Mobile Gundam Seed 00

I had the chance to see one episode of the Mobile Gundam Seed 00. To begin with, I am not a anime fan. I like anime movies, Ghost in the Shell and Akira being my favourites but I have never sought actively to watch any of the anime series developed in Japan. I have heard plenty of good stuff about them, in regards to musical styles, storylines, interspersed cultural references to our world and a future or past and not mention a sense of unusual style which eludes even the best Western animation adventures. I was always wondering what Gundam Seed means and the name did not appeal to me to make me want to watch. So before I saw the second episode of this series, I went to my trusty Wikepedia, did a search and read up on the history and development of the Gundam series. Boy! was I fascinated. The series, the settings, and their references to our current state of the world, our history are truly amazing. When I read the premise of Gundam Seed 00, I was amazed at how these story developers were able to create a world in future as chaotic as it could be. The concept of destroying for the sake of achieving peace was truly disturbing and echoes the current Iraq conflict that we are seeing. It is always the decision of a few which puts the rest at danger or face the wrath and brunt of the reaction.

The second episode portrays a group of well meaning warriors armed with the most advanced battle suit called Mobile Gundam have declared that they will be intervening in the current conflicts and destroy both sides unless they make a path to peace and reconciliation. On one side, the warriors have to face a terrible choice of being labelled as mass murderers and on the other is the forces that are bent to destroy these suits or capture them to take advantage of the advanced technology. And on a yet another side is the need to keep the identity of the warriors a secret and hope that one of them wont have a remorseful meltdown.

What caught me by a total surprise was the premise in this episode that the conflict between the Tamil's and Singhalese in Sri Lanka has been used. Being Indian and a Tamil Brahmin to the boot, I abhor violence of any kind. Our forefathers taught her better. Gandhi gave us independence without firing a shot. I always thought that the world could use that as an example but then if only life was that simple. Politicians like George Bush do not  understand the cultural ethos of the world as they remain cloistered in their blinkered existence that one rule applies to all and one glove fits all.

Any way, back to Gundam Seed. So the remedy by the "Celestial Beings", as the warriors with the Mobile Gundam suit are called, take the matters into their hands and decimate both sides of the conflict. And one of the warriors expresses regret that he will always be remembered as a mass murderer as he proceeds to drop bombs to wipe out a whole military base with people inside. Wow! What twisted mind thought of this episode. Should we give him a medal for creative and brilliant writing or take him to the nearest nut house and lock him up. I am sure there are two sides of the fence which is fully occupied by the respective supporters. And for the record, I am right now on the fence and I will give the writer the benefit of doubt.

So are we also headed there? In 30 years, would our civilization reach a point where we will start bombing ourselves out of existence?  At the rate we are going with wars, pollution, depleting resources, over population, and disease, I am not sure how long will human race survive. Praying to our respective God's will give us strength to live and service, but the dude upstairs is basically telling us that he wont help those who do not deserve and right now, our human race is not in a position to ask for sympathy.

If there is one thing I wont deny is that watching this single episode has now made me crave for getting my hands on the entire series and I am in touch with some friends who can procure older season DVD's if and when they become available.