Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket Review

Synopsis:

A brief OVA series depicting the formation of an unlikely bond between a Zeon pilot and an eleven-year-old civilian boy toward the end of the One Year War, Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket is an intimate and engrossing personal story beloved by fans and critics alike. 

Release Date:

1989

Episodes:

6

Timeline:

UC 0079-0080

My Grade:

A-

Review:

I had a vague familiarity with Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket prior to viewing and, like a few other Gundam series from the time, my wife Leah had already seen it years earlier, though she didn't remember much. We knew this was one of the more highly acclaimed stories and found that it did not disappoint. 

The crux of the story centers around Bernie Wiseman, the newest member of an elite Zeon squad tasked with infiltrating the neutral space colony Side 6 in order to covertly destroy a Federation Gundam prototype being constructed there in secret. The initial infiltration goes south and Bernie is separated from his team, forcing his Zaku into a crash landing in a remote area outside the colony's city. He's soon discovered by Al Izuruha, an elementary school student who is naive to the realities of war. Despite a grating first encounter, the two establish an unlikely friendship, coming to care for each other deeply. As Bernie's mission and new friendship with Al, as well as Al's neighbor Chris (who is herself the secret test pilot of the Federation Gundam prototype), come into conflict, the story develops into a tangled web of almost Shakespearean fate, leading to a tragic and heartbreaking finale. 

This series is rightly hailed as one of the strongest entries in the Gundam franchise for its grounded, powerful storytelling driven by endearing, real characters. Though it carries an undeniable anti-war message, the morality of the plot never panders and instead feels natural, with the audience being left to draw their own conclusions about how to make heads or tales of the paths different people walk under the duress of wartime. 

The animation itself is high-quality, with great attention to detail and movement during the limited but effective Gundam battle sequences. The character designs feel a little dated at times and the faces have a sort of "dreamy" effect, making them sometimes appear inconsistently or sloppily drawn. These are nitpicks however, and the overall visuals still hold up perfectly well today. 

If there's a weakness here it's in the score, which feels bizarrely cheerful and sugary despite the tragic events. It's not just the overall tone of the soundtrack, but the use of incredibly upbeat music during certain sequences, such as the bittersweet ending, which feels out of place, rather than purposefully juxtaposed for effect. 

Taken as a whole, however, Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket is a masterful character study with a strong message and well-realized plot lines. It is a true tearjerker in the best way possible and a must-watch for Gundam fans and novices alike.