Mobile Suit Gundam: THE ORIGIN 7: Battle of Loum

機動戦士ガンダムTHE ORIGIN 愛蔵版 [Kidō Senshi Gundam: The Origin aizōban] #7

by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko (Adapter), Yoshiyuki Tomino (Creator)

The biggest name in Japanese science fiction— Gundam —returns with one of its creators retelling its origins 25 years after the series debuted. Caught in the crossfire of a space civil war, teenager Amuro Ray accidentally finds a new mobile weapon—the RX-78 Gundam.

In the seventh volume of THE ORIGIN , the Zeon have begun to show their might against the Earth Federation. For the longest time there has been a belief that the Zeon have evolved into a new form of man. These Spacenoids have not been forced to the stars; they were destined to them. And while there are still Earth colonies across the solar system, the Zeon were chosen to unify them all. Ultimately, the politics of space and the oppression shown by The Confederation has driven the Zeon to make some brutal choices . . . some of them akin to genocide!

Genres: Manga, Science Fiction, Graphic Novels, Comics, Comics Manga, War, Space Opera

420 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2003

About the author

Yoshikazu Yasuhiko (安彦良和) is a Japanese manga artist, animator, character designer, anime director, illustrator, and novelist. He was born in Engaru Town, Monbetsu District, Hokkaido, and currently resides in Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture.

Reviews

[Keith W · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the highlights of a consistently great series. The horrors of war are on full display in this arc. The storytelling on both sides is remarkably well executed. It felt like being forced to see the war crimes Dune Messiah mentions Paul committing. One of the most effective scenes shows a leader finding ways to justify the worst war crimes imaginable rather than coming to terms with all the death he is responsible for. Despite the cartoon sci-fi presentation, this is some of the most compelling war fiction I have read, with some terrible insights into human nature.

[Paolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll have to be a little more brief in terms of this review, since there is SO much plot and political intrigue in this one volume that it's nigh impossible to condense it without (a) revealing a lot of spoilers and (b) undermining the terrific pacing that Yasuhiko has put into place. The main gist of the volume is to show the war and the political maneuvering that lead up to the introduction of the series proper. For at least a couple of volumes, readers have been treated to a brilliant chronicle of the One Year War that was literally and figuratively the main conflict of the original Mobile Suit Gundam series, and in this seventh volume, Yashuhiko details the Fall of Side 2 and Battle of Loum. The former is the massacre that led Earth's Federation forces against the House of Zeon, and the latter is the resulting conflict. In terms of art, this entire series has continually astounded me with every succeeding volume: there's a very real weight both in the mangaka's depiction of the gigantic Zakus that fight against even bigger spaceships and the expressions that each and every character have as this war rages on around them. What's stunning as well is Yasuhiko's ability to show all sides of the war as it happens to everyone, and consistently showing the human struggles each human has, from the very top of the command to the lowly recruits, from the main characters to the people literally caught in the crossfire.

It's a terrific series that deserves every dime you spend on it (as it is a bit of a tome), and I can't wait to see how it ends.

[Othy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What amazing storytelling and amazing art. I come to this manga having only seen Gundam Wing as a kid back in the 90s, and this is totally different. The world seems fuller, less obsessed with the Gundam and the main characters and more interested in the horror of war. The human psyche is complex and multi-faceted and there are not simple attempts to pin down what it means to be human. What great manga!

[CountZeroOr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume is absolutely intense and kind of gut-wrenching, with some of the events that happen this volume.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yasuhiko embeds so many twists and turns in this volume of the Gundam saga that one struggles to accurately articulate it in brief. The whole of MSG: THE ORIGIN #7 can rightfully be summed as the certified ethical decline of the Principality of Zeon, the lazy abdication of justice by the Earth Federation, and somewhere among the chaff, the meteoric rise of Char Aznable. The Battle of Loum, it turns out, is the ultimate chess piece that isn't. The scrum proves a pivotal use case for an embryonic tyrant to justify his emerging superiority complex. The event's dire precipitations serve as infernal evidence of the damage wrought by political subterfuge absent critical thought. And the battle exposes one of the masterful, fatal realizations of the great war: only the most garish ever see war through to its fit conclusion.

