anime
is a Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, , in Japan and in Ja ...
television series
A television show, TV program (), or simply a TV show, is the general reference to any content produced for viewing on a television set that is broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, and cable, or distributed digitally on streaming plat ...
produced by
Sunrise
Sunrise (or sunup) is the moment when the upper rim of the Sun appears on the horizon in the morning, at the start of the Sun path. The term can also refer to the entire process of the solar disk crossing the horizon.
Terminology
Although the S ...
. The series was released to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the
Gundam
is a Japanese military science fiction media franchise. Created by Yoshiyuki Tomino and Sunrise (now Bandai Namco Filmworks), the franchise features giant robots, or mecha, with the name "Gundam". The franchise began on April 7, 1979, with ...
media franchise
A media franchise, also known as a multimedia franchise, is a collection of related media in which several derivative works have been produced from an original creative work of fiction, such as a film, a work of literature, a television program, o ...
, and was the first Gundam series to be entirely animated in
cel-shaded
Cel shading or toon shading is a type of non-photorealistic rendering designed to make 3D computer graphics appear to be flat by using less shading color instead of a Color gradient, shade gradient or tints and shades. A cel shader is often us ...
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics, sometimes called Computer-generated imagery, CGI, 3D-CGI or three-dimensional Computer-generated imagery, computer graphics, are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data (often Cartesian coor ...
(3DCG), and the first full-3DCG series to be broadcast on Japanese television. The show was directed by Yūichi Abe.
Overview
A Japan/America co-production, 26 episodes of ''Superior Defender Gundam Force'' initially aired on the
Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network (CN) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the Cartoon Network, Inc., a sub-division of the Warner Bros. Discovery Networks division of Warner Bros. Discovery. It launched on ...
in the U.S., and later 52 episodes were broadcast on
TV Tokyo
JOTX-DTV (channel 7), branded as is a Japanese television station that serves as the flagship of the TX Network.SD Gundam'', or Super-Deformed Gundam sub-franchise, though for this show, SD stands for Superior Defender. It is a crossover series based on the three SD Gundam settings that were used in earlier SD Gundam
anime
is a Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, , in Japan and in Ja ...
and
manga
are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Most manga conform to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and the form has a long history in earlier Japanese art. The term is used in Japan to refer to both comics ...
: '' SD Command Chronicles'', a science-fiction-styled militaristic setting; '' Musha Gundam'', a setting with samurai-themed robots; and '' Knight Gundam'', a medieval European fantasy-themed setting. It also contains many references and homages to the standard Gundam shows, especially those of the Universal Century, Future Century, and After Colony timelines. In a sharp contrast to the dark nature of most of the other Gundam series, ''SD Gundam Force'' is relatively lighthearted, though it does at times get more serious as the series goes on, it is never as dark as the more "traditional" Gundam series.
Synopsis
The story is set in the futuristic city of Neotopia, a happy peaceful place where humans and robots co-exist, until the Dark Axis, an evil force from another dimension, arrives.
Aware of the Dark Axis in advance, Neotopia established the secret Super Dimensional Guard to combat the invaders while keeping the conflict a secret from the public. A young boy named Shute becomes involved accidentally in the first battle between the Dark Axis and the SDG's Gundam Force robot hero, Captain Gundam. Shute's friendship with the Captain is critical to activating Captain's Soul Drive, the mysterious power source that is the key to victory. As the fighting continues, Gundams from other dimensions such as Zero and Bakunetsumaru, arrive to join the battle as allies. As the Gundam Force beats back the mono-eyed invaders the battle spreads beyond Neotopia into the dimensions of Lacroa and Ark, leading into a final confrontation with the supreme leader of the Dark Axis - General Zeong.
Characters
The characters of SD Gundam Force are split into two major factions- Super Dimensional Guard and Dark Axis. Amongst these are various sub-factions/alliances, usually designated by their members land of origin.
Dave Mallow
Dave Mallow (October 19, 1948 – March 11, 2025) was an American voice actor.
