Submitted by existential1 in Anime

Just power-watched them both (00 for the first time). I still like Wing better even though 00 was supposed to be the updated version of it.

Wing has a significantly better scored show, which for me is huge. 00 leaves behind some of the cultural/character flaws (wu fei and his code, heero and his violence), which is overall a positive, but it doesn't create very strong (in the narrative sense) characters.

00 uses contradiction as a motif for nearly every character in the show, which hits with Sumeragi Lee Noriega but just is..well...boring with the main character Setsuna F. Seiei to the point where they give him a different drive altogether to become basically neo from the matrix.

Now for the role of Gundams. In Wing, Gundams are the flawed representatives of an oppressed group sent to eradicate the people who are preventing their freedom. In 00, Gundams are literally a savior complex (effectively taking the worst element of one Wing character, Quatre w/the Maganac Corps, and implicating everyone with it) incarnate terrorist group that intervenes in war anywhere, against anyone. The role of Gundams in 00 gets more complex than that over time, but not by much...and it thus reeks of "both-sides" theory that I personally find contemptible.

Obviously, 00 has more modern drawing and cgi...which sometimes is terrible but is at least average for most of the show. 00 also does not have as much recycled content as Wing, which is one of the worst aspects of Wing to me. Wing repeatedly uses the exact same cut of Gundams using their weapons or enemies being destroyed. I'm sure it saved some money back in the day, but it is definitely noticeable when binging episodes.

I could say a lot more, but that's my quick take.

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moonlune wrote

Are the series self contained?

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existential1 OP wrote

Yes. Each are their own things and need no extra viewing to fully understand the stories. There are some additional content for Wing like a movie and manga written years after the original due to demand, but not necessary for context.

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Haruki wrote

I love giant robots but generally hate giant robot anime. How can writers take such an awesome concept and make it so boring?

Most anime bores me, yet I crave more. Probably something to do with my empty civilized life. I yearn for the wonder and amazement that anime impressed upon my childhood. Rare is that feeling now. The number of shows I enjoy drops every year. Wonder and amazement retreat from me, leaving a cynical chasm that grows with every disappointment. Child me gobbled up Gundam. Older me prefers to snack on forum posts instead. I wonder if the problem is boring art, or my outsized expectations concerning commercials for (man)children?

I watched the Patlabor movie last night. Been in a mood for giant robots, but I don't think Gundam is for me (judging from your write up). Got anything mecha related recs?

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existential1 OP wrote

I don't unfortunately, maybe someone else does. I just watched these two to scratch an itch.

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