Although the subsequent television series, theatrical features, novelizations, manga, and merchandise have made it one of the most popular properties in film history, Yoshiyuki Tomino's landmark mecha series Kido Senshi Gundam (Mobile Suit Gundam) was not a success when it aired in Japan in 1979. But when the series was recut with new animation into three theatrical features in 1981 and 1982, it connected with audiences, sparking a craze that climaxed with near-riots in Japanese toy stores over Gundam merchandise. Inspired by George Lucas's Star Wars trilogy, George Pal's Destination Moon, and the films of Akira Kurosawa and Yasujiro Ozu, Tomino set out to create a universe that would enable him to go beyond the standard duels and battles to explore politics, mysticism, ecology, and social prejudices. The robots in earlier science fiction adventures were generally remote-controlled machines owned by boys who treated them almost like pets. Beginning with the Mobile Suit RX-78, the Gundam robots resembled outsized space suits that could function as one-man space ships. Kunio Okawara's anthropomorphic designs blended the flamboyance of traditional samurai armor with high-tech angularity. The eye-catching results added to the visual power of Tomino's well-choreographed sword fights and wrestling matches on Earth and in space. The Gundam features ushered in a new era of mecha adventures--and anime fandom: decades later, their influence can be seen in countless other animated sci-fi epics. This collection belongs in the library of every serious anime fan.