Kidou Senshi Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory

Title:Kidou Senshi Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory
Gundam 0083
Mobile Suit Gundam 0083 (Stardust Memories)
Overall:Rent
Keywords: , , , , , ,
Notables: Animation - SUNRISE
IKURA Kazue
R1 License - Bandai (Defunct)
SAKUMA Rei
YADATE Hajime
In another saga of the eternal fight between the Zion and the Earth Federation, Ensign Uraki founds himself as the pilot of the prototype of the Gundam 01. But of course, Zion doesn't fall back and Gotto manages to steal Gundam 02, the one who will become critical for Zion's mastermind Operation. The Stardust Operation.

13 OVA episodes
Animation by Sunrise & Bandai Visual
R1 license by Viz Media
[edit] The Gundam franchise:

Gundam (main story, UC0079-0083) Gundam Z (sequel, UC0087) Gundam ZZ (sequel, UC0088) Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack (sequel, UC0093) Gundam Unicorn (sequel, UC0096) Gundam: Twilight Axis (sequel, UC0096) Gundam Narrative (sequel, UC0097) Gundam F91 (sequel, UC0123) Victory Gundam (sequel, UC0153) Gundam: The Origin (prequel, UC0068-0079) The 08th MS Team (side story, UC0079) MS IGLOO (side story, UC0079) SD Gundam Mobile Fighter G Gundam (Future Century) Gundam Wing (After Colony calendar system) Gundam X (After War timeline) Turn A Gundam (CC timeline) Gundam Evolve Gundam SEED (cosmic era) Gundam 00 (Anno Domini timeline) Gundam AGE Gundam Build Fighters Mobile Suit Gundam-San Gundam: G no Reconguista (Regild Century timeline) Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans (Post Disaster timeline)
OverallArtAnimationCharacter Design MusicSeries StoryEpisode StoryReviewer
Rent 8 8 8 8 6 7 Ggultra2764 [series:421#1552]
(Rent-/ Watch+)

Taking place storyline-wise between the original Gundam series and Zeta Gundam, Gundam 0083's purpose in the Universal Century continuity is to reveal how the Titans would come to be when they become the antagonist faction for Zeta. The events seen throughout 0083 mostly serve to feature the buildup of these events through the perspectives of Federation Ensign Kou Uraki and influential Zeon soldier Anavel Gato. For the most part, Gundam 0083 is solid in its plot buildup as more details concerning the motives of Gato and the Zeons come to light and Kou's skills as a mobile suit pilot improve throughout the course of the series as he pilots a Gundam. A number of prominent characters among both sides, besides Kou, also get their focus and depth to show that those affiliated with both Federation and Zeon forces have their redeemable and not so honorable traits. In terms of visuals, 0083 is above average in quality for the time period it was made having well-detailed designs of scenery, mecha and characters with fluid and well-animated action scenes.

Beyond my praises though, Gundam 0083 does have a number of issues that hurt its quality quite a bit for me. A number of 0083's prominent characters are rather underdeveloped compared to others, making them either rather shallow in personality or having you question the reasons for their actions during certain points of the series. To a degree, this issue takes effect in the rather sloppy and anticlimactic finale to the series as characters betray one another for no known purpose and leave you wondering why they did what they did. Towards the middle of 0083, the series also tossed in an unconvincing love triangle involving Nina and Kou which comes across as flat due to the lack of proper buildup and chemistry between the two in terms of developing such an aspect to their relationship. And while I'm not too hard pressed about it, there may be Gundam fans disappointed to know that none of the major UC Gundam characters from Gundam or Zeta Gundam appear at all in this series outside of cameo appearances by a few supporting characters from both titles.

Overall, I found this chapter of the Universal Century continuity of the Gundam franchise to be a bit of a mixed bag. While a decent addition to the franchise to show what led to the creation of the Titans and having well-animated mecha fights, the sloppy finale, limited depth to certain major characters and unconvincing romances hurt its overall quality quite a bit. I would say watch it so you knew what led to the events of Zeta Gundam, but wouldn't recommend watching it more than once.

