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New Mobile
Report Gundam Wing DVD: Operation 1
This,
obviously, was the first Mobile Suit Gundam Wing DVD released by
Bandai, so it gives us a good idea of just how well they can do
Gundam, and I must say, this DVD is excellent.
The menus are creative. They're all from the point of view of the inside of a Gundam cockpit, with the viewscreens being the different menu options, and some of the best songs from the DVD playing in the background (Just Communication, one of my favorite songs from anything, anime or not, plays on the main menu).
The extras are rather sparse, but the ones included aren't bad, and this is one DVD of many for the series, so we obviously can't expect it to be overflowing with extras. This DVD features stats on the Wing Gundam, as well as short bios for Hiiro Yuy and Relena Peacecraft, has trailers for some other anime translated by Bandai, including Gundam 0080 and Gundam 0083, a brief credits page, the usual scene selection, which is standard on most DVDs now, and obviously, both subbed and dubbed versions of the episodes.
It also comes with an insert (mine came with two, for some reason...) that has the disc's cover as its cover, then short summaries for each of the five episodes on the disc, a wire frame model of Wing Gundam, and some Wing specs. It should be noted that for some very strange reason, the screenshots accompanying the summaries of episodes 1 and 4 are actually taken from Endless Waltz (they don't spoil anything), and episodes 2, 3, and 5 are all actually taken from episode 1. I don't know if this was intentional or not, but it's certainly odd, to say the least. The back of the insert advertises Gundam W Operation 1 (which we had to buy to see the advertisement in the first place...), Cowboy Bebop session 1, Haunted Junction, Eatman 98, and Blue Submarine No. 6: Blues.
There's also a second insert with a holographic version of the DVD's cover and Wing's specs on the back. Not much, but still pretty cool.
Now, extras and good menus are all well and good, but I don't buy a DVD solely for those things. The episodes are the real reason to buy this DVD. Obviously, they feature DVD quality picture and CD quality sound, and to hear the background music on DVD is simply amazing. I've found that one of my favorite episodes of the series is now episode 1, solely because I love the music that plays when Wing first transforms from a fighter to a mobile suit, and the music that plays when the other pilots are introduced, and now I can hear it with CD quality sound, as well as view it with a much better picture. One plus about the episodes is the fact that there are five of them on this DVD. Yes, that's right. When other companies will give you maybe two or three episodes per VHS tape and charge you $25-$30, this DVD features five episodes, on DVD obviously, and if you buy at the right place (I got mine at DVD Express), this can go as low as $15 plus shipping (if you mail order) and tax. These episodes are worth more than that, and to get them sub/dub should drive the price up even more, but apparently, Bandai cares more about the anime and its customers than making money (yes, let's all glare angrily at FUNimation, who obviously doesn't).
One more thing worth noting is that this DVD features the original Just Communication intro and the original It's Just Love ending. You probably should have assumed that anyway, but I felt I should confirm that for anyone who was unsure. Let's just put it this way... No matter what Cartoon Network makes, their intro will never compare to Just Communication. It's Just Love is very good, as well, although the American ending, which is basically a Just Communication remix and bits cut from the Just Communication intro, is also a great ending.
I would definitely recommend this DVD to any Gundam, mech, or even just anime fans out there who are looking for something to watch.
DVD Theme:
Hiiro Yuy and Wing
Gundam.
Episodes:
The Shooting Star She
Saw, The Gundam Deathscythe, Five Gundams Confirmed, The Victoria
Nightmare, Relena's Secret
Extras:
Trailers for Gundam
0080, Gundam 0083, Cowboy Bebop, and Blue Submarine No. 6
Character bios for Hiiro Yuy and Relena Peacecraft, mech info on
Wing Gundam.
Insert featuring information on each of the five episodes on the
disc; second insert featuring holographic cover art.
Uncut English voice tracks, original Japanese tracks with/without
English subtitles.
Written by Dash