Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory Vol-1 (1991)
Animation Production: Sunrise
Released by: Bandai Entertainment
Official Website: Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory
Episodes: 1-4
By Jeffrey Couto

Introduction

Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory, much like G-Gundam doesn’t seem to be a particularly popular entry in the Gundam mythos with many fans, especially with those whose first exposure to the series might have been more modern takes on the concept such as Gundam Wing and Seed.

I find this perception of 0083 to be interesting as I always considered this OVA to be one of the better ones in the series.

Story

"U.C. 0083. Three years have passed since the end of the One Year War, but remnant forces of the Principality of Zeon continue to struggle against the victorious Earth Federation. After years of planning, the renegade Delaz Fleet is now ready to launch a major operation against the Federation Forces.

The Delaz Fleet's plan begins with the theft of a prototype Gundam armed with a nuclear weapon. Attempting to recover the stolen Gundam, Federation test pilot Kou Uraki is drawn into this new conflict. But Kou and his comrades have yet to understand the true scope of Operation Stardust..."-- Bandais' Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory Page

Review

Episode one begins at the end of the last battle in the One Year War as the Federation is pushing back the remaining forces of Zeon. During this brief introduction we meet Anavel Gato, also known the Nightmare of Solomon, as he desperately fights his ship's commander to go out and avenge his fallen comrades, ultimately being held back so that he may fight another day.

Flash forward as we are taken to U.C. 0083, three years after the One Year War, where we join a small group of Federation pilots carrying out a military exercise to test a new Mobile Suit booster. During this segment we are introduced to some of the main protagonists of the story including Kou Uraki, who will be one of the main focuses of the story (on the Federation side) and his friend Keith.

Having finished their test the group of test pilots returns to base, where they learn that the floating base Albion, which is housing two new prototype Gundam Mobile Suit, has arrived. Having a great deal of interest in the new prototype weapons Kou and Keith travel inside the Albion to take a first hand look at the new Gundams. It’s here that they have their first run in with Nina Purpleton, the person in charge of the new mobile suits.

That same evening Gato sets in motion a plan to infiltrate and attack the Federation base where our protagonists reside. His plan goes through perfectly as he not only sneaks unnoticed into the base, but also manages to accomplish his main objective, as he steals the Nuclear capable Gundam unit. Now the only thing that can stand in his way is Kou, as the rookie pilot commandeers the other Gundam prototype in order to stop Zeon and Anavel.

These first four episodes of Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory serve as a great introduction to this new story in the Universal Century time line. Not only do we get an interesting cast of characters and a great story, but also one of the most beautifully drawn Gundam series.

Aesthetically speaking, everything in this OVA, from the mechanical designs to the color-rich backgrounds is rather impressive, especially when you take into account that this was produced in 1991. Scenes featuring mobile suit battles are particularly noteworthy as they showcase some rather complex cel drawings that move with incredible fluidity (and while I'm on the topic of visuals I should mention that the video transfer here is really good and gives everything a very sharp anf bright look).

Gundam 0083 is about more than just beautiful animation though. Accompanying the great visuals is an even better story that deals with the themes of war, politics, and coming of age, all wrapped up in a very realistic package. Like the more recent OVA Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team, this entry in the series takes a more serious military tone and realistic approach to its story and characters.

In these first four introductory episodes much of the focus lies on Kou, as the shy and always obedient Federation pilot is tested and challenged on a number of personal levels, both on and off the battlefield, providing the narrative with some interesting directions onto which to take the plot and characters.

By the time episode four ends I was ready to go back to the store and buy volume two. I've seen this series before (back in the early 90's as a fansub) and know what is to come, but seeing it again on such a high quality DVD package really made for an enjoyable experience.

The DVD includes the first 4 episodes of this OVA series which include:

Episode 1 - "Gundamjack"
Episode 2 - "Endless Pursuit"
Episode 3 - "Into Battle, Albion"
Episode 4 - "Attack and Retreat on the Burning Sand"

The packaging itself is very good and sports a great drawing of the characters and mecha featured in this particular collection of episodes on one side and a very nice rendition of the battle between the two Gundam units on the reversible side of the cover. It also comes with some extras, including clean copies of the opening and closing sequences and a Mobile Suit encyclopedia.

Final Thoughts

Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory is an amazingly underrated series in the Gundam universe. Featuring a great story, awesome Mobile Suit fights, and interesting characters this is a must watch for all Gundam fans. I also highly recommend it to all mecha fans and people who enjoy well crafted animation.

Gundam 0083 delivers on all levels!

Jeffrey Couto