OP Sequence

OP: 「DAYBREAK’S BELL」 by L’Arc~en~Ciel
Watch the OP! Mirror 1, Mirror 2, Mirror 3

Summary:

In the year 2301 in the Kurdis Republic, large mobile suits blare a message about dealing a crushing blow to the non-believers who encroach on God’s land. By fighting and dying, they believe that they’ll be guided to God. Among the people opposing them is a boy named Setsuna F. Seiei – armed with only an assault rifle – who feels that there is no God in this world. Unfortunately, he can’t do much except to stay on the run as the mobile suits try to pick him off, and he eventually gets cornered. Setsuna is saved only when an energy beam suddenly falls from the sky and destroys the mobile suit. More of these attacks soon follow, with each destroying another one of the enemy, and Setsuna looks up to see a mobile suit that appears to have wings due to the particles coming out of its back. Fast-forward to the year 2307 when the Advanced European Union (AEU) is holding a military demonstration near the location of its orbital elevator. In the crowd of spectators, a man notes that this is the first solar energy type mobile suit for the AEU. A second man, mobile suit ace Graham Acre, says that the AEU wanted these suits by any means since they’ve been delayed with development of their orbital elevator. The first man then comments on the AEU’s courage in making the announcement of this new model on the tenth-anniversary of the Human Reform League. He thinks that the Enact is an imitation of their Flag mobile suit, and the only thing original thing about it is its design.

Unbeknownst to them, another mobile suit – the Exia – is falling rapidly through the atmosphere with Setsuna as its pilot. His target is the Enact, and he starts the first phase of his operation. The people on the ground soon detect the Exia’s approach, and Graham realizes that this isn’t another one of the AEU’s new models. Once the Exia lands on the ground, the pilot of the Enact, a man named Patrick Corlasawar, pulls out its sonic blade and charges. Setsuna responds by telling the Exia to destroy their target, and the Exia promptly cuts off the Enact’s hand. An angry Patrick then tries to shoot his opponent at point blank range, but the Exia is able to dodge it and proceeds to slice off both of the Enact’s arms as well as its head. Grabbing a pair of binoculars from the guy in front of him, Graham sees that the word GUNDAM is written on the Exia’s head, but he’s never heard the term before and thinks that it’s the name of this mobile suit. Inside the cockpit, Setsuna tells the Exia that the first phase is complete, and he starts the second phase. Watching the Exia fly away, Graham wonders if this was a warning and thinks that the AEU won’t stay silent about it.

Up in space, on the Celestial Being transport ship Ptolemaios, the crew is monitoring the progress of the operation, with one of them wondering if Setsuna did things properly. The ship’s tactical forecaster Sumeragi Ri Noriega has already started drinking alcohol in celebration of the beginning of Celestial Being’s introduction to the world. While this is going on, the Gundam Kyrios with its pilot Allelujah Haptism moves to the ship’s catapult deck, and it takes off in its flight mode. Meanwhile, on the station at the top of the Human Reform League’s orbital elevator, there is a party being held in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the its opening. In attendance is Wang Liu Mei, a beautiful girl who comments to her attendant that Celestial Being is finally moving after learning from him that things have begun. Back on Earth, the Exia has come under attack by numerous AEU fighter aircraft, and help arrives in the form of sniper fire from the Gundam Dynames and its pilot Lockon Stratos on the ground. The two Gundams destroy all the aircraft, completing the operation’s second phase. At the AEU base, Graham is explaining to his companion that this is both containment for and a warning to the AEU for having military power that’s more than it is allowed in the treaty. Graham doesn’t know why the Gundam or its pilot is doing this, but he reiterates that he doesn’t think the AEU will stay silent.

During all this, terrorists in their own mobile suits have started approaching the Human Reform League’s geostationary satellite orbit station. The station’s defenses are scrambled, and an officer named Sergei Smirnov thinks that this situation is due to the AEU selling weapons randomly to third countries. The defense forces manage to fire on the terrorists, but they don’t land any hits before the terrorists unleash a trio of missiles aimed at the structure where the party is taking place. Fortunately for all those inside, the Gundam Kyrios shoots the missiles down and flies in to save the day. Allelujah destroys two of the terrorist mobile suits, but he can’t make it in time to the third one that appears to be making a suicide run, so he calls in Tieria Erde on the Gundam Virtue. One heavy cannon shot later, the terrorist mobile suit is destroyed, and the third phase is complete. It is some time later that day that the television station JNN airs a report about the incident with some footage taken by a camera crew at the party. They also show a video message that they got from the group that claims it stopped the terrorists. In it, an old man introduces his group as Celestial Being, a private military organization that possesses Gundams.

