Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team

Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team

Company type	Anime OVA series
Industry	Animation, Entertainment
Founded	January 25, 1996 (1996-01-25)
Headquarters	Japan
Products	Original video animation, film, manga
Website	www.gundam-the-08th-ms-team.net

is an original video animation (OVA) anime series within the Gundam universe. Spanning 12 episodes, it was released between January 25, 1996, and July 25, 1999. The narrative centers on an Earth Federation ground unit during the One Year War, commencing one month after the events of the original 1979 Gundam series and extending into the concluding phase of the conflict.

Plot

Taking place in Universal Century 0079 amid the jungles of Southeast Asia, the Earth Federation and Principality of Zeon are locked in a fierce guerrilla conflict over control of the region and its resources. Zeon's advantage lies in a prototype mobile armor operated by Aina Sahalin. The Earth Federation dispatches Ensign Shiro Amada as the newly assigned leader of the 08th MS Team. After a prior encounter where they saved each other in space, Shiro recognizes Aina as the Zeon pilot and is subsequently charged with treason.

To redeem himself, Shiro is tasked with leading the 08th MS Team behind enemy lines to uncover Zeon's concealed base. With Zeon trapped and the Federation depending heavily on Shiro's mission success, both pilots face a dilemma between their allegiance to their factions or their personal connection.

Main characters

SLt. Shiro Amada

Assigned as the new commander of the Earth Federation’s 08th Mobile Suit Team operating in Southeast Asia, Shiro develops a complicated relationship with Zeon pilot Aina Sahalin before venturing into hostile zones with his unit.

Aina Sahalin

A distinguished Zeon test pilot for an advanced mobile armor project led by her brother Ginias. Despite opposing sides, she shares a nuanced bond with Shiro.

Support characters

Cpl. Eledore Massis

A seasoned member of the 08th MS Team who manages the support hovertruck; though initially hesitant, he proves reliable when circumstances demand.

Major general Ginias Sahalin

Zeon officer and Aina’s brother responsible for creating a formidable mobile weapon intended to obliterate Federation headquarters. He is brilliant yet cold, prioritizing his innovations above comrades while battling illness.

SGM Karen Joshua

Senior pilot and second-in-command of the 08th MS Team; formerly a medical student and experienced field medic.

Kiki Rosita

Daughter of an anti-Zeon guerrilla leader who assists Shiro by organizing resistance efforts and managing communications.

Cpl. Michel Ninorich

Hovertruck navigator and gunner supporting Shiro’s unit; maintains contact with his girlfriend stationed in space colonies.

Col. Norris Packard

Zeon ace pilot assigned to Ginias’ secret facility; sacrifices himself defending it from Federation forces under Shiro’s command.

Sgt. Terry Sanders Jr.

Veteran member of the 08th MS Team known as "Shinigami Sanders" for surviving numerous team losses.

Major general Yuri Kellarny

Zeon commander in Europe and family acquaintance of the Sahalins; killed by Ginias after disputing his leadership.

LTC. Kojima

Leader of the Kojima Battalion, which oversees the 08th MS Team; ultimately opposes harsh methods within his command.

Earth Federation

1. RX-75 Mass Production Guntank (量産型ガンタンク) (Category: Soldier)
2. RB-79K Ball Type K (先行量産型ボール) (Category: Soldier)
3. RX-79[G] Ground Gundam (陸戦型ガンダム) (Category: Soldier)
4. RX-79[G]Ez-8 Gundam Ez8 (ガンダムEZ8) (Category: Commander)
5. RGM-79E Prototype GM (初期型ジム) (Category: Soldier)
6. RGM-79G Ground GM (陸戦型ジム) (Category: Soldier)
7. RGM-79G GM Sniper (ジム・スナイパー) (Category: Soldier)

Zeon

1. MSM-04 Acguy (アッガイ) (Classification: Soldier)
2. MS-05 Zaku I (ザクI) (Classification: Soldier)
3. MS-05 Topp's Zaku (トップ専用ザク) (Classification: Commander)
4. MS-06 Zaku II (ザクII) (Classification: Soldier)
5. MS-06J Dell's Zaku (デル専用ザク) (Classification: Commander)
6. MS-06J Ash's Zaku (アス専用ザク) (Classification: Commander)
7. MS-06JC Ground Zaku II (陸戦型ザクII) (Classification: Soldier)
8. MS-06K Zaku Cannon (ザクキャノン) (Classification: Soldier)
9. MS-06V Zaku Tank (ザクタンク) (Classification: Soldier)
10. MS-06RD-4 Prototype Zaku II (宇宙用高機動試験型ザク) (Classification: Soldier)
11. MS-07B-3 Gouf Custom (グフカスタム) (Classification: Commander)
12. MS-07H-8 Gouf Flight Type (グフフライトタイプ) (Classification: Soldier)
13. MS-09 Dom (ドム) (Classification: Soldier)

Production and development

This series began in 1995, with its inaugural OVA episode debuting on January 25, 1996. After the unexpected passing of director Takeyuki Kanda on July 27, 1996, production duties were taken over by GONZO’s Umanosuke Iida. The opening song, Arashi no Naka de Kagayaite, performed by Chihiro Yonekura, was accompanied by the ending themes 10 Years After and Mirai no Futari ni, also sung by Yonekura.

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Film

Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team Miller's Report is a compilation movie that premiered on August 1, 1998. It focuses on Shiro Amada’s court martial due to his compassionate actions towards the opposing side, blending footage from the initial eight episodes with newly created scenes. The film introduces Alice Miller, an investigator from the Earth Federation who is collecting evidence against Shiro. The closing theme is performed by Chihiro Yonekura. In the United States, the new material was incorporated into episode eight for Toonami broadcasts, while the film itself was released separately on DVD and included as a fifth disc in the Collector’s Edition Box Set. Bandai Visual later released a Blu-ray edition in 2011. This film clarifies the storyline between episodes eight and nine by depicting the Eledore’s return, Shiro’s court-martial proceedings, and the assignment of new orders to the team.

Manga

The manga adaptation titled Mobile Suit Gundam 08th MS Team: U.C.0079+α, created by Umanosuke Iida, was serialized in Monthly Gundam Ace from 2007 through 2009 and compiled into four volumes.

External links

• Official Website: Anime
• Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team at Internet Movie Database