Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny is the second TV series set in the Cosmic Era universe of Gundam. Set two years after the original Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, Gundam SEED Destiny features many new characters and some returning ones.

Gundam SEED Destiny had its premiere broadcast in Japan on October 9, 2004 at 6:00 p.m. on the JNN TV stations (Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS TV), Mainichi Broadcasting System (MBS TV, producing TV station), etc.) and ended October 1, 2005. Bandai Entertainment has announced that Gundam SEED Destiny is licensed for the North American market, and confirmed at Anime Expo 2006 that it will broadcast on Canadian television on YTV. There is no schedule date to broadcast the series in the US at this time according to Bandai Entertainment.

On Christmas 2005 a special episode ("Final Plus") aired, called "The Chosen Future". The episode is mainly a remake of the Final Phase (Ep 50), with a few storyline changes, a lengthened battle, and an epilogue to the series.

Overview
Directed by Mitsuo Fukuda, Gundam SEED Destiny is the sequel to Gundam SEED and the second Gundam series to be set in the Cosmic Era timeline. For background information see Factions of the Cosmic Era, for the events in the first series see Bloody Valentine War, for the events in Gundam SEED Destiny see Second Bloody Valentine War. Set in C.E. 73, two years after the peace treaty between ZAFT and the Earth Alliance was signed in Gundam SEED, members of the Earth Alliance special task force known as Phantom Pain hi-jack three advanced mobile suits from a ZAFT armoury base during a meeting between Orb representative Cagalli Yula Athha and new ZAFT chairman Gilbert Durandal. What begins as a pursuit of this band of Extended Naturals by Orb refugee Shinn Asuka, Athrun Zala, and the crew of the Minerva, escalates into cataclysmic circumstances which lead to the declaration of yet another war.

Themes and reactions
While still focused on the plight between Naturals and Coordinators, Destiny's focus was placed more on the ideological conflicts held by the characters, with social commentary proposing an interesting global government conspiracy theory for the real world. In a wide scope, the series poses the question of what would be the best path for humanity to follow: one where people's paths are chosen, but they are able to live to their full potential, or that of freedom and the inevitable conflict that will occur?

However, these themes were not always apparent, and although a ratings success, Destiny could not match either the previous success of Gundam SEED or Fullmetal Alchemist, both of which previously aired on the popular Saturday evening prime-time slot.

There were also many problems occurring behind the scenes during production which led to many criticisms of the series from both fans and the staff. Animation director Yousuke Kabashima criticized series supervisor Chiaki Morosawa in his blog, for shifting the storyline on the fly and habitually turning in scripts late which eventually caused numerous problems with the production of the show, and also implied that she only had her job as chief writer because she was the wife of director Mitsuo Fukuda. This is not the first time Fukuda has been criticised for showing favoritism towards his wife nor shown over-reliance on her work. A post-show interview that Morosawa gave, in which she appeared to blow off many of the concerns fans had with the finished production, also did little to help public perception of her.

Adaptations
An abridged version of the TV series is being released as Gundam SEED Destiny: Special Edition, which retells the story in four 90 minute parts. Unlike the Gundam SEED: Special Edition, this retelling of Destiny seems focused on fixing some of the more criticized aspects of the series (for instance, focusing on Athrun Zala's point of view to keep the focus as neutral as possible) rather than simply editing together highlights and important battles. An ONA spinoff called Gundam SEED C.E. 73: Stargazer, has been released on Bandai Channel starting July 2006, with a DVD release scheduled for November 2006. Most recently, a brand new movie was announced by Sunrise (news in English via Gunota Headlines). Little is known about the movie at this time but it will be a brand new story set after the series.

The anime has been adapted into a series of novels, by Goto Riu (also the author of the Gundam SEED novels).

The manga series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny: The Edge tells the events of the anime from the point of view of Athrun Zala.

