Unveiling the Hidden Secrets of Gundam SEED

Unveiling the Hidden Secrets of Gundam SEED

Table of Contents

1. Thoughts behind the characters
2. SEED mode activation conditions
3. Reason for including a compilation
4. Mutation of MS settings
5. The end of Kira Yamato
6. Character relation in Gundam SEED
7. The impact of Gundam SEED on the anime industry
8. Controversies surrounding Gundam SEED
9. The influence of Gundam SEED on future Gundam series
10. The significance of Gundam SEED in the Gundam franchise

Thoughts behind the characters

Let's start by discussing the deeper thoughts behind some of the characters in Gundam SEED. Miriallia Haw, a student at the same industrial college as Kira Yamato, is a Natural with a cheerful personality. She joined the crew of the Archangel after being caught up in the Battle of Heliopolis. Despite not having a strong discrimination towards Coordinators, Miriallia was intentionally depicted as not too beautiful by the director to avoid interfering with the storyline.

In contrast, Flay Allster, a Natural with beauty and style comparable to that of Coordinators, was created as a "character filled with unlikable elements." She broke off her engagement to Sai and became Kira's partner with the intention of having Kira kill as many Coordinators as possible. Flay's character was crucial to the dramatic success of Gundam SEED, especially with the inclusion of a controversial love scene in episode 16.

SEED mode activation conditions

A notable aspect of Gundam SEED is the activation of the "SEED mode." This ability, triggered by extreme situations or significant traumas, boosts a character's strength and potential. In the series, Kira Yamato, Athrun Zala, Lacus Clyne, Cagalli Yula Athha, and Shinn Asuka have all experienced SEED mode activation. For Kira, the condition is a strong desire to protect. His innate gentleness and reluctance to pilot mobile suits make his trigger even more impactful.

Although the exact conditions for SEED mode activation for the other characters are not Mentioned, Athrun likely activates it when overcoming hesitation, Cagalli when her determination to end the war strengthens, Lacus when she witnesses her army dying and decides to push forward, and Shinn when he becomes resentful of his lack of power. This moment of awakening is a recurring theme in anime and has even been referenced in other series like "Full Metal Panic!"

Reason for including a compilation

Compilations episodes are common in anime, serving as summaries of the story up to that point. In Gundam SEED, episodes 14 and 26 were depicted as compilations. The reason behind this decision was the tight production schedule, with the next episode not being ready in time. Director Fukuda acknowledged the challenges faced during the production of Gundam SEED, which heavily influenced the later re-edited HD remastered version.

While some viewers may have had mixed feelings about the compilation episodes, they also provided an opportunity to showcase the intense and visually impactful battle scenes. Despite personal preferences, the success of Gundam SEED has paved the way for potential changes and improvements in future theatrical releases.

Mutation of MS settings

In the middle of the story, both the Strike piloted by Kira and the Aegis piloted by Athrun were destroyed in a fierce battle. Kira then boards the Freedom and fights alongside the Archangel before being confronted by new Earth Alliance machines, the Forbidden, Calamity, and Raider. The introduction of these machines added an exciting twist to the latter half of the series.

Interestingly, it was intended for the Calamity to be about 1.5 times the size of the final version, but the plastic model project rejected the idea. While this decision is understandable from a marketing perspective, it also led to missed opportunities for unique scenes and interactions involving the Calamity. Nonetheless, the popularity of Gundam SEED contributed to the release of the Destroy in Gundam SEED DESTINY.

The end of Kira Yamato

Near the conclusion of Gundam SEED, Kira successfully defeats Providence with the Freedom. However, he is caught in the irradiation of GENESIS. Despite the destruction of the Freedom, Kira manages to survive, bringing the story to an end. Interestingly, there were discussions during the conception stage about the possibility of Kira's demise, which could have dramatically Altered the reception and evaluation of the series.

As an interesting side note, the voice actress for Murrue Ramius, Kotono Mitsuishi, put forth incredible effort during the recording of the episode featuring Freedom's first appearance. Her passionate performance caused her voice to wither during the preview for the next episode. These small behind-the-scenes details demonstrate the dedication and commitment of the production team.

Article

5 Hidden Stories Behind Gundam SEED: Unveiling the Secrets of a Legendary Series

Gundam SEED, known as the "First Gundam of the 21st century," was created with the intention of revolutionizing the Gundam franchise. With elements reminiscent of the Universal Century series, fans could find familiar scenes woven into a fresh narrative. However, beyond its surface, Gundam SEED hides intriguing stories that Shaped its development and success.

Thoughts behind the characters

The richness of Gundam SEED lies in the depth of its characters. Miriallia Haw, a kind-hearted Natural, was intentionally depicted as not excessively beautiful to maintain the integrity of the storyline. On the other HAND, Flay Allster, an intriguing character with a mix of appealing and unlikable qualities, played a crucial role in the series' dramatic success. A controversial love scene involving Flay emphasized her feelings and added intensity to the story.

SEED mode activation conditions

One of the distinctive features of Gundam SEED is the activation of the "SEED mode." Triggered by extreme situations or traumatic experiences, this ability unleashes a character's potential and amplifies their strength. Kira Yamato, Athrun Zala, Lacus Clyne, Cagalli Yula Athha, and Shinn Asuka all experience this transformative phenomenon. Director Fukuda revealed that Kira's trigger for SEED mode lies in his desire to protect, highlighting the depth of his character.

Reason for including a compilation

The inclusion of compilation episodes in Gundam SEED served as a summary of the story up to that point. These episodes allowed the production team to navigate challenging production schedules, ensuring a consistent release schedule. While some viewers may have had mixed opinions about compilation episodes, they offered an opportunity to showcase the intense battle scenes that captivated Gundam fans.

Mutation of MS settings

In a pivotal moment, the destruction of mobile suits piloted by Kira and Athrun leads to the introduction of new Earth Alliance machines – the Forbidden, Calamity, and Raider. Interestingly, the original plan was to Create a Calamity mobile suit 1.5 times larger than the final version. However, the plastic model project rejected this concept, opting for consistent sizes across multiple models instead. Although this decision impacted certain scenes, the series' popularity paved the way for the release of the Destroy in Gundam SEED DESTINY.

The end of Kira Yamato

The fate of Kira Yamato, the protagonist of Gundam SEED, was uncertain until the final moments of the series. While he ultimately survives the irradiation of GENESIS, discussions during the conception stage contemplated the possibility of Kira's death. This alternative ending could have dramatically transformed the Perception and evaluation of Gundam SEED, leaving an indelible impact on fans' hearts.

As we explore the hidden stories behind Gundam SEED, each revelation unveils the dynamics and intricacies that made this series a legend. Brace yourself to dive deeper into the character relations, the influence of Gundam SEED on the anime industry, and the controversies surrounding its production. Join us on this remarkable Journey that celebrates the significance of Gundam SEED in the Gundam franchise.