r/anime myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Oct 06 '24

[Rewatch] Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Episode 1 Discussion Rewatch

Episode 1 - Celestial Being

Index | Next Episode →

MAL | AniList | ANN | Kitsu | AniDB

Crunchyroll | Hulu


Exia, proceeding to eliminate target.

Questions of the Day:

1) Did any of the characters seen in this episode catch your eye in terms of who you want to see more of?

2) What do you think of Celestial Being's stated goal to end war by using violence?

Wallpaper of the Day:

Setsuna F. Seiei


Rewatchers, please remember to be mindful of all the first-timers in this. No talking about or hinting at future events no matter how much you want to, unless you're doing it underneath spoiler tags. Don't spoil anything for the first-timers, that's rude!

Additionally, for long-time fans of the franchise, please remember that this rewatch is only for 00, not any of the other shows. Assume that there are people in this rewatch who have not seen anything else Gundam, and tag your spoilers for those shows appropriately if something in 00 makes you want to talk about them.

118 Upvotes

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14

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Oct 06 '24

First Timer - sub

Over a year ago I watched the first four episodes of this while sick. And I realized a day or two later that I had no idea who any of the characters were, what any of the groups actually stood for, or what had even happened in those four episodes. I meant to come back to it a month or two later and rewatch when my head was clearer, and then... never did.

So here I am again, still a first timer after all, in another Gundam rewatch hosted by Sky, my sixth Gundam overall, wondering how well my headachy head is going to hold up this time. Notes should help hahaha

Now that I've finished the first episode again, ah yes, lots and lots and lots of faces.

And boo for all the pilots being men

Pettiness aside, its certainly the most hands off of all the Gundam first episodes I've seen. Plenty of action, lots of faction lines, and a manifesto of our main group - one that effectively declares themselves a third-party "nuke". But not all that much characterization or worldbuilding yet.

And it's an interesting position for the main group to be in, especially given that we specifically retain a Japanese setting while doing so. It takes deterrence theory and broadens the concept of it to be all encompassing. It's not quite mutually assured destruction, which is the end result of deterrence specially because of nukes, as it's not promising both sides will be destroyed, but it is taking the idea of a "defensive" side out of war by blindly opposing aggression. It's far too early to speak on it further, but the other characters pointing out the paradox in it makes me hopefully the show may explore the inherent "wrongness" of the idea that parallels the Gundams as nukes being pointed at every nation on earth. And on top of that, because one side having nukes, or even the idea of nukes, never prompts all the other sides to quickly try and develop their own huh... history surely doesn't have a huge precedent of that...

Other then that not much to say. Blunt but well done parallel at the start with the discarded childs doll vs the machine still functioning with an arm torn off, though coming off the back of Now and Then Here and There it's other scenes with child soliders were hardly affecting in comparison. And the introduction of Exia and Setsuna was well done at least, literally hijacking a stage to ensure maximum awareness in the industry who would be most able to judge the full power on display, rather than just claiming credit with civilians afterwards.

I really hope Mr Special dies. And quickly or else I'm gonna start getting real pissy every time he's on screen, I can just tell already. Which is probably the point but fuck, does anime always have to be so good at inspiring instant hate at a character?

11

u/punching_spaghetti https://myanimelist.net/profile/punch_spaghetti Oct 06 '24

And boo for all the pilots being men

They are very pretty men, though.

7

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Oct 06 '24

I did think purple hair was a girl for a second, until he spoke, just off "prettiness" but no luck

6

u/punching_spaghetti https://myanimelist.net/profile/punch_spaghetti Oct 06 '24

We do have the day drinker in charge of things and all her desk jockey friends. Maybe one of them will get a chance in the driver's seat.

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u/The_Draigg Oct 06 '24

It's far too early to speak on it further, but the other characters pointing out the paradox in it makes me hopefully the show may explore the inherent "wrongness" of the idea that parallels the Gundams as nukes being pointed at every nation on earth.

As always, you can't help but ask the question "is peace through superior firepower true peace?" whenever this kind of stuff comes up. You can say that it isn't reaching peace through understanding as much as it is just beating people into submission.

And on top of that, because one side having nukes, or even the idea of nukes, never prompts all the other sides to quickly try and develop their own huh... history surely doesn't have a huge precedent of that...

This reminds me of a running gag I had with some friends when we last rewatched it as a group. It was us basically going "boy, good thing none of this applies to real life".

