First Published in Japan in 1997
Art by Koichi Tokita
[summary]
"After years of bloody war between Earth and its orbital colonies, a delicate
peace has been reached in the Solar System. But when the automated
weapons factory, Vulkanis, is found drifting through the asteroid belt, it's
a race to find out whil will shift the balance of power. Will it be
Captain Broden, idealistic commander of the last remaining OZ fleet, or Victor
Gaintz, charismatic leader of the watchdog group, the "Perfect Peace People?"
Only Heero Yuy and the other Gundam pilots stand between Vulkanis and
another interplanetary war. Writeen by Katsuhiko Chiba, writer for
the hit series Outlaw Star, Slayers, and Gundam Wing, Battlefield of Pacifists
is the definitive explanation of what happened between Gundam Wing the TV
series and its movie sequel, Endless Waltz."
"Afterword:
[review]
Never having heard Blind Target (though I read a translation a while ago),
I cannot compare these two different versions of what went on between the
Gundam Wing TV series and Endless Waltz. However, I feel that Battlefield
of Pacifists provides a very interesting, exciting possibility!
The principle characters in this manga are the five pilots, Relena, and two
new characters, Captain Broden and Victor Gaintz. Dorothy Catalonia
returns, with eyebrows waving and smirk firmly in place, to play an important
role, and Sally Po and Howard are in the mix as well. Hirde makes a
five second-long cameo; Lady Une is in for ten seconds. Treize graces
us with his presence once, as a sparkly floating head. Newbies
Broden and Gaintz manage to hold their own against the establishment as
reasonably well-rounded characters, each with their own motives, their own
ways of doing things. Also, thankfully, Relena comes across very well
in this. She may not fight in a mobile suit, but she can be a pretty
cool gal when she tries!
My main criticism of the manga would have to be the art. Once in a while, the characters get a bit geometric looking, and there's nothing really all that special about either them or the page layouts. Also, in the realm of character design, Koichi Tokita might have done better by making Gaintz a bit less evil-looking-
maybe could've cut off an inch or two of chin, poor guy- but overall, no
complaint over the art. Gaintz looks a bit like a nerdy Zechs with
glasses and a big nose, Broden could be Rashid's brother, Klementz bears a slight resemblence to Quatre's evil
twin with wavy hair- but still, unless you get the scary hairdressers in again-
the ones who did Trowa's hair and Treize's eyebrows- there are only so many
variations on the caucasian male anime physique out there.
The story itself is quite intriguing. There's lots of mecha action
(though, despite large stretches of the imagination, the battles aren't quite
as thrillng on paper as on the screen), lots of intrigue, and lots of different
people wondering what true peace really is. Wufei's actions in Endless
Waltz are given some background here, though I won't say exactly how.
Wufei plays a prominent role in this story, which gives Wu-Fans like
me a happy high. The weakest point in the story is the reusing of Insane
Quatre, which I found to be quite a let-down, and not nearly as exciting
as the first time. Of course, it's on a much smaller scale, but it
comes across as Been There, Done That. It's almost as if the creators
thought, "Uh... how're we gonna do this? Wait! We can make Quatre
go insane again!"
Speaking of Quatre... I am an admitted 3+4 fan. However, I do
not believe that the series or Endless Waltz provides any definitive evidence
of Trowa and Quatre being anything more than best friends. But- is
it just me, or were the creators of Battlefield of Pacifists hinting at 3+4?
Maybe it's just me twisting the situation, but... They express great concern
for each other (especially Trowa for Quatre), Trowa has a worried
Friend/Admirer/Lover? Wearing Bathrobe Staring Out Window Of Apartment Into
Dark Night Wondering If Friend/Admiree/Lover? Is All Right scene, and after
Sally takes care of the medical stuff, Trowa, rather than Sally, takes care
of the injured Quatre. And that odd face made by Duo when Heero
first mentions Trowa and Quatre that made me quirk an eyebrow quite high.
(And speaking of Duo... Does anyone know if "CART" is supposed to have any
significance? It says "CART" on his cap...)
On the more technical side, the English translation could have been a little
better. (What else is new?) I mean, c'mon... "Perfect Peace
People?" Wouldn't even People for Perfect Peace sound a bit more plausible?
::sighs:: Stupid English...
An Afterword comic by the artist, Afterword by the writer, and Mecha and Character
designs are all included in the back. The book sells for about $9.99.
Overall, Battlefield of Pacifists is a very enjoyable possibility for what
went on between GW and EW. There's mobile suits, philosophies on true
peace, an explanation for Wufei's actions in EW, and things to make 3+4 fans
grin. And much more. Highly recommended!
[8.5 out of 10.0]
[Battlefield of
Pacifists]
[basic info]
[summary]
[review]
First Published in the U.S. in 2002
Created by Hajime Yadate & Yoshiyuki Tomino
Scenario by Katsuhiko Chiba
Translator: Yuki Ichimura
English Adaption by Jake Forbes
-Battlefield of Pacifists
This story takes place between the TW Gundam Wing Series and the OVA, Endless
Waltz. I wrote Battlefield of Pacifists to address difference of opinion
about peace and the ways to achieve it. The key word to avoid on this
battlefield would be "control." This was actually Treize's problem
in the TV series, which no one dealt with after his death, and it'll be solved
in Endless Waltz..."
-Katsuhiko Chiba