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機動戦士ガンダムTHE ORIGIN 愛蔵版 [Kidō Senshi Gundam: The Origin aizōban] #5
MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM THE ORIGIN 5
Infolge des schwindenden Lebensraums auf der Erde strömte die Menschheit in die unermesslichen Weiten des Weltalls. Jahrhunderte vergingen, bis schließlich das entlegene Herzogtum Zeon seine Souveränität proklamierte. Doch diese Unabhängigkeitserklärung entfachte einen interstellaren Konflikt, der binnen kürzester Zeit zahllose Opfer fordern sollte …
Die White Base hat Jaburo erreicht. Doch die Besatzung kommt auch im vermeintlich sicheren Hauptquartier nicht zur Ruhe. Denn der Rote Komet konnte Jaburo infiltrieren, und nach Jahren der Trennung stehen sich Char und Sayla endlich wieder gegenüber. Aber nicht etwa als Soldaten feindlicher Streitkräfte – sondern als die Geschwister Casval Rem und Artesia, Kinder jenes Mannes, mit dem alles begann: Zeon Zum Deikun.
Die White Base hat Jaburo erreicht. Doch die Besatzung kommt auch im vermeintlich sicheren Hauptquartier nicht zur Ruhe. Denn der Rote Komet konnte Jaburo infiltrieren, und nach Jahren der Trennung stehen sich Char und Sayla endlich wieder gegenüber. Aber nicht etwa als Soldaten feindlicher Streitkräfte – sondern als die Geschwister Casval Rem und Artesia, Kinder jenes Mannes, mit dem alles begann: Zeon Zum Deikun.
440 pages, Paperback
First published June 26, 2009
14 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
About the author
Yoshikazu Yasuhiko
372 books36 followersYoshikazu 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
December 18, 2020
Aw hell yea. THIS is the reason I wanted to read this. BACK STORY. Great actual origins of characters, the politics and why exactly this big ass war is happening.
February 19, 2020
I want to start of this review by acknowledging that it had been a while since I read volume 4 in the series, and needed a few reminders of the sides in this confrontation between Zabi, Zeon, and the Federation and those loyal to each side. If I misinterpreted something in volume 5 because of the break length between this and the previous volume I apologize.
Artesia Som Deikun, aka Sayla Mass, has fascinated me in the recent volumes, due to her ties to each side of this conflict. Her goal of tending to and taking care of others (while being a badass in her own way) has been what causes me to be drawn to her character. Thanks to the backstory that consumes volume 5, of both her and her family, I feel a new level of admiration for her and understanding for why she does what she does. There is still a level of mystery about her, but I am ready to see what will be revealed in the volumes to come.
I think what most can take away from this volume is that the antagonist has experienced a childhood, and often times the trauma of that childhood spark the reason for their role as the antagonist. War makes both sides unfortunate, and it is no exception to the characters in Yasuhiko's series. Hopefully peace will prevail, even if it takes time and hard work to accomplish it.
Artesia Som Deikun, aka Sayla Mass, has fascinated me in the recent volumes, due to her ties to each side of this conflict. Her goal of tending to and taking care of others (while being a badass in her own way) has been what causes me to be drawn to her character. Thanks to the backstory that consumes volume 5, of both her and her family, I feel a new level of admiration for her and understanding for why she does what she does. There is still a level of mystery about her, but I am ready to see what will be revealed in the volumes to come.
I think what most can take away from this volume is that the antagonist has experienced a childhood, and often times the trauma of that childhood spark the reason for their role as the antagonist. War makes both sides unfortunate, and it is no exception to the characters in Yasuhiko's series. Hopefully peace will prevail, even if it takes time and hard work to accomplish it.
July 10, 2021
The intersection of cruelty and innocence frequently mapped onto the exploits of restless children is equally applicable to adults who brandish considerable power without ever having mastered the discipline to wield it effectively. MSG: THE ORIGIN #5 is the first book in the flashback arc, pivoting around Char and Sayla's deliverance into the socio-political chaos of spacenoid versus earthling. No comics series or animated program has ever manifest a significant or lengthy backstory worthy of reining one's attention. However, one must note here that instead of privileging characters in linear pursuit of the future, Yasuhiko has instead positioned moral ambiguity as the only consistent through-narrative for the coming arc.
