[basic info]
[summary]
[review]
First published in the United States in 2001
Based on the anime TV series Mobile Suit Gundam Wing
Mobile Suit Gundam created by Yoshiyuki Tomino & Hajime Yatate
Originally broadcast in Japan as a radio drama
Comic Book Adaptation:
Written by Akemi Omode
Art by Sakura Asagi
English Adaption by Jen Van Meter
Translation by Lillian Olsen
For the purpose of publication in English, the artwork in this publication is printed in reverse from the original Japanese version.
[summary]
One version of the events which took place between the end of the TV series and the sequel Endless Waltz, Gundam Wing: Blind Target takes place in A.C. 196 and examines whether the newfound era of peace will continue.
Relena Darlian and the five pilots have all gone their seperate ways. As Vice Minister, Relena is currently on a business trip to a colony. The job of maintaining the eternally tense relations between Earth and the colonies is difficult, but Relena does find a new friend in her personal assistant, Chris. Meanwhile, Quatre is also constantly on the go as head of the Winner Family; he's spending time on a colony for a big unification conference and Duo pays him a visit. Wufei is off by himself, buti finds himself confronted and attacked by a group of shady-looking men who ask to speak to him. At the circus, Trowa also receives a visit. Ralph Kurt, a young man whom Trowa knew from his mercenary days, drops by- and begins making mysterious inquiries concerning soldiers in this new era. Suddenly, Duo receives an urgent message from Heero- concerning Quatre's safety.
Someone is after the five gundam pilots and their Gundams. The pilots, Relena, and Chris soon find themselves on the run as the remnants of White Fang, the group of colonists who fought for independence during the war, resurface to search for the Gundams and end the painstaking unification process once and for all....
[review]
Wow! I don't know about the original radio drama, but this manga is a must-have! There's exciting action, mysterious missions, strong new characters, great art- the whole bit! Also, the story provides a nice lead-in to Endless Waltz. Wufei is characterized very nicely and, in the end, we see him join Mariemeia in an attempt to discover what truly defines what is right and what is wrong.
Relena-haters might not like Blind Target, though. Relena is portrayed very strongly; though she may not pack a pistol, she outdoes even Quatre in inner-strength. And- spoiler warning!- Heero kisses her in the epilogue. (Finally!) I'm not much on gushy romance- thankfully, Blind Target is devoid of it- but it's a very nicely done kiss. Even I liked it!
The artwork is wonderful; Asagi-san deserves to be commended. The characters are very similar to the anime, and the new characters are nicely drawn as well. Chris is a pretty young lady and Ralph is a charming mix of Spike Spiegle and Heero Yuy (our Heero). Ralph even has a trenchcoat, which made me like him alottalot! ::loves trenchcoats::
The basic jist of this review? Get this manga!
[9.2 out of 10.0]