Mobile Suit Breakdown: the Gundam Podcast
MSB is a weekly Gundam podcast for new fans, old fans, and not yet fans. Nina (a Gundam first-timer) and Thom (a lifelong Gundam fan) analyze, review, and research all 40-years of the iconic sci-fi anime mega-franchise Mobile Suit Gundam in the order it was made. We research its influences, examine its themes, and discuss how each piece of the Gundam canon fits within the changing context in Japan and the world, from 1979 to today. Part history podcast, part discussion podcast, all Gundam podcast.
They Sing the Songs that Remind Them of the Good Times
Show Notes
This week, Victory Gundam's penultimate 50th episode! This one has it all: Tragedy! Heroism! Gender! There are shocking twists, heel turns, face turns! And the true audience surrogate is revealed at last! Please listen to it.
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to move west, the Lenape lived in New York City, New Jersey, and portions of New York State, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Connecticut. Lenapehoking is still the homeland of the Lenape diaspora...
In Hoc Signo Vinces
Show Notes
This week: Victory Episode 49! Nothing says Epic Space War like bikinis! Plus we ask the important questions, like is Haro a misogynist? What does Katejina keep in the trunk of her mobile suit? Is Uso finally over the girl from Uwig? Is the Universal Century actually overpopulated? And who is the League Militaire's highest ranking fujoshi? Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to move west, the Lenape lived in...
Cleansing Fire
Show Notes
This week on MSB: Victory episode 48, plus... Maria makes things right by making everything worse, Warren gives Elisha exactly the kind of pep talk we'd expect from a thirteen year old boy, Thom is forced to acknowledge thinking some Kagatie-like thoughts, and we break out our cork boards and our red string to tie it all together. Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to move west, the Lenape lived...
Two Lives in One
Show Notes
This week on MSB: we're covering Victory episode 47. The Gender of it all is overwhelming, Cronicle underwhelms in truly impressive fashion, Maria has a funny idea of compassion, and Marbet discovers a cool new power up with no sinister implications whatsoever. Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to move west, the Lenape lived in New York City, New Jersey, and portions of New York State, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Connecticut...
Wheels on Wheels within Wheels
Show Notes
This week on MSB, we're joined by new consultant, and Bible scholar in training, Vivian 'Wheels' Wheeler to talk about the Ophanim, the famous 'wheels within wheels' from the Book of Ezekiel.
You can also find Wheels on Bluesky (@singularwheels) or on the podcast Very Random Encounters (www.vre.show)!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to move west, the Lenape lived in New York City, New Jersey, and portions of...
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
Show Notes
This week on MSB: Victory Gundam episode 46. Kagatie's sinister plan is finally revealed (It's babies. Of course it's babies) and two characters surprise us by winning our (grudging) support. Plus Marbet's fighting for two, Fuala's fighting for the fun of it, and Uso is fighting for his life. Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to move west, the Lenape lived in New York City, New Jersey, and portions of...
Jokers to the Left of Me, Clowns to the Right, and I'm Struck in the Middle by You
Show Notes
This week we're talking about Thompson v. White, 149 So.2d 797 (1963). Be sure to read along with us!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to move west, the Lenape lived in New York City, New Jersey, and portions of New York State, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Connecticut. Lenapehoking is still the homeland of the Lenape diaspora, which includes communities living in Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and Ontario.
You can learn more about Lenapehoking, the Lenape...
Two Wings and a Prayer
Show Notes
This week: Victory Gundam episode 45. It's another(!) recap episode... kind of? We test out some new podcasting technology, the Angel Halo gets its first field test, Queen Maria tells all the kids to pick up their rooms, and Nina researches the healing powers of royal touch. Plus, Voltaire says a very funny thing. That's right, we got VoltaireĀ to come guest on the podcast.
Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European s...
10.44B - Hope Springs Eternal (Research)
Show Notes
This week on MSB - it's the research from 10.44: Hope Springs Eternal! This is part four of our series on Yugoslavia and its influence on Victory Gundam, and the second of three research pieces covering World War II in Yugoslavia. This week we follow the Partisans, who led the resistance against the fascist occupation, from the beginning of the uprising through to what may have been their lowest point in the summer of 1943.