According to him, the purpose of Celestial Being is to eradicate warfare in this world. He claims that they’re not acting for their own profit, but rather for this large objective. With this declaration aimed towards all of mankind, he says that Celestial Being will use armed intervention against all warfare, no matter if the reason is territory, religion, or energy, and they will act against the countries, organizations, and companies that support war. Of the people reacting to this speech across the world, one of them is Marina Ismail who is concerned about the solution to war being war. Graham also hears the speech and laughs at how this contradicts Celestial Being’s existence. Onboard the Ptolemaios, Tieria comments on how Celestial Being is testing mankind, and Sumeragi calls it evildoing. Down on Earth, Lockon is excited that things have started, and he asks Setsuna if he understands that they’ve picked a fight with the world. Replying that he does, Setsuna then affirms that they are Celestial Being’s Gundam Meisters.

ED Sequence

ED: 「罠」 (Wana) by THE BACK HORN
Watch the ED!: Mirror 1, Mirror 2, Mirror 3
Honestly, I didn’t really like the OP or ED all that much. They were okay, but didn’t particularly stick with me or make me want to listen to them again. The ED especially started off a bit too rough for me, though I did like the chorus.

Preview:

The first episode of a new Gundam is fairly exciting as we get to see all four Meisters in action and get a feel for what Celestial Being stands for. I had been wondering about Celestial Being’s contradictory purpose, so I’m glad they’re highlighting that early on in the story because some just feels fishy about it. For all we know, they could have been responsible for the terrorists that they stopped. In any case, I’m interested in how this will turn out since the setting of three major powers plus Celestial Being means that there are more sides at play compared to some past Gundam series, and after Gundam SEED, it was refreshing to see all the “good” guys together on one side to start without a Gundam that needed to be stolen. Of course, something might happen down the line that could change that.

Overall, this wasn’t the greatest beginning (it lacked a certain oomph), but it got the job done introducing the characters and the story, and the animation quality didn’t disappoint. I couldn’t help but think of Death Note’s Light whenever I heard Setsuna talk (since both are voiced by Miyano Mamoru), though that should only take a little getting used to, and Setsuna didn’t really have that many lines this episode. I assume we’ll get more information and background on his character (like how he became the Exia’s pilot) as the series progresses. So far so good…

136 Comments

  1. I can only hope this series will be decent. As long as it diversifies itself from the Gundams I strongly dislike (SEED series, Wing) It just might be a winner for me. As long as the plot develops nicely.

    But I’m not digging the character designs too much. They’re feminine, sure, but one of them looks exactly like a girl. The glasses-wearing one. It’s ridiculous.

    The mecha designs are lookin’ sharp, though. I want to give this episode a roll very soon..

    Heiae
  2. As long as it diversifies itself from the Gundams I strongly dislike

    If you hate Gundam you probably aren’t going to like this. It might do things a bit different, but they aren’t going to alienate their fanbase. They did that once with Turn A Gundam and it didn’t work out too well. Gundam is for certain people. I don’t think everyone will or should like it.

    As for the episode, it was all right. It lacked the emotion of most other Gundam first episodes. I guess we’ll see where it goes.

    ann
  3. ann, I do believe Omni’s meaning the Gundam series (like Destiny) that he dislikes. Not the franchise as a whole.

    Seems very well animated and I think I might have another series for this fall that I’ll be watching.

    Kageho
  4. For those of you who hated the OP and ED, relax. Considering that it is airing on that special Saturday 6pm timeslot, the theme songs will change at around the Winter season (January). To be honest, though, I think this is the only place that had quite a few people that didn’t like the songs.

    Well, I hope this will be an entertaining series.

