Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.5
Overall		4.5

Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team - Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

Suit up. It's time to be blown away.

Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08^th MS Team is one of the best achievements in the long-running Gundam franchise. The series is executive produced by Ken Iyadomi (Ghost in the Shell, Escaflowne) and it comes from animation studio powerhouse Sunrise. It stands as a must-see anime series which is essential viewing for both longtime Gundam fans and newcomers alike.

The series follows young hot-shot Gundam pilot Shiro Amada as he leads a squad of fighters across the outdoor terrain. Set against the backdrop of Asian jungles on planet Earth, the enemy of the Federation attacks: Zeon. The forces have soldiered up with extra Gundam's fighting to see who can win the battle of these two opposing sides. As the story progresses, Shiro meets the hotshot Aina, a royal member of the opposing side fighting with Zeon. Despite the two falling on opposite sides of the turbulent war, Shiro and Aina start to find commonalities between each other which cannot go so easily ignored.

With a strong anti-war sentiment felt throughout the entire series run, the storyline is one which excels largely for its intellectual storytelling with serious political undercurrents. Few anime franchises have been imbued with such a strong anti-war message as the Gundam franchise has over its decades in production. The series focus on the developing relationship between Shiro and Aina (who are on opposing sides of the war) demonstrates this anti-war element of the story with great effect. It demonstrates the immense frailty of all war. For those individuals who are willing to overlook differences (and who are capable of learning to work with others) war is something which can be overcome.

Setting itself apart from most Gundam series, Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team is one of the most distinctive and original of all the Gundam spin-offs. Unlike typical Gundam anime series (which are usually set in outer-space), The 08th MS Team is almost entirely ground-based and highlights the impressive Gundam mecha engaged in ground combat while on planet Earth. This element gives the entire franchise a twist on it's classic formula and places the amazing mecha suits into situations far different than most other Gundam creations. It sets the series apart as one of the most interesting and unique entries in the franchise. It helps to keep things feeling fresh and interesting with a unique approach.

Dreams to shape the future...

The music score composed by Kohei Tanaka (One Piece, Dragon Ball) is one of the best ever created for the saga. With a classical style that feels completely on-par with the works of great Hollywood composers, the original music is both epic and intimate. It's the type of score that gives audiences chills. The tone of the action sequences is engaging and exciting and the romantic moments feel completely serene. This is the work of a brilliant composer who knows exactly how to perfectly compliment every layer of the storytelling.

As a cell-based anime production, the original animation is some of the best in the Gundam franchise history. The art direction by Shigemi Ikeda (One Punch Man, Gantz) is exquisite. Character designs are unique and distinctive throughout. The mecha designs are outstanding from a design perspective. The highly detailed Gundam suits are illustrated as technological marvels and feel awe-inspiring in their magnitude.

As a huge admirer of classic anime which is cell-based, it's so much more enjoyable to see the artistry on display when it is hand-drawn animation. It feels much more richly detailed and organic than today's modern CG animated anime productions finished on tablets and then transposed into computers. This is a visually rich series that demonstrates the traditional animators work in every frame with the stunning cinematography by Kumiko Taniguchi.

With a rewarding screenplay by Yoshiyuki Tomino (Turn-A Gundam, Gundam Wing) and Akira Okeya (Mobile Suit Victory Gundam) accompanying the strong series direction by Umanosuke Iida (Hellsing) and Takeyuki Kanda (Mobile Suit Gundam), Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08^th MS Team is a remarkable series that should not be missed. Gundam fans will not be disappointed.

Please Note:

The set includes the full series as well as the special film “Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08^th MS Team: Miller's Report” which is a compilation film which edits together footage from during the series with some brand new footage that was created exclusively for the theatrical film release. It's a short production (which originally played alongside Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz as a double-bill in cinemas in Japan). At only 51 minutes in length, it's not the longest feature but it's an enjoyable view nonetheless. While it feels less substantial than the anime series itself viewers will still be pleased to have this included on this Blu-ray release.

Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team - Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray with a release produced as a collaboration between Sunrise and RightStuf, Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08^th MS Team is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition. The series itself looks better than it ever has before with beautiful color reproduction. Fine film detail is present and makes the experience that much more rewarding to see. This has always been one of the best looking Gundam series from an animation standpoint and with this release it has received a big upgrade. The high-definition scans are from the original film elements and preserve the cell art in the original 1.33.1 full frame aspect ratio.

Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08^th MS Team: Miller's Report is nowhere near as good looking though. The image has some noticeable digital noise reduction (DNR) which was over-done and takes out too much of the detail inherent in the image (creating a softer and less refined looking presentation). Even scenes that were utilized from episodes during the series are considerably less sharp and impressive in Miller's Report than during the actual episodes. The film feels like an afterthought to the series, regardless.

Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team - Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Japanese 5.1 uncompressed PCM lossless audio sound mix blew me away. This might be one of the best sounding anime releases I have ever heard. The Japanese 5.1 surround sound is wholly enveloping and utilizes the best of the medium. The score beautifully enhances each frame of the film and the sound-effects are so well blended and utilized while utilizing great LFE and bass management. The outdoor effects and the sounds of the Gundam's engaging in battle is utterly fantastic and it's clear the sound designers put every effort into making this a first-rate sound design that rivals that of big-budget film productions. This doesn't sound even remotely like that of a television series sound-mix as it's nothing simple whatsoever.

The English 2.0 uncompressed PCM audio is also a good inclusion for fans of the dub. The English 2.0 audio quality is lossless but for the best experience I recommend the engaging Japanese 5.1 surround mix. Regarding the feature film, Millers Report has lossless 5.1 surround sound in both English and Japanese.

Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team - Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Battle in Three Dimensions (HD, 9 min. 9 sec.) is an animated short film which utilizes computer generated animation designed in the same vein as the original series but with a different type of production approach. The short is an entertaining bonus but not as extensive as an episode.

Clean Opening (HD, 1 min. 32 sec.) presents the opening credits without text overlay.

Clean Ending (HD, 1 min. 33 sec.) presents the ending credits without text overlay.

Special Animation Clip (HD, 2 min. 30 sec.) is a promotional clip about the series.

TV Spots (SD, 5 min. 33 sec.) is a collection of early promotional videos about the series premiere on television.

Millers Report Bonus Features:

Double feature promo (HD, 1 min. 50 sec.) promotes the special engagement double feature which was advertised in Japan and which included Miller's Report and Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz (as shown in theaters).

Promo Clips (HD, 3 min. 58 sec.) promoting the Blu-ray debut in Japan with clips of the remastered presentation.

Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team - Complete Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

As one of the best series in the entire Gundam franchise, Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team is a classic of the anime medium. Few series have a way of being as gripping and absorbing as this gem. With stunning animation and a great story, anyone who considers themselves an anime fan should consider this release an essential purchase. The presentation is superb from beginning to end and the series has never looked better than it does on this remastered Blu-ray presentation. Scanned from the original film elements, this beloved anime series has finally received the quality restoration it deserves. Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team is a masterpiece of the medium which will stay with viewers long after the credits roll.