Gundam: Requiem of Vengeance Review

3D CGI anime still feels jarring to me compared to American animation; the quality has often seemed lacking and somewhat behind the times. When I started Gundam: Requiem of Vengeance, the newest installment in the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise, I was surprised to see it was fully CGI and 3D. The traditional 2D anime style always comes to mind when I think of Gundam, so this different approach subverted my expectations. However, different doesn’t always mean bad, so I tempered my expectations and approached it with an open mind. Even so, I still feel that the final product is a mix of ideas that don’t always work.

The year is Universal Century 0079, eleven months into the One-Year War. From the perspective of the Principality of Zeon, we follow Captain Solari, a top Zeku II pilot, fighting against the Earth Federation. Although Zeon seems to have the upper hand, the tides turn when the Earth Federation deploys their new weapon—a Mobile Suit Gundam—that could change the battle forever.

The animation is notably inconsistent. When characters are moving, there’s a stiffness to them that feels reminiscent of an old PS3 game; fluidity is essential for character action, as anything that looks artificial stands out like a sore thumb. So, to say it sticks out would be an understatement. Additionally, the lip sync is often out of place and distracting. In contrast, the animation shines when the action unfolds, especially in the mech-on-mech battles. The mechs have a tangible sense of scale and weight that resonates in every frame. Overall, the show’s visual style is impressive, and when characters aren’t moving, it looks gorgeous.

However, the show’s biggest flaw is its lack of engagement. The narrative throws you in headfirst, and I was lost from the very beginning. While this isn’t entirely negative, it’s worth noting that this version isn’t newcomer-friendly and assumes a basic understanding of the time period. Since I knew very little, I felt lost. Even then, at a minimum, I should still be able to understand the narrative’s intent—but as I write this review, I still don’t know what the show’s plot is. By the time I reached the end of episode six, I felt completely bewildered. Ironically, it was in this episode that the show finally attempted to make a statement and say something meaningful, but it was too little, too late.

Gundam: Requiem of Vengeance is a massive disappointment—a show that feels like a missed opportunity. While the overall aesthetic and mech action look great, and the soundtrack is quite good, not all of the animation meets the mark, and the story is just plain boring. Even in the final episode, where it teases something intriguing, I found myself uninterested in seeing more. It’s not terrible, but it’s certainly not good.

★★

On Netflix Now / Celia Massingham, Lavance, James Watt, Daniel Wishes, Andrew Woolner / Dir: Erasmus Brosdau / Netflix / 15

About the Author

Robert Ewing

Author

Rob is a freelance film critic and writer who specialises in Anime and Asian cinema. I have adored film since a young age, having watched films that were far too old for me, such as RoboCop, Die Hard, and Hot Tub Time Machine, to discovering the heights of foreign cinema through films like Headhunters and Battle Royale. Growing up with such a diverse catalogue of films that I cherished sparked my desire to discuss them. This passion eventually led me to become a reviewer. Dissecting films, speaking to filmmakers I admire, and showcasing the best of Asian and anime cinema is how I live my best and truest life.

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