Life and career
Mallow was born on October 19, 1948. His father worked in radio and television and was a 30-year on-air veteran at Chicago's WGN. After graduating ...
Each episode's title is presented over a card whose art changed as the series progressed to reflect the evolution of the main cast:
*A simple shining Gundam Force badge
*The three main Gundams assemble and the Captain fires his rifle directly at the screen. After the glow subsides the Gundams are seen together and Shute leaps into frame and joins them.
*The three Gundams stand in the background as Shute leaps up in the foreground, standing in a triumphant pose.
*The Gundams appear in their regular forms before the card spins around to reveal them in their most powerful forms.
Differences between English and Japanese versions
Although ''SD Gundam Force'' was designed with US standards in mind, subtle differences exist between the English- and Japanese-language versions of the show. These include:
*In the intro for the English version of episode 8 "A Princess, A Cake, and A Winged Knight", Shute begins his usual description for Neotopia, but instead calls it
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Ypsilanti ( ), commonly shortened to Ypsi ( ), is a college town and city located on the Huron River in Washtenaw County, Michigan, Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the city's popu ...
then laughs says he's "just kidding" and continues on with his usual intro.
*Various eyecatches are used in the Japanese version, while the English release uses only one. Examples of the differences in the Japanese version include one featuring Mayor Margaret with the various Neotopian Ball mecha, and subtle changes to the standard animation such as Bakunetsumaru tripping over, causing his helmet to fall off.
*The Japanese version has a set of specific OPs and EDs while the US version uses scenes/screenshots from the show. While the Japanese version uses similar for its OPs, the EDs are mostly new animation:
:* OP 1 "Sunrise" by
Puffy AmiYumi
Puffy (sometimes stylized in all-caps), also known as Puffy AmiYumi in the US, are a Japanese pop rock duo formed in Tokyo in 1995, consisting of singers Ami Ōnuki and Yumi Yoshimura. In the United States, they adopted the name Puffy AmiYumi to ...
(eps. 1-13)
:* OP 2 "Love & Peace" by Little by Little (eps. 14-26)
:* OP 3 "Taiyou ni Kogarete" by Harebare (eps. 27-52)
:* ED 1 "Shinjiru Chikara" by Whiteberry (eps. 1-13) - A Zako soldier steals Sayla's umbrella, prompting Shute to give chase. Initially unsuccessful, Captain convinces him not to give up and Shute finally manages to retrieve it.
:* ED 2 "Kokoro Odoru" by nobodyknows+ (eps. 14-26) - Various members of the cast dancing.
:* ED 3 "Kimi to Boku" by I WiSH (eps. 27-38) - The Gundamusai flying through the Minov Sea.
:* ED 4 "Koishikute..." by Les.R (eps. 39-52) - Scenes of Princess Rele.
*In the episode "Cobramaru's Tears", Cobramaru attempts ritual
suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death.
Risk factors for suicide include mental disorders, physical disorders, and substance abuse. Some suicides are impulsive acts driven by stress (such as from financial or ac ...
to repent for failing his master Kibaomaru. As the issue of attempted suicide in a children's show would be controversial in most English-speaking countries, the dialogue in the English-language version was changed to imply that Kibaomaru is ordering Cobramaru to kill himself and/or go into exile.
*In the Japanese version, certain characters are voiced by the voice actors of the past Gundam characters they are referencing. As the Gundam dubs have used various voice acting casts this homage was not used in the English-language version.
Adaptations & spinoffs
Manga
''SD Gundam Force'' has two manga adaptations. These include: a serialized retelling of the show, ''SD Gundam Force'', and a sidestory manga, '' Superior Defender Gundam Force Gaiden''.
Similar to most TV-to-manga adaptations, the 3-volume adaptation makes various subtle but notable changes for pacing reasons. Examples include: the complete absence of Gunbike/Gunpanzer, and Madnug managing to override his brainwashing, only to be killed by Zeong for his betrayal.
The sidestory manga presents stories of Captain Gundam, Bakunetsumaru, Zero, Zapper Zaku, Grappler Gouf and Destroyer Dom that cover untold additions to the show as well as character backstories.