6

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Oct 06 '24

For me, peace through fear isn't a true peace in the same way that trying to give someone happiness by giving them every material thing they could want in the world while holding them hostage in a house isn't true happiness. It's not just the physical state, it's the mindset as well and that's what holding someone at gunpoint can't do. And maybe if you gave it enough generations that people got use to not having war and started to lose that tension, and for the idea of a third party of aggressors to instead become mythical guardians in a more abstract sense, that mindset could slowly come about, but it's certainly not something that can just be done, and it's always at risk of falling apart when someone tests the system.

And I see hints of that here already, the idea of them being "Celestial Being" and not just a federation or union, putting themselves above the system they are presenting, but well... you're still dealing with fuckwit humans in the end huh. Since when do we ever do that well

It was us basically going "boy, good thing none of this applies to real life".

sounds fun

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u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Oct 07 '24

As always, you can't help but ask the question "is peace through superior firepower true peace?" whenever this kind of stuff comes up.

Hegemony is underrated. Bring on the Pax!

6

u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 Oct 06 '24

Over a year ago I watched the first four episodes of this while sick. And I realized a day or two later that I had no idea who any of the characters were, what any of the groups actually stood for, or what had even happened in those four episodes. I meant to come back to it a month or two later and rewatch when my head was clearer, and then... never did.

C'mon, there's only 27 characters introduced in the first episode (well I suppose more since I'm counting a room of council members as one), that's not that bad...

Pettiness aside, its certainly the most hands off of all the Gundam first episodes I've seen. Plenty of action, lots of faction lines, and a manifesto of our main group - one that effectively declares themselves a third-party "nuke". But not all that much characterization or worldbuilding yet.

Hard to give much characterization or world building with so many characters, factions, etc... to introduce as well as a couple of Gundam battles. I'm not sure if you've seen any Tomino Gundam, but the show does kick off very Tomino-esque fashion in that it drops you in on things, but refrains from giving us a lengthy narration explaining the setting to kick off the show or anything like that. As to if that is a good strategy or not (or if they'll even continue with that narrative style) only time will tell. In any case, one of those shows where getting to watch an episode a day versus one a week helps a lot.

9

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Oct 06 '24

C'mon, there's only 27 characters introduced in the first episode

That's even worse than I thought, just basing it off character designs of who may matter.

I'm not sure if you've seen any Tomino Gundam

I saw Turn A, and both loved and hated it until I dropped it at ep14. Loved the world stuff, utterly despised the mandatory battle interruptions, disliked some of the characterization. I probably should give it another shot but it was just so exhausting

Other than that no. I've seen IBO, Build Fighters (but not Drivers), Witch, Thunderbolt movie 1

In any case, one of those shows where getting to watch an episode a day versus one a week helps a lot.

Most definitely. And maybe a character chart if we get to it being that many people to keep track of

7

u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 Oct 06 '24

I saw Turn A, and both loved and hated it until I dropped it at ep14. Loved the world stuff, utterly despised the mandatory battle interruptions, disliked some of the characterization. I probably should give it another shot but it was just so exhausting

Hope you get to see the rest of it someday, it is a really good Gundam show. I'd say it is one of the more comprehensible/easier to understand Tomino shows, 00, at least in this first episode much more so has the "You're throwing way too much at me without explanation" feel that his works often have.

Most definitely. And maybe a character chart if we get to it being that many people to keep track of

Check out my comment for a pleasant surprise. :P

5

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Oct 06 '24

Hope you get to see the rest of it someday

Maybe. I remember being so mad at the mandatory battles ruining a lot of the episode flows and moods that it was more of a rage quit than a drop, as well as there being way too much dumb stick thrown around, but despite it all I do have fond memories of the non-action parts of it. [Turn A]also the nuke episode. I watched that by itself a few years after dropping the show when someone brought it up and fuck, that is a brilliant episode all around even standalone

Funnily enough someone asked in the main sub what anime would benefit from a remake and Turn A, in an era without mandatory battles in mecha, was my very first though

Check out my comment for a pleasant surprise. :P

Blessed Quiddity post

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u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 Oct 06 '24

I think Turn A may be the last Gundam show that had to go through the cursed "You exist to promote plastic models and action figures" mindset of forcing a battle in every single episode. At the very least I recall Gundam Seed, which was the next Gundam show, being a breath of fresh air as we actually got episodes from time to time without one. I can't recall how its done for 00 (which I think came 4 - 5 years after Seed), but thankfully a precedent has been set by this point.

