Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin - Advent of the Red Comet

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin - Advent of the Red Comet is a Japanese anime series, based on the manga written and illustrated by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko. It is a retelling of the story from the 1979 anime television series Mobile Suit Gundam, of which Yasuhiko was the original character designer. The series was produced by Sunrise, with Yasuhiko serving as chief director of the adaptation, with veteran Takashi Imanishi as director, and Katsuyuki Sumisawa as the scriptwriter. The series premiered in Japan on NHK-General on April 28, 2019 at 12:35 AM (technically April 29th). The series was also simulcast on crunchyroll.com, with English subtitles, beginning on April 28, 2019.

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin - Advent of the Red Comet is a 13-episode recompilation of the 6-episode Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin OVA series, which was released between 2015 and 2018. The story centers around the childhood and early adulthood of Char Aznable, the skilled Zeon ace pilot known as The Red Comet, who serves as antagonist and foil to original series protagonist Amuro Ray.

The English dub of the series premiered on Adult Swim's Toonami block on July 6, 2019 at 3:00 AM and completed its run on October 5, 2019.

Plot
The tragic story of Char Aznable, the ace pilot known as the Red Comet, and his sister Sayla Mass unfolds against the backdrop of the events leading to the One Year War. The Zabi family's rise to power, the birth of the Principality of Zeon, the early days of famous aces such as Ramba Ral and the Black Tri-Stars, the development of the revolutionary new weapon known as the mobile suit, and the road to war against the Earth Federation are all depicted onscreen for the first time.

Deikun Family
Casval Rem Deikun/Édouard Mass/Char Aznable — The son of Zeon Zum Deikun, the leader of the Autonomous Republic of Munzo. Upon his father’s death he is taken under the protection of Jimba Ral, a political enemy of the Zabi family. After escaping to Earth, Casval is adopted by Teabolo Mass, changing his name to Édouard Mass. He later conceals his identity and becomes an ace pilot of the Principality of Zeon forces named Char Aznable. At the beginning of the One Year War, Char fights in the Battle of Loum as a mobile suit pilot of the Principality of Zeon forces. His exploits later earn him the nickname "Red Comet," and make him an object of terror among the Federation Forces. Char wears a mask to conceal his true face.

Artesia Som Deikun/Sayla Mass — The daughter of Zeon Zum Deikun. Upon her father’s death, she is taken under the protection of the Rals, along with her mother Astraia and her brother Casval. During this time, her pet cat Lucifer is rescued by Ramba, a son of the Rals. After escaping to Earth, she was adopted by Teabolo Mass, changing her name to Sayla Mass. After her brother's supposed death, Sayla aspires to become a doctor, spending her time studying, away from Texas Colony.

Zeon Zum Deikun — Chairman of the Autonomous Republic of Munzo. A thinker who preached that the Spacenoids who had adapted to outer space should govern the people of the Earth Sphere. Deikun aimed to achieve complete independence from the Earth Federation government, but died a sudden death.

Astraia Tor Deikun — Zeon Zum Deikun’s mistress. By giving him two children, Astraia established her position in Munzo, but upon Deikun’s death she becomes embroiled in political turmoil. She became acquainted with Deikun, Hamon, and Ramba during her time as a singer at Club Eden.

Roselucia Deikun — Zeon Zum Deikun's legal wife. Ever since Deikun was a mere street activist, she has sympathized with his ideas and given him both material and moral support. Shortly after Deikun took center stage in Munzo's government, she withdrew from the front lines due to illness. She despises Astraia, who was able to bear Deikun an heir.

Zabi Family
Degwin Sodo Zabi — Vice chairman of The Autonomous Republic of Munzo, and Deikun’s long-time comrade and supporter. Upon Deikun’s death he orders his sons to eliminate Jimba Ral, who has become their political adversary. Degwin renamed the Autonomous Republic of Munzo to the Autonomous Republic of Zeon, and became the leader of the nation. Wearing a decorative uniform which proclaims his power, he champions the anti-Federation cause, and plans to guide public sentiment toward complete independence.

Gihren Zabi — Degwin Sodo Zabi’s oldest son, and director of the political department of the Zeon Party that dominates the Autonomous Republic of Munzo. Perceptive and quick-witted, he supports his father’s administration. This man hides an ambitious and cruel nature. He later serves concurrently as director of the National Campaign Department and the Political Department. At the outbreak of the war he serves as Supreme commander of the Principality of Zeon, and an admiral in the Principality forces.

