Why Gundam’s ‘Dom’ might be a great invention: The blessings of robot anime

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Does the “Dom lineage (influence)” extend beyond the series?

Mobile Suit Gundam, famous as a monumental robot anime, features many masterpieces that are

A very distinctive design The Dom first appeared in Mobile Suit Gundam in episode 24, “Mortar Attack! Triple Dom.” Its characteristic features, such as its well-built kendo-like form and its bordered cross-shaped money, have led to the creation of many successor robots. In the TV anime alone, the Rick Dom (Mobile Suit Gundam), Dowadge (Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ ), Dreissen (Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ), and Dom Trooper ( Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY ) have appeared.

The Dom’s lineage would be even more complete if we added MSV (Mobile Suit Variations), various derivative manga, games, etc. The Dom has a strong personality, which can be seen in the cross-shaped money, regardless of which successor or derivative model you look at. However, Dom’s achievement is not just its design. It has left a great invention in robot depiction.

The great invention of hover movement The Dom’s legs are designed like bell bottoms or hakama, with the legs getting thicker as they go from the knees to the extremities. This design is excellent for a heavy-looking mecha, but problems arise when it moves. Anyone who has built a plastic model will immediately understand that the extremities of the legs are robust and allow for a good pose when standing. Still, when moving, it becomes uncool because it walks waddlingly. Perhaps because of this, the Dom uses hover movement, moving quickly as if gliding while keeping its feet fixed.

The performance of three Doms approaching as if gliding is powerful, and the fact that the thick legs do not move is persuasive in terms of the setting. This hover movement is considered an excellent invention for giant robots. It was seen in the Gundam series that followed and in many other robot animes. It saves labor by eliminating the need for running animation, and because the robot moves quickly horizontally, it makes the action look more impressive.

Hover Movement and Roller Dash In 1984, about four years after the end of the Gundam series, the anime Armored Trooper Votoms began airing on TV. The series’ ATs (Armored Troopers) have a “roller dash” mechanism that allows them to move by sliding on wheels attached to their feet. The KMFs (Knightmare Frames) from Code Geass also move at high speed on rollers on their legs, showing us three-dimensional combat as they run up the terrain. Many other works incorporate the effect of giant robots moving horizontally without moving their feet (such as jets spewing from the soles of their feet or transforming into a car form so that the wheels on their feet can be used even when in human form, etc.).

The effect of a robot moving horizontally without moving its feet (saving on animation) may have originated in a work created before Gundam. However, since many similar ideas have been born since the Dom’s hover movement, the Dom’s influence cannot be denied. Horizontally moving mechas such as ATs and KMFs may be descended from the Dom in terms of presentation.

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