A decade ago, Sayla Mass was Artesia Som Deikun, energetic daughter and empath. That same decade ago, Char Aznable was Édouard Mass, before which he was known as Casval Rem Deikun, whip-smart son and steely-eyed to a fault. Too bad for these caring and intelligent children, their father was the life-giver of the Zeon movement. Too bad for these children, their family was targeted by House Zabi in a brutal power grab filled with political squabbling, assassinations, street riots, and more. Too bad for these children, it was not enough to survive several murder plots by ages six or seven, endure being orphaned and adopted and nearly orphaned again, and standing, cold and afraid, as family and friends met an untimely demise at the end of the barrel of a gun. Too bad for House Zabi, these children's thirst for vengeance runs deep.
MSG: THE ORIGIN #5 is fantastic not for the clever rearranging of political allyship that bears witness to the rising and falling of fortunes, but for the ethical fog that invariably rolls in soon thereafter.
Zeon Zum Deikun, founder and originator of the push for independence from the Earth, dies from a slow, calculated poisoning. House Zabi is most likely guilty. And yet, it's debatable as to whether Deikun's death was at all tragic, considering the man's frothy nationalism and manufactured patriotism was itself a poison of a kind. Zeon Zum Deikun, to be blunt, was a pretentious madman and humility-starved narcissist. More peculiar still, House Zabi, following Deikun's death, scrambles and squabbles among itself without much direction beyond the sad, typical, and unimpressive, age-old questing for power for power's sake.
Casval, later Édouard, later still Char, is not a child unaware of the darkness at which political power docks day-in and day-out. But he maintains his confidence and his pride in his family and the truth his family represents. He is, after all, a child. And yet, it's debatable as to whether Casval's withering sentimentality is as justified as he would have one believe. Murder to protect family is one thing. But what about murder to protect oneself? Or murder to stow-away one's dark ambitions?
Kycilia Zabi is another difficult case study. All of the traits that would otherwise make Kycilia a strong and capable leader (e.g., sympathy, tactical prudence) are always, somehow, almost comically misaligned as a weakness in House Zabi (e.g., impudence, imprudence, parched for redemption). Kycilia possesses a far more demanding and far more precise soldier's intuition than any other member of the Zabi family, and yet, the most she can do to show for it is to kill those who fault her lack of will.
Volumes immediately subsequent MSG: THE ORIGIN #5 may not carry the same thread of moral ambiguity of the current book, but that's okay. There's still plenty of content to sate readers' curiosities. Lieutenant Ramba Ral, for the third tome in a row, proves why he's the best oppositional military man in the whole title. Artesia's (Sayla's) evolution from a doting child into a world-weary young adult stings as much as Casval's (Char's) transformation from a skeptical preadolescent into a fearless malcontent. And the bit of fanservice, by which the author blesses readers with brief nudity of a (very) young Kycilia probably doesn't hurt, either.
A decade ago, Sayla Mass was Artesia Som Deikun, energetic daughter and empath. That same decade ago, Char Aznable was Édouard Mass, before which he was known as Casval Rem Deikun, whip-smart son and steely-eyed to a fault. Too bad for these caring and intelligent children, their father was the life-giver of the Zeon movement. Too bad for these children, their family was targeted by House Zabi in a brutal power grab filled with political squabbling, assassinations, street riots, and more. Too bad for these children, it was not enough to survive several murder plots by ages six or seven, endure being orphaned and adopted and nearly orphaned again, and standing, cold and afraid, as family and friends met an untimely demise at the end of the barrel of a gun. Too bad for House Zabi, these children's thirst for vengeance runs deep.
MSG: THE ORIGIN #5 is fantastic not for the clever rearranging of political allyship that bears witness to the rising and falling of fortunes, but for the ethical fog that invariably rolls in soon thereafter.
Zeon Zum Deikun, founder and originator of the push for independence from the Earth, dies from a slow, calculated poisoning. House Zabi is most likely guilty. And yet, it's debatable as to whether Deikun's death was at all tragic, considering the man's frothy nationalism and manufactured patriotism was itself a poison of a kind. Zeon Zum Deikun, to be blunt, was a pretentious madman and humility-starved narcissist. More peculiar still, House Zabi, following Deikun's death, scrambles and squabbles among itself without much direction beyond the sad, typical, and unimpressive, age-old questing for power for power's sake.