    Destinyblade
  5. This episode was kinda boring, the OP and the ED also kinda sucked, I see this going the way of Gundam X, high ratings in the beginning but a very fast fall of ratings in the next couple of weeks. I’m just glad Yoshiyuki Tomino isn’t directing this, because everything this man touches is turned into some broadway kinda theatrical show trying to be emotional which he fails in miserably each time, except for his Turn a Gundam, which was really good.
    And here I was thinking the person with the purple hair was a girl, until “he” started talking, then I thought.. oh goddamn bishi characters, girls will like this show.

    ken
  6. To Avada999: I know that some anime shows get real speedy subs, but most subs take at least a day or two after the RAW is available. Just give it some more time, okay?

    As for the episode, I wouldn’t say that it sucked, but it wasn’t outstanding either. It was what I would call your traditional opening episode, which only is an average episode as far as I’m concerned. And although it did contain quite a bit of action, I’m not the type of viewer that’s mostly concerned about only action.

    Destinyblade
  7. Avada999: You realize that this episode aired just five hours previous to your comment right? I don’t know of a single English fansubbing group that has that kind of turnaround time.

    twsl: Yes you can – this show is unrelated in story to previous Gundam series.

  8. Ok I for sure will be fiollowing this… OP was really cool sounding. Really nice change from all those flashy splashy Gundam OP’s before. And the characters look good.

    @twsl
    Well You will understand everything, as this has nothing to do with any of previous stories. Practically “gundam” can be considered as a anime genre. Basscally nearly every new gundam series starts its own universe with no connections to the ones before.

    Unknown Voice
  9. A little boring.. But since i havent watched the subs yet maybe it could be better if i knew what they were saying. Also I hate the gundam at the begining that looks like RX-78 it dosen’t suit the style of mecha in the show.Im guessing that it’s the GN04 since they skipped number 4 and on to GN05 which is virtue.

    Kurando
  10. Interesting….I didn’t expect the first episode to stand out much since this is pretty much another standard Gundam variation. I am still looking forward to it though and I like the slightly retroish character design. Reminds me a bit of Loveless, which I loved(though it also reminds me of Cluster Edge, which was one of the worst Sunrise shows EVER). Here’s to hoping that this will turn out well.

    The Opening is kind of bad and I am not much of an L’arc en ciel fan, but I thought the ending was somewhat catchy. I personally think a PORNO graffiti song, like their newest one, “link”, would have suited very well as an opening for this show.

    Konata-chan
  11. The graphics are great but the story just doesn’t seem to be as intersecting as Gundam SEED/Destiny! The gundams are very well designed but the no special weapons! When i watched it, it felt boring no big explosion and the gundam’s weapons are so plain!

    Ray
  12. Have downloaded and heard L’arc-en-ciel’s Daybreak’s bell PV a week ago. I much prefer female band singing the opening or ending of the show just like Gundam seed/ seed destiny/ stargazer. TM Revolution would be much better.

  13. Here are some commons
    1.Gundam Wing Story Plot except there are only four gundam hero’s and they work together and there is only one mad scientist compared to five of Gundam Wing.
    2. Setsuna’s character much resemble Sagara Sousuke of full metal panic and some of Kira Yamato of Gundam Seed Destiny. Even the story at the beginning.
    3. The long range gundam and it’s pilot seems followed Kurtz Weber’s specialty long range another Full Metal Panic.
    4. They didn’t kill anyone except for one mobile suit blown away by one of those gundam pilots with a memorable comment haha find it out when you watch it.
    5. The villain in Gundam Seed seems similar to the guy seeing the demo.
    6. Shao Lingshen from Ken Akamatsu’s Negima Manga (too bad the anime failed some expectations) lookalike is also part of this anime even the gestures.
    7. The Haro (now orange) is the old mascot Gundam Series( Where it is green in MSG , pink in Seed)
    Okay that’s all for now Celestial Beings vs people that would start War.

    arigatou
  14. “…it was refreshing to see all the “good” guys together on one side to start…”

    Don’t really like this idea IMO. I like the fact that in SEED, with major characters in many sides, it is able to portray both sides as ‘good’ and ‘bad’ in one point or another.

    Portraying ‘good’ guys one 1 side will no doubt end up having some biasness.

