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The Gundam series is one of the most highly regarded and long lived in Japan. The first Gundam series introduced the characters of Amuro Ray and Char Aznable and the gundams, large fighting mechas and many of the Gundam series follow this time line. However, some of the Gundam series create an alternate universe that play with the conventions of the series. Gundam Wing is one of the best and most popular of the alternate universe Gundams.

As is usual in the Gundam series, Earth and her space colonies are in conflict. In Gundam Wing the colonies have sought independence from Earth and the Earth Federation forces have brutally suppressed the independence movement. Scientists from all five of the colonies have created five Gundams, mechas or mechanized combat weapons. The five Gundams are far superior to any weapon the Earth Federation can field and the appearance of the Gundams on Earth creates a political crisis. Earth's leaders meet to decide whether to enter negotiations with the colonies or try to match the enormous fighting power of the Gundams. The decision is removed from the hands of the Federation by a coup led by Oz, a faction within the Federation army. The stage is set for a violent showdown between the colonies and Earth.

Gundam Wing raises a number of issues that face the world today. The colonies have neither the population nor wealth to defeat the Earth on even terms, so they use Gundams in a violent assault on military targets on Earth. The Gundams use stealth and surprise when they attack and though they do target military sites, they do not fight a conventional war. Just how far the colonies should go in their attacks becomes an issue for all sides and the conflict escalates with both sides seeking more advanced weaponry and involving civilians in the conflict.

Gundam Wing is a very entertaining series with memorable characters, plot twists, wonderful mecha designs, a dramatic soundtrack and exciting action scenes. The mecha pilots are all fifteen year olds from each colony and include Heero Yuy, the robotic perfect soldier, the lighthearted American Duo Maxwell and Quatre Winner from the enormously wealthy Winner family. The characters are multidimensional with even the coup leaders having logical reasons for their actions. There are two versions of Gundam Wing available - edited and unedited. The edited version is the better choice for children and is the version shown on cable's Cartoon Network.

• Studio: Bandai
• Format: DVD
• Episodes in Series: 49
• Series Completed: Yes
• Number of DVDs: 10
  

• Audio Tracks: English, Japanese
• Subtitles: English
• Genre: Science Fiction
• Ages: Edited: 9+, Unedited 13+
• Cautions: Violence
• Reviewer: Liz
• Core Collections Science Fiction, Middle School, High School