Lions Led By Robots 16: Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket

A very solid episode, definitely one of the best.

LLBR is awesome, love having the gym talk at the start too! Would subscribe to a separate Patreon purely for this show 👍 Side note, my feed doesn't have the last episode of G Gundam, not sure if that's a Patreon or region thing maybe?

I love Lions Led By Robots! Really glad y’all are moving off of G Gundam, though.

You’ve gotta do Gundam Wing next! It’s wild and weird in the best way but also it’s very grounded in the sense that it focuses on the horrors of war

Lions Led By Robots gives me the strength and resilience required to endure the horrors of grocery shopping and laundry!

Spike's voice actor is Steve Blum and hes still going strong as a VA.

Just joining in to say that I listen to these despite anime never really having appealed to me, it's fun just to hear about wacky Japanese fiction being discussed by you folks!

Lmao, G Gundam is the least Gundam series in the franchise. Normally Gundam is kinda dark and about war and politics. Also child soldiers.

The fact that you didn’t realize the GG was the goofiest of the older gundams 💀, these rewatches crack me tf up man UC timeline has some good ones, OG MSG is great but doesn’t hit quite as hard as some later entries 0080, 8th MS team, 🔥thunderbolt phenomenal but (unfinished as an anime, but what’s out is worth the watch: protagonist is *quadruple amputee zaku pilot) I still need to watch stardust memories But non UC favs: iron blooded orphans *child solders quit their job to form an independent stateless PMC/and fight for their ability to to exist in a universe that seeks to subjegate them. I fucking love this show. Gundam wing + endless waltz* child sleeper agents/ pilots, using The most iconic gundams to fight against space imperialism, characters are more complex than my child brain could comprehend. All of these are genuinely good, but non as compacted as 0080

Just got a chance to listen through this episode, and wanted to chime in that I definitely enjoy these. They make a nice diversion from the normal pods, and you guys are clearly having a great time making them. And as others have already said, if you check out more Gundam, the Universal Century (basically the main continuity) shows are the way to go. I say that as a casual Gundam enjoyer; the UC are the most visceral and serious of the series, and are not shy about delving into the realities of war with giant robots.

"What's it look like I'm doing, moron?" "What did he call me?" "A Mormon." "What the fuck's that?" "You know, Mormon - them Bible-bashers come round knocking on your door, telling you Jesus is a fucking Yank."

I just wanted to say that I love the lions led by robots sub podcast or whatever you call it. I'm always happy to see it pop up on my things to listen to

Also to clarify about the mobile suits needing heads, not sure if war in the pocket explains this but because the proper mobile suits like the zaku and gundam use minaturized fusion reactors that have the effect of dispensing convenient sci-fi gundum trope "minofsky particles" which mess with wireless communications and radar. Because of this guided missles are pretty much useless in UC mech combat. All mech fights have to engage within visual range, making the "eyes" of mobile suit very important to better spot targets and aim weapons. Also the head is a place where you can put weapons like small caliber rotary getting guns or a fucking mega particles cannon like with the double zeta gundam. Hope that explains some stuff

IF you like that gritty level of combat to the tune of a crazy jazz soundtrack AND is an OVA check out Mobile Suit Gundam THUNDERBOLT

Glad you guys liked 0080. It's my favorite story in the UC.

You're a military history podcast you need to do Stardust Memory, even if you don't do the OG TOP GUNDAM is a must.

Gotta be honest with you, this tastes like greatness this show rules

If you plan on doing more Gundam series, possobly the og Gundam is the way to go, though Im not sure how well it has aged. The Zeta series is a must. Maybe Unicorn if you want to see a more modern OVA Gundam series in the UC universe.

I love Lions led by robots, I hope you guys never stop doing it! Like, sometimes I'm not in the mood for military history episodes, but there's never been a time when a robots episode dropped where it wasn't the next thing I listened to. I'm so hyped to watch evangelion alongside the episodes you guys put out <3

Not only does AL keep up with the truck in episode 2, he does it in the first episode following the crash landing Bernie.

PATLABOR MENTIONED

Lions Led By Robots is the sole reason I signed up for the Patreon. Please keep doing it, I plan to increase my tier level as soon as I am able because it brings me a great deal of joy.

Surprised y'all didn't do 08 MS team. 8 