Char's ascent through the ranks serves as a touchpoint for MSG: THE ORIGIN #7. From the beginning, when he navigates the strategic success of Loum (after having his rank reinstated) to his magnanimous reception in the halls of Zeon commander elite, following the battle, the young man's reputation as an unparalleled mobile suit pilot is now no small deal. Interestingly, since being reinstated, Char climbs from a simple Warrant Officer, at the previous book's end, to the post of Lieutenant Commander, by the current volume's conclusion (tantamount to five or six ranks over the course of five years).

Indeed, early in the book, as Char navigates success in the earliest mobile suit vanguards, life in the colonies crumbles as political divisions cleave communities left and right. Char appears willfully oblivious to many of the grotesque mischiefs perpetuated by his own military, yet is unafraid to acknowledge who the real villains are (e.g., Gihren Zabi). The Principality of Zeon massacres thousands of innocent people in space and is the driving force behind the colony-drop event that ultimately slaughters billions.

But it's not through Char/Édouard/Casval that readers are meant to sympathize with the plight of the commoner. Sayla/Artesia suffers (and survives) her own brutal encounter with violence, death, and political factionalism. She only wants to help. She only wants to save people. But time and again, she learns, "There's no difference between the Federation and Zeon. There's nothing but madness." People are animals, she affirms. Is there no saving them?

Zeon's highest ranks show all of the striations of derangement and unrest one would expect at such a juncture. Political chauvinism may have nudged the Zeon ideology from the shadows, but as with all ideological factions, warmongering, profiteering, and groundless egotism guide it henceforth. Supreme Commander Gihren Zabi is a poor tactician and an overenthusiastic despot, Rear Admiral Kycilia Zabi knows her aging father fears Gihren and dutifully plays both sides to ensure her own survival, and young Garma consistently lacks the esteem to define himself on his own terms. Phenomenally, it's Vice Admiral Dozle Zabi who appears the most human among the family of faithless arbiters of truth and insincere dilettantes of victory. Dozle is a pawn, but he's yet to lose his humanity (Dozle: "House Zabi used to be a better family.").

Strong and purposeful character arcs intersect in this volume, and 420+ pages feels far too few by the time MSG: THE ORIGIN #7 reaches its conclusion. Numerous mainstays recur: Lieutenant Ral, again, is a man of honor and is perhaps the best soldier in all of the Earth's sphere; the Federation, as always, is run by insecure pedants; and Kycilia, what for having the least actual power, is perhaps the most astute among the nest of devils in which she roosts (Kycilia: "[W]ar is human nature. Be that folly or wisdom.").

[Ronald · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Battle of Loum. If the previous volume was character development, this is one of the defining moments of the Universal Century. This event was limited to backstory for a quarter-century, before its first depiction in MS IGLOO, and its subsequent treatment in The Origin series.

Developments in Volume 6 result in pay-offs in Volume 7. For example, Ramba Ral's "redemption" in the eyes of House Zabi goes off the rails as he chooses his own principles over committing war crimes. Zenna Mia, the pretty soldier who held Dozle hostage for a few seconds during the sneak attack Char and Garma launch against the Federation forces, agrees to marry Dozle, proving Dozle likes his women feisty. We're also introduced us to Mineva, the future of House Zabi. Gihren's machinations encounter Kycilia's, which align for the moment, but are obviously at cross purposes. Degwin continues to attempt to keep his ambitious offspring under control, but it's clear that his two more ambitious children have consolidated power bases that effectively strip him of real power.

The whole volume is very exciting, as there is not only direct combat, but political scheming going on in the background. It's not all big picture, however, as one of my favorite moments in the many scattered throughout was early in the volume, as we witness the tragic ending of so many civilians who lived in the space colony used for Operation British. This was directly demonstrated through the brewing romance of the minor characters Yuki and Fang Li, who talk about their hopes, their dreams, and hint toward their desire for their future together. That future is snuffed out as the chemical weapon pumped into the colony kills them. Another beautiful moment is when Dozle allows himself to face the unspeakable atrocity he has committed at his elder brother's command. The face of his beautiful baby daughter reminds him of the millions of other babies he and his fleet murdered, even as he sees how his family is destroying itself from the inside in the horrible race for power between Gihren and Kycilia. It's also tragic how the war continues due to ambition, not only on the Zeon side, but the Federation side. Defend Revil as you like, but when Degwin offers a reasonable peace deal in good faith and you use that to justify continuing the war because you want a chance to redeem yourself in battle, you're not the hero the Federation makes you out to be.