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware...
Hope Springs Eternal
Show Notes
This week on MSB: Victory episode 44.
We've GOT to talk about Shahkti, plus the hard line between children and adults, the Desperation of Maria Pure Armonia, whether we like Victory or not, Gundam relationship any% speedrun, wheels (within wheels) and much more. Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to move west, the Lenape lived in New York City, New Jersey, and portions of New York State, Pennsylvania...
Big Ship, Big Gun
Show Notes
Victory Gundam ep. 43
This week on MSB: Victory Gundam episode 43. We meet a new BESPA character who will surely be around for a long time, talk about comets and their characteristics, wonder whether Fuala Griffon is a Char or some other legacy character back for revenge, and find that our opinions of Uso's after school special dilemma diverge pretty widely. The research this week returns to Yugoslavia for Part 3 of our history of the Yugoslav Wars. Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the...
Hearing without Hearing
Show Notes
This week on MSB we're talking about the Victory Gundam episode with a truly goth title: #42 'A Shining Vortex of Fresh Blood.' We discuss Sigmund Freud, weird facts, name and design references, the sour end to Lupe Cineau's improbably long career, what not having kids does to a woman (and how to fix it according to Dr. Uso), and a whole lot about the Zanneck's origins. Plus, Nina and Thom both reach their limits for very different reasons. Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking...
The Bells of Zanneck
Show Notes
This week on MSB, it's Victory Gundam episode 41 and we have so much to say about it. We cover comrades and commanders, Uso's ten dads, Shahkti's burgeoning feelings, the price of pink paint, Karlmann's contribution to the family, the secret nobility of Jinn Jahannam, Zanscarist Dualism, and a conspiracy theory that will turn the whole Universal Century on its head. Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to move west...
The Wrath of Heaven
Show Notes
This week on MSB, we're talking about Victory Gundam episode 40. It's got the full Victory package: a cool robot, a bad war, grief, comedy, vertically oriented death, continuity errors, Flanders doing something implausible, and a late night wikipedia binge! Plus, we finally figure out where Newtype powers come from. Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to move west, the Lenape lived in New York City, New Jersey, and portions...
Guardian Angel
Show Notes
This week on MSB: Uso and the League Militaire crew discover that to BESPA 'ceasefire' means the opposite of what you'd think, as the soldiers of Largaine Base resolve to use up all their ammunition, and every Zolo they've got, in one last desperate attack on the White Ark. Uso deploys a pro-gamer strat using the V2's nigh-miraculous Wings of Light, fish rain from the sky, and friend of the podcast Sarah McCostumes returns to talk about greebles, closet cosplay, and the most intense costume choice of them all. Please listen to it!
<...Ocean on Fire
Show Notes
This week on MSB, we're talking about motorcycles, bikes, biking, riding on motorbikes, traveling by bike, touring, voyages conducted primarily via gasoline-powered two-wheeled vehicles and looooooooove. Plus, part 2 of our miniseries on Yugoslavia and the Yugoslav wars that may or may not have inspired this dang show. Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to move west, the Lenape lived in New York City, New Jersey, and portions of New...
Live Well and Die Naturally
Show Notes
This week on MSB, it's Victory Gundam episode 37. We talk a lot about life, death, fluids, and another anime you might have heard of before that came out around the same time as Victory.
Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to move west, the Lenape lived in New York City, New Jersey, and portions of New York State, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Connecticut. Lenapehoking is still the homeland...
This is My Mother
Show Notes
This week on MSB we're talking about Victory Episode 36. Tune in for tragedy! Comedy! Bullying! Robots! More Cronicle Asher discourse than you'd expect, and a gosh dang wonder of the natural world. Plus, should we cancel beavers?
The slideshow we used on this episode is here.
Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to move west, the Lenape lived in New York City, New Jersey, and...
The Title Gives it Away
Show Notes
This week on MSB, we cover Victory Gundam episode 35 'Mother or Shahkti'. We can't even begin to guess what kind of impossible choice will be forced upon Uso! Plus - Flanders is there when you need him (somehow), Karlmann is so inured to weapons he doesn't mind becoming one, and Myra's impossibly good while Shahkti's just impossible. Then in the research, Thom thinks he knows precisely where Tomino found the name 'Zanscare'.
Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland...
No Good Choices, No Choices at All
Show Notes
This week - the fabled short episode finally manifests as the sheer magnitude of Zanscare's atrocities in Mexico leaves us with little else to talk about. Cronicle's crimes are as big as his tires, Nina makes (and loses) a new friend, Uso gets what he needs (with a little help from his friends) and Katejina's rhetorical strategy is unpersuasive.
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to move west, the Lenape lived in New...
Stella Maris
Show Notes
This week on MSB, we're covering Victory Gundam episode 33: The People Who Dwell in the Sea. We discuss cargo cults, infantilization as a function of government, virgin mothers, parallel character development, Victory's anti-feminism, all the stories that aren't being told, and of course: balls.
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to move west, the Lenape lived in New York City, New Jersey, and portions of New York State, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Connecticut. Lenapehoking...
The Snake and the Rat
Show Notes
We're joined by special guest and friend of the show Sean, aka 'Flying Grizzly,' who helps us cover episode 32 of Victory Gundam, aka 'Doggorla's Violent Advance.' Sean offers bold takes on mechanical design and the ideal TV format for Tomino, Thom is surprised to learn that nerds listen to this show, and Nina gets everything she wants: clumsy mobile suits, a familiar voice actor, and the vindication of being right about everything all the time forever.
Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within...
Shahkti's Big Adventure
Show Notes
This week on MSB, we're covering Victory Gundam episode 31: 'Launch the Motorad!' in which Shahkti learns all the wrong lessons from Uso, Cronicle picks up some bad habits from Fuala Griffon of all people, and Oliver delegates teaching the children to somebody else. Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to move west, the Lenape lived in New York City, New Jersey, and portions of New York State, Pennsylvania...
Moonlight Rendezvous
Show Notes
This week on MSB, we're covering Victory Episode 30 'Mother's Gundam' - it's an unusual recap episode featuring the first appearance of a VERY unusual woman. Plus, did the fate of Yugoslavia and the end of the Cold War inspire Victory Gundam? It depends!
Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to move west, the Lenape lived in New York City, New Jersey, and portions of New York State...
Full Frontal
Show Notes
This week we're talking about Victory Gundam's infamous episode 29 (which depicts Uso being assaulted in a bath by an adult woman) and then Nina's research takes us down a dark path to talk about the Holocaust, its influence on Victory, and the racism in Tomino's depictions of Jewish characters. There's also a new mobile suit, I guess. It's pretty cool. Please listen to it (with discretion)!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to...
Let's Roll
Show Notes
This week on MSB we're covering Victory Gundam episode 28 (The Great Escape) with help from returning environmental justice consultant Colin! Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to move west, the Lenape lived in New York City, New Jersey, and portions of New York State, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Connecticut. Lenapehoking is still the homeland of the Lenape diaspora, which includes communities living in Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and Ontario.
You...
Sayonara, Uso
Show Notes
This week on MSB, we return to covering episodes of Victory Gundam with #27 'A Flash that Runs through Space'.
The best podcasts come from episodes that are either really good or really bad. This week's is one of those... but which? Please listen to it to find out!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to move west, the Lenape lived in New York City, New Jersey, and portions of New York...
Victory Q&A Part 2
Show Notes
Ooo-oh we're half way there! Livin' on another batch of great questions! This time we're talking about our process, where Victory excels and where it fails, ideas for mixing up the cast, thoughts on the show's place in the Universal Century, Cronicle's backstory, and much more!
Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to move west, the Lenape lived in New York City, New Jersey, and portions of...
Victory Q&A Part 1
Show Notes
Oops, we got too many good questions so now we're doing a two-parter! Enjoy this week's Q&A and tune in next week for more questions, more answers, and more digressions!
Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to move west, the Lenape lived in New York City, New Jersey, and portions of New York State, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Connecticut. Lenapehoking is still the homeland of the Lenape...
Guillotine Festival
Show Notes
It's time for everyone's favorite convention: the Ameria Colony Guillotine Fest! Bring the kids on down, it's fun for the whole family! On this episode we discuss what makes a Char, the Uso Cycle and the Big Sister with a Thousand Faces, narrative imperatives, and how we're each of us getting what we want out of Victory (despite some quibbles).
Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to...
Home Again
Show Notes
This week on MSB: Victory Gundam episode 25 and... Oliver is Uso-pilled, Odelo is getting better at romance, Peggie is waving death flags in both hands, Uso asks if Shahkti can come out and play, and Marbet is still just terrible at strategy. Plus, we get to meet the REAL star of the show.
Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to move west, the Lenape lived in New...
Mother's Helper
Show Notes
This week on MSB: Victory Episode 24, the spiritual power of maternity, Haro's sacrifice, matrilineal vs. matriarchal vs. matrilocal, it's not Victory without a little jank, what to do when a voice actor is unavailable, and much more!
Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to move west, the Lenape lived in New York City, New Jersey, and portions of New York State, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Connecticut. Lenapehoking is...
Under the Sign of the Z
Show Notes
This week on MSB: Victory Gundam episode 23.
The best laid plans of mice and men go awry this week as everything Uso and the Hiland crew do to avoid battle seems to backfire; Warren fires the missiles, a man sees his lifelong dream come to fruition, and we get a glimpse into life within Zanscare. Spoiler alert! It looks bad!
Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced...
The Tiger and the Turtle
Show Notes
This week on MSB: Victory Gundam episode 22.
Welcome back to the Tigris-cast featuring Tigris. This week, special guests Nina and Thom stop by to chat about Gundam, the Tiger of Space, yet another stoic 30-something-year-old antagonist with a lesson to impart, and the worst group project ever. Plus we talk about names both new and old, inexplicable translation changes, and a turtle with pretty good energy.
Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or...
Update: Episode delay
Show Notes
Friends,
Tigris, our 18-year-old podcat, has been very sick all week and we're not sure at this point whether she will be able to pull through. Between worrying about her, taking care of her, and making sure she can see a veterinarian, we haven't had much time to work on the podcast. We're hopeful that we'll be able to share good news with you in the episode next week. For now we hope you all have a good week, and if you have pets of your own, please let them know how much...
A Warm Light in a Cold Place
Show Notes
This week on MSB: Victory Gundam episode 21, the possible significance of lemonade, and a wide-ranging discussion that touches on Tassilo vs. Jinn, Marbet vs. Junko, Odelo vs. Masculinity, and Uso vs. a classic right of passage for Gundam protagonists.
Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to move west, the Lenape lived in New York City, New Jersey, and portions of New York State, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Connecticut...
Victory is Coming
Show Notes
This week on MSB, it's Victory Gundam episode 20 'Eve of the Decisive Battle' and we're here to talk newtypes, plot armor, feisty ladies and the knights who love them, and the name of Zanscare's 'Amalthea' battleship.
Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to move west, the Lenape lived in New York City, New Jersey, and portions of New York State, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Connecticut. Lenapehoking is still...
Blood Destiny
Show Notes
This week on MSB: Victory Gundam episode 19 and a wide ranging discussion that touches on the dystopian nature of life in space, Tasilo Wago's resting creep face, Odelo's newly woken Gundam lust, and of course: motherhood. For the research, Thom returns to the Shrike team to discuss the inspiration behind their character designs.
Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to move west, the Lenape lived in New...
Spiderwebs
Show Notes
This week on MSB it's Victory Gundam episode 18: å®å®č¦éę¦ or Space Fleet Battle. Why are continuity errors a problem? What new translation decision is driving Thom batty? What do the contrasting characterizations of Jinn Jahannam and Maria Pure Armonia say about the factions they purport to lead? How much power could a solar satellite like the Hiland actually produce? And just what is our secret theory? The answers to almostĀ all of these questions can be found on this week's podcast!
Please listen to it!
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced wi...
A Royal Audience
Show Notes
This week on MSB: Victory episode 17 breaks new ground and goes where no Gundam show has dared to go before: making a recap episode (unless you count Prelude to ZZ). Even so, this episode gives us our first glimpse at the Zanscare homeland and its famous queen, so there's still a surprising amount to talk about! Please listen to it!
Unfortunately, due to last minute cancellation by our scheduled guest, we didn't have time to prepare a research piece this week.
Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking...