Video games
Two games have been released based on the show: a side scrolling platform game for the
Game Boy Advance
The (GBA) is a 32-bit handheld game console, manufactured by Nintendo, which was released in Japan on March 21, 2001, and to international markets that June. It was later released in mainland China in 2004, under the name iQue Game Boy Advanc ...
(GBA) and a 3D action adventure game for the
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 (PS2) is a home video game console developed and marketed by Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on 4 March 2000, in North America on 26 October, in Europe on 24 Novembe ...
. The GBA game retells the story of the first 26 episodes of the show and allows players to play as either Captain Gundam, Bakunetsumaru, or Zero the Winged Knight. Characters can be switched at any time (for the cost of one bar from the special attack meter) and players need to use each character's strengths to successfully complete the game.
The PS2 title was a much grander affair, presenting a brand new story. The mysterious Dimensional Halo appears in Neotopia and creates mirror versions of Neotopia, Lacroa and Ark. The Gundam Force are forced to battle their way through these copy dimensions and even face their own evil doppelgangers to reach De Scar Road and defeat the Dimensional Halo. Each Gundam Force member has a variety of new forms they can achieve including one super secret form for each which can only be unlocked by a code. The code was presented on a Japanese trading card and eventually filtered to the Western fandom. The game eventually allows the player to play as a Zako soldier.
The Dimensional Halo and its minions were based on the weapons of the Zanscare Empire in Victory Gundam. The game also features further references to the earlier UC, FC and AC timeline in the form of new villains to populate the mirror dimensions.
The second track used in the series' closing credits, ''Kokoro Odoru'' by nobodyknows+, featured in the 2005
Nintendo DS
The is a foldable handheld game console produced by Nintendo, released globally across 2004 and 2005. The DS, an initialism for "Developers' System" or "Dual Screen", introduced distinctive new features to handheld games: two LCD screens worki ...
During the show's run in Japan, a limited time attraction was opened. Titled ''SD Gundam Force: Destructive Daishogun Appears!!Zako?'', the twenty-minute show used a special theater to present a whole new SD Gundam Force adventure with which the audience could interact. Seemingly set in between episodes 26 and 27, although overall it is best treated as being non-canon, the stars of the show are the Zakos who have been forced to become the SDG's cleaning crew. The Lacroan villain Da Jarle Knight of the Hammer, and the Ark Destructive Daishogun Hakaimaru, seek to unify the world with the mysterious Zakarello Mobile. Da Jarle is able to change the appearance of others and Hakaimaru has a bath fetish that leads him to create a 'Super Bathhouse' command station. The audience and the Zakos join the Gundam Force as they attempt to stop this new alliance.
Original characters were created for the show by Masato Ichishiki, author of the SD Gundam Musha Maruden/ SD Gundam Force Emaki Musharetsuden/ SD Gundam Musha Banchō Fūunroku manga. Motion capture data was taken from Japanese pro-wrestler
Shinya Hashimoto
was a Japanese professional wrestler, promoter and actor. Along with Masahiro Chono and Keiji Mutoh, Hashimoto was dubbed one of the " Three Musketeers" that began competing in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in the mid-1980s and dominated the p ...
for Hakaimaru's movements. While Hakaimaru appears to be a generic Musha Gundam, Da Jarle resembles an OZ-12SMS Taurus.
The video portion of this attraction is included as an extra on the complete Japanese SD Gundam Force DVD box set.
Reception
Season 1 of the series aired in the U.S. four months ahead of the Japanese release and was the first Gundam series to do so. However, despite its success in the US, Season 2 was not broadcast in North American markets due to the first season's disappointing ratings in Japan when it premiered later.
Also, at the time it was aired, ''SD Gundam Force'' was the least-watched Gundam title in Japan, having averaged a 2.1% TV rating in the
Kantō region
The is a geography, geographical region of Honshu, the largest island of Japan. In a common definition, the region includes the Greater Tokyo Area and encompasses seven prefectures of Japan, prefectures: Chiba Prefecture, Chiba, Gunma Prefe ...