Rough Mini-Essay on Gundam Wing's Politics

Gundam Wing is an awkward one, because there's this big ideological debate throughout that's basically fascists vs pacifists, and everything is framed like the audience should root for the pacifists (obvious direction for any modern show) but any time they argued their points... the fascists had the better argument.

The debate boiled down to:
Pacifist: "Wouldn't it be neat if it worked like this?"

Fascist: "But it doesn't actually work like that."

Pacifist: "But wouldn't it be neat if it did though?"

Case in point: 

...And the show seems to agree with the fascists, that war is inevitable and will always come back (especially apparent in Endless Waltz, when the conflict reignites and the Gundam pilots have to pilot Gundams again despite launching their OG ones in to the sun). The Sanc Kingdom was destroyed, most of its royal family slaughtered, each "happy ending" of both the show and movie only comes after much bloodshed and death, and there's no reason to assume the ending of each isn't just another temporary peace before a new conflict starts up. In light of this, the "bury your swords" attitude seems foolish. 

Dorothy was right.

But the show ALSO makes an emotion-based argument for the pacifists and portrays them as the heroes (although the fascists are mostly treated more generously than most media would).

So there's like a "factually correct but morally wrong vs morally correct but factually wrong" dichotomy going on.

Truth be told, Gundam's political messages and exploration of political issues were always one of the franchise's weaker aspects. They've always been muddled and conflicted, yet at the same time, preachy. 

That said, still better & more nuanced than any woke show today. 

When I say Gundam Wing, of all things, is nuanced compared to something else... hoo boy. Modern corporate entertainment, huh?

#anime #gundam #politics #gundamwing #fascism #pacifism