Colony Drop: A Gundam Podcast

0101: Gundam GPT

ChatGPT has taken the world by storm so we take a look at what it is and how it might impact the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise.  Can ChatGPT answer hard-hitting questions about Gundam?  What happens when you ask ChatGPT to create a Gundam series?  Join us as ChatGPT generates Mobile Suit Gundam Eclipse, Mobile Suit Gundam: Aces of the Cosmos, and Mobile Suit Gundam Legacy: A New Beginning.  

ZDNet: What is ChatGPT?

Time: The WGA vs. AI

USAToday: Godfather of AI Quits Google

ChatGPT was voiced in this episode by "Matthew" and "Salli" from https://ttsmp3.com

0100: G-Wrestler

Sunset Productions welcomes the millions... and MILLIONS... of Gundam fans to ringside as the next evolution of mobile suit entertainment takes shape before your very eyes - G-Wrestler!  Your hosts, GM Ross and FAZZ, take you through the action as we pitch Gundam Wrestling from training camp all the way to Wrestlemania, in a world where the Char clone is your friend, the Gundams are powered by charisma, and all the drama is backstage!  Join us as we stomp a mudhole in Mr. McNamco while Tomino-san the referee counts the one-two-three!

Episode Links:

Hajime no Ippo

Jim Ross Comments on Video Games

Micky Foley wins WWF championship for the first time

0099: Victory Gundam Review Part I

In our longest episode ever (because this show is so special) we tackle the first half of 1993’s Mobile Suit Victory Gundam.  We discuss Tomino’s hatred of the show, rumors about his depression, how the tradition of biking was likely revived behind the scenes, Cronicle’s Wal-Mart mask, and Maria’s failed matriarchy led by a man.  Plus, we rename all the characters so they have shorter, easier to pronounce names like Jack Hanna, Mr. Pibb, Zoloft, General Sugar, and Officer Phylo. 

P.S. I love you, Junko!

The History and Production of Turn A Gundam: Part I – Victory Gundam & Battling Depression

0098: Yoshiyuki Tomino Interview

This is the episode you've been waiting for!  Sunset Productions has a sit-down, tell-all interview with the creator of Gundam himself, Yoshiyuki Tomino!  Tomino-san answers all of our most burning questions about Gundam, including the live-action film, space exploration, Haro, and more!

Happy AFD, listeners!

Haro at HLJ

Haro at USA Gundam Store

More Haro at HLJ

This episode features sound effects from Pixabay

0097: Designing Gundamfield

After being unsatisfied with Gundam Evolution, we design our dream Gundam video game: GUNDAMFIELD!  Sunset Productions spares no expenses and has no budgets!  Plus, Brian's kids do an Endless Waltz of sickness and health, a WWE tangent spurs a preview of Gundam Wrestling, we ponder what the Universal Century's currency is called, and Isaac blows our your candles.  

0096: Evolving Gundam Evolution

Isaac bought himself a gaming PC for Christmas, so we take the recent Gundam hero shooter video game known as Gundam Evolution for a spin.  We discuss our likes, dislikes, ways we think the game can be improved, and what units we would like to see added to the roster.  Our biggest takeaway - always PTFO!

0095: Alternatives to Space Fascism

Isaac woke up one morning and decided he'd had enough of antagonists embracing space fascism in Gundam.  "There are just too many!  They must be stopped!" he said.  So we went to work solving Gundam's problem of space fascism overabundance by presenting some alternatives, including communists, cults (of various kinds), engineers, machines, migrators, monarchies, and a charismatic rebel.  Any listeners who believe human souls are weighed down by Earth's gravity may apply for a leadership position in Isaac's Soulism cult - coming soon to a Lagrange point near you!

0094: The Nightmare of Solomon & The Mayfly of Space

In our first ace pilot spotlight episode, we examine the backgrounds of two of our favorite pilots from the OYW era - Anavel Gato aka The Nightmare of Solomon and Cima Garahau aka The Mayfly of Space!  Gato is so popular, his exploits at Solomon got adapted three different times, but Isaac still isn't satisfied!  Gato's beam rifle was so big that Sunrise had to retcon it and give him an ugly Dom as punishment (the blue one, NOT the totally-not-a-Dom-Tropen red one).  Meanwhile, Cima must have the most dedicated fans in the world given her audiodrama got a sequel 20+ years later.  Where is my 1/100 scale Gerbera Tetra, Bandai?!

0093: War in the Pocket Review

What better way to celebrate Christmas than discussing one of the most heart-wrenching Gundam stories of all time?  Pull up a chair to our Christmas Eve campfire and join us for our review of 1989’s masterpiece, Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket!  The Alex was pretty tough, but was Kris’ best weapon a Louisville Slugger?  Is the Alex’s Chobham armor essentially the Universal Century’s 1-UP mushroom?  Why didn’t Bernie just go to the Federation?  Would you eat at Bernie’s Burgers at Gundamland? Plus, we come up with side story ideas for Von Hellsing and Bernie in Francheska, and Brian laments we didn’t get more hot Hygogg action.  Receive our love!  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, listeners!

0092: Gundam Tropes

On this episode, we examine Gundam's tropes in two ways.  First, we list our top five tropes of which we've had enough!  Then, Isaac plays the lightning round as Brian goes down TV Tropes' Gundam list to identify which tropes are problems and which are just fine the way they are.  How many Gundamjacks is too many?  What shade of gray is space fascism?  Do we still believe a colony drop will really destroy the Earth?  Be careful not to fall in a cockpit while listening to this episode!