Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance Review: A Nice Series If You Are Into Computer Animation

A new series from the very popular Gundam universe is here and it is better than expected. Let us see how this series fared and whether you should watch it or skip it.

Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance Overview

Requiem for Vengeance is a Japanese-English web anime series co-produced by Bandai Namco Filmworks and SAFEHOUSE and is part of the Gundam franchise. Notably, it’s the second Gundam project entirely created using computer animation, following Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO, and is the first series to utilize Unreal Engine 5 for its animation.

Written and co-executive produced by Gavin Hignight and directed by Erasmus Brosdau, the series features mechanical designs by Kimitoshi Yamane and character designs by Manuel Augusto Dischinger Moura. Hiroaki Yura leads the animation production and sound direction.

The story is set during the One Year War on the European front, a key event in the Gundam universe, also seen in the original Mobile Suit Gundam series. Premiering on Netflix on October 17, 2024, the show explores familiar Gundam themes of war, love, and human drama, with the pilots of Mobile Suits at the forefront of the narrative.

– Minor Spoilers –

Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance Review and Recap

In the Gundam franchise, usually, the principality of Zeon is showcased as the villain, but here, the setting is a bit different. In this instalment, we witness the journey of Iria Sorari, a Zeon pilot who heads the Red Wolves division. When her people get totally cornered on the European front, she comes in with her squad to save them from the Earth Federation forces. However, what she did not expect was the presence of the Gundam EX, ready to destroy everything in its path.

This series successfully depicts the situation of war on the other side. It demonstrates that even the federation has good humans who just want to live and not die on a battlefield. They also have families waiting for them and friends whom they lose in war every day. Iria is also a very humane protagonist who is fighting not because she wants to but because she must. She harbours a tragic past where she lost a part of her family, and now, only combats to give her son and the people of Zeon a better life.

Iria is also an exceptional fighter, proof of which we get time and time again by the way she eradicates her enemies. She understands the murkiness of human rivalries but also accepts doing nothing will not solve anything. Thus, we see her take action and lead, but not with revenge in mind.

The plot, at its core, is nothing out of the ordinary but it is engaging. If you have watched enough military sci-fi and mecha shows, you might even call out the twists and turns, but that does not take away the fact that the journey this series takes you on is entertaining. The major issue with the show will definitely be its computer animation, which some might not be able to stomach. I also did not really like the character designs and believe it could have been better.

But if you can get past these issues, this is a nice series that you will definitely enjoy, even if you are not into the franchise.

Verdict

I honestly rather appreciated this show and was specifically pleased with the conclusion. It was a bit predictable, but I’m glad with the decisions they made. All in all, it was a nice experience, and even if you have no idea about Gundam, you will like this. It might even inspire you to watch the original anime as well.

Must Read: Re:Zero Season 3 Episode 3 Review: What A Mess Of A Situation