Sasro Zabi — Degwin Sodo Zabi’s second son. Adept at manipulating public opinion, Sasro is a prized member of the Zabi family. He is the director of the Zeon Party’s national campaign department.

Dozle Zabi — Degwin Sodo Zabi’s third son. Dozle is a major in the Munzo Defense Force. Despite his grim appearance, he is a man of chivalrous spirit among the otherwise scheming Zabi family. Although he hates the Rals as political rivals, he does recognize Ramba’s ability. He later becomes a colonel in the Autonomous Republic of Zeon's Space Defense Force, spearheading the development of innovative humanoid mobile weapons at the Dark Colony. Meanwhile, he also serves as superintendent of the Republic's military academy. At the outbreak of the war, he is a vice admiral in the Principality of Zeon's Space Strike Fleet.

Kycilia Zabi — Degwin Sodo Zabi’s fourth child and eldest daughter, and commander of the Munzo State Security Police. Although she shows some affection for her father Degwin and Ramba Ral, she is also a schemer willing to use the most drastic measures to accomplish her goals. She later becomes the commander of the Autonomous Republic of Zeon's Special Service. This organization performs bodyguard duties, protecting her father Chairman Degwin and other national leaders, and also serves as an intelligence agency. At the outbreak of the war, she becomes the commander of the Principality of Zeon's Armored Assault Force, with the rank of major general.

Garma Zabi — The youngest son of the Zabi family, a handsome young man and an excellent student. He enrolls in the military academy and develops a rivalry with Char (Casval), who far surpasses everyone else in classwork and training exercises, but eventually comes to see him as a friend. The pressure of being born into the family that rules Side 3, as well as Char's instigation, spur Garma into leading the "Dawn Rebellion" that will become a turning point in history. With Dozle and Char taking responsibility to protect him, he graduates from the academy at the head of the class, and is commissioned as a second lieutenant.

Ral Family
Jimba Ral — The head of the Ral family, which together with the Zabi family supported Deikun in the Autonomous Republic of Munzo. Upon Deikun’s death, he takes Astraia and her two children under his protection and plots to resist the Zabi family. After losing his political struggle with the Zabi family, he fled to Earth along with Deikun's two children. He has found refuge with Teabolo Mass, but when he contacts Executive Vice President Chelsea of Anaheim Electronics to plot a counteroffensive against the Zabi family, he brings disaster upon himself.

Ramba Ral — The son of Jimba Ral, and a captain in the Munzo Defense Force. He acts as a bodyguard to Astraia and her two children after Deikun’s death. Ramba devises a secret plan to counter the Zabis’ moves against his own family. After carrying out a scheme to send his father and Deikun's children to Earth, he took responsibility for their escape and retired from the military. However, at Dozle Zabi's request, he rejoins the Republic of Zeon Space Defense Force with the rank of captain, and helps with the development of the revolutionary weapon known as the mobile worker which Dozle is pushing for. Ramba is a righteous man with a chivalrous heart, but he's a heavy drinker, and it also appears that he sometimes gets scratched up by girls. At the outbreak of the war, he is a commander in the Principality of Zeon forces, who pilots an MS-04 Bugu painted in his blue personal colors.

Crowley Hamon — A singer at Club Eden, and Ramba Ral's lover. She has a tomboyish personality and is remarkably dynamic. She is an old friend of Astraia, and together with Ramba, she carries out a secret plan to rescue Casval and Artesia.

Earth Colony
Teabolo Mass — An old acquaintance of Jimba Ral, who has now fled to Earth. Teabolo has adopted Casval and Artesia, entering them in his family registry, and loves them like his own kin. After the attack on his residence, he decides to emigrate to Loum in order to demonstrate his submission to the Zabi family.

Tem Ray — Amuro's father is a superb engineer who will later participate in the Earth Federation Forces' mobile weapon development. He is also a disciple of Torenov Y. Minovsky, the discoverer of the Minovsky particle. He is later selected by Admiral Gopp as chief engineer for a new mobile weapon development project. Tem goes to the lunar surface to support the defection of his mentor Dr. Minovsky, and witnesses the first mobile suit battle in history. Impressed by the results of this battle, he pushes the RX-78 project even further.

Amuro Ray — The son of the engineer Tem Ray. He first meets Sayla at the spaceport when his new Haro mascot robot catches her attention. He later leaves Earth with his father, moving from one space colony to another depending on his father's work. In U.C. 0077, he and Tem move to Side 7. While his busy father is away from home, Amuro learns of the outbreak of war between the Principality of Zeon and the Earth Federation.

