0083 is an anime that I really, really tried to like, but just couldn't in the end. It has all the elements of a good Gundam show, but fails to capitalize on its potential in a big way. While the first eight or so episodes are great, the OVA begins tearing itself apart with gleeful aplomb during the final few episodes, introducing ridiculous plot twists and a thoroughly unsatisfying Downer Ending.
What makes 0083 good in the beginning is its very pretty 90's animation style and a plot that knows how to balance seriousness with a little dash of comedy here and there. The cast are all established and characterized with professional skill, and their interactions feel very realistic. The desperate running battles fought between Gato and the test pilots on earth evokes fond memories of The 08th MS Team, and the series remains strong right up until it moves into space.
... Then Kou decides to launch the handicapped GP-01 against Chima and gets utterly destroyed by her. This is the moment when the series officially dumps a load in its pants and spends the rest of its run time desperately trying to keep us from noticing the growing stench. Kelly and the Val Valo inject a brief squirt of air-freshener into the room, but it simply isn't enough to banish the lingering smell of shit. Worst of all, the strong supporting cast get fewer and fewer lines towards the end of the OVA, leaving things feeling strangely empty and devoid of meaning.
The absolute nadir of the show comes when Nina Purpleton reveals she was once Gato's lover. Gato. The man who literally stared her RIGHT IN THE FACE when walking past her on his way to steal the GP-02. This is the biggest ass-pull you'll see this side of a fetish website. It serves absolutely no purpose besides crowbarring a hackneyed love-triangle into the plot with all the subtly of an elephant in a china shop. Additionally, the plot simply refuses to calm down and explain things, requiring a flow-chart to keep track of all the factions, betrayals and back-stabbing going on during the final battle. Most crushingly of all, Kou and Gato don't even get any kind of satisfying final confrontation - Nina ruins any chance of this in the most cringe-worthy way imaginable.
0083 is a pretentious failure. It starts out good but completely collapses towards the end. Don't watch it.
Anime Burning died for this ending?!
0083 is an anime that I really, really tried to like, but just couldn't in the end. It has all the elements of a good Gundam show, but fails to capitalize on its potential in a big way. While the first eight or so episodes are great, the OVA begins tearing itself apart with gleeful aplomb during the final few episodes, introducing ridiculous plot twists and a thoroughly unsatisfying Downer Ending.
What makes 0083 good in the beginning is its very pretty 90's animation style and a plot that knows how to balance seriousness with a little dash of comedy here and there. The cast are all established and characterized with professional skill, and their interactions feel very realistic. The desperate running battles fought between Gato and the test pilots on earth evokes fond memories of The 08th MS Team, and the series remains strong right up until it moves into space.
... Then Kou decides to launch the handicapped GP-01 against Chima and gets utterly destroyed by her. This is the moment when the series officially dumps a load in its pants and spends the rest of its run time desperately trying to keep us from noticing the growing stench. Kelly and the Val Valo inject a brief squirt of air-freshener into the room, but it simply isn't enough to banish the lingering smell of shit. Worst of all, the strong supporting cast get fewer and fewer lines towards the end of the OVA, leaving things feeling strangely empty and devoid of meaning.
The absolute nadir of the show comes when Nina Purpleton reveals she was once Gato's lover. Gato. The man who literally stared her RIGHT IN THE FACE when walking past her on his way to steal the GP-02. This is the biggest ass-pull you'll see this side of a fetish website. It serves absolutely no purpose besides crowbarring a hackneyed love-triangle into the plot with all the subtly of an elephant in a china shop. Additionally, the plot simply refuses to calm down and explain things, requiring a flow-chart to keep track of all the factions, betrayals and back-stabbing going on during the final battle. Most crushingly of all, Kou and Gato don't even get any kind of satisfying final confrontation - Nina ruins any chance of this in the most cringe-worthy way imaginable.
0083 is a pretentious failure. It starts out good but completely collapses towards the end. Don't watch it.