    So I for one, am hoping to see some characters faction-hopping.

    Qad
  15. @Qad

    I agree with you somewhat, in that war is rarely so black and white as to have one side good and one evil, and it would be nice to see the major factions given a fair portrayal. However I am against having characters faction-hopping simply for that, it’s easy to screw up and just make the character seem too wishy washy.

    @arigatou

    1. I’m sorry I just don’t really see too much resemblence to Gundam Wing plot, and really it is much too soon to tell. Gundam Wing is not the only gundam show with more then one gundam and as you mentioned they work together as one organization in 00 rather then as separate terrorist guerrilla fighters.

    2. The begining with Setsuna as a like a child gurrilla does remind me abit of chibi Sagara, but again I feel we really don’t know enough about Setsuna’s character to actually draw any parallels. As for him resembling Kira, I’m sorry but you must enlighten me how because I have watched the ep again and I still don’t see it.

    3. The sniper “class” is not the sole monopoly of Kurtz Weber and Full Metal Panic. There have been snipers before him and there will be many more after him and simply being a sniper is not enough reason enough. Now if the pilot’s personality and characteristics resemble Kurts then we can talk, but again at only one episode its way too soon to start drawing simularities.

    Sorry I’m not trying to antagonise you, it just mildly irritates me that some people will latch onto the slightest superficial simularities of one thing to say it is taken from another. Especially when a show just aired it’s first episode, atleast give it a few more eps before trying to draw any parallels. My comment isn’t directed at you just saying in general.

    DG04
  16. Definitely reminds me a bit of FMP as far as Setsuna’s past is concerned. But I also see elements of real-life, modern-day global issues being presented (e.g. terrorism and wars waged based on religious believes), which is a nice break from all the convoluted personal dramas GS and GSD had.

    mangaka-chan
  17. XD upon seeing the first intro with the militia fighting with the kids I thought of FMP. I kinda disappointed though that they’re not making the show more centric to that event. I also found the whole justice force somewhat Mithrilish, but still a broad enough theme to not worry about the similarities. Good vibes off the first ep though. Loved the fact that in this timeline no one knows what a Gundam is at this point.

    kwon
  18. First, for those who had never seen any Gundam shows before, it doesn’t really matter. This one’s story starts fresh, unlike Destiny which was a continuation of Seed.

    Anyway, I’m not too thrilled with the story so far. It reminds me too much of Gundam Wing, which I was not a fan of. Main characters who barely talk has never been my cup of tea. So I’m really hoping Setsuna won’t continue to be this way in future episodes. Still, it’s just the first episode.

    While I am glad that there are no stolen Gundams this time, I did wish it would be somewhat like seed where the main character developed his skills rather than skipping the training and become instantly good.

    Meh
  19. “While I am glad that there are no stolen Gundams this time, I did wish it would be somewhat like seed where the main character developed his skills rather than skipping the training and become instantly good. ”

    Instantly good? Sorry, but you must have not been paying attention. Setsuna had been in CB organisation for 6 years since the start of the episode. That’s hardly “instantly good”. And he had been fighting and killing people long before that. Out of all the young main character Gundam pilots in the many series, he probably had more training than ANY of them.

    Vallen Chaos Valiant
  20. I just saw the first episode yesterday. Though, from reading the blog summary it seems that you explained much more about the series than I actually understood from the first episode. I think it’s a bit of a rough start. Especially since so many gundam fans are comparing it to the GSD series. Both negative and positive comments.

    As for the character designs, I rather liked it. The reason I even found out or looked into the series in the first place was because I heard Yun Kouga was doing character designs for a Gundam series. Maybe it’s just me, but I immediately could tell who was a guy and who was a girl. I didn’t have that same problem that some other people I knew had with the designs. Maybe it’s just because I was used to the feminine character designs by Yun Kouga. They’re very similar in style to Yun Kouga’s Loveless. I’d have to say that the character Setsuna strongly resembles Ritsuka from Loveless. I’m not kidding. XD It’s a Ritsuka type to me.

  21. This has some of the best animation quality I’ve ever seen. Plus, it was far more interesting than SEED episode 1. I’m really gonna be looking forward to Gundam 00 every Saturday.