Texas Colony
Char Aznable — A young man who meets Édouard (Casval) and Sayla (Artesia) at Texas Colony, one of the space colonies of Side 5. He and Édouard are the same age and identical in appearance, but have different eye colors. His specialty is horse riding, and he is the son of Roger, the chief manager of Texas Village. Due to his carefree upbringing and optimistic nature, he sometimes clashes with his sober and serious father. The real Char Aznable changes places with Édouard (Casval) and is killed. After which, Édouard assumes his identity.

Roger & Michelle Aznable — Char's parents, who live at Texas Colony in Side 5, or Loum. Roger serves as chief manager of Texas Village, and he and Michelle also run a family restaurant in Center Village.

Principality/Republic of Zeon Forces
Torenov Y Minovsky — The discoverer of the Minovsky particle, and a pioneer of Minovsky physics. When he miniaturizes the power reactor of the mobile worker that Dozle is developing, he achieves a breakthrough via the technological application of Minovsky particles. When he attempts to defect to the Earth Federation, he is intercepted on the lunar surface by a mobile suit team led by Ramba Ral.

Denim — A Principality of Zeon mobile suit pilot, with the rank of chief petty officer. During the Battle of Loum, he serves under the command of Lieutenant JG Char, and pilots the mobile suit MS-05 Zaku I during its first deployment in a fleet battle. Roughly nine months later, Lieutenant Commander Char will order him to infiltrate Side 7 in pursuit of the Earth Federation Forces' Operation V, leading to a battle with the Gundam.

Gaia — A Principality of Zeon mobile suit pilot. During the Battle of Loum, he pilots an MS-06R-1A Zaku II High Mobility Type. Thanks to his achievement in capturing General Revil, he is then promoted from lieutenant junior grade to full lieutenant. From their exploits, and their black mobile suits, the team of Gaia, Ortega, and Mash become known as the "Black Tri-Stars." He pilots an MS-06R-1A Zaku II High Mobility Type as the leader of the Black Tri-Stars, and also commands one of the two battalions of the Special Assault Regiment.

Ortega — A Principality of Zeon mobile suit pilot, and Gaia's subordinate. Piloting a Zaku II High Mobility Type during the Battle of Loum, he helps capture General Revil and is then promoted from ensign to lieutenant junior grade. The team of Gaia, Ortega, and Mash later become known as the "Black Tri-Stars." Ortega's specialty is melee combat. He pilots the new MS-06R-1A Zaku II High Mobility Type as a member of the Black Tri-Stars.

Mash — A Principality of Zeon mobile suit pilot, and Gaia's subordinate. Together with Ortega, he aided in the development of the mobile suit. Thanks to his exploits in the Battle of Loum, he is promoted from ensign to lieutenant junior grade. The team of Gaia, Ortega, and Mash later become known as the "Black Tri-Stars." Mash only has one eye. He pilots an MS-06R-1A Zaku II High Mobility Type as a member of the Black Tri-Stars.

Earth Federation Forces
Johann Ibrahim Revil — Appointed as supreme commander of the Earth Federation Space Force in U.C. 0078, he serves as an admiral leading the Federation space fleet against the Principality of Zeon forces when war breaks out the following year. However, his flagship Ananke is destroyed by the humanoid mobile suit weapons that the Zeon forces deploy in the Loum sector, and he himself is taken prisoner in the course of this crushing defeat.

Gopp — The chairman of the Earth Federation Forces' Joint Chiefs of Staff. In other words, he serves as the top of the Federation Forces' uniformed personnel, with the rank of admiral. When Dr. Minovsky defects, he dispatches Minovsky's former student Tem Ray to the lunar surface. He also supports Tem's RX-78 project and, anticipating Zeon's preparations for war, he plans and implements the relocation of Federation Forces headquarters to Jaburo.

Mobile Suits
YMS-03 Waff — The prototype YMS-03 Waff, proposed by Doctor Torenov Y. Minovsky, that broke the deadlock and determined that the development project would continue. By applying technology based on Minovsky particles, the YMS-03 Waff managed to miniaturize the fusion reactor and improve the drive efficiency using a fluid pulse system. This gave it free mobility in outer space, and showed the possibility of a mobile weapon superior to guided weapons and space combat vessels. It also inherited the forearm attachment exchange function introduced in the Mobile Worker Model 01 Late Type, and testing was performed with various attached weapons. The YMS-03 Waff effectively pioneered the mobile suit, and a handful of prototype units were produced, but a more combat-ready successor machine was swiftly developed and so it was never officially adopted as a weapon. Its name, "Waff," means weaponry or armament.