Casval, later Édouard, later still Char, is not a child unaware of the darkness at which political power docks day-in and day-out. But he maintains his confidence and his pride in his family and the truth his family represents. He is, after all, a child. And yet, it's debatable as to whether Casval's withering sentimentality is as justified as he would have one believe. Murder to protect family is one thing. But what about murder to protect oneself? Or murder to stow-away one's dark ambitions?
Kycilia Zabi is another difficult case study. All of the traits that would otherwise make Kycilia a strong and capable leader (e.g., sympathy, tactical prudence) are always, somehow, almost comically misaligned as a weakness in House Zabi (e.g., impudence, imprudence, parched for redemption). Kycilia possesses a far more demanding and far more precise soldier's intuition than any other member of the Zabi family, and yet, the most she can do to show for it is to kill those who fault her lack of will.
Volumes immediately subsequent MSG: THE ORIGIN #5 may not carry the same thread of moral ambiguity of the current book, but that's okay. There's still plenty of content to sate readers' curiosities. Lieutenant Ramba Ral, for the third tome in a row, proves why he's the best oppositional military man in the whole title. Artesia's (Sayla's) evolution from a doting child into a world-weary young adult stings as much as Casval's (Char's) transformation from a skeptical preadolescent into a fearless malcontent. And the bit of fanservice, by which the author blesses readers with brief nudity of a (very) young Kycilia probably doesn't hurt, either.
June 26, 2025
Yoshikazu Yasuhiko wrote this installment of the manga series for me personally. Nearly every piece of criticism I have about the series' tone, pacing, and withheld information is addressed in this volume through an extended flashback detailing the beginnings of the ongoing war between Zeon and the Federation, and how Char and Sayla saw it from the very center of the action. The usual derailing into silliness is largely absent (except for some light cat rescue), the story is given space to breathe and build, and many of the characters we've already met and said goodbye to are fleshed out in ways that shine light on their actions in hindsight.
However, I am knocking an entire star off of this volume's rating because the reason that Char wears a mask or sunglasses everywhere is so incredibly dumb that it makes me want to throw the book against a wall.
However, I am knocking an entire star off of this volume's rating because the reason that Char wears a mask or sunglasses everywhere is so incredibly dumb that it makes me want to throw the book against a wall.
May 12, 2025
✨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
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
June 11, 2020
(review of the whole series)
In the original Gundam, it was hard to dispute that Zeon, and Char specifically, were cooler than Amuro and the Earth Federation. While this revisitation of the original series doesn't try to make Char the her per se, it does give his story equal weight to that of Amuro and the White Base. Some of the silliness is drawn out, and the extreme story feels much more human in this telling.
It's probably still best to watch the original first, as this works best as a companion piece. But I will admit I feel more inclined to reread this one than to rewatch the 1979 series.
In the original Gundam, it was hard to dispute that Zeon, and Char specifically, were cooler than Amuro and the Earth Federation. While this revisitation of the original series doesn't try to make Char the her per se, it does give his story equal weight to that of Amuro and the White Base. Some of the silliness is drawn out, and the extreme story feels much more human in this telling.
It's probably still best to watch the original first, as this works best as a companion piece. But I will admit I feel more inclined to reread this one than to rewatch the 1979 series.
September 5, 2020
I will say that this was very interesting to see "char" and sayla backstory and too finally see char for who he really is inside however it took the whole volume which i though dragged out the back story by a bit. i would have liked to also see Amuro in the past too as we get to see a little bit of him but it wasnt enough for me. i wish we had gotten to see how Amuro had grown up with his dad as it references how he technically was neglected.
May 29, 2025
The show never went to nearly as much detail about the backstory of Char as I'd have liked, and I felt that some important questions were only halfway answered or overlooked entirely. I'm glad that the comic took steps to correct this. I got answers and then some.
It's a shame Sayla never got to have much of a role in the later shows. She was just sidelined into a couple cameos at most. I know why, but it's still disappointing.
It's a shame Sayla never got to have much of a role in the later shows. She was just sidelined into a couple cameos at most. I know why, but it's still disappointing.
