This is "My Thoughts" rather than a complete review as it isn't overly in-depth (and it's written in a casual style), it just picks out my general opinions on aspects of V Gundam.

V Gundam now ranks as my favourite Gundam animated work, surpassing MSG & Zeta as joint second, G as third, CCA as fourth. It's often compared to Zeta for its darkness (and often mentioned that it's almost as good) but I think V is like a perfect Zeta, taking all the better aspects of Zeta and ignoring most of the worst ones. It feels better constructed than Zeta - the last 12 or so episodes of Zeta loose the momentum and slick progression that was present in the rest of the series. V is much better constructed, constantly building and progressing the story towards it apocalyptic finale.

V, whilst dark (I think in fact darker than Zeta at it's blackest moments) doesn't let you forget that humans have a lighter side. That's not to say the series is knee deep in annoying juxtapositions of idiocy and seriousness, more like there's an enjoyable to watch lighter side present alongside the dark. It's obviously a hard thing to describe without making it sound like the series is a comedy real-robot show, which it's not. I think its best described during the preparation of the fleet for the final battle with Zanscare. The younger characters and Marvette are playing a kind of football (soccer) & basketball game in space with Haro. The older main character pilots are resting against a Gundam and voice what you're probably thinking now - "what are they doing playing games before such an important battle". One of them points out that if they don't remember this side of life then what's the point in them fighting at all. There's no point to all the death & destruction if there is nothing better for them to look forward to.

A quick point to note. There's an abundance of Victory 1 Gundams in the show. At the most I think we see 7 people using them at once. This is a very excellent idea and feels very right. I know a lot of people seem to balk at the idea of multiple Gundams but in V it's pulled off admirably. They're the symbol of hope for the League Militaire forces, something that becomes more apparent when you see Uso in action in the V2 Gundam, complete with immense wings of light.

Animation/art then. Top notch in my opinion though not to everyone's liking. Not that anyone I've spoken to really dislikes the animation/art but not everyone likes it as much as I do. I find the simplistic style works very well as it's consistent through the series. The mecha designs seem to fit in to a lot of people's dislike bag. Personally I loved nearly every one of them and yes that includes all the odd looking Zanscare suits! The music was equally good. Whilst it didn't leap out and grab me like the soundtrack to Hellsing or 0083 it did really fit the series and evokes the correct feelings.

Finally the characters. I thought almost all of them were excellent. All the leading players were very good and I think Uso will be hard to top in my book as my favourite Gundam pilot. For those of you who watch a slightly different Gundam to me and find the Gundam pilots whining too much (so many people whine about that) then Uso should suit you nicely as he fights to protect his friends and knuckles down to do his job. Despite being 13. Oh and Haro is excellent in V, if you watch it to the end you'll see quite what I mean.

Sieg V! Unless Turn A can totally win my heart then V is unlikely to ever be topped from it's throne for me.

Written to The Beatles - I Want You (She's So Heavy)