It should be impossible to give up at this point, but I continue to strongly recommend this series!

[Olivia Thames · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot thickens, as the plot's origins continue to unravel, in Yoshikazu Yasuhiko's "Mobile Suit Gundam: THE ORIGIN, Volume 7: Battle of Loum". Much like the 6th volume, and much like our own societal state, if we do not know where we come from we cannot know what could or will be ahead of us and our actions.

Are war and destruction in the pursuit of supreme power inevitable for humankind? Is choosing either side of a war or altercation the only option we have?

Our characters, and their loyalties, continue to blossom and be questioned in this volume. We are able to see past the facade and into the truly personal ideals and hearts of characters we would dismiss or even believe we thought we knew through and through in volume 7. The arches and development of each side is becoming richer and clearer, and adding a wonderful level to the equally gorgeous illustrations of the action.

I do believe that I will enjoy the anime once I start it, not because the anime is known to be better than the manga, but because the two combined will help me with the information I have missed, or have forgotten over time. While there are moments where the appeal of the series for me declines, I look forward to seeing what happens between the Federation and Zeon, and if peace is achieved.

[Ottery Chocolat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliantly written, and masterfully illustrated. It's a rather amazing feat that both the writing and the storytelling with graphics can be attributed to one individual. Yoshikazu Yasuhiko is not new to the genre of war stories having been involved in the original Gundam series when it aired in 1979. But to come back to it years later and retell the story so masterfully and to illustrate it so brilliantly is amazing. This isn't just a retelling of the original series, it goes deeper into events that aren't even hinted at in the original series; and it gives characters more room to breathe and be giving them new life and expanding their importance in the story. A great read I would highly recommend to anyone who is a fan of Gundam. One I would heartily shove into the hands of anyone who is a fan of war stories, and one I would say is or should be part of the 'canon' of science fiction as it is a brilliant story about war, and the people caught up in it, and giant robots. Super brilliant. The art is amazing, the story wonderful and Gundam the greatest. I highly recommend it.

[Mauri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew that volumes 5 and 6 were added material not in the original anime/manga, but at this point I need to do some research because I don't remember aaaannnnyyy of this.

Contains: War, including the massacre of a civilian population via gas, and then half the population of Earth via dropping things from space. (They did not make a big enough deal of this in the original material, JFC.)

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly the best of the prequel volumes. Mostly a lot of very good political maneuvering, and succeeds by keeping Char and Amuro at arm's length. There's no retcons or additional lore - just a solid dramatic telling of a battle that was previously mentioned but not seen.

[Juho Pohjalainen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been watching 08th MS Team, and the comic really missed an opportunity to have Shiro make a cameo right at the thick of it. Instead it was a bunch of dunces that I had never known before and that I couldn't care about because they were obviously going to die.

The rest is still good.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, you thought Yoshikazu Yasuhiko was done leading up to this interplanetary war? Actually, we need one more volume to bring this story around to the very second the series began in Volume 1. Char's covering his tracks by murdering everyone who knows who he might be, except his sister, only that's clearly not working because enough people in the Zeon regime know who he is to tip her off to his impersonation before he pays her one last visit in space Texas. The Federation is somehow able to come back logistically from an entire colony being dropped on Earth, even though such an impact would likely result in decades of instability preventing resource manufacturing and movement across not only the planet, but all of colonized space. We HAVE to be reminded that these kids had lives and family prior to that all being disrupted by the attack on Side 7 and their sudden draft into a war none of them are old enough to fully comprehend. Mercifully, the extended flashback ends with this volume, and we can duck away from extended context that we already had and back into the original conflict from here on out.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best volume so far.

[[boredom.is.overrated] · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably tied as my favorite book, along with Vol 5 (Char and Sayla). There’s just so much going on - it’s a wild ride!

