Turn-A Gundam

∀-Gundam (read "Turn-A Gundam") was a 50 episode series that aired in 1999, created for the Gundam Big Bang 20th Anniversary celebration.

It was directed by Tomino Yoshiyuki, who had written and directed a number of previous Gundam works. The series is yet another alternate universe, taking place in Correct Century (CC) 2345. The series tells the story of a war between space colonists calling themselves the Moonrace who wish to colonize Earth, and the Earth Militia forces, which use the ancient Turn-A Gundam to retaliate. Turn-A Gundam is a dramatic depature from the franchise in many ways. Instead of being set in an era of high technology, it is set in a future that has regressed to the early 20th century. Also, the unorthodox design of the title Mobile Suit comes courtesy of American Syd Mead, best known for his work on Blade Runner. The series also features the musical talents of Yoko Kanno. The series finished its run in early 2000, and in 2002 Tomino directed two compilation films, entitled "Earth Light" and "Moonlight Butterfly."

It is important to note that the "Turn-A" (∀) in the title of the series is the universal quantifier used in discrete mathematics, which means that the title can be translated as "for all items of the set 'Gundam' ". This is neither an oversight, nor just a symbol used to "look cool" - Gundam creator Tomino clearly intended the series to be a sort of "unification" of the Universal Century and the myriad "alternate universes" into a coherent whole. Some examples:

• Several of the mobile suits in the series are clearly from earlier series - the MS-06 Borjarnon is either a MS-05 Zaku I or a MS-06 Zaku II (depending on the unit using it), the AMX-109 Kapool appeared initially in Gundam Double Zeta, and the G-M2F (AMX-102) Zssan appears to be an altered version of the AMX-102 Zssa, also from the aforementioned show.

• The Concept-X6-1-2 Turn X mobile suit is capable of executing the GF13-017NJ Shining Gundam's devastating "Shining Finger" attack.

• Pilot Corin Nander uses machines with red coloring schemes, much like the mobile suits of Char Aznable and Johnny Ridden.

Of course, the acceptance of Tomino's grand vision has been mixed, with many fans discounting it completely, treating Turn-A Gundam as just another alternate universe.

See also

Preceded by: After War Gundam X

Followed by: Mobile Suit Gundam SEED

Gundam series

Universal Century: Mobile Suit Gundam | Gundam - The 08th MS Team | Gundam 0080 | Gundam 0083 | Zeta Gundam | Gundam Double Zeta | Char's Counterattack | Gundam F-91 | Victory Gundam | G-Saviour

Future Century: G Gundam

After Colony: Gundam Wing |

After War: Gundam X

Correct Century: ∀ Gundam;

Cosmic Era: Gundam Seed | Gundam Seed Destiny