Japanese cast

 * Andrew Waltfeld - Okiayu Ryoutarou
 * Arthur Trine - Takahashi Hiroki
 * Athrun Zala ("Alex Dino") - Ishida Akira
 * Auel Neider - Morita Masakazu
 * Cagalli Yula Athha - Shindou Naomi
 * Dearka Elsman - Sasanuma Akira
 * Gilbert Durandal - Ikeda Shuuichi
 * Heine Westenfluss - Nishikawa Takanori (T.M. Revolution)
 * Yuna Roma Seiran - Nojima Kenji
 * Kira Yamato - Hoshi Souichirou
 * Lord Djibril - Hori Hideyuki
 * Lunamaria Hawke / Mayu Asuka - Sakamoto Maaya
 * Reverend Malchio - Nakai Kazuya
 * Lacus Clyne / Meer Campbell - Tanaka Rie
 * Meyrin Hawke - Orikasa Fumiko
 * Miriallia Haw - Toyoguchi Megumi
 * Murrue Ramius ("Maria Vernes"), Narrator, Haro - Mitsuishi Kotono
 * Mad Abes - Taiten Kusunoki
 * Neo Roanoke/Mu La Flaga - Koyasu Takehito
 * Rey Za Burrel - Seki Toshihiko
 * Shinn Asuka - Suzumura Kenichi
 * Stellar Loussier - Kuwashima Houko
 * Sting Oakley - Suwabe Junichi
 * Talia Gladys - Koyama Mami
 * Colonel Todaka - Kazuya Ichijou
 * Unato Ema Saran - Hiroshi Matsumoto
 * Vino Dupre - Hisafumi Oda
 * Yzak Joule - Seki Tomokazu
 * Yolant Kent - Sugita Tomokazu

Staff

 * Director: Fukuda Mitsuo
 * Series Writer: Morosawa Chiaki
 * Character Designer: Hirai Hisashi
 * Mechanical Designer: Okawara Kunio, Yamane Kimitoshi
 * Design Works: Fujioka Kenki
 * Art Director: Ikeda Shigemi
 * Sound Director: Fujino Sadayoshi
 * Music: Sahashi Toshihiko
 * Producer: Takeda Seiji (MBS), Sato Hiroyuki (Sunrise)

English-language cast

 * Shinn Asuka - Matthew Erickson
 * Athrun Zala - Sam Vincent
 * Cagalli Yula Athha - Vanessa Morley
 * Lunamaria Hawke - Maryke Hendrikse
 * Meyrin Hawke - Nicole Bouma
 * Gilbert Durandal - Ted Cole
 * Rey Za Burrel - Kirby Morrow
 * Stella Loussier - Lalainia Lindbjerg
 * Auel Neider - Brad Swaile
 * Sting Oakley - Brent Miller
 * Talia Gladys - Venus Terzo
 * Lord Djibril - Alistair Abell
 * Kira Yamato - Matt Hill
 * Lacus Clyne - Chantal Strand
 * Yuna Roma Saran - Brian Drummond
 * Unato Ema Saran - Scott McNeil
 * Murrue Ramius - Lisa Ann Beley
 * Mu La Flaga/Neo Lorrnoke - Trevor Devall
 * Dearka Elsman - Brad Swaile
 * Meer Campbell - Chantal Strand
 * Lacus/Meer's singing voice - Jillian Michaels
 * Andrew Waltfeld - Brian Drummond
 * Miriallia Haww - Anna Cummer
 * Yzak Joule - Michael Adamthwaite
 * Ledonir Kisaka - Adam Henderson
 * Erica Simmons - Sharon Alexander
 * Martin DaCosta - Brian Dobson
 * James/Eduardo - James Blight
 * Madd Aves - Jason Simpson
 * Malik Yardbirds - Lee Tockar
 * Youlant Kent - Michael Coleman
 * Reverend Malchio - Brian Drummond
 * Sato - Paul Dobson
 * Mayu Asuka - Katie Chapman
 * Shinn's mother - Laura Drummond
 * Shinn's father - Paul Dobson
 * Vino Dupre - Reece Thompson
 * The Narrator - Alison Matthews
 * Chen Zheng Yi - Andrew Toth

Openings, Endings and Insert songs
Openings:
 * ignited by T.M.Revolution (ep. 1-13)
 * PRIDE by HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR (ep. 14-24)
 * Bokutachi no Yukue (Our Whereabouts) by Hitomi Takahashi (ep. 25-37)
 * Wings of Words by CHEMISTRY (ep.38-50)
 * vestige by T.M.Revolution (ep. FINAL PLUS ~The Chosen Future~)

