For the last year anime has been weird. I mean in the sense where I been struggling to find series to enjoy. Last year I thought Monster Musume would be the savior of anime for me to get back into the ecchi genre, well, it was not. Although I enjoyed it I still cannot really get into other ecchi anime. Kiddy Grade I will also admit may be a “Savoir Anime” last year, but it was also One Punch Man too. I was able to sit down and watch One Punch Man in a sitting, which in the last two years watching a show sitting down and see six or seven episodes is hard. I mean New Year’s Eve I did watch 28 episodes of Jojo’s Bizzare Adventures to break my record of most episodes seen in a day. But since I have not gone back to Jojo’s since then, well it was not.
Anyway, the title of the post is Savior Anime, and I mentioned it several times, but have not explained what it was. Due to this struggle, I see it as an anime that Saved me, and gave me faith in anime as a whole, that I am not getting bored with it and stopping watching anime, or saving my faith in that genre. Harem seems to be hurting the last two years of only like 2 being good ones.
So, time to talk about why I feel Gundam is my “Savoir Anime” this year.
Long story short, last Sunday, it is currently August 5, 2016 aka a Friday when writing this, I got back into Gundam. Since then I finally finished my first Gundam series, Iron Blooded Orphans, I started and finished Gundam Build Fighters, and I am already about to work on a third series.
Iron Blooded Orphans was the first series I started to watch when it aired, it is my first Gundam series. But after the first eight episodes I stopped, then I caught up again watching from eight to nineteen within a week. But after catching up, and rather enjoying it. I never went back, which I really regretted.
So, when Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE 0096 started to air, I started to watch that. I sort of fell behind. But last weekend I decided to watch one episode. Then Youtube happening to have an official Gundam Youtube Channel, I decided to check out Build Fighters.
Build Fighters was different compared to the other two I saw. It was not about war. It was about the joys of Gundam, the models, watching the anime, and so much more. So, I watched the first four that night, watched the next like ten episodes the following day. Then Wednesday I decided I decided to go back and take a short break from Build Fighters and see Iron Blooded Orphans.
Build Fighters gave a much lighter side to Gundam, so when I went to see Iron Blooded Orphans it was much more enjoyable than before. The fights and action just stuck out more. The comedy Gundam before seemed to feel like it was lacking in something. Seeing the pure action and what Gundam was really about made very thing seem much more worth it in the end. Now I am also excited for the second season as well.
So, I decided to take a short break from going onto the next Build Fighters series and check another Gundam series out. I finished Build Fighters yesterday, and am thinking of checking another one from recent years, Gundam Reconguista in G. This one was intended to be for late night anime. So, I figured why not.

Last year as part of my 30 Day Anime Challenge I said I never saw a Gundam series before. One reason why was due to how long it has been around. To me I was not really sure where to begin. But now not so much, even if some people are telling me to not watch “This Gundam” before “That Gundam.” As long as it is not a direct second season I figured I will watch whatever whenever. So far that seemed to work out.
Yet in all I have not watched a series this fast since last summer. But even then most I could do before I slowed down was the first half of a 25-episode series. Now I just keep watching and no sign of stopping. I can now sit down and watch 6 or 7 episodes. It never has been this was for a franchise before, at least in a long time.
Either way I just wanted to get a short post out there. I really like this franchise and I am surprised it took so long to get into Gundam. I am glad I could get into a NewType of series (See what I did there?). Sure I been into other Mecha series before, but Gundam is the first of its kind being a franchise that has been going on for well, almost 40 years. I may not watch every single Gundam out there. But I am glad that I have an option to watch different ones later down the line.
Now I really hope they sell Gundams at Boston Comic Con since I want to get a model.
Has there been anime like this for you? Has there ever been a time when you feel like your anime viewing has been slowing and an anime like this came around. More than anything I am more curious about this.
As always I hope you enjoyed.
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Again, I hope you enjoyed and see you next time.