May 22, 2024
The first volume with fully original material not adapting Gundam’s first series. Instead, we have a prequel centered on Char and his sister, as well as the rise of Zabi’s family and the start of the One Year War. This the subplot upon the animated series with the same name of the manga is based on.
January 20, 2021
0/5 stars, because the cat dies. (Not killed, just due to old age I assume, but I didn't want it to happen.)
5/5 because the Char/Sayla backstory is incredible and I'm sad I only own the first five books.
5/5 because the Char/Sayla backstory is incredible and I'm sad I only own the first five books.
October 5, 2024
A small parenthetical to the backstory of Char. It’s gut wrenching, but important to understand. Lots of political talk which takes some close reading to remember who is who. And unnecessary nudity for character development.
January 8, 2021
A little confusing but very gripping. The art is out of this world.
April 29, 2022
Char is probably the greatest space opera /hard Sci-fi villain of all time?
June 24, 2022
I honestly want to hate the convenient idea of Char stealing the identity of a guy who looks identical to him but the rest of this is just so good that I just went with it.
January 9, 2023
Still enjoying it but this volume - obviously - is ALL Char and Sayla and that's a lot. Also, an unnecessary full frontal nudity shot of Kycilia. Ugh.
August 14, 2023
Flashbacks are cool and all, but dedicating so much time to a single long one is a lot.
August 20, 2023
very cool
April 27, 2024
Love me some backstory.
August 12, 2025
I love so much of his origin story being so fuckin nefarious, I hope his eyes never strain.
August 10, 2024
This volume is a huge flashback, that's mostly interesting in the end.
September 17, 2025
Quel tome mazette, mais quel tome ! Avec sa couverture rouge feu et surtout la présence de Char dessus, elle annonçait du lourd mais je n’imaginais pas.
L’auteur a eu le culot, en pleine guerre, de faire une pause dans la trame principale pour revenir le temps d’un tome entier, et ici ils font plus de 400 pages !, sur l’histoire de Char, son passé, son enfance, sa famille, les raisons de son engagement. Personnage fascinant qui a de tout temps passionné les lecteurs et fans de la série, il mérite bien cet instant de gloire.
Le lecteur avide, comme moi, prend donc son pied en découvrir son histoire. C’est un grand classique de la littérature : un orphelin, arraché trop tôt à ses parents avec sa jeune soeur, brinquebalé d’un endroit à l’autre de la galaxie car menacé par la grande famille rivale à la sienne, et qui va trouver son accomplissement dans la vengeance, lui qui est dévoré par la colère. YAS ne cherche pas à faire dans la subtilité, mais en a-t-on besoin ici ? Quand il est question de géopolitique, c’est souvent on ne peut plus basique. Ici, une grande famille jalouse de celle régnante qui monte un assassinat et imagine un coup d’état militaire réussi au milieu duquel vont se retrouver deux enfants qui n’ont rien demandé. Deux enfants qui vont avoir deux réactions diamétralement différentes et deux destins que l’on va retrouver dans la trame principale.
YAS n’a donc pas eu besoin de chercher bien loin pour nous offrir un récit poignant et efficace, la guerre a suffi. Il a très bien su capturer la complexité du moment avec les manoeuvres des différents camps à chaque temps de la guerre tandis que les Zabi installaient leur pouvoir et montaient Zeon. Il a su dépeindre l’horreur de ce que vivaient ses enfants, notamment à travers le regard si pur et si tendre de la toute jeune Artemisia (avec son chat Lucifer). Il a su montrer la genèse de ces hommes qui lutteront plus tard dans la sphère d’Amuro : Char et le viril Ramba Ral qui a su susciter l’admiration d’une femme comme Hamon. Assister à ces événements, c’est mieux comprendre l’origine de ce qui sépare désormais Char de sa soeur et espérer aussi voir le retournement de veste magistral de celui-ci.
Les émotions sont fortes. Les émotions sont bien marquées et très bien montrées. C’est un régal à voir les affrontements et les drames de ce tome sous les pinceaux toujours aussi expressifs et énergiques de YAS, surtout qu’on est gâté côté illustrations et pages couleurs. Alors je râle un peu vis-à-vis du prix mais l’objet le mérite.
