Mobile Suit Gundam AGE: A Misguided Attempt to Revitalize the Franchise

The Mobile Suit Gundam Franchise: A Legacy of Innovation

The Mobile Suit Gundam franchise has spawned numerous entries over its 45-year history. Among these, some have become classics, while others are better left forgotten. One such forgotten series is Mobile Suit Gundam AGE, which aimed to captivate a new generation of fans but ultimately fell short of expectations. Here's why Gundam AGE is often remembered as a low point in the Gundam saga.

Gundam AGE: A Conceptual Misstep

Mobile Suit Gundam AGE, released between 2011 and 2012, was a significant departure from previous Gundam series. Primarily set within the "Advanced Generation" timeline, it attempted a bold narrative structure by following three generations of the Asuno family. Across its 49 episodes, Flit, Asemu, and Kio Asuno each piloted the titular mobile suit in a battle against an enigmatic foe known as the "Unknown Entity."

On paper, the multigenerational storyline should have been groundbreaking. In practice, however, the execution left much to be desired. The major issue was the series' failure to capitalize on its premise, which largely stemmed from rushed storytelling and underdeveloped characters.

Aimed at a Different Audience

A collaboration between Sunrise and Level-5, a company renowned for children's and youth-oriented games, Gundam AGE adopted a lighter and more colorful aesthetic. This approach was intended to draw in younger viewers who might not have been Gundam's usual demographic.

Unfortunately, this strategic pivot left older fans feeling alienated. The character designs and mecha, perceived as overly simplistic, did not resonate with long-time Gundam enthusiasts. The series failed to capture the gritty, realistic feel of previous Gundam narratives, alienating both new viewers and established fans alike.

Level-5 aimed to replicate its previous successes in appealing to younger audiences, such as with the Little Battlers Experience franchise. However, the attempt didn't translate well in the context of Gundam's traditionally complex narratives.

Shortcomings in Story and Character Development

One of the most significant criticisms of Gundam AGE is its storytelling and character construction. The multigenerational gimmick, rather than enhancing the narrative, became more of a hindrance. The storytelling felt compressed, reducing what should have been a thoughtful exploration of generational conflict into a jumbled, superficial endeavor.

Characters beyond the central trio were largely neglected, and even the protagonists themselves suffered from minimal development. Coupled with the repetition of character archetypes across generations, the story lacked depth and failed to engage viewers on an emotional level.

Moreover, the show attempted to insert darker themes midway, failing to integrate them seamlessly with the initially lighthearted tone. This incongruity further alienated viewers and detracted from the narrative.

Legacy of Mobile Suit Gundam AGE

Gundam AGE serves as a cautionary tale of how not to handle a franchise as iconic as Gundam. Despite its potential, the series was hampered by a lack of coherent storytelling and misdirected audience targeting. Fans of Gundam have since moved on to appreciate later series, which embraced innovative storytelling while respecting the franchise's roots.

For instance, subsequent entries like the Gundam Build Fighters franchise effectively engaged younger audiences without sacrificing quality and drew in older fans with nostalgic nods to the original series. Other successful recent series, such as Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury, managed to broaden the demographic appeal of Gundam while maintaining quality and complexity.

Though Gundam AGE now stands as an obscure chapter in the Gundam saga, it provides valuable insights into balancing innovation with tradition. It could have rejuvenated the Gundam narrative for new fans, but its impact was superficial, serving instead as a reminder of the delicate balance needed to honor a longstanding franchise.