– Joe
August 10, 2016 at 12:57 pm
Build Fighters is definitely a gateway drug to Gunpla: I myself have built at least 6 since watching, and I have 2 more lined up that’ll take me into the realm of painting, so I totally understand. That and Gundam 00 were my first, and since then I’ve seen Blood Orphans and I’m working my way into the original movies so that I can start Unicorn. Glad to see yet another Gundam fan join the ranks. 🙂
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August 10, 2016 at 2:52 pm
Yeah I was looking at models at my comic book store the other day. Right now since I never made any type of model before, I do not feel too comfortable with it. So, I want to make 1 or 2 first before trying the paint aspect to it.
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August 8, 2016 at 6:05 pm
Sorry for my lateness on this, my friend, lately I’ve been behind! Just by the name, Build Fighters is a turnoff for me. I’ll look into Blood Orphan though!
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August 8, 2016 at 8:50 pm
That is fine. Not going to like, Build Fighters to me was originally a turn off. It did not have that Gundam Image. You should check out Blood Orphans. But if you get a chance maybe Build Fighters if you are looking for something light heart, or not, you can do whatever.
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August 9, 2016 at 4:09 pm
Just the name Gundan Fighters killed the show for me. When I think Gundam, action comes to the mind.
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August 9, 2016 at 5:01 pm
True.
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August 8, 2016 at 3:49 pm
Does it hurt, Fenice?
Thanks to the carnival I have found another Build Fighters fan. I adore that show. I sort of equate it to the Lego Movie – the product placement is literally the entire function of the show, but it is made with such heart and love for the fans that I cannot help but be swept up in it.
Chalk me up as a new follower, and if I might be so bold as to recommend another Gundam or two – 0080 War in the Pocket is fantastic as a one-sitting-romp, and 08th MS Team gives a great feel for The One Year War in a very easy to digest 13 episodes.
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August 8, 2016 at 5:56 pm
ok, cool.
Yeah, about mid way through Build Fighters I came to the realization that it is 2 seasons of product placement for their models. Don’t get me wrong, it worked since I want to get one. But still it was a nice difference to the other types out there.
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August 8, 2016 at 11:57 am
Gurren Lagann was my savior tho.
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August 8, 2016 at 12:47 pm
Good for you. I bet it was.
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August 8, 2016 at 8:50 am
Ashamed to say the only Gundam series I watched is Gundam 00, both seasons. I liked it a lot but not to sure where to go from there.
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August 8, 2016 at 8:57 am
I plan on watching 00 at some point. Iron Blooded Orphans I have to say is my fav of the 4 or so I am watching/watched. The second season comes out this fall. Maybe go there next since it is still ongoing if you have the time.
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August 8, 2016 at 9:06 am
That might be a good place to start. Thank you for the recommendation!
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August 8, 2016 at 11:14 am
No problem, I mean I too only completed 2 so far, so there is that.
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August 6, 2016 at 1:24 am
Welcome to then GUNDAM grid my friend 👍🏼 !!!!
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August 6, 2016 at 8:18 am
Thank you, just took way longer than I expected.
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August 5, 2016 at 2:12 pm
Yay for Gundam! Indeed, they explore deep and dark themes of humanity that you can’t help but feel deeply about the series in this franchise. Of course not all Gundam titles are created equally, but they’re mostly awesome. Not that what I say is reputable since I only have a few titles under my belt. But I’m now a Gundam anime fan and I’m proud ot it. Gotta watch Iron-Blooded Orphans next. Great post. Keep it up. Cheers!
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August 5, 2016 at 2:26 pm
I am glad Iron Blooded Orphans was my first. Cannot wait for season 2.
Anyway, what other Gundam series you seen?
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August 5, 2016 at 2:30 pm
Gundam Seed with my Gundam sisters Shiroyuni & Lita. Also Wing & 00. And then there’s this other one that I forgot. Hmmmm. And then I watched some of the early eps of AGE. Iron-Blooded Orphans is next on my list. I’m also thinking of watching the first ever Gundam anime but I’m kinda intimidated by it.
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August 5, 2016 at 2:41 pm
Seed, Wing, and 00 have been on my list, I think there are one or two others.
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August 5, 2016 at 2:43 pm
My personal favourite so far is 00. I love it and I’ve rewatched it including the movie 3 times.
