I really love the original Gundam as well as Origins and War in the Pocket, but watching this show, I just grew to despise it only after three episodes (and yes, you may say that it's too early, but with a show this short I would beg to differ).
Okay, so, first of all, I would like to clarify that the main attraction of Gundam to me is the fact that it gives characters on both sides considerable fleshing out and that it focuses on the tragedy and pain war causes.
I wasn't able to find this in 8th MS Team.
Yes, both sides are treated equally (to the most part) when it comes to warfare, but (1) the characters aren't given enough fleshing out for me to care and (2) not enough scenes are allocated to the antagonists.
About the first problem, what I mean is that the characters have very few distinguishing qualities and aren't given any backstories as of yet (and yes, they will probably get some later on, but I don't care to watch any further...). Compare this to the overwhelming of charisma of the Char or the emotional situations faced by Amuro and his team and you have a pretty good idea why I don't like this as much.
About the second problem, I can say that more time is given to protagonists in most of the Gundams I've watched so far, but it's usually more like 60-40 whereas over here it feels closer to 80-20, which defeats the whole purpose of Gundam in my opinion. And even in the one scene where a lot of attention is given to Zeon woman, there is still more focus on the main character (even though neither of them is interesting or that well fleshed out).
As for my most major issue with the series, it simply has to be out-of-place fanservice scene. (There will be a SPOILER at this point, so you've been warned.) I mean, the original Gundam had quite a bit of fanservice too, but over here it puts the nudity smack in the middle of a war scene. Like, there are people dying by the dozens some five meters away from which the protagonist has escaped and he comes across a nude girl swimming.....
And he actually stops to watch her after escaping the warzone...
Really? What is this, Evangelion or something? I mean, what kind of mental disconnect do you need to enjoy yourself as people are being blown to bits right near you? I'm telling you, that guy and girl are psychopathic. Not only that, but the only protection the girl has is a measly gun she keeps near the edge of the lake. Look, if this had been a normal female, I might have given this bit a pass, but she's the daughter of the village commander, so you'd think she'd need more protection, right? You know that the average soldier with the intent to kill won't just watch you swim and will shoot you dead the moment you emerge, right? sigh
And that's not all. Oh boy, if only...
The girl is also naked for some reason. Yes, people, they have invented giant robots with lightsabers and huge guns, but not the bikini. Oh no, because the bikini is way too complex an invention, I'm telling you. It wouldn't have been a big deal either had it not been established in the next episode that others cannot go to the pool just because they aren't allowed to see her naked... THEN WHY DOESN'T SHE SWIM WITH HER CLOTHES ON?? Also, why aren't even the women not allowed to swim? It just doesn't make sense.
Furthermore, she actually uses her status to monopolize the pool, essentially making her into a cruel overlord. And I'm supposed empathize with this person? Hell no! She doesn't even have charisma a la Shishio from Ruroni Kenshin (who in a similar way monopolized the hot springs of a town he invaded, but I can get behind him even though he's oppressive and cruel, because he has a sense of humor and charisma; the girl, on the other hand, has nothing).
And, as if all that wasn't enough, the girl gets in the same cockpit as the guy. Because apparently they can't just plant a bomb and a camera in there. No, that would be too easy. Instead, we get more Evangealion-like scenes of absolute cringe.
Man, I just didn't like this show and am dropping it. I just wanted to share it with you people to get your opinions on it, since the general consensus on this show seems to be positive.
My discord: https://discord.gg/WfPJXjB
My patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BoldnessofSouls