Every fan of the Gundam series has their unique ranking of the different shows that are a part of the franchise. Still, there are some shows that are equally favored by fans across the board. Yoshiyuki Tomino’s comeback to the Gundam franchise with Turn A Gundam falls under the same category.
Despite being evidently different from its predecessors, Turn A has a special appeal that draws fans in. There are numerous reasons behind the particularly positive reception of the series. However, hearing Tomino’s thoughts tells us that the director’s bold vision was the primary reason. Tomino delved into the idea behind the show during an interview.
Yoshiyuki Tomino’s Vision Behind Turn A Gundam
First released in 1999 and listed with around 50 episodes, Turn A Gundam could easily be ranked among the best series in the franchise. The series was also condensed into two films that were released in 2002. After a long break from the Gundam series, Yoshiyuki Tomino made his comeback with Turn A Gundam.
During an interview with Asahi Graph Magazine, Tomino delved into the process behind the final product. It all started with a bold decision to deny all the other series that came before Turn A. This led to a lot of debates and discussions between the makes, but as always, Tomino was dedicated to his vision.
When I decided to start this project, I made it an absolute condition to completely deny all past Gundam series while also bringing them all together. I chose the name “Turn A Gundam” because it is both a new Gundam series as well as a return to its origins.
Turn A denies everything that came before while encapsulating and acknowledging the core essence and message of the Gundam franchise. There was a lot of reflection on Tomino’s part while working on the series. He consciously made the decision to not write the series and focus on the direction. He worked alongside talented writers and it was difficult to explain his vision to them initially.
Of course, there were some people who didn’t want to deny nor affirm the former works in the way that was proposed, so there was a clash in ideology.
He went through the scenarios written by others and refined them with his directorial approach. It’s safe to say that the combined effort worked out brilliantly. It was also the work that made Tomino remember the joy of creation, as he shared during the interview.
His words are a reflection of the stretched-out thought process that went behind the creation of Turn A. The critical acclaim and positive reception of the series are great affirmations from fans that Tomino succeeded in doing what he intended. The sincerity and earnestness reached the audience through every frame.
Here’s What Makes Turn A Gundam So Good
Turn A Gundam is among the most-loved series from the franchise. A long list of reasons could be stated to back the love it receives from the fandom. However, it all boils down to the mix of old and new. From the animation to the story, everything was approached differently from what fans had experienced prior to it. At the same time, it was done in a way that solidified the core message of the Gundam series.
The music by Yoko Kanno and the distinct animation accounts for a delightful cinematic experience that slowly grows on the viewer. Tomino made a conscious decision to not write the series as he believed that it would narrow the scope of the story. It was probably the best decision, as the characterization and the writing is top-notch. So, it was a result of combined effort by experts who knew what they were doing!
The only way to watch Turn A Gundam is through the Blu-rays.
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