Mobile Suit Gundam Wing Endless Waltz

Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz is a 1997 anime OVA and 1998 film that serves as both a sequel and a prequel to the Mobile Suit Gundam Wing TV series. Set in the After Colony (AC) calendar, the story takes place one year after the events of the original series. The Earth Sphere Unified Nation (ESUN) has been established, and the Gundam pilots, having completed their mission, have sent their mobile suits into the sun to be destroyed. However, peace is jeopardized when Mariemaia Khushrenada, the seven-year-old daughter of the late Treize Khushrenada, leads a rebellion on the newly constructed colony L3 X-18999. Manipulated by her grandfather, Dekim Barton, Mariemaia’s forces kidnap Vice Foreign Minister Relena Darlian and declare war on Earth, aiming to execute the original Operation Meteor. The Gundam pilots are forced to retrieve their suits and intervene to stop Dekim’s plans.

The narrative explores the pilots’ pasts and the true objectives behind Operation Meteor, culminating in a final battle to preserve peace. A key aspect of Endless Waltz is the redesign of the Gundams by artist Hajime Katoki, presenting them with more stylized and dynamic appearances compared to their original designs. The OVA was later compiled into a theatrical version, Endless Waltz -Special Edition-, which included additional scenes and a revised musical score. The series received positive reception, becoming one of the highest-rated programs on Cartoon Network during its U.S. broadcast. Endless Waltz has since become a significant part of the Gundam franchise, admired for its compelling storytelling, character development, and stunning mecha designs.