In 2002 in Japan the latest incarnation of the popular Mobile Suit Gundam series, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED reached airwaves; the series was immensely popular both in Japan and internationally. A new Gundam story in a new timeline, but SEED used some of the most popular aspects of the franchises 23 year history. So it was no surprise to see SEED Destiny the sequel in 2004.

Set less than twelve months after the end of Gundam SEED and a new peace treaty has been signed between Earth and the PLANTS. Destiny begins when Athrun Zala (Now calling himself Alex Dino) and Cagalli Athha visiting ZAFT as representatives of Orb. Cagalli is intent on convincing the new Chairman, Durandal, of the PLANTs

to stop making Mobile Suits, but during this discussion it seems three new experimental Gundam suits are stolen and begin attacking the base. Caught in the crossfire Athrun/Alex is forced back into a Mobile Suit to protect Cagalli, but then ZAFT reveals its new Gundam the Impulse, piloted by Shin Asuka, and the new spaceship Minerva. Athrun and Cagalli end up on board the Minerva as it tracks the group who stole the new Gundams, but it seems not all the crew are pleased, Shin who blames Cagalli and her Father for the attack on Orb, where he lost his parents.

These first few episodes of SEED Destiny are very similar to those of the first series. Experimental Gundams stolen,

check; strange man wearing a mask to hide his identity, check; and there are more points. Still one thing Destiny does is up the ante significantly, the animation looks pretty much the same until the Mobile Suits start going into battle against each other and it’s easy to see the improvement, the animators know what they are doing (they’ve had a lot of practice after all). Leading to some impressive fight scenes early on that tops some of the better sequences in the previous series.

Gundam SEED Destiny is really only going to appeal to those who have seen the previous series though, there are a lot of techno Babel and important places mentioned, but these terms etc aren’t explained

because your already supposed to know the significance of Junius 7 and what Phase Shift Armor is. There’s a bit of a treat for older Gundam fans as well, as quite a few of the new Mobile Suit designs are based on older classics such as the Zaku, although this may be seen as way to save time and money by some.

The first volume of Gundam SEED Destiny kicks off in a fast past start, and the final episode ends on a huge cliffhanger that’s bound to get your motor going. If SEED Destiny continues in the same fashion as this first volume then this is going to make another more than worthy addition to the Gundam franchise.