Endings:
 * Reason by Nami Tamaki (ep. 1-13)
 * Life Goes On by Mika Arisaka (ep. 14-25)
 * I Wanna Go To A Place... by Rie fu (ep. 26-36)
 * Kimi wa Boku ni Niteiru (君は僕に似ている; You Resemble Me) by See-Saw (ep. 37-50, Final Plus)

Insert Songs:
 * Mizu no Akashi (水の証; Token of Water) by Tanaka Rie (Meer Campbell - eps. 10, 29)
 * Fields of hope by Tanaka Rie (Lacus Clyne)(Eps. 7,9 Final Plus)
 * Meteor by T.M.Revolution(ep 23)
 * Quiet Night C.E. 73 by Tanaka Rie (Meer Campbell)
 * Shinkai no Kodoku (The Sea's Loneliness) by Kuwashima Houko (eps. 21,32,33)
 * Vestige by T.M.Revolution (eps 39, 42, 49)
 * Honoo No Tobira (焔の扉; Door of Flames) by FictionJunction YUUKA (ep. 40)
 * EMOTION by Tanaka Rie (Meer Campbell)(Ep. 47)

Trivia
The series contains several references to previous Gundam and Fukuda series.


 * The series appears to be designed to parallel Zeta Gundam, with the plot, character, and mobile suit designs notably mirroring it at several places. Most notable of these are the main character Shinn Asuka, the character Stellar Loussier, the title, and the designs of various mobile suits and armours.
 * Most notable among the non-Gundam references are those to Fukuda's GPX Cyber Formula television and OVA series. These include several vehicles used in these series, such as the convertible that Athrun drives in Episode 8, and the motorcycle that Shinn rides in Episode 21, as well as some images including the scene in the fourth OP with Gilbert and Talia is almost an exact duplicate of a scene with Kyoshiro Nagumo and Kyoko Aoi in the Cyber Formula Sin OP.
 * The Destiny Gundam itself is a leftover of sorts from SEED's initial production. Chief designer Okawara Kunio had been charged with designing the original Freedom Gundam as a mobile suit with compact, "always-on" versions of the original three Striker Packs.  Several rough designs of this concept have been released in official material, and it is evident that in early attempts, the result would have been simply too cluttered and (presumably) difficult to animate, hence the drastically alternate, final design for Freedom.  However, this concept obviously made it through for the second try, as the Destiny Gundam features compact forms of the first three Impulse Silhouettes (which are nearly identical in function and design as the three Striker Packs) as standard weaponry.  This is a rather ironic footnote to the fact that Destiny Gundam and Freedom Gundam are made complete opposites in the storyline.
 * Majority of the returning cast grew taller and lost weight. Most are underweight according to the body mass index.


 * The "Destiny" in the title of the series can refer to several things.
 * The second Mobile Suit Shinn Asuka pilots, the ZGMF-X42S Destiny.
 * The "Destiny" plan proposed by Gilbert Durandal to end all conflict between Naturals and Coordinators.
 * The "destiny" of the main character, Shinn Asuka, and the "fates" of the returning characters from the previous series.


 * In its initial run in Japan, it occupied the same Saturday 6 p.m. timeslot on MBS and TBS as Gundam Seed and Full Metal Alchemist (which was shown in between GS and GSD.)


 * In Episode (Phase) 15, towards the end when Athrun Zala enters the ' waiting room' overlooking the Minerva's Mobile Suit hanger you can see Shinn Asuka laying on the couch reading a magazine with the band HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR (who did the shows 2nd Opening theme) on the cover.


 * In Gundam SEED Destiny, a common practice with ZAFT Mobile Suits is the names being acronyms: Consider ZAKU(ZAFT Armed Keeper of Unity), GOUF(Guardian of Unity Forerunner), and DOM(Dauntless Obliterator Magnificent). This practice was actually first seen in Gundam SEED, with GUNDAM(General Unilateral Neuro-link Dispersive Autonomic Maneuver, and all subsequent variations), and most likely originated with the MRC-F20 SUMO(Strike Unit for Maneuver Operations),in Yoshiyuki Tomino's ∀ Gundam.