∀ Gundam

Turn-A Gundam is a Gundam series created by Gundam creator Yoshiyuki Tomino. The show premiered in 1999, the 20th anniversary of the original Mobile Suit Gundam, as part of the "Big Bang Event." The show is loosely set in a universe in which all Gundam series have already occurred, so that mecha from past Gundam series are unearthed and referenced throughout the series.

Turn-A is set in the far future (exactly how far varies in different incarnations), in which many wars have blasted Earth's technology back by hundreds of years. As the series begins, Earth has achieved roughly 1900-era technology, and is invaded by the Moonrace, a colony of humans that have been living on the moon.

The show features a fairly large cast by Gundam standards, of which comparatively few are active combatants. Among the characters are:


 * Loran Cehack, a member of the Moonrace who emigrated to and settled on Earth. He is sympathetic to both sides of the war, but primarily wants to stop the Moonrace from its conquest.
 * Kihel Heim, a well-to-do girl who takes on Loran as a servant.
 * Diana Soreil, the queen of the Moonrace, who is leading the invasion somewhat against her will. She's supported slow emigration to Earth, but has been pushed towards conquest by the Moon's military.  Diana and Kihel happen to look exactly alike.
 * Sochie Heim, Kihel's younger sister and eventually a mecha pilot.

Turn-A is more political than most Gundam series. It focuses on the external and internal politics of both the invaded Earth peoples and the invading Moonrace.