Kidou Senshi Gundam Thunderbolt

Watch Now More Info

Kidou Senshi Gundam Thunderbolt Trailers

Kidou Senshi Gundam Thunderbolt Pictures

✕

Kidou Senshi Gundam Thunderbolt Review

Kidou Senshi Gundam Thunderbolt — In Universal Century 0079, forces of the Earth Federation and Principality of Zeon engage in a battle within the Thunderbolt Sector during the One Year War. 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 ONA work and has garnered attention (MAL score: 7.94). 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 Thunderbolt 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

Fleming, Io

Main

Nakamura, Yuuichi

Japanese

Lorenz, Daryl

Main

Kimura, Ryouhei

Japanese

Burroughs

Supporting

Sasaki, Mutsumi

Japanese

Graham

Supporting

Sakuya, Shunsuke

Japanese

Kaka, Cornelius

Supporting

Hirakawa, Daisuke

Japanese

Mitchum, Karla

Supporting

Ohara, Sayaka

Japanese

Ness, Fisher

Supporting

Peer, Claudia

Supporting

Yukinari, Toa

Japanese

Sexton, J. J.

Supporting

Tsuchida, Hiroshi

Japanese

Staff

Ogata, Naohiro

Producer

Matsuo, Kou

Director, Script

Kimura, Eriko

Sound Director

Yoshizawa, Toshikazu

Episode Director

Teraoka, Iwao

Storyboard

Arahata, Ayumi

Special Effects

Iida, Ayaka

Special Effects

Imai, Daisuke

Editing

Katoki, Hajime

Mechanical Design

Kikuchi, Naruyoshi

Music

Kobayashi, Kaori

Special Effects

Matsuda, Haruka

Background Art

Matsuda, Akihiko

Sound Effects

Naka, Morifumi

Mechanical Design

Nakamura, Hideki

Art Director

Nakatani, Seiichi

Mechanical Design

Nishimura, Satoshi

Key Animation

Nishimura, Mutsuhiro

Sound Effects

Ootagaki, Yasuo

Original Creator

Saitou, Kazuya

2nd Key Animation