The Gundam Wing World

Where G Gundam used the Gundam ethos as raw material for a gonzo parody, this second alternate universe hews more closely to Gundam tradition. With its techno-fetishism, Earth-versus-space conflict, and heavy philosophical bent, Gundam Wing bears a strong superficial resemblance to the Universal Century saga.

However, the creators managed to cross-pollinate Gundam with the pretty-boys-in-armor genre represented by shows like Saint Seiya, Brave Reideen, and Samurai Trooper (aired in the U.S. Ronin Warriors). The five heroes are fifteen-year-old superheroes with dreamy teen-magazine looks, and their angst-ridden adventures drew a whole new audience to the Gundam franchise. As a result, Gundam Wing is the only alternate Gundam world to spawn its own sequels.

If you can't get enough of your favorite G-boys, see if you can track down the the Operation Meteor videos, a series of special videos highlighting the most memorable moments of the Gundam Wing television series. The "Odd Numbers" tapes focus on Heero Yuy, Trowa Barton and Chang Wufei, while the "Even Numbers" tapes spotlight Duo Maxwell, Quatre Raberba Winner and the rest of the cast. The second round of Operation Meteor videos even give you a few minutes of new footage showing what the heroes do immediately after the end of the series.