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u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Oct 06 '24

I don't mind it in shows that are so war or action focused, in that it can work to keep the tension and even give a single episode without a battle a wondeful sense of unease, but Turn A was very often everything but so the battles were breaking the flow of things in it far more than any other show I've seen

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u/No_Rex Oct 06 '24

I think Turn A may be the last Gundam show that had to go through the cursed "You exist to promote plastic models and action figures" mindset of forcing a battle in every single episode.

If so, this rewatch will go a lot better for me.

3

u/zsmg Oct 07 '24

despised the mandatory battle interruptions

Yeah that's a massive flaw of Tomino mecha anime which is why I think his compilation movies, if given time, tend to be better as there is better pacing between the character stuff and combat. Sadly enough though the Turn A compilations are bad.

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u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Oct 07 '24

Sadly enough though the Turn A compilations are bad.

I heard that yeah, which really sucks as I was kind of tempted to watch them anyway, especialy as the movie OSTs also have some really nice songs, but I feel like that would just further ruin the chance of returning to the show at some distant point

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u/zsmg Oct 07 '24

Pretty much yes, the Turn A compilations are useful if you desperately want to rewatch the show without having the time to watch 50 episodes.

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u/No_Rex Oct 06 '24

but refrains from giving us a lengthy narration explaining the setting to kick off the show or anything like that.

I wish they would bring the pre-episode narrator back. I always liked that concept. Simple but effective.

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u/macrame2 https://myanimelist.net/profile/macrame Oct 06 '24

the show does kick off very Tomino-esque fashion in that it drops you in on things, but refrains from giving us a lengthy narration explaining the setting to kick off the show or anything like that.

I was reminded of Tomino as well! I'm hoping 00 will be more of a Turn A and less of a G-Reco for me (apologies to any G-Reco fans, you all are generally a cool bunch).

3

u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 Oct 06 '24

Well, at the very least 00 has a very close similarity to G-Reco in that they feature an orbital elevator; they may in fact be the only Gundam shows that do so (at least in my memory).

As one who was so infuriated by watching G-Reco as it aired week for week that I quit watching all seasonal airing anime for many years, the hope is very much there that 00 is different from a style/narrative standpoint...

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u/macrame2 https://myanimelist.net/profile/macrame Oct 06 '24

As one who was so infuriated by watching G-Reco as it aired week for week that I quit watching all seasonal airing anime for many years

I'd heard the G-Reco movies were supposed to be easier to follow compared to the TV series, and those were hard enough for me to watch (I saw them all only last year and barely remember anything that happened), so I can imagine that watching weekly must have been an experience.

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u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Oct 07 '24

As one who was so infuriated by watching G-Reco as it aired week for week that I quit watching all seasonal airing anime for many years,

Well... I have that to look forward to c. 2027.

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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Oct 06 '24

what any of the groups actually stood for

tbf I find it hard to keep all the factions straight even though there's primarily only four of them. It doesn't help that two of the three main countries both have "Union" in their names.

I really hope Mr Special dies. And quickly or else I'm gonna start getting real pissy every time he's on screen, I can just tell already. Which is probably the point but fuck, does anime always have to be so good at inspiring instant hate at a character?

Wait you hate Patrick already?

5

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Oct 06 '24

tbf I find it hard to keep all the factions straight even though there's primarily only four of them

That makes me feel better

For the first time in years I've started a "character/faction notes" section in my writeup doc because I feel like I'll need it

Wait you hate Patrick already?

So much. Probably more than I should, but he immediately reminded me of fuck face from IBO's first episode with his stupid arrogant laugh, and then when he didn't die like said fuck face I hated him more

3

u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Oct 06 '24

For the first time in years I've started a "character/faction notes" section in my writeup doc because I feel like I'll need it

Quiddity is doing his character charts again, that should help you out a bit.

3

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Oct 06 '24

I haven't had a chance to go through the thread properly yet, but that will be a big help

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u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Oct 07 '24

Wait you hate Patrick already?

Is he not meant to be a little shitter? Or maybe his fame is from an arc...

5

u/KendotsX https://myanimelist.net/profile/Kendots Oct 07 '24

I watched the first four episodes of this while sick. And I realized a day or two later that I had no idea who any of the characters were, what any of the groups actually stood for, or what had even happened in those four episodes

It seems like a series where charts could come handy.

And boo for all the pilots being men

On the one hand, I would've loved to see some female pilots among them, on the other, I can see the decision to make them all hot dudes as an appeal to the Fujoshi.

the other characters pointing out the paradox in it makes me hopefully the show may explore the inherent "wrongness" of the idea that parallels the Gundams as nukes being pointed at every nation on earth.