[Matt Matt Tobin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little clunky at times

[Jeik Dion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume has one of the most tragic side stories about the results of warfare. Honestly, It could have expanded into it's own manga, but here's, it's just a free bonus. This book is amazing.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad to be getting back to the current timeline of the war and the White Base crew. Char is great and all but I gotta know what's going on my with Feddie folks!

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the translation is a bit dodgy. The art, story and production is just too good.

[Davide Pappalardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The origin subplot concludes with the tragedy of Side 2 genocide, the colony drop in Earth, the battle of Loum and the political shenigans.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

The march to war grows nearer.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote a more comprehensive review of the first volume here.

This volume continues the flashback arc, fleshing out the events that were only alluded to in the show. There is less focus on the core characters, and while Gihren and some of the other Zabi supporters are fleshed out, the focus of the story is firmly on the political developments and advancing war. It also includes a short side-story about two new characters on Side 2, Yuuki and Fang-Li, that is both beautiful and serves to personalize the tragedy there. Towards the end, we also get more backstory about Amuro and the others on Side 7, which was a pleasant surprise for me as I though the focus was going to be entirely on the Zeon side. It really drives home that Amuro's problems started well before the war and piloting Gundam.

[Sean O'Hara · Rating 4 out of 5]

So after three decades of Gundam, we finally get a detailed depiction of the One Week War, the colony drop and the Battle of Loum. On the grand scale of space opera, this is pretty minor -- only a few billion deaths, and the action never goes further afield than the L2 Lagrange point -- but in the Gundam universe that's plenty enough.

The heart of the story this time is purely military and political. Oh, we get a bit with Sayla, and some insight into Degwin and Dozle, but it's seasoning on the steak. What's important here is that all sides commit to the fight with such totality that they abandon any hope of accommodation. Those who balk at the destruction being wreaked either get tossed aside, or dragged under.

[Libbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5✨

✨Writing a grouped review for the whole series and copy and pasting ✨

Mobile Suit Gundam is my first venture into more mechasuit sci-fi stories and to it I have had a rather mixed experience. I'm not the biggest of sci-fi readers in general but I now know this is not really my niche. I read it after multiple people had recommended to me both the manga and the anime and I am glad I have read it.

The series does an ok job at setting the plot and developing it's characters; with some satisfactory moral conclusions. However, a lot of it is pretty convoluted and hard to follow. I wouldn't say this is necessarily beginner friendly for readers not used to the genre.

If sci-fi and specifically mechsuits are more your thing, you could definitely find enjoyment here. Just not for me

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid installment in the series. Concentrates mostly on the Zabi family, making Gihren look particularly psycho, playing up the existing Hitler parallels. Dozle comes across as strangely conflicted with his role, giving some additional depth to character that has previuously not had much substance beyond "loves his younger brother, acts impulsively." The major events of the early One Year War get fleshed out, including the colony drop and the Battle of Loum. I thought the art in the battle scenes got repetitive after a while, which made some scenes that ought to have been exciting drag out a bit. That's been a problem through the enitre "Origin" series, though.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last of three volumes telling of the events prior to the start of the main Gundam story, where we finally get to see the details of Operation British and the Battle of Loum.

The subject matter includes the atrocities Zeon committed at the outset of the war, which was maybe something better left to narrative summary, as it tends to take all that sympathy that we may have developed for Zeon loyalists in the previous two volumes, and throws most of it away.

This is very much a "war is hell" chapter in the overall war story of Gundam.

[sucker4synth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will Char ever be able to pilot a mobile suit after being stripped of his title? Is Sayla going to find out her brother is alive and has a new identity? Even though we already know the answers to these questions, the book isn't any less compelling. Amoru makes more on an appearance is this one as the story is closing the time gap. Zeon is more vicious than ever and gaining power with every strike! Their atrocities are leading up right up to the new Gundam model. Can't wait! The art is ridiculously perfect in these books. The color pages are lovely and generous. This series is amazing.

[Kenny Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a long time Gundam fan I love it when someone adds to the original 0079 series. This collection sheds more light on Char's origins and what the war was like before the V-Project. Loved it!

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love it. Scifi and politics is something we don't get much of. It's also nice to see the White Base crew before the war.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid volume. I was a bit apprehensive of the flashback arc at first, but I think it is actually building up to the "beginning" of the story quite nicely.