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August 5, 2016 at 3:34 pm
Oh wow.
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August 5, 2016 at 3:38 pm
I love it, although not many do. I hope you get the chance to watch it. I’ll also watch Iron blooded Orphans soon.
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August 5, 2016 at 9:33 pm
I’ll look into it. I know one or two of the ones you and Lita talked about were on my to watch list, not sure which one.
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August 6, 2016 at 8:55 pm
I think we were talking about Gundam Seed & it’s sequel Seed Destiny.
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August 6, 2016 at 10:39 pm
Yeah, that sounds about right.
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August 5, 2016 at 2:06 pm
Got two sorta related examples:
First, this is actually a game, but I was about ready to never touch anything “Compile Heart” ever again. But then a friend offered to pay for an import copy of Neptune V-II, I just had to cover the shipping. I took him up on the offer. It completely revitalized my faith in CH to make fun games again.
As for anime, I was under the impression I just didn’t like the mech genre. But then I saw (until the jerks took it off air) Regalia the Sacred Three Stars. And it made me realize I actually do enjoy the mech genre, just not really Gundam. Some other Mech shows I really enjoyed would be: Majestic Prince, Valvrave the Liberator, and Rinne no Lagrange. I also enjoyed TTGL, but I have a serious issue with the ending.
Another soooorta example, would be Rakudai kishi no Calvary (AKA Chivailry of a Failed Knight). I guess this is technically in the “harem” genre, a genre I swore off 100%, but that show was really enjoyable!
And iffy example number 4 would be Luck and Logic, I know you couldn’t stand it, but it’s what made me more willing to try out shows that have 1 guy and lots of girls again. Looked 100% like a harem, but was nothing of the sort. Looking forward to season 2!
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August 5, 2016 at 2:24 pm
Rinne no Lagrange was good, I was saying how I would get through the first 12 ep of a show only to get sluggish for the other half, this show was the main one on my mind. I really liked it, it just with shows after so many ep it gets difficult to watch.
But yeah I wish Regalia the Sacred Three Stars was still going, at least they took it off since they wanted to make it better.
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August 5, 2016 at 2:53 pm
Long-running Shounen’d probably be the only genre I consistently start and then drop after I’ve seen a decent amount of episodes. Got the furthest in One Piece, with a good 400 episodes. DBZ doesn’t really count much, since I watched that before I really understood what anime was, and was just excited by how different it was. If I tried Super, pretty sure I’d drop it. I know I wouldn’t be able to make it through a rewatch of Z, even if it were Kai
Maybe one day there’ll be a shounen series I can do it with. Course, I am caught up (probably behind a chapter as of now xD) with Hayate. But that’s not really “shounen” so yeah.
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August 5, 2016 at 12:14 pm
Think I had a similar situation with PriPara recently but most likely it’s because I watched 5 PreCure shows back to back that I decided to take a break with it.
Anyway I wish you the best of luck with your Gundam adventures.
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August 5, 2016 at 12:42 pm
Yeah, it sort of popped into my head Precure could have been the one in 2014, but I only saw Doki Doki before stopping for a few months until I saw Fresh.
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August 5, 2016 at 1:05 pm
I don’t marathon shows by watching over 10 episodes a day anymore. 10 is the most I can do.
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August 5, 2016 at 1:25 pm
It is rare for when I can do more than 5 ep of non-airing shows now.
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August 5, 2016 at 1:32 pm
Okie dokie dood.
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August 5, 2016 at 2:08 pm
Once you get to the final arc of Season 1, the show picks up pretty much nonstop until the first arc of Season 3. But that first season was a bit slow of a start, I’ll admit.
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August 5, 2016 at 2:09 pm
I literally haven’t marathoned anything ever since.
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August 5, 2016 at 2:49 pm
Yeah, marathoning can be taxing, and you went through a lot of shows. I really stretch out my viewings of aired anime. Keeping up with the current season is already usually a lot of work.
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August 5, 2016 at 3:35 pm
Yeah Marathoning can be a bit of a pain. I mean I love it. It just has to be the right series. For me I am surprised how many I just marathoned the last few days.
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