Search DVJ 2.0

Pull Quote:

Kouichi Tokita is a master at drawing mecha in action. The combat sequences are full of energy, with good use of speed lines.

DVJ Photo

Adverts

Gundam Seed Astray

(Vol 1)

Review By: Matthew Anderson

Author: Sekihiko Inui

Company: TOKYOPOP

Length: 188 pgs (3 chapters 2 side stories)

Category: Action/Sci-Fi

Rated: PG-13 (Violence, language)

EXTERNAL EXAM

In Cosmic Era 70, the Earth Alliance military attacked a space colony, killing everyone onboard. Called "Bloody Valentine", this was the start of a war between the Earth Alliance and the ZAFT armies. Due to the wide spread destruction, salvaging has become one of the fastest growing industries in space.

In the ruins of the Heliopolis Space Colony, Lowe Gear and his fellow Junk Techs have made the discovery of a life time. Buried in the remains of a military base are two fully functional Gundam Astray Mobil Suits. Their delight turns into frustration as mercenaries arrive and take one of the suits. Things get worse when the people who hired the mercenaries show up and attack everyone. Teaming up, Lowe and mercenary leader Gai make quick work of the enemy thanks to the superior design of the Gundam Astray.

With each team in possession of a Gundam, they are now the most sought after men in the universe. Thing is, not everyone wants to hire them.

Most people want to kill them.

DVD VISION TEST

ARTWORK: Kouichi Tokita's artwork involving the mecha is very well done. There is plenty of detail that will make every mecha-head happy. On the other hand, his work on the characters are pretty simple, different enough to barely tell who is who, but nothing else.

His use of ambient lighting is natural. He makes good use of shadows to add to the suspense during the mecha combat scenes.

The four color pages at the beginning are almost anime quality. The computer aided coloring combined with Kouichi Tokita's highly detailed penciling, has achieved a wonderful result.

SOUND EFFECTS: The kakimoji is pretty subdued, even during the high action moments. It blends in a little too good into the background at times. Fortunately, the action is so well drawn, you don't need the sound effects to get the point across.

EDITS: No edits have been noted.

EXTRAS: Three 4-cons (four paneled comic strips), some Astray design info, and a thank you from "Gundam Seed Astray R" artist Yasunari Toda make up some entertaining extras.

WIDESCREEN REVIEW

STORY: A straight action/sci-fi adventure, "Gundam Seed Astray" is a collection of loosely linked stories based in the "Gundam Seed" universe. Tomohiro Chiba emphasis is more on the action than the plot. The characters don't have a lot of depth, and you really don't feel much for any of them one way or the other.

TRANSLATION: The translation is fine. Going along with the theme of the series, the dialogue is pretty simple. Sentence structure is solid, with no tongue twisting phrases making you go "huh?"

CHARACTERS: Lowe Gear is the epitome of cocky smart ass. Like many before him, he rushes head long into danger, with little thought of the consequences. His brash behavior seems out of place in this rather tense world. Sure, he cares for his fellow Junk Techs, but he really doesn't have much of a heart to make you feel good about him.

Gai, leader of the mercenaries is perfect for the Gundam Seed Universe. He is smart, calm, and collective. Even when he is pissed, he doesn't loose control. Unlike Lowe Gear, he has impressive abilities, and is able to hold his own against anyone. Why he has any kind of respect for Lowe Gear is beyond me.

The rest of the characters all fit the standard template. Hot female leader, pretty boy bad guy, mysterious loner, etc.

FAN SERVICE: The whole book is nothing but fan service. As it takes place during the "Gundam Seed" anime, events and characters from the series are referenced many times.

THE 2 VIEW

Gundam Seed Astray is pretty typical for most side stories. While a must for the Gundam fan, those who pick this up cold may not be impressed.

The problem when creating a companion piece to a larger continuity, you are bound by the limits of that world. Too much of this volume was spent following the events of the first few episodes of the anime. It isn't until the last chapter that Lowe Gear and his team head off to their own stories. Hopefully the next volume will not have so much "fan service".

The characters are also unremarkable. Fitting every stereotype imaginable, you really can't find anyone that is new or interesting. Even Gai, the bad ass of the manga isn't anyone we haven't met before. The porn actor sounding Lowe Gear is your typical smartass hot head. At least these guys are better than dippy blond Kisato. I don't know what she is supposed to be, but what I do know is that she is annoying.

While this isn't exactly the best manga I have ever seen, it's certainly not the worst. As a side story it does what it's supposed to, give you an extended look at the world of "Gundam Seed". I'm sure that as the TV show and the manga move on, we will see how the two story lines relate.

I will say that "Astray" does give a little more background into the events that set Natural and Coordinator against each other. Through Kisato, we learn about George Glenn (who I am sure is named after astronaut John Glenn), the first Coordinator. Like so many popular political figures, he was assassinated, thus causing the rift between the two types of humans to become a chasm.

Besides being part of "Gundam Seed", the mecha artwork is its only saving grace. Kouichi Tokita is a master at drawing mecha in action. The combat sequences are full of energy, with good use of speed lines. It's very easy for me to imagine what "Astray" would look like animated.

Tokita's work on the people is kind of bland. Lowe and Liam look a lot a like, as do Gai and Junk Tech captain "Professor". If it weren't for the fact that Lowe has a headband and Professor has breasts, it would have been easy to get them mixed up.

While "Gundam Seed Astray" is a must have for any true "Gundam Seed" fan, it's not really something for the casual manga or Gundam fan. If you pick this one up, don't expect a lot and you will be entertained.

Return to Top

Back to the Manga Review Page