Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz is the feature-length follow-up set at the very end of the After Colony timeline, one of Gundam’s many alternative universes. As such, it comes loaded with the franchise’s signature elements: giant fighting robots, convoluted politics, intense young pilots, and a philosophical exploration of the horrors of war.
A Precarious Peace
The story kicks off right after the main conflict of the Gundam Wing series. The Earth Sphere and the space colonies are finally at peace. In a symbolic gesture, the Gundam pilots have agreed to destroy their powerful suits, sending them on a final mission into the sun to be melted down.
This peace is, of course, short-lived. A new revolution suddenly begins, led by a remarkably young seven-year-old figurehead. This new faction kidnaps a key political leader, throwing the fragile new world order into chaos. Some of the Gundam pilots, empathising with the soldiers of the revolution, even seem to align with the new movement, at least briefly. This forces our heroes to race against time to retrieve their Gundams before they are destroyed, pulling them back into the very conflict they sought to end.
The Spectacle of War
While the plot can feel convoluted, especially for newcomers, the action sequences are fantastic. Endless Waltz is visually impressive and delivers the high-octane giant robot battles that fans expect. The Gundam designs themselves are particularly noteworthy, appearing as a striking mix of a Transformer, a samurai, and a heavily-armoured angel.
This is where the movie truly finds its footing. It provides a grand stage for the characters to display their martial prowess from within the cockpits of their machines. Even if the ‘why’ of the fight is murky, the ‘how’ is undeniably spectacular.
An Epilogue for Fans
If you have not seen the original Gundam Wing series, this movie is likely not the place to start. The plot is just about followable, but it helps hugely to have the context of the series. Without it, the dense political and personal drama might be beyond comprehension.
Endless Waltz functions as an epilogue to a specific spin-off, and there are definitely easier entrance points to the sprawling Gundam multiverse. As a commentary on war and the corruption of politicians, it hits familiar notes for the franchise. It’s an OVA-turned-movie that certainly passes the time and provides a sense of closure, but it feels geared almost exclusively to those already invested in the After Colony timeline.
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