Publisher Description

Called a cornerstone of anime science-fiction, Japan's 1979 Gundam franchise boasts a worldwide cult of devotees. The Earth Federation battles rebellious off-world colonies, and 'Newtype' warriors with evolved mentality pilot gargantuan suits of high-tech armor. This novelization presents creator Yoshiyuki Tomino's unvarnished vision for his own core series, with richer characterizations and a shocking ending.

Author Biography

Yoshiyuki Tomino: Yoshiyuki Tomino is one of Japan's best known sci-fi animation directors, and the author of numerous fiction and non-fiction books. Since working on the Tetsuwan Atomu (Astro Boy) series in 1964, he has directed or created some of Japan's top robot and fantasy-themed works, for television, theaters, and the original video anime market. Best known for the hugely popular Gundam TV shows, in recent years he has attracted attention for his works, Brain Powrd (1998), Turn A Gundam (1999), and Overman King Gainer (2002).
Frederik L. Schodt: Frederik L. Schodt is a translator and author of numerous books about Japan, including Manga! Manga! and Dreamland Japan. He often served as Osamu Tezuka's English interpreter. In 2009 he was received the The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette for his contribution to the introduction and promotion of Japanese contemporary popular culture.
Mark Simmons: Mark Simmons is author of the Gundam Official Guide.

Table of Contents

Introduction, by Mark Simmons7Map of U. C. 007913VOLUME I: AWAKENING15Chapter 1: Side 717Chapter 2: Escape from Side 742Chapter 3:The California Crush 61Chapter 4: Newtypes85Chapter 5: Zeon 100Chapter 6:The Texas Zone 115Chapter 7: Lalah Sune138Chapter 8:The Beginning155VOLUME II: ESCALATION173Chapter 9: Escape175Chapter 10: Kusko Al183Chapter 11: Prelude204Chapter 12: People224Chapter 13: Contact 242Chapter 14: Premonition 262Chapter 15:The Attack281Chapter 16:The Elmeth298VOLUME III: CONFRONTATION317Chapter 17: Power and Ambition319Chapter 18: Dozle Zabi336Chapter 19: Retreat 355Chapter 20: A Stirring378Chapter 21:Test Firing400Chapter 22: A Baoa Qu 424Chapter 23: Zum City 445Word from the Translator470

Review

"A great read."--Asian Reporter Japan's Gundam franchise boasts a worldwide cult of devotees. This second edition of creator Yoshiyuki Tomino's novelization is redesigned for a new generation of fans.Yoshiyuki Tomino is one of Japan's best known science-fiction directors. Frederik L. Schodt writes extensively on Japanese culture and lives in San Francisco, California.

Promotional

Now working with 45th Parallel Communications (Jennifer Abel) for publicity and promotionsPromotion and booth display at North American anime and comic conventions (Seattle, Bay Area, Los Angeles, Toronto, New York), soliciting invitations from convention organizers for translator Fred SchodtPromotion of book in conjunction with Bandai Entertainment's release of new Gundam DVD films, video games, manga and action figures.Reviews in Otaku USA Magazine, TheOtaku.com, Wired, BoingBoing, as well as pop culture, anime, Japanese film, and Japanophile/Asiaphile magazines and blogs.

Long Description

Called a cornerstone of anime science-fiction, Japan's 1979 Gundam franchise boasts a worldwide cult of devotees. The Earth Federation battles rebellious off-world colonies, and 'Newtype' warriors with evolved mentality pilot gargantuan suits of high-tech armor. This novelization presents creator Yoshiyuki Tomino's unvarnished vision for his own core series, with richer characterizations and a shocking ending.

Review Quote

"A great read."-- Asian Reporter Japan's Gundam franchise boasts a worldwide cult of devotees. This second edition of creator Yoshiyuki Tomino's novelization is redesigned for a new generation of fans. Yoshiyuki Tomino is one of Japan's best known science-fiction directors. Frederik L. Schodt writes extensively on Japanese culture and lives in San Francisco, California.

Competing Titles

Leviathan Wakes James Corey 9780316129084 15.99 Orbit 6/11 3200 Yukikaze Chohei Kambayashi 9781421532554 14.99 Viz 1/10 2500 The Lost Fleet Jack Campbell 9780441020379 25.95 Ace 4/11 7500

Description for Sales People

A must-have for the avid anime fan, otaku collector or science-fiction reader Three novels in one book, these stories were written by director Tomino himself, and are less a straightforward novelization of the original Mobile Suit Gundam television series than a radical re-imagining of its world and characters. Adults who were Gundam fans as children will appreciate that Tomino wrote this story for a more mature audience than his animated series was intended for; the narrative explores relationships, psychology, violence and the political and military history of the Gundam world in unprecedented detail These novels were originally published in Japanese in late 1979 to coincide with the end of the TV series and the theatrical release of the first compilation movie; The Gundam anime series was the first winner of the Animage Anime Grand Prix, and has gone on to influence countless anime, action and sci-fi film makers in both Japan and the West

Details