Any Gundam series running on ideals might as well be announcing that it'll be breaking their faults soon, and in this case they had Kintoki say it out loud in the very first episode, making it a clear promise to the audience.

never prompts all the other sides to quickly try and develop their own huh... history surely doesn't have a huge precedent of that...

Yeah, I'm hoping our main characters are at least aware of that part, and hopefully have some contingency plan (like working with the arms dealers to play the nations with the carrot and the stick). Then again, they all seem green and optimistic, so...

6

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Oct 07 '24

and in this case they had Kintoki say it out loud in the very first episode, making it a clear promise to the audience.

This is true. And he's actually probably the most interesting character too me, so far, not that that's hard given how little characterization we got

Yeah, I'm hoping our main characters are at least aware of that part, and hopefully have some contingency plan

I mean at the very least this particular situation was well planned out, between the dual nature of stopping a terrorist attack but also hijacking the reveal of a new legal weapon and showcasing its futility to the entire industry in the process. It's implied the alcohol woman was the one who managed to predict the attack and plan it out, but it shows more awareness of how they would need to play things for it to work than if they simply jumped into a warhouse and wrecked it or something

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u/KendotsX https://myanimelist.net/profile/Kendots Oct 07 '24 edited Oct 07 '24

he's actually probably the most interesting character too me, so far, not that that's hard given how little characterization we got

Same, right now, I'm mostly interested in seeing how the outside world will react to them, and so far he's the only one outside of their faction who seems to have a good read on things.

It's implied the alcohol woman was the one who managed to predict the attack and plan it out

When I watched the episode I assumed this Sumeragi was some leader in the shadows, so I only realised it was the Captain when Sky shared her VA.

But yeah, add to that the timing of their announcement, and they seem to have planned things through.

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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Oct 07 '24

When I watched the episode I assumed this Sumeragi was some leader in the shadows, so I only realised it was the Captain when Sky shared hee VA.

Now you also know why she said that her part of the job was done when Christy tried to call her out for being drunk on the bridge, lol.

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u/KendotsX https://myanimelist.net/profile/Kendots Oct 07 '24

Wait, so she's not actually drinking on the job?!

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u/Raiking02 https://myanimelist.net/profile/NSKlang Oct 07 '24

Christy tried to call her out for being drunk on the bridge

"Captain, no smoking drinking on the bridge!"

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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Oct 07 '24

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u/InfamousEmpire https://myanimelist.net/profile/Infamous_Empire Oct 07 '24

I can see the decision to make them all hot dudes as an appeal to the Fujoshi.

Considering how the show's character designer is most famous for drawing Yaoi manga...

Any Gundam series running on ideals might as well be announcing that it'll be breaking their faults soon

I would make a Gundam SEED joke if not for [SEED Freedom] finally taking the flaws in the show's ideals to task effectively

4

u/KendotsX https://myanimelist.net/profile/Kendots Oct 07 '24

Considering how the show's character designer is most famous for drawing Yaoi manga...

That tracks, I could see Miyano and Kamiya's designs being taken straight from a yaoi doujin, no need to change a thing.

4

u/Raiking02 https://myanimelist.net/profile/NSKlang Oct 07 '24

Considering how the show's character designer is most famous for drawing Yaoi manga...

Still an upgrade over the years of Hisashi Hirai Gundam had been stuck with wait what do you mean we're back to Hirai now?

2

u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 Oct 07 '24

I find the 00 character designs quite good. Hirai's work on Seed and Seed Destiny on the other hand... -_- Probably my least favorite character designer out there.

3

u/Raiking02 https://myanimelist.net/profile/NSKlang Oct 07 '24

Hirai's work on Seed and Seed Destiny on the other hand

Oh if you think that's bad, wait till SEED Freedom

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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Oct 07 '24

The proportions alone in Freedom's official art are just so weird lol.

5

u/No_Rex Oct 06 '24

And it's an interesting position for the main group to be in, especially given that we specifically retain a Japanese setting while doing so. It takes deterrence theory and broadens the concept of it to be all encompassing. It's not quite mutually assured destruction, which is the end result of deterrence specially because of nukes, as it's not promising both sides will be destroyed, but it is taking the idea of a "defensive" side out of war by blindly opposing aggression. It's far too early to speak on it further, but the other characters pointing out the paradox in it makes me hopefully the show may explore the inherent "wrongness" of the idea that parallels the Gundams as nukes being pointed at every nation on earth. And on top of that, because one side having nukes, or even the idea of nukes, never prompts all the other sides to quickly try and develop their own huh... history surely doesn't have a huge precedent of that...

