Title: Mobile Suit Gundam: THE ORIGIN, Volume 1: Activation
Author: Yoshikazu Yasuhiko
First published March 12, 2013
456 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781935654872 (ISBN10: 193565487X)
Rating: 4.31
Overview
In the year Universal Century 0079, tensions rise between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon. As the Federation tests their newest weapon, the RX-78 Gundam mobile suit, they are suddenly attacked by Zeon forces.
In the chaos, a young teenager named Amuro Ray finds himself caught in the crossfire. Determined to help stop the bloodshed, Amuro climbs into the cockpit of a nearby machine and discovers it’s another Gundam.
With no experience piloting such a powerful machine, Amuro faces a daunting challenge as he goes up against a highly skilled squad of mech-piloting invaders. This thrilling first volume of Mobile Suit Gundam: THE ORIGIN includes an essay from Hideaki Anno, director of the hit anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, color pages from Yas, and an essay from Kadokawa Publishing Executive Shinichiro Inoue.
Editoral Review
Mobile Suit Gundam: THE ORIGIN, Volume 1: Activation by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko is a must-read for fans of science fiction and mecha anime. Published on March 12, 2013, the book is an excellent introduction to the Gundam franchise and the origins of the Mobile Suit Gundam universe.
Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, the author of the book, is a veteran manga artist and animator who was involved in the creation of the original Mobile Suit Gundam anime series. He has a keen eye for detail, and his artistic style is impeccable.
The book is a graphic novel adaptation of the original anime series, and it follows the story of Amuro Ray, a young space colony resident who discovers a powerful weapon, the Gundam, and must use it to defend his colony from Zeon forces seeking to conquer Earth. The book is set in the year Universal Century 0079, where the Earth Federation and Zeon forces are engaged in a brutal war that has devastated much of the planet.
The main protagonist, Amuro Ray, is a civilian who is forced to become a soldier when he finds the Gundam. The book explores the themes of war, politics, and the ethics of using powerful weapons to achieve one’s goals.
One of the strengths of the book is Yasuhiko’s storytelling. He is able to weave a compelling narrative that keeps readers engaged from beginning to end.
The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the conflict is well-constructed. The pacing of the book is excellent, and the action scenes are thrilling to read.
The art style of the book is also a highlight. Yasuhiko has a gift for drawing mecha and the space environment in which the story takes place.
The designs of the mobile suits are intricate and look like they could actually function. The attention to detail in the spacecraft and equipment is also impressive.
One potential weakness of the book is that it may not appeal to readers who are not fans of the mecha or science fiction genres. The story can be complex at times, and readers who are not familiar with Mobile Suit Gundam may find it confusing.
Overall, Mobile Suit Gundam: THE ORIGIN, Volume 1: Activation is a fantastic book that is a must-read for fans of science fiction and mecha anime. It offers an engaging story, well-developed characters, thrilling action scenes, and stunning art.
The book is also culturally significant, as it has played a significant role in the development of the mecha anime genre. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an exciting and thought-provoking read.
I would give it a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.