MS-04 Bugu — The development of the mobile suit took a huge step forward thanks to the compact fusion reactor and fluid pulse system designed by Dr. Torenov Y Minovsky, resulting in the birth of the prototype YMS-03 Waff. The MS-04 Bugu was completed using data gathered with the Waff, and it was designed with a focus on its mobility, maneuverability, and ease of production as a weapon, making this the first machine capable of handling genuine combat. To improve its mobility, the power pipes that transmitted energy as part of the fluid pulse system were attached to the outside of its armor, and the increased supply of the energy used to drive its limb joints gave it very high maneuverability. However, as is often the case in the development of high-performance prototypes, it was designed with no regard for ease of production. With its high production cost, it was unsuited for mass production, and the role of official mass-produced machine was given to the redesigned MS-05 Zaku I. Though the Bugu never entered mass production, several units were built. Because it has better basic performance than the mass-produced Zaku I, one of these units is given to Ramba Ral, who served as a test pilot during the mobile suit's development. Painted in his blue personal colors, it participates in a battle in Mare Smythii on the lunar surface, alongside Gaia, Mash, Ortega, and Char.

MS-05 Zaku I — Because it was an attempt to create a perfect humanoid mobile weapon equipped with a compact fusion reactor, the previously developed MS-04 Bugu ended up becoming a machine too expensive to mass-produce. Thus it was redesigned to create the MS-05 Zaku I, intended for mass production and combat deployment. The power pipes attached to the outside of the Bugu as part of its fluid pulse system were installed under the armor to prevent damage from enemy attacks, but as a result, its mobility and maneuverability were slightly inferior to those of the Bugu. Nonetheless, it addressed all the production and maintenance issues related to using large numbers of machines in the battlefield. The early mass production type is deployed in the "Battle of Mare Smythii," history's first battle between mobile suits, which takes place on the lunar surface before the outbreak of the war of independence. The MS-05 piloted by Char Aznable is one of these early mass production types. With the permission of Dozle Zabi, who is responsible for its development, Char participates in the Battle of Mare Smythii in a machine painted in the red personal colors that he chose after the "Dawn Rebellion."

MS-06S Char’s Zaku II — An improved version of the MS-06F Zaku II, piloted by Char Aznable during the Battle of Loum. The machine is painted in Char’s red personal colors, and as a commander's unit, it has a horn-like decoration on its head. Despite the high risk, Char personally ordered the removal of its limiters, allowing it to use its thrusters to the maximum limit. Due to the hit-and-run tactics enabled by the resulting high thrust, and the impression its distinctive colors make on the battlefield, it becomes known as the "Red Comet".

MS-06R-1A Zaku II — An improved version of the MS-06, piloted by the "Black Tri-Stars" team of Gaia, Ortega, and Mash during the Battle of Loum. Thanks to its readjustments and the large thrusters installed in its backpack and legs, it boasts high thrust and mobility. Its body is painted in the trio's personal black and purple colors. These three machines team up to perform coordinated attacks against the Earth Federation fleet, producing excellent combat results.

Guncannon First Type — A machine developed as a successor to the RTX-65 Guntank Early Type, an MBT (Main Battle Tank) which previously served as a main weapon of the Earth Federation Forces. It was created as a further development of the Guntank Early Type, which, in addition to tank-like bombardment capabilities, had a humanoid upper body and arms equipped with manipulator-mounted quadruple autocannons that were capable of flexible attacks. While retaining the bombardment capabilities of the Guntank Early Type, the Guncannon First Type was developed as a bipedal walking weapon whose lower body could travel better on irregular terrain, enabling it to function like an infantry soldier and move more easily in response to the situation. Although it is a humanoid mobile weapon, it was developed with an overwhelming emphasis on artillery attacks, and thus the Earth Federation Forces categorized it as an MBT in the same category as the Guntank Early Type.

Deikun Family=

Broadcast History
The series premiered in Japan on NHK-General on April 28, 2019 at 12:35 AM (technically April 29th). In the United States, the English dub of the series premiered on Adult Swim's Toonami block on July 6, 2019.
 * Japan (NHK-General) — April 28, 2019 - August 10, 2019
 * United States (Adult Swim) — July 6, 2019 - October 5, 2019

Toonami Broadcast History

 * Toonami (United States) — July 6, 2019 - October 5, 2019