Tome compagnon et pourtant tome essentiel pour comprendre la complexité de l’univers, de ses enjeux politiques et du rôle de Char dans tout cela. Il est mené de mains de maître, avec peut-être un scénario assez classique, mais une réalisation impactante aussi bien dans les dessins que les émotions dépeintes. Je me suis régalée avec ce tome aussi sombre que dramatique.
Article complet : https://lesblablasdetachan.wordpress....
L’auteur a eu le culot, en pleine guerre, de faire une pause dans la trame principale pour revenir le temps d’un tome entier, et ici ils font plus de 400 pages !, sur l’histoire de Char, son passé, son enfance, sa famille, les raisons de son engagement. Personnage fascinant qui a de tout temps passionné les lecteurs et fans de la série, il mérite bien cet instant de gloire.
Le lecteur avide, comme moi, prend donc son pied en découvrir son histoire. C’est un grand classique de la littérature : un orphelin, arraché trop tôt à ses parents avec sa jeune soeur, brinquebalé d’un endroit à l’autre de la galaxie car menacé par la grande famille rivale à la sienne, et qui va trouver son accomplissement dans la vengeance, lui qui est dévoré par la colère. YAS ne cherche pas à faire dans la subtilité, mais en a-t-on besoin ici ? Quand il est question de géopolitique, c’est souvent on ne peut plus basique. Ici, une grande famille jalouse de celle régnante qui monte un assassinat et imagine un coup d’état militaire réussi au milieu duquel vont se retrouver deux enfants qui n’ont rien demandé. Deux enfants qui vont avoir deux réactions diamétralement différentes et deux destins que l’on va retrouver dans la trame principale.
YAS n’a donc pas eu besoin de chercher bien loin pour nous offrir un récit poignant et efficace, la guerre a suffi. Il a très bien su capturer la complexité du moment avec les manoeuvres des différents camps à chaque temps de la guerre tandis que les Zabi installaient leur pouvoir et montaient Zeon. Il a su dépeindre l’horreur de ce que vivaient ses enfants, notamment à travers le regard si pur et si tendre de la toute jeune Artemisia (avec son chat Lucifer). Il a su montrer la genèse de ces hommes qui lutteront plus tard dans la sphère d’Amuro : Char et le viril Ramba Ral qui a su susciter l’admiration d’une femme comme Hamon. Assister à ces événements, c’est mieux comprendre l’origine de ce qui sépare désormais Char de sa soeur et espérer aussi voir le retournement de veste magistral de celui-ci.
Les émotions sont fortes. Les émotions sont bien marquées et très bien montrées. C’est un régal à voir les affrontements et les drames de ce tome sous les pinceaux toujours aussi expressifs et énergiques de YAS, surtout qu’on est gâté côté illustrations et pages couleurs. Alors je râle un peu vis-à-vis du prix mais l’objet le mérite.
Tome compagnon et pourtant tome essentiel pour comprendre la complexité de l’univers, de ses enjeux politiques et du rôle de Char dans tout cela. Il est mené de mains de maître, avec peut-être un scénario assez classique, mais une réalisation impactante aussi bien dans les dessins que les émotions dépeintes. Je me suis régalée avec ce tome aussi sombre que dramatique.
Article complet : https://lesblablasdetachan.wordpress....
October 15, 2016
I wrote a more comprehensive review of the first volume here.
This volume starts the flashback arc, all of which is brand-new material that was never in the anime. The order- starting the flashback here - does sometimes strike me as odd, as a lot of it gives new depth to characters we've already seen die. I don't think the manga should have started with it, as Gundam is ultimately a story about the White Base and her crew and it makes the most sense to start there, but I wonder if it would have made more sense coming a volume earlier, as a direct follow up to Ramba Ral’s death.
Either way, it’s a wonderful addition to the story. Char is one of the most popular characters in anime, and Sayla has always been a personal favorite of mine, so I love that the series took so much time to look at their backstory. It’s amazing that this was all written nearly a quarter of a century after the show, because everything in the backstory ties so well to the characters that we’ve known and loved for so long. And not only does it add to their characters, it also does a great job of propping up the rest of the world as well. It clarifies a lot about the political situation that was initially left vague in the show. We also see more of Ramba Ral and Harmon, and Ramba Ral’s last scene with Sayla in vol. 3 becomes all the more meaningful in retrospect.