    Arashi-chan
  22. This was an OK start. The animation and art for this series was really really good. Even better than Gundam SEED. The story sounded very intriguing. Can’t wait to see more of it.

    aotatsu
  23. Can everyone just agree that unless you are strange, this is a major improvement over destiny so far.

    Actually NO since Destiny started out very well and only fell apart towards the end. Gundam 00 so far did not have the same great start as Seed or Destiny. Yes, I know it’s trendy to bash Gundam Seed, but you should also know what the hell you are talking about. Gundam 00 has yet to prove itself to be better then anything yet. Keep watching and maybe it will.

    ann
  24. I don’t agree with the people disliking this episode. The episode didn’t start too rushy. Not a lot of violence, some attacks and counterattacks of the celestial being gundam meisters and the celestial being head-chief his speech were really good enough to start this show. I don’t like a start with too much violence, give me the story in the first place. The animation, character design, etc are really good and imo this story has more potential than others I have seen. The only thing I regret: is the peacefull violence acting of some gundam meister (especially setsuna) but of course that can change

    legno
  25. I wasn’t going to say anything but… the pilots suit?
    is wow…. really queer if i had to wear that
    i wouldn’t pilot a gundam xDD
    just kidding but i think this universe is alot more realistic
    but i have a feeling that the gundams here aren’t going
    to be so strong compared to other ones such as the freedom/justice/wing
    but they’ll always have that one or two kick ass gundams

    Hei
  26. Light-o i back!

    I was surprised to see him as the main character of his new GUNDAM project. A good start, taking note of this past two years without a GUNDAM series on Saturday

    I’ll give it a chance.

    Syaoran Li
  27. I realize this is really late, as I posted a comment long ago and someone responded to it, but they didn’t catch what I was saying.

    I said “If it diversifies itself from the Gundams I don’t like. That means the specific series of Gundam I don’t like. I love the original, Zeta, and Turn-A; I hate Wing and SEED.

    I’m really digging the feel of this one so far, though. It has really interested me.

    Heiae
  28. i think this is my 3rd comment on this blog..
    oh well i’m a gundam maniac
    people are really underestimating this show
    the character design is completely different from all the other gundams
    no “ZAKUS” all the gundam seems original besides EXIA
    which designs based off the first gundam ever made
    the main gundam is always blue/white EXIA also lacked oomph
    it seemed a bit nude… xDDD
    and than there’s virtue which packs to much oomph if you know what i mean
    also the concept of not having an engine? or something
    when the exia first arrives defeating the new AEU unit
    they comment on how it moves so well without a engine and etc.
    along with the light thing that allows flight and gives it power apparently
    it’s probably the power source of the gundams
    and of course the EXIA will be destroyed it always happen
    Wing/Strike and now EXIA
    and he’ll get some new unite like exodus or some other name that symbolizes great power
    like jesus but i cant imagine a gundam named jesus
    this is Gundam Jesus preparing for launch?

    Hei
  29. Hrm…being a long time Gundam fan, I’m not sure what to expect anymore since I was disappointed in the Gundam Seed series. It’s got a good propelling plot and full of political intrigue as most of Gundam has been. I guess it’s too early to judge anything now. But alas, my anime void needs to be filled with something. (Darker than Black ended and Lucky Star ended…so why not).

  30. So I finally got a chance to watch the whole episode.

    It reminded me of Gundam Wing a little. Yet it was different. Though personally, I prefered the first episodes of the Seed series. But I’m going to keep watching because the character design is pretty 0.0,

    Kureejii
  31. I liked the OP, wasn’t that great compared to other Laruku songs but was still good (and I’m quite a fangirl of them! XD). Didn’t like the ED, though. Btw, when Setsuna said “God doesn’t exist in this world” I imagined him saying “I’ll became the new one!” *insert Light’s evil laugh* ROFL! And I’m loving those character designs, they are so pretty!

    meromero
  32. It’s kinda refreshing to have a pilot that has actually been on the battlefield before, luckily it wont turn out like wing, which kinda did the same thing.

