Turn A Gundam

 The Alpha and Omega of the whole Gundam series, Turn A Gundam is easily Tomino's Magnum Opus. Yoshiyuki Tomino's works were either Hit or Miss since he really needs a good writer to make his visions coherent to viewers and Turn A seems to had one since the series work wonderfully. I think Turn A Gundam is one of the few series that didn't get much interference from Corporate Execs as it managed to do its own thing. Nevertheless this series did definitely deserve the respects from /m/

 Unlike most Gundam Tv series, Turn A Gundam setting doesn't have full blown conflict on the onset. The series takes place in 19th century-esque period where the Humanity on Earth just about to enter the dawn of Industrial Age and then encountered advanced human civilization from the Moon who tried to return to Earth after Civilization hit the reset button from the catastrophic event called Dark History eons before the series began. A small conflict occured during the first encounter due to misunderstanding and the leader from both factions immediately tried to prevent the Powder Keg blown into Full Scale Conflict. Out of all Gundam series, Turn A had the best showcase on Gray Morality which is probably the closest a Gundam series could reach up to LOGH in this field. Both of leaders from the opposing factions in the series tried their best to prevent a full scale conflict and settle for peaceful resolutions instead. However each side had its share of hotheaded bunch who tried to start conlict even if it is not for their own gain making the old adage "The road to hell is paved good intentions" ringed ever true.

 Turn A had rather colorful choice for character casts combined with distinct Mechanical designs by Syd Mead do help this series stand out of all Gundam series which served its purpose. I think Turn A had one of the better main Heroines in Gundam series as they actively tried to change things for better which actually worked putting some Heroines from other Gundam series to shame. Tomino definitely intended to use Turn A Gundam as the converging point for all Gundam series, past and future and this one works. In order to fully appreciate this series, you will need to watch quite a few number of Gundam series before moving onto this one which worked for me. Turn A Gundam definitely doesn't work well for Gateway to Gundam series considering it is the culmination of Yoshiyuki Tomino's vision for Gundam as a series.

 In terms of Mecha design, Turn A is easily in the bottom since the mechas from the series are not that appealing as Model Kit save for Turn A and Turn X. However this matter is secondary to its significant role in Gundam series as a whole because it provide the means to unify all of Gundam series. Lastly Turn A Gundam had one of the better endings in Gundam series as it is able to tie up any loose ends by the conclusion of its story in satisfying way.

 In the begining of my Journey into Gundam series more than a decade ago, i always thought Turn A to be the weirdest Gundam i have seen then came to respect the fellow for its overpowered Dark History version in G-Generation and finally appreciate the series for its part in Gundam series as a whole. With this i think i have watched all of the Gundam TV series save for some OVAs like Thunderbolt and Origin. I haven't finished Gundam Wing either but the score will soon be settled.