The Mobile Suit Gundam Complete Collection 2 DVD box set includes four DVDs with the final 21 episodes of the first Mobile Suit Gundam series. The episodes in this set have the original Japanese language with English subtitles and an English dub.

Mobile Suit Gundam Complete Collection 2
English Publisher: Bandai Entertainment
Format: DVD
Release Date: February 7, 2012

Unlike the episodes in the first set, this story is already well underway and keeps the momentum going until the end. There’s a bit of character development for Mirai in these episodes, and a new character named Sleggar is introduced. Also, the character of Kai has an experience which basically forces him to start taking his duties on the White Base a lot more seriously.

The concept of Newtypes is also introduced in the episodes in this set. However, once the Newtype concept is introduced, the writers essentially cram this concept into every episode in the series after its introduction. Since the series wasn’t popular when it was initially released in 1979 and the show was cut short, this probably forced that to happen. I imagine that the Newtype concept was supposed to have been spread out over a longer period of time, but since the series was being cut short due to its ratings, Tomino had to cram in what he could in what episodes were left.

I also noticed near the end of the series that events tended to be told by the narrator instead of actually being shown on screen. Again, I believe this would be due to the series being cut short. Ultimately, the story in Mobile Suit Gundam isn’t bad at all, but it definitely feels rushed near the end. This series is definitely worth seeing if you’re a Gundam fan who has never seen where the series began. It also should be seen by fans of the mecha anime genre in order to gain exposure to some of the early anime from that genre.

When it comes to the DVDs included in this box, each disc contains the following extras: English Credits, trailers for properties that Bandai was promoting at the time this DVD set was released, and DVD credits.

If you’re a die-hard Gundam fan, then this release should be in your anime collection if it isn’t already. If you’re not already familiar with the Gundam franchise or with this particular Gundam series but have an interest in mecha anime, then it would be worth it to find a way to view both Mobile Suit Gundam Complete Collection 1 and Mobile Suit Gundam Complete Collection 2 in order to see this series. Not only would it be a good way to get a feel for the Gundam universe, but it would also expose you to a piece of anime history.

Unfortunately, Bandai USA has gone out of business and this box set has gone out of print. If you’re interested in acquiring this box set, I would recommend shopping around at various online and brick and mortar retailers that sell used DVDs in order to find the best price you can for it.

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