The character designs and settings are lovely - the story moves from Zeon to the Mediterranean, and back to space in neo-Western colony, and they’re all beautifully drawn. That, and there’s nothing cuter than young Sayla and her kitten!
This volume starts the flashback arc, all of which is brand-new material that was never in the anime. The order- starting the flashback here - does sometimes strike me as odd, as a lot of it gives new depth to characters we've already seen die. I don't think the manga should have started with it, as Gundam is ultimately a story about the White Base and her crew and it makes the most sense to start there, but I wonder if it would have made more sense coming a volume earlier, as a direct follow up to Ramba Ral’s death.
Either way, it’s a wonderful addition to the story. Char is one of the most popular characters in anime, and Sayla has always been a personal favorite of mine, so I love that the series took so much time to look at their backstory. It’s amazing that this was all written nearly a quarter of a century after the show, because everything in the backstory ties so well to the characters that we’ve known and loved for so long. And not only does it add to their characters, it also does a great job of propping up the rest of the world as well. It clarifies a lot about the political situation that was initially left vague in the show. We also see more of Ramba Ral and Harmon, and Ramba Ral’s last scene with Sayla in vol. 3 becomes all the more meaningful in retrospect.
The character designs and settings are lovely - the story moves from Zeon to the Mediterranean, and back to space in neo-Western colony, and they’re all beautifully drawn. That, and there’s nothing cuter than young Sayla and her kitten!
April 2, 2014
After three volumes mucking about on Earth, the story finally heads back to space--though not by advancing the plot towards the Federation counteroffensive, but with a massive flashback which looks like it'll take up three volumes.
After a brief prologue, the story begins in Universal Century 0068 with Zeon Deikun dropping dead in the middle of a speech. Degwin Zabi immediately uses the opportunity to seize control of Zeon's revolutionary movement. With the help of his son, the hitherto never mentioned media mogul Sasro, he sows unrest throughout the L5 colonies, sparking riots that overwhelm the Federation forces.
In the meantime Zeon's loyal follower Jimba Ral, suspecting that Degwin was responsible for Zeon's death, takes the Deikun children, Artesia and Casval, under his protection and plans to smuggle them out of the colonies. This leads to a series of plots and counterplots, assassinations and kidnappings as Jimba and his son Ramba try to stay ahead of the Zabis.
The first half of the book, involving the attempt to escape Side 3, is a thrill ride, but unfortunately once the escape comes off, things settle down for several chapters of Artesia (now known--surprise--as Sayla) and Casval (Edourd, not yet Char) grow up. Only at the end, when we find out how Char became Char, do things get good, and then it's "To be continued..."
After a brief prologue, the story begins in Universal Century 0068 with Zeon Deikun dropping dead in the middle of a speech. Degwin Zabi immediately uses the opportunity to seize control of Zeon's revolutionary movement. With the help of his son, the hitherto never mentioned media mogul Sasro, he sows unrest throughout the L5 colonies, sparking riots that overwhelm the Federation forces.
In the meantime Zeon's loyal follower Jimba Ral, suspecting that Degwin was responsible for Zeon's death, takes the Deikun children, Artesia and Casval, under his protection and plans to smuggle them out of the colonies. This leads to a series of plots and counterplots, assassinations and kidnappings as Jimba and his son Ramba try to stay ahead of the Zabis.
The first half of the book, involving the attempt to escape Side 3, is a thrill ride, but unfortunately once the escape comes off, things settle down for several chapters of Artesia (now known--surprise--as Sayla) and Casval (Edourd, not yet Char) grow up. Only at the end, when we find out how Char became Char, do things get good, and then it's "To be continued..."
July 2, 2024
Fifth volume, the art is as beautiful as always, particularly the expressions of grief and anguish that are quite frequent throughout.
Taking a break from Campbell's Hero's Journey for Amuro, the fifth volume begins after Zeon's invasion of Jaburo is defeated, thereby breaking their back and their assets. However, we only spend a brief amount of time in the present, as we are quickly sent back to the past. It is not Amuro's past that is witnessed, but rather, the past of the heirs of Deikun Zum Zeon, Sayla Mass... and Char Aznable. If you've read the manga up to this point, it is no spoiler that Sayla and Char are siblings, nor is it a spoiler that Char has it out for the Zabis. What this volume does is delve into why his grudge exists, as well as show us the kind of children Char and Sayla were, and the life events that took them to their current circumstances. As the story begins in Zeon (though that name is not yet in use), we also see interactions with a younger Ramba Ral, Hamon Crowley, the various Zabi scions, and others who are important to the present day of the Gundam universe. In many ways, it serves as a revelation for Char's own Hero's Journey, but his is much darker, a vision of an anti-hero at best.