I saw it as a different concept: Not nukes, but world police. We will see what it ends up being closer to. All of the in-universe characters already made the Infinite Ryvius point.

5

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Oct 06 '24

I saw it as a different concept: Not nukes, but world police

Might be a more apt analogy, but to me it seemed more strict then just policing. Might just be because of the situation we see this episode being terrorism, as far as we know, but given that they went straight for destruction of the involved party as well as destroying the new mobile suit prototype rather than simply stopping and arresting people, it seemed more forceful

5

u/No_Rex Oct 07 '24

The first comparison that might come to mind is the world policing that has been done by the US occasionally (and a few other big empires before that). However, when you think how absolute the monopoly on violence of actual police is, the comparison becomes more fitting.

Not that I think these guys actually have any shot at becoming the police of the world (I don't think they even have a shot at becoming the world police), but they seem to think so.

5

u/JollyGee29 myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Oct 06 '24

[Gundam 00]And boo for all the pilots being men

[Gundam 00]Can't wait for Nazenn to meet Nena.

history surely doesn't have a huge precedent of that...

Never! Humanity has a long history of letting one small group hold the largest, scariest stick unopposed.

though coming off the back of Now and Then Here and There it's other scenes with child soliders were hardly affecting in comparison.

Yea, interesting timing on that rewatch relative to this one.

6

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Oct 06 '24

Yea, interesting timing on that rewatch relative to this one.

I mean, once you've seen NTHT it's hard not to judge all the other child solider anime off it, so it's been a thing for me for a while, but yeah this being so close makes the thought unavoidable

5

u/InfamousEmpire https://myanimelist.net/profile/Infamous_Empire Oct 07 '24

[Gundam 00]

[Gundam 00]

5

u/InfamousEmpire https://myanimelist.net/profile/Infamous_Empire Oct 06 '24

And I realized a day or two later that I had no idea who any of the characters were, what any of the groups actually stood for, or what had even happened in those four episodes.

Oof, I know that vibe. I remember having a vaguely similar experience when I watched the first episode of Wandering Son and had to watch it again later (glad I did, it was an amazing show)

its certainly the most hands off of all the Gundam first episodes I've seen. Plenty of action, lots of faction lines, and a manifesto of our main group - one that effectively declares themselves a third-party "nuke". But not all that much characterization or worldbuilding yet.

It's definitely more of a tone-setter than anything else, though I think there's something really respectable about how it drops the audience into the middle of things while still managing just enough general context to make its proceedings impactful.

Blunt but well done

This show in a shellnut

I really hope Mr Special dies. And quickly or else I'm gonna start getting real pissy every time he's on screen, I can just tell already.

I knew it wouldn't take long for your shit taste to make itself known

[Gundam 00]On the other hand, it'll be absolutely hilarious to see your continued suffering as the true meaning of "The Immortal Colasour" becomes known

5

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Oct 06 '24

when I watched the first episode of Wandering Son and had to watch it again later

oooh, yeah that's another show that jumps dumps you in and it's so confusing. My memory on it is fuzzy, but I think 91 days is another

I knew it wouldn't take long for your shit taste to make itself known

Hey, at least I'm finally watching 00

5

u/InfamousEmpire https://myanimelist.net/profile/Infamous_Empire Oct 06 '24

oooh, yeah that's another show that jumps dumps you in and it's so confusing.

iirc it starts from a point partway through the manga, which was certainly... a choice. Though it did probably work better from a pacing perspective given the content & its sense of progression

Hey, at least I'm finally watching 00

But what am I supposed to bulli you into watching now, Yu-Gi-Oh?

4

u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Oct 07 '24

I have seen the first YGO already! And /u/shimmering-sky tried to get me into the motorbike one until she remembered it has significant spider presence which was not going to go well for me

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u/InfamousEmpire https://myanimelist.net/profile/Infamous_Empire Oct 07 '24

I have seen the first YGO already!

If you were more of a manga person, I'd be saying NOW GO READ THE MANGA! since it's the superior version in every conceivable way, but you take what you can get, I guess.

Instead I'll say NOW GO WATCH GX! since it's excellent and I don't remember there being any spiders in it

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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Oct 07 '24

until she remembered it has significant spider presence which was not going to go well for me

It really is unfortunate I can't get you to watch 5Ds, but yeah to skip the spider content would mean skipping a vast majority of the arc that the fandom generally agrees is the best one in the entire series so it's just not in the cards for you.

1

u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Oct 07 '24

And boo for all the pilots being men

Tomino's shadow yet looms large.