Last updated Wednesday, September 26 2012. Created Wednesday, September 26 2012.
Buy 10 10 9 10 8 9 Big Fire [series:421#2441]
I am giving these marks in relation to the time it was made. Plus, this is the gundam that defines all gundam series for me...I own the VHS, DVD, toys of GP-01 and GP-02 PLUS the SD versions as well...The only thing that mifs me about Stardust Memory is how it starts decaying in the end...I dunno, but the Nina story confused the heck out of me...and the ending was...eh...1 final complaint has to do with the GP-03, but since i don't want to give too much away i will leave that alone...On the positive, the plot is what got me hooked, not to mention how the Zaku, Rik-Doms, and GMs were drawn...Did I mention the Gundams rocked too!...lots of mecha to go around, and even a Xamel to boot...Hail ZEON!

Last updated Tuesday, March 06 2007. Created Tuesday, March 06 2007.
Watch Stretch [series:421#628]
I stumbled upon Stardust Memory on Adult Swim, and this series represented my introduction to the world of "Gundam". Since I knew nothing about the other series, Gundam 0083 seemed confusing. For one thing, it wasn't completely clear which side I should have been rooting for to win. Though the crew of the Albion seemed likeable (except for a few jerk pilots), the Earth forces high command often seemed incompetent or even corrupt. Gato seemed to be one of the "bad guys", except he had a distinct sense of honor which the Earth leaders tended to lack. Maybe this confusion over which side was good and which was evil was intentional, to drive home the message that in war you can't truthfully define things as being black-or-white. Still, my overall impression of the series is one of a plot that is difficult to follow (it didn't help that the series was already up to episode 4 before I started watching it). I only taped a few individual episodes which had cool fighting scenes. I liked both the opening and closing theme songs. Cartoon Network started re-running the series, and I figured I would catch the episodes I'd missed, and tape the entire run, but after a few episodes, completely without warning, they cancelled 0083 and replaced it with another show--and really pissed me off! I have seen every episode at least once on TV, and have not bought or rented any, but since I think if I only saw one or two, I'd be willing to Rent, that will be my overall rating.

P.S: Having seen much more Gundam kanon since I originally wrote this, I realise that there are plenty of Gundam series which are superior to this one, so I've demoted this to a Watch.

My favorite line: "I will not be some beaten-down dog!"

5/03

Last updated Monday, March 03 2008. Created Monday, May 26 2003.
Buy 8 7 7 9 8 8 GM V [series:421#427]
0083 is a pretty good OVA when compared with the others. The main purpose of 0083 was to fill in the gap between the One Year War and Zeta Gundam. 0083 has done its job there. If there was one thing I didn't like about 0083 it was Nina. Kou and Gato are good rivals and the series had good action. Only a few things were left unexplained but it was a good OVA. It was sure nice to see the early Bask Om and Jamitov and knowing what they become in Zeta.

Last updated Saturday, November 23 2002. Created Saturday, November 23 2002.
Buy 6 6 9 4 9 The Coyote [series:421#64]
This ending just killed me, I was mad for days after that but I have to admit if you can drive that kinda emotional response out of me and still have me like the show what can I say this is the second best Gundam story the first is far and away 0080 War in the pocket. but I havn't watched it again just too tough to take at the end for me.

Last updated Saturday, June 29 2002. Created Saturday, June 29 2002.
Rent 7 7 8 5 8 8 Cenit [series:421#45]
This one has to be one of the oldest Gubdam Wing that I've ever seen, though it was kinda of cool. The plot is definetely incredible, the whole stradust operation, the background is simply amazing. But I really dislike the character of Ensing Uraki, is just simply too plain, other characters not so principal have a better chracater than Uraki. Even so this Gundam Wing is very good, betrayal and mixed up love stories are masterfully introduce in the plot making this a great part of Gundam Wing.

Last updated Thursday, May 30 2002. Created Thursday, May 30 2002.

Other Sites
NameURL
Mobile Suite Gundam 0083 http://www.gundam0083.net/index.html
Official Site
Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gundam_0083
Wiki info on 0083

Community Anime Reviews

anime mikomi org