Kidou Senshi Gundam 0080: Pocket no Naka no Sensou
Summary: Alfred Izuruha is a 10-year-old who lives in the neutral colony cluster of Side 6 and, like most boys his age, is obsessed with the war between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon. Unbeknownst to him, Al's next-door neighbor, Christina, is the test pilot of a prototype Gundam being developed in secret by the Earth Federation in the colony. A Zeon Special Forces team is assembled and tasked with infiltrating the colony in order to either steal or destroy it.
When a skirmish breaks out between the Federation and infiltrating Zeon forces, the fascinated Alfred stumbles upon a Zaku mobile suit that has been shot down, piloted by Zeon rookie Bernard "Bernie" Wiseman. After this encounter, the two start a mutual friendship, so Alfred can learn more about the war that interests him so much, and Bernie can acquire inside information about the colony to aid his team's mission.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Description
Alfred Izuruha is a 10-year-old who lives in the neutral colony cluster of Side 6 and, like most boys his age, is obsessed with the war between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon. Unbeknownst to him, Al's next-door neighbor, Christina, is the test pilot of a prototype Gundam being developed in secret by the Earth Federation in the colony. A Zeon Special Forces team is assembled and tasked with infiltrating the colony in order to either steal or destroy it.
When a skirmish breaks out between the Federation and infiltrating Zeon forces, the fascinated Alfred stumbles upon a Zaku mobile suit that has been shot down, piloted by Zeon rookie Bernard "Bernie" Wiseman. After this encounter, the two start a mutual friendship, so Alfred can learn more about the war that interests him so much, and Bernie can acquire inside information about the colony to aid his team's mission.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Kidou Senshi Gundam 0080: Pocket no Naka no Sensou Trailers
Kidou Senshi Gundam 0080: Pocket no Naka no Sensou Pictures
Kidou Senshi Gundam 0080: Pocket no Naka no Sensou Review
Kidou Senshi Gundam 0080: Pocket no Naka no Sensou — Alfred Izuruha is a 10-year-old who lives in the neutral colony cluster of Side 6 and, like most boys his age, is obsessed with the war between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon. This overview is intentionally spoiler-free and focuses on tone and intent rather than plot specifics.
Thematically, It sits firmly within Drama, Sci-Fi conventions as a OVA work and has garnered attention (MAL score: 8). This work explores character dynamics, tonal shifts, and the interplay between narrative ambition and execution. The story's pacing and tonal choices are crafted to complement the central ideas, often emphasizing atmosphere and emotional truth over explicit exposition. The show's ability to evoke a consistent mood — whether melancholic, exuberant, or contemplative — is a recurring strength, and the scenes are constructed so viewers can infer stakes without needing explicit spoilers.
Characterization is a core pillar here. Protagonists and supporting figures are written with distinct motivations and narrative roles; even when archetypal, the series invests in small behavioral details that make choices feel earned. Character arcs are handled with an eye for gradualism: development often arrives through incremental beats rather than abrupt, expository shifts. The interactions between characters create texture, and relationships are used to illuminate both personal flaws and larger thematic concerns.
On the visual front, production values play a significant role. The animation quality varies by sequence but frequently showcases thoughtful direction and composition. Background art, framing, and color palettes are used deliberately to support tone — quieter scenes favor muted palettes while action or heightened emotional beats employ brighter, more kinetic visuals. Direction choices, such as camera movement and shot selection, often elevate scenes beyond their raw script, creating moments that linger in the viewer's mind.
The soundscape — score, incidental music, and sound design — complements the visual language. Music cues are placed to maximize emotional resonance without manipulating the audience with melodrama; this restraint often leads to more authentic emotional payoff. Sound design punctuates key moments, and when the series leans on silence, those quieter moments are given weight by measured audio choices.
Pacing and structure are handled with craft. Episodes are arranged to build tension and release methodically, and the narrative rarely rushes through important emotional beats. That said, the deliberate pacing may feel slow to viewers who prefer faster plot turnover; the reward is greater nuance and an accumulation of meaning across the series. Accessibility is generally good — one can appreciate surface-level pleasures, while repeat or attentive viewing reveals additional layers.
No title is without flaws. Occasional unevenness in subplots or variable animation across episodes can be distracting. Some tonal shifts might feel abrupt if you expect uniformity; others will argue that those shifts are purposeful. These are worth noting, but they seldom undercut the larger achievements of the work.
In sum, Kidou Senshi Gundam 0080: Pocket no Naka no Sensou offers a rich experience for viewers who value character-driven storytelling, considered visual design, and a soundtrack that supports rather than overwhelms. For fans of Drama, Sci-Fi, this is an especially rewarding watch. It's recommended for those who appreciate layered narratives and artistry in animation, and best approached with patience and attention to nuance.
Characters & Voice Actors
Izuruha, Alfred
Main
Namikawa, Daisuke
Japanese
Izuruha, Alfred
Main
Siddall, Brianne
English
Izuruha, Alfred
Main
Venditti, Giorgia
Italian
Mackenzie, Christina
Main
Hayashibara, Megumi
Japanese
Mackenzie, Christina
Main
Lee, Wendee
English
Mackenzie, Christina
Main
D'Aprile, Luisa
Italian
Wiseman, Bernard
Main
Tsujitani, Kouji
Japanese
Wiseman, Bernard
Main
Hayter, David
English
Wiseman, Bernard
Main
Eom, Sang Hyeon
Korean
Wiseman, Bernard
Main
Vender, Gabriele
Italian
Carioca
Supporting
Charlie
Supporting
Forest, Michael
English
Charlie
Supporting
Inaba, Minoru
Japanese
Charlie
Supporting
Tak, Won Je
Korean
Chay
Supporting
Chiko
Japanese
Chay
Supporting
Marshall, Mona
English
Chay
Supporting
Valeri, Francesco
Italian
Detective
Supporting
Dorothy
Supporting
Fahn, Melissa
English
Dorothy
Supporting
Yoshida, Konami
Japanese
Staff
Maseba, Yutaka
Producer
Takanashi, Minoru
Producer
Uchida, Kenji
Producer
Yatate, Hajime
Producer
Sugita, Tsutomu
Assistant Producer
Takayama, Fumihiko
Director, Episode Director, Storyboard
Takamatsu, Shinji
Episode Director, Storyboard
Yokoyama, Hiroyuki
Episode Director
Yamaga, Hiroyuki
Script, Screenplay
Satou, Junichi
Storyboard
Akitaka, Mika
Mechanical Design
Andou, Yoshinobu
Key Animation
Aoki, Tetsurou
Key Animation
Aoyagi, Shigemi
Key Animation
Hayashi, Takafumi
Key Animation
Honda, Takeshi
Key Animation
Hyoudou, Takashi
Key Animation
Iida, Hiroyoshi
Key Animation
Ikeda, Shigemi
Art Director
Ishizu, Yasushi
Mechanical Design