Symphonic Gundam

SYMPHONIC GUNDAM
20th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT
Copyright © Sotsu Agency/Sunrise
King Records (KICA 457/8)
Available Now in Japan
¥4000
Where to buy

—by Charles McCarter

2 discs and video tape, 13 tracks

Disc 1:

1. Nemuri yori (From Sleep) [MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM] 5:31

2. Symphony Z [MOBILE SUIT Z GUNDAM] 9:12

3. Mashuma Zero [MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM ZZ] 2:59

4. Itsuka Sora ni Todoite (To Someday Reach the Sky) [GUNDAM 0080: WAR IN THE POCKET] / Evergreen [GUNDAM 0083: STARDUST MEMORY] 6:18

5. Gyakushu no Char (Char's Counterattack) [MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM: CHAR'S COUNTERATTACK] 6:16

6. Formula 91 [MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM F91] 6:25

Disc 2:

1. Victory-G [MOBILE SUIT V GUNDAM] 7:34

2. King of Heart [MOBILE FIGHTER G GUNDAM] 4:12

3. Operation W [NEW MOBILE REPORT GUNDAM WING] 5:38

4. Tsuki ni Mieteiru ka? (Can You See the Moon?) [AFTER WAR GUNDAM X] 9:52

5. VII [MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM: THE 08th MS TEAM] 4:56

6. Ai no Kyousoukyoku (Love's Concerto) [MOBILE SUIT Z GUNDAM] 7:55

7. Senjou Kuiki (Range of the Battlefield) [MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM] 5:05

Anniversaries are a big deal. Recently, several groundbreaking anime shows celebrated milestone anniversaries. Among them is the seemingly timeless (and endless) franchise that is known the world over as GUNDAM. The 20th Anniversary, nicknamed the Big Bang Project, began over a year ago with special retrospectives, events, exhibits, and of course a plethora of merchandise. (At the time of this writing, the release of the original GUNDAM TV series on video was among the top-selling anime videos in Japan).
One of the more unique events was a special symphonic concert held in Tokyo. Performances included at least one piece from every GUNDAM ever made. The event was held with many fanfares, and included the presence of GUNDAM creator Tomino Yoshiyuki. The resulting performance is put together in this 2 disc set.
Starting with a piece from the original GUNDAM series, the first disc covers up to GUNDAM F91. The second disc picks up with V GUNDAM and goes through to the latest GUNDAM installment at the time of the concert, THE 08th MS TEAM. Since some of the music was already orchestrated, there wasn't much of a change. However those that weren't underwent a more complete musical transformation.
In all honesty, the music for GUNDAM is, overall, not the most memorable aspect of the series. While GUNDAM openings and endings have enjoyed popularity, such as most recently with Two-Mix's GUNDAM W songs, the background music has been left, for lack of a better term, in the background. But GUNDAM SYMPHONIC brings this music to the foreground and allows it its moment in the sun. Surprisingly, much of the music is very well done, certainly comparable to a lot of film music today.
However by the same token, much of the music is typical and reminiscent of other science fiction and action soundtracks. Blaring brass and intense percussion highlight the battles, and the strings and woodwinds represent the eerie quiet of space. Still, skillful use of these elements created a very palatable musical picture.
In addition, there is also a videotape that contains a special talk with the arranger of the pieces, as well as GUNDAM creator Tomino Yoshiyuki. Unfortunately though, this really isn't that interesting and I imagine many folks will fast forward to the performances. There are only two pieces performed on this tape, one from ZETA GUNDAM and one from the first GUNDAM series. The GUNDAM piece is performed while seminal scenes from the now-classic story played on a big projection screen above the audience.
In short, fans of GUNDAM music, or those who want to hear GUNDAM get a full orchestra treatment will be very interested in this soundtrack. And since GUNDAM SYMPHONIC contains a track from every GUNDAM, those GUNDAM completists will certainly have to add it to their collections.