    I enjoy the OP and ED, and the animation but the characters need to seriously get some sort of emotions or backstory very VERY soon, as i found it hard to attach to the characters this ep.

    ghostgundam
  33. The animation was great, but I agree that for a debut episode its lacking in impact. I personally like GSeed because of the plot twists but the formula became stale to me when it was poorly & frustratingly executed in GSDestiny. Anyway, maybe I had too high expectations and they weren’t met although there’s still more to see since it’s just the initial episode. I’m gonna be expecting something better, storywise….and yeah Setsuna reminds me of Sousuke Sagara w/ a Gundam, LOL.

    kai_yukari
  34. If you want to compare Setsuna to a past Gundam pilot I would def have to say his attitude and cold almost machine like speech reminds me of Hiro from Wing.. they almost have that same shell shoked feeling.

    Wang Liu Mei with that killer dress reminded me a lot of Lyn Minmei from the Robotech saga when she was dressed similarly.

    Neko
  35. Finally able to watch it with decent subs. From my limited experience as a Gundam Fan [I only was able to watch Wing, Seed and Destiny] this was one of the better begginings, I really like the “I’ll kick the world’s ass with my superior technololgy” theme.

    Does anyone think that the names “Exia” & “Kyrios” are extremely sexy, really made my hairs stand on end when the Chinese babe said “Kyrios”! O.o

    GravMech
  36. What are the chances of a Gundam having at least its nickname being “Double O”?

    With Gundam Seed the series was named after a special ability. Maybe a Double O mode, Double O System or Double O syndrome…

    After re-watching the 1st Ep two more times the name “Kyrios” isn’t so sexy anymore. Maybe after seeing a scene where the Pretty Chinese Girl say “Exia” I might just have another “Mind-gasm”.

    I think I might be a pioneer in a new kind of fetish!

    GravMech
  37. @GravMech
    It wouldbe too similar to wing, with “zero system”… so i doubt its “double zero system” or “syndrome”.

    It can for sure be allusion to nothingness, or the model name of some godly gundam to come…(u know.. blablabla-00, marking that it is very first of its model)

    Unknown Voice
  38. OMG!!!!AWESOME DUDE!!!! i heard dat in Brunei…sumone design his own gundam n called it the RedeemerXV Gundam n the another guy in Brunei is the AvengerZEOX Gundam…i wanna c how it luk lyk..my couzen told me they design it really GOOD!!!!WOW!!!

    UKNOWN.....
  39. People should probably know that the character they happen to be praising so much has the same name as the much despised Kaioshin Sama. That’s right, I am going to kick the Exia’s ass and get my own Gundam. It’s always been a dream of mine to pilot a Gundam.

  40. i sure as hell hope this won’t lean towards the likes of the “?seed?” and wing series. other than that, hope this series brings me back to the world of gundam like it once did back in the days. =) *cheers*

    andynai
  41. I am still on the fence about this one. There are parts I like and parts I don’t. It seems like the writter is a bit scattered. Like when the blond guy attacks the Exia after the second battle, he kinda flys in, I will test you…you beat me bye!! I have to give it a couple more episodes before I decide. I don;t see why everyone is so big on the openiong and ending music, I really could care less.

    Gunshin
  42. setsuna f. seiei love arika yumemiya angel i will help you setsuna f. seiei ok light of gundam exia JOEL PEREZ TRANSFORM INTO setsuna f. seiei body for JOEL PEREZ GUNDAM 00 LIKE MAI OTOME GOOD GUNDAM 00 LOVE MAI OTOME 4 GUNDAM MEISTERS LIKE MAI OTOME ARIKA AND SETSUNA LOCKON AND SHIZURU NINA AND TIERIA ALLELUJAH AND NATSUKI GOOD GUY JANUARY 5 2008 BY SUNRISE SONG OF GUNDAM 00 dream wing and daybreak bell thanks you

    JOEL PEREZ
  43. awesome mobile suits. quite different compared to the first gundams i have seen. would this be okay for the other gundam fans who have already watched gundam since it started? i mean, yes its called gundam but the new look of the gundam exia will be a topic for them.

    Adrian
  44. Many people compare Gundam 00 as to the Modern Version of Gundam 00, which I quite agree. With lots of competing power blocks and lots of ultra-modern Mobile Suits, it really has a slow but a good start.

    Chao-Chen (Jack) Lin

Leave a Reply to GravMech Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *