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Report Gundam Wing DVD: Operation 4
Once
again, there's no real difference between this DVD and the others
as far as the menu layout and such goes. Once again, the model
commercial returns during the start up, as I predict it probably
will for all subsequent DVDs, too. The menu is, once again,
inside the cockpit of a mobile suit with Just Communication in
the background and short clips from episodes on the disc. Nothing
too drastic...in fact, no changes at all.
The disc was a pain in the ass to get, too. I ordered it from Express.com, as usual, but once it had been on backorder for two weeks, I started looking for it elsewhere. None of the usual suspects had it, but I finally tracked it down in a music store, no less. I got the last copy of it from a Sam Goody store in a local mall. After finally obtaining the disc and cancelling my Express.com order, I popped it into my DVD player, made my language settings changes, and proceeded to enjoy.
The bios on this disc are for Chang Wu Fei and Lady Une, and the mech info is for Shenlong Gundam "Nataku." Once again, the bios are nothing to get excited about, but they're not too bad. They provide some basic info about the character (or mobile suit) and a small image gallery at the end. The trailers featured on the disc are listed at the bottom of the page.
As should be expected, the insert is exactly like the others. Summaries of each of the five episodes with an accompanying picture from each episode and a wire frame model of Shenlong Gundam with some specs. The ads on the back are the same as were on the last three discs. Gundam W 1, Cowboy Bebop 1, Haunted Junction, Eatman 98, and Blue Sub 6: Blues. There's a second small inseert advertising model kits and featuring a picture of the Wing Gundam Zero Custom model firing its buster rifle.
Where the previous disc followed the Gundam pilots' downtime, this one features the five episodes in which the Gundam pilots begin to become active again. The first episode of the disc (16th of the series) is the episode in which Zechs and Hiiro continue their Siberian battle in Antarctica. After yet another interruption, Trowa and Hiiro of course have to make their escape. OZ moves into outer space; the Gundam engineers are captured soon after. The Gundam pilots return to space. Duo is captured, his Gundam is destroyed. Construction begins on Mercurius and Vayeate. That's a pretty basic rundown of what you'll find on the disc.
Overall, I'd say this is probably my favorite disc so far. I don't know about others out there, but in my opinion, the series doesn't really start to get good until the Gundam pilots return to outer space. Now, that doesn't mean there aren't some real gems prior to that, but the series only really begins to pick up around the time of their departure.
If you're a Gundam Wing fan, and considering the fact that you're at this site, I shall assume that you are, I'd recommend this DVD. Episode-wise, there are sure to be better ones in the future, but as far as what's available at the time that I write this, this is the best of Gundam Wing that you'll find on DVD. Good luck finding it, though. Hopefully it's not going to be so elusive everywhere else.
Disc Theme:
Chang Wu Fei and
Shenlong Gundam "Nataku."
Episodes:
The Sorrowful Battle;
Betrayed by Home, Far Away; Tallgeese Destroyed; Assault on
Barge; The Lunar Base Infiltration
Extras:
Trailers for Outlaw
Star; Cowboy Bebop; Saber Marionette J; Blue Submarine No. 6.
Bios for Chang Wu Fei, Lady Une, and Shenlong Gundam.
Insert with episode summaries and info on Shenlong Gundam.
Uncut English voice tracks, original Japanese voice tracks with
(or without) English subtitles
Written by Dash.