Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: The Movie - Endless Waltz Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: The Movie - Endless Waltz Blu-ray Movie Review

A sequel to Gundam Wing: presented as an OVA and theatrical feature-film.

Gundam Wing takes flight once more: returning for the special OVA/theatrical release of Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz. Created by Hajime Yatate (Cowboy Bebop, The Big O) and Yoshiyuki Tomino (Turn A Gundam, Mobile Fighter G Gundam), the sequel has plenty of action and adventure for fans. Produced by Hideyuki Tomioka (Turn A Gundam, InuYasha) and Atsushi Yukawa (Eureka Seven, Arjuna), this is one anime special audiences won't want to miss.

Following the Gundam Wing anime series, the Earth colonies are no longer at war – and it is a time of peace. The lives of the people are significantly better and the times are much more relaxed than they were in war times. The young revolutionaries decide it is time to move on from their weaponized Gundam robots: sending these robots out in to space to be annihilated.

When a government official is unexpectedly kidnapped, Heero Yuy (Mark Hildreth), Trowa Barton (Kirby Morrow), Quatre Rabarba Winner (Brad Swaile), Duo Maxwell (Scott McNeil), and Chang Wufei (Ted Cole) must return to their roles as Gundam pilots. Destruction is in wake – as an Endless Waltz ensues. The battle continues. Can Heero Yuy and the other pilots save the day?

The release comes with two versions: the OVA (original video animation) version and the theatrical release (which presents the OVA as a single feature-film). Enthusiasts will want to see both of these versions and compare. The theatrical cut will be preferable for many viewers: providing the OVA an epic scope. The experience is heightened in the theatrical presentation. In the theatrical cut, Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz has a few additional scenes and some added animation (and music) to enhance the epic story.

The animation in Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz is exceptional. In some respects, the animation seems even more fluid and exciting than during the main series. The art direction by Masaru Sato (Serial Experiments Lain, The Irresponsible Captain Tylor) is top- notch. The production effort by the animation team helps the story to be even more special in the Gundam Wing anime universe.

The journey continues.

The action remains one of the must-see elements of Gundam Wing. In Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz, the stage is expanded. The characters face new challenges. The journey becomes even more intense. The action is adrenaline-fueled – and fans will be pleased with the epic scale of the feature-film version.

The cinematography by Yoichi Ogami (Cowboy Bebop, InuYasha) is first-rate. Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz is one of the most beautiful looking anime feature-films. The art-work is intoxicating and has a magic to it – transfixing one to the world of the Gundam mechas. The film has an evocative style: it showcases the outer-space universe in all of its splendor.

The original music by Kow Otani (Outlaw Star, Gundam Wing) is every-bit as compelling as the score Otani composed for the original series. The music score has great themes and these components help enhance the storytelling. The accompanying theme song by Minami Takayama and Two-Mix is also exciting and perfect for Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz.

From a screenplay by Katsuyuki Sumisawa (Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball Z), Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz is a must-see continuation of the original Gundam Wing anime. The storytelling takes exciting new approaches to the story: building on the original work of Hajime Yatate while also exploring the past of the Gundam pilots in revelatory ways. The saga of Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz builds on the series is a satisfying way and series fans won't want to miss it.

Yasunao Aoki (Mon Colle Knights, InuYasha) handles directing duties for Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz – and provides a strong artistic aesthetic to the production. Aoki gives the production an epic stage from which to explore the characters and their journeys. An epic send-off to Gundam Wing, audiences will be thrilled with the exciting continuation.

Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: The Movie - Endless Waltz Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Sunrise and RightStuf, Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original aspect ratio of 1.33:1 full frame. Both the OVA version and the theatrical cut are presented in the same 4:3 ratio. The presentation looks impressive (with excellent color reproduction). There is some slight DNR application (but it seems a bit less prevalent than during the series). The print is clear and clean – a nice looking presentation of a native high-definition scan.

Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: The Movie - Endless Waltz Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes two audio options: Japanese uncompressed PCM stereo (with English subtitles) and English uncompressed PCM stereo. The feature-film version of Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz is provided with an English uncompressed PCM 5.1 surround sound presentation (which has the surrounds opened-up for a more expansive soundscape – with the score being given notable placement in the rear channels).

Operation Meteor is in Japanese uncompressed PCM stereo with English subtitles. No English dub option is provided.

Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: The Movie - Endless Waltz Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release includes the Operation Meteor OVA release as a bonus to the Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz collection.

Movie Disc:

Promo (HD, 1:49)

Endless Waltz OVA:

Clean Endings (HD, 4:06)

Promo Video (HD, 1:32)

Operation Meteor:

Episode Previews (HD, 1:08)

Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: The Movie - Endless Waltz Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz is a great addition to the Gundam Wing franchise. The sequel is a must see for fans of the series. The option to choose between the original OVA (original video animation) version and the theatrical release is a wonderful addition to the release. Though the OVA might be preferred by some, the theatrical presentation is epic. The release also includes Operation Meteor (provided as a bonus to Endless Waltz). The set is a must-own for Gundam Wing enthusiasts. Highly recommended.