Mysteries and Secrets Revealed! The Gundam Explorerby Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 9 If you are a fan of any Gundam story arc then this book is a must have! The Gundam Explorer begins with an introduction to Mobile Suit Gundam , Mobile Fighter G Gundam, Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, and Mobile Suit Gundam SEED including a chronology of the storyline for each era. Then, going in order, the book poses and answers 52 questions that all Gundam fans have wondered at one point or another. Each series is preceeded by an overview, a sum up of the story, and a list of main characters, mecha, and vehicles separated by party lines. I am amazed at the variety of questions and topics covered as well as being quite impressed with the quality of the answers.There are also 15 extra pages called "Gundam File"s in which various pop culture fads revolving around the Gundam series have come and gone and come again in Japan. These include MS Jeans, Gundam stamps, MS weapon/guitars, and Gundam the Ride. Not only is it all fascinating, but it makes me quite envious of the fans in Japan who've had access to this stuff (and still do) — and now, many of the items are already collectors items that can only be had online or in Japan (if at all). The US has not gotten anything special like those; the only thing the US got first was the SD Gundam anime, and that made it to Japan shortly thereafter. So, while it may seem a bit unfair to fans outside Japan, there really isn't the same general market for some of these aniem-based items, attractions, etc. as there is in Japan (thank goodness for the Internet!). These little tidbits are a wonderful addition to this book! The Gundam Explorer is also features a plethora of pictures of the various mobile suits models, movie posters, cos players, and the items in the Gundam Files. I've made a little list of models that I now want to get after seeind their images in here. The images really add to the reading experience in this book ... especially helping you to visualize the MS being talked about and/or one's you are unfamilar with. There's also a well-organized glossary, or rather four glossaries — one for each series. And the other Gundam story arcs aside from the main four get a mention at the end with six of the 52 questions involving them and creator Yoshiyuki Tomino. The Mysteries and Secrets Revealed! series has books on other anime including Dragon Ball Z, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Lupin III. If thery are anywhere near as informative, interesting, and amazing as The Gundam Explorer then they will be well worth a read as well. Thank you Cocoro Books for bringing us such wonderful books. They are an excellent guide for any fan, new or old, at a price that can't be beat. Written: March 30, 2004
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