AKA: Superior Defender Gundam Force

Genre: Chibi mecha monstrosity

Length: Television series, 52 episodes, 24 minutes each

Distributor: Licensed by Bandai

Content Rating: G (This would only be given a higher rating if BOREDOM were considered objectionable content)

Related Series: Mobile Suit Gundam, SD Gundam

Also Recommended: Mobile Suit Gundam (any Gundam series EXCEPT this one)

Notes: Based loosely on the universe of Mobile Suit Gundam (but really more on the Gundams as toys). Not related directly to the late 80s-early 90s SD Gundam specials.

Rating:

SD Gundam Force

Synopsis

A hideous mutation of the GP-01 finds a boy who can activate his special attack, and they proceed to fight against chibi Zaku(s) from another dimension, gathering an occasional (hideous) ally along the way.

Review

I really wish I had a flail with nails in it. I could either whip this wretched excuse for a Gundam series, or whip myself while walking around the town square crying for this plague to be lifted from humanity.

SD Gundam Force has awful pacing. The inane activities the characters perform when not fighting make War In The Pocket look action-packed; there is next to no character development; apparently the creators decided to go with the "Let's add useless lessons about teamwork!" route; and it doesn't work here twice as much as it never worked before. The action scenes are far too brief, and look as if they were choreographed by a six-year-old Power Ranger fan on a sugar high attempting to get an epileptic seizure.

The music is as pathetic as the rest of the show, with only one tune vaguely recollectable, and that's only because I thought it sounded like a rip-off of something else(I think it was one of those dramatic semi-orchestral pieces). Also the majority of the rest is far too happy-sounding, even during the battles.

Plot? What plot? If Zaku(s) invading other dimensions SO THAT THEY CAN TURN THEM INTO CONCRETE (I kid you not) is a plot, then I could easily succeed as a writer, since I can formulate an evil plan to destroy the Earth while armed only with cheese, in just a few minutes. Also included are mystical Griffon and Furby Dragon armors that live in a pit where magic flower shields won't work, and good guy turned badguy samurai with hindu arms. Need I explain further how stupid the plot is? I thought not.

Visually, it's awkward, with the occasional "anime blur of a spinning weapon" being replaced by "Cel-shaded WHEEL with SFX masquerading as a weapon". The cel-shading was not a very good choice for the animation style, since, while the MS’s look alright while going about their activities, the humans look atrocious, and move in an unnatural manner(which the MS do when fighting).

I'll mention some of the more glaring/galling characters, for starters, we've got Shute, who deserves to be SHOT since he manages to be a worse character at his best than Amuro Ray at his worst. The Gundams are pitiful, for instance, "Captain" can't hit a barn while inside it with his rifle, and has to wait for Shute to catch up and be endangered by an enemy before he can kill/knock it into the sunset, "Zero: The WingED Knight" sounds very much like a girl, and has a bizarre little inflating furby for a pet. "Bakumitsumaru" has Cyborg Ninja-like abilities to deflect bullets with his swords, but can't seem to actually hit squat with them. Many people will probably also recognize Haro (the little green ball robot from the first Gundam) as the HEAD of the SDG Force's commanding officer, which is really, really stupid looking. The inept enemy leaders don't even bare mentioning beyond the Gouf/Gogg hybrid (which looks odd, and that is the extent of its abilities).

Now, I shall mention the good points of this series: Chibi Zaku(s) and GMs. Seeing a herd of adorable, inept Zaku waddle around chanting their names while attempting (and failing, since they are inept, after all) to be evil is as amusing as things get, and the GMs look cool, even though they are unjustly used only for window dressing and working in the background.

I'll admit that I've never seen any of the other SD Gundam series, but, from what I've heard, they are PARODY, while this TRAVESTY is not funny, not moving (except perhaps moving out of the room to escape it's horror), not fun, nor is it GOOD. I'm going back to the town square now, since the flogging thing seemed pretty effective against THAT plague.

I give this star only to the Chibi Zaku and GMs. The rest of this show should be cast into the deepest, darkest part of the ocean, preferably somewhere near France. — Samuel Arbogast

Recommended Audience: There is no objectionable material except perhaps the mayor being very well endowed (I don't personally find it objectionable, just anatomically hazardous), and thus I give it a 6+ rating (old enough to get a sugar high and direct the combat, after all).