:
Up until the 1960s I was collecting information about the war which the Japanese had experienced twenty years previously. I had collected basic information about what war is all about. Most of the war-related dramas and movies were quite one-sided, described from one perspective
The complexity and seriousness of the manga triggered uncertainty regarding its viewership, especially concerning children. However, his doubts were overshadowed by the series’ popularity and success. Gundam remains an iconic mecha anime that remains popular and relevant to this date.
Gundam is available for streaming on Crunchyroll
