Where does Gundam Unicorn fit into the story?

[reionpremente]

I've just now acquired the first three MS Gundam films and was wondering if Unicorn is just a CG retelling of the series, or if it was a continuation of the series after Zeta or if it's on it's own.

[Betenoire]

It takes place in OO96 (though they proclaim the start of a new calender system). The movies are 0079-0080. Zeta is 0087.

[Leroy_Landers]

Gundam Unicorn takes place after Char's Counterattack that movie will also help put things into context better. I haven't seen Unicorn yet how stand alone is it?

[reionpremente]

Originally Posted by Leroy_Landers

Gundam Unicorn takes place after Char's Counterattack that movie will also help put things into context better. I haven't seen Unicorn yet how stand alone is it?

From what I was just told... it's AFTER Zeta. The animation is done heavily (From what I've seen) in CG and Char looks to be the main Zeon... big shocker there.

So, I know I'm going to have to see Counterattack... but doesn't Stardust Memory take place in 0083? And isn't it a part of the Zeon conflict as well?

[Betenoire]

Originally Posted by reionpremente

From what I was just told... it's AFTER Zeta. The animation is done heavily (From what I've seen) in CG and Char looks to be the main Zeon... big shocker there.

So, I know I'm going to have to see Counterattack... but doesn't Stardust Memory take place in 0083? And isn't it a part of the Zeon conflict as well?

Stardust Memory is (a years later in real life) OVA written to help explain the differences between the Federation forces found in the Mobile Suit Gundam and where the Titans came from for Zeta. Char's Counterattack is a few years after Zeta and ZZ (0093 perhaps?) 0083 kind of reignites the Zeon conflict but given its real world production time it fits in sort of like how Star Wars the Clone Wars does to Star Wars mythology-a johnny come lately piece whose hands are somewhat tied as its boundaries are set. And F-91 takes place some 20ish (23?) years after that.

As to stand alone the first vol of Unicorn mostly did. You see some of the history of the One Year War shown to some of the people on the screen and mass production Zeta models but one doesn't need a doctorate in UC Gundam to enjoy it.

[HitokiriShadow]

Originally Posted by Betenoire

Char's Counterattack is a few years after Zeta and ZZ (0093 perhaps?)

According to Wikipedia, yes, CCA is in in 0093, so Unicorn is three years after CCA.

As to stand alone the first vol of Unicorn mostly did. You see some of the history of the One Year War shown to some of the people on the screen and mass production Zeta models but one doesn't need a doctorate in UC Gundam to enjoy it.

I've yet to see ZZ and my memory of Zeta is very, very vague, and I had no problems following Unicorn episode 1. While I obviously don't know where Unicorn will go, it doesn't look like its going to require any in depth knowledge of the UC universe. If you know the difference between Zeon and the Federation and the general setting, you should be set.

[Hayate Kurogane]

Originally Posted by reionpremente

I've just now acquired the first three MS Gundam films and was wondering if Unicorn is just a CG retelling of the series, or if it was a continuation of the series after Zeta or if it's on it's own.

Unicorn is based on a series of novels set in UC 0096, three in-universe years after the Char's Counterattack film. It is a new story, rather than any sort of retelling.

It is possible to watch Unicorn and understand it and enjoy it without any prior UC timeline knowledge whatsoever (as suggested by limited personal anecdotal evidence). However, viewing or at least having some knowledge of the three original Gundam movies, the Zeta Gundam TV series, and Char's Counterattack is helpful in allowing the viewer to understand context and in-universe references.

[russ869]

Originally Posted by reionpremente

So, I know I'm going to have to see Counterattack... but doesn't Stardust Memory take place in 0083? And isn't it a part of the Zeon conflict as well?

Stardust Memory is an OVA side story that does have a few scenes setting up things in Zeta and has very brief cameos by Zeta characters. Other than that, it's not essential knowledge. The villains of Stardust Memory are, as usual, Zeon remnants and fanatical followers of the late Giren Zabi (the man who was "following in the footsteps of Hitler").

But everyone should still watch Stardust Memory because it's pretty much the highest budget, best animated Gundam up until Unicorn, and my personal favorite. Looking at it I just can't believe it was made in the early 90s! How could they have crafted the perfection of some of those shots without CG? (tracing wireframes perhaps...?) I'm glad that even Unicorn's "CG" retains that hand-drawn look and doesn't look totally out of place like Macross Frontier's CG does.

Stardust Memory also features an all star cast including both Ryo Horikawa and Akio Ohstuka.

Originally Posted by HitokiriShadow

While I obviously don't know where Unicorn will go, it doesn't look like its going to require any in depth knowledge of the UC universe. If you know the difference between Zeon and the Federation and the general setting, you should be set.

Agreed.

[DeadlyMessiah]

0079 - Original Gundam
0079- 0080 War in the Pocket
0083 - 0083 Stardust Memory
0087 - Zeta Gundam
0088 - Gundam ZZ
0093 - Char's Counter Attack
0096 - Gundam Unicorn
0122 - Gundam F91
0153 - Victory Gundam

However, the development character's received in Zeta seems to be gone from memory by the time they reach Char's Counterattack.

[reionpremente]

Originally Posted by DeadlyMessiah

0079 - Original Gundam
0079- 0080 War in the Pocket
0083 - 0083 Stardust Memory
0087 - Zeta Gundam
0088 - Gundam ZZ
0093 - Char's Counter Attack
0096 - Gundam Unicorn
0122 - Gundam F91
0153 - Victory Gundam

However, the development character's received in Zeta seems to be gone from memory by the time they reach Char's Counterattack.

Okay... so Zeta is BEFORE Char's Counterattack? Good to know. But, the information they learn in Zeta is forgotten? That's strange. Although it is in my past memory that when most movies are made, some of the information learned in past TV series are deliberately forgotten to be learned again in a movie or another TV series that comes up later.

Thanks for this information. It is most helpful. ^_^