KIDOU SENSHI GUNDAM MS IGLOO: MOKUSHIROKU 0079

DESCRIPTION

CAST

OVA MechaKidou Senshi Gundam MS IGLOO: 1-nen Sensou Hiwa
OVA MechaKidou Senshi Gundam MS IGLOO 2: Juuryoku Sensen
MANGA MechaKidou Senshi Gundam MS IGLOO: Mokushiroku 0079

REVIEWS

• 

  ChillLaChill

  80/100
  MS Igloo: Apocalypse improves in intensity as it progresses, though the animation quality remains consistently average.

  MS Igloo: Apocalypse is a series I approached with high hopes, but it starts with a frustratingly weak presentation. Despite a two-year gap, the animation barely shows improvement. Considering it was released in the same year as Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, this is a significant letdown. The opening scene initially suggests improvements, with moments that look almost on par with Advent Children. However, this is mostly due to the lighting hitting the models at just the right angles. Unfortunately, the animation remains inconsistent. Characters still display the same awkward, exaggerated expressions seen in The One-Year War, with many movements appearing over-the-top and the characters looking like pale husks. While there's a noticeable upgrade, the difference is minimal, especially if watched back-to-back with the previous series. On the plus side, the mobile suit battles in space are visually impressive and a highlight of the animation.

  The narrative of MS Igloo: Apocalypse begins sluggishly compared to its predecessor. Although it continues from where the first series left off, the early episodes are bogged down by excessive exposition, making it a tough watch initially. I found myself questioning whether the series would improve. Fortunately, the story picks up significantly in the second episode, showcasing the Zeon forces' preparations and battles at A Baoa Qu. The drama hits more impactful notes than the first series, despite its brief run time. However, the animation's limitations occasionally undermine some of the more serious moments, affecting their emotional weight. The music ranges from melodramatic highs to generic lows, but it complements the series adequately, even if some tracks repeat familiar melodies. The production issues do hold back the series' full cinematic potential, but the plot gains momentum as it progresses towards the end of the One Year War. Apocalypse offers a poignantly sweet send-off that makes enduring the awkward CGI worthwhile.

  The latter half of Apocalypse is notably better, with the final episode standing out as a highlight. The action sequences are fantastic, and the character development shines through. Fans of the battles in Gundam: The Origin will appreciate the direction, as it’s helmed by the same director. This volume is on par with The Hidden One-Year War for me, though I found it more enjoyable overall. Seeing one of the most renowned Gundam battles from 0079, especially from Zeon's perspective, adds a unique dimension. If it weren’t for the first episode’s slow start, Apocalypse would be a more solid piece. Despite its flaws, it offers a compelling look at the war’s final stages and is worth watching for Gundam enthusiasts.

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• 

  IsNotAChar

  77/100
  A generally quite enjoyable little show with some dated cg animation holding it back.

  For a quick recommendation: If you generally enjoyed the previous IGLOO then this is more of that, but better. (If you haven't seen the first IGLOO, watch that first). If the CG in the first IGLOO was really off putting to you there, it still will be here.

  Spoilers from here

  The main Appeal

  There are generally 2 things that make me like IGLOO:

  1. The behind the scenes look at Zeon's side of the war.
  2. The various goofy test Mobile suits (although only 1 of them is actually a mobile suit).

  To expand on 1: The inside view of zeon as the war rapidly turns against them is quite interesting to see. The different ways characters react to the encroaching inevitability of defeat, the increasingly desperate and borderline delusional plans, the deployment of barely trained not quite adult yet pilots, to the final desperate last stand at A Baoa Qu.

  I would really love an expanded version of IGLOO that gives some of this stuff more time to breath though, as with the previous IGLOO this aspect of the show has to struggle for time against the showing off the test machines and the test pilots individual little stories.

  For 2, I'll give a brief review of the test machines involved and their associated stories:

  • Ze'gok: The Ze'gok is a mobile suit I was already familiar with from Gihren's Greed (where it was a very good unit imo). It had probably the weakest episode in my opinion with the test pilot not being as interesting/engaging as some others. For me, the Ze'gok itself isn't too memorable a suit.
  • The Oggo. I love those goofy little guys. Zeon's answer to the Ball. Their associated episode was very good too. It had some good feels to it with Monique's brother being the pilot (he dies as all test pilots do), which was effective at making me feel a little sad. It also introduced Von Kuspen who was entertaining. The fight between the Oggo's and the Balls was the best kind of total clusterfuck, just wildly flying about like ping pong balls in a hurricane and occasionally exploding.
  • The big Rang, my beloved. I love it, it's so goofy yet somehow still a little cool. It's associated episode was also the best between this and the previous IGLOO's episodes. The battle of A Baoa Qu was done well in my opinion. With all of Zeon's forces assembled there you could almost believe they had a chance and then the confusion and denial as command is lost and Zeon forces just start running. It was also the episode where Oliver May finally takes flight himself to fight in the Big Rang to support the Oggos. In the end everyone comes together and they all live happily ever after (except all those Oggo pilots who got exploded and Von Kuspen who also got exploded.)

  The main detraction (The animation)

  It's the main issue I have with this show and the previous IGLOO. It's primarily an issue with the characters and especially their faces. The CG just has not aged well at all. While it could occasionally be funny (like one time it looked like Von Kuspen was force choking Monique), most of the time it just detracted from their attempts at emotional storytelling/drama.

  It was at least alright when it came to animating action scenes, though that may be because there is significantly less facial articulation on a mobile suit.

  Would benefit from a remake

  With the announcement of a remaster of the original series, I started thinking as to what other Gundam series could do with a remaster or remake. While IGLOO wouldn't be the first on my list (That would be F91), I would at least be somewhat excited if an IGLOO remake was announced. It's short enough that it could fit within the current trend of Gundam shows being forced into the seasonal format of 12/13 episodes, and it could really benefit from an animation update and maybe being given a couple more episodes.

  I highly doubt it would ever happen, but I can dream.

  Other notes

  I love the big Rang.

  Summary

  How much you can enjoy IGLOO depends on how much you can tolerate dodgy early CG animation. If you can get beyond that you'll find a decently enjoyable short little story with an interesting setting and some ok characters (and the BIG RANG!).

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