If you've read up to this point, you should continue!
Taking a break from Campbell's Hero's Journey for Amuro, the fifth volume begins after Zeon's invasion of Jaburo is defeated, thereby breaking their back and their assets. However, we only spend a brief amount of time in the present, as we are quickly sent back to the past. It is not Amuro's past that is witnessed, but rather, the past of the heirs of Deikun Zum Zeon, Sayla Mass... and Char Aznable. If you've read the manga up to this point, it is no spoiler that Sayla and Char are siblings, nor is it a spoiler that Char has it out for the Zabis. What this volume does is delve into why his grudge exists, as well as show us the kind of children Char and Sayla were, and the life events that took them to their current circumstances. As the story begins in Zeon (though that name is not yet in use), we also see interactions with a younger Ramba Ral, Hamon Crowley, the various Zabi scions, and others who are important to the present day of the Gundam universe. In many ways, it serves as a revelation for Char's own Hero's Journey, but his is much darker, a vision of an anti-hero at best.
If you've read up to this point, you should continue!
June 16, 2014
This is a chunk of the Gundam universe we've never really gotten a good look at - how Char and Sayla were separated and why, how the Zabi family came to power, and what Zeon Dekium was like.
Zeon's depiction is probably the biggest weakness in the volume. I was hoping he'd be more of a two-dimensional character, that he wouldn't be espousing the sort of spacenoid-supremicist fascist ideology that the Zabis were promoting. Instead, the two couldn't be more ideologically identical, with the sole difference being that the Zabis want to be in power, and find Zeon to be an obstacle.
Other than that, even if you haven't been following the manga thus far and you're a fan of the Universal Century portion of the Gundam multiverse, I'd recommend reading this volume.
Zeon's depiction is probably the biggest weakness in the volume. I was hoping he'd be more of a two-dimensional character, that he wouldn't be espousing the sort of spacenoid-supremicist fascist ideology that the Zabis were promoting. Instead, the two couldn't be more ideologically identical, with the sole difference being that the Zabis want to be in power, and find Zeon to be an obstacle.
Other than that, even if you haven't been following the manga thus far and you're a fan of the Universal Century portion of the Gundam multiverse, I'd recommend reading this volume.
August 1, 2014
Should I be surprised that more than halfway through this 8-volume epic, we are finally treated to some substantial character development and a geographical outline of the conflict? Par for course for manga in general? I think this is 3.5 stars but I'm going to stick with my overall rating-assessment of the series so far, for now. It has improved quite substantially from the first volume, in any case. (note: I am unfamiliar with the anime or any other rendition, and started this merely as a historical curiosity in Japanese trends + the public library had the first five volumes, all of which are elegantly bound.)
March 27, 2014
With the ending of the fourth book taking place after huge battle in South America, the reader is taken into the past, answering a boatload of questions and asking a whole lot more with Char and Sayala's backstory. I don't want to spoil anything, but it's safe to say that Yasuhiko adds a wealth of details and characterization not only to the volume's title characters, but to the entire history of the war and the politics and power plays that started it. Also, the series briefly becomes a Western for reasons I can't reveal without major spoilers, but it totally makes sense I promise.
October 5, 2015
The best volume so far. With the exception of the first 20 pages, this one takes place prior to the main story-line, beginning in UC 0068, eleven years before the main story.
Mostly telling the story of Char and Sayla growing up, but with significant parts for a few other characters, including some of the Zeon characters that have come and gone in the main story. It really fleshes out all the characters involved, and I think if I were to introduce this to someone new to Gundam, I might have them start on page 20 of this volume, rather than volume I.
Mostly telling the story of Char and Sayla growing up, but with significant parts for a few other characters, including some of the Zeon characters that have come and gone in the main story. It really fleshes out all the characters involved, and I think if I were to introduce this to someone new to Gundam, I might have them start on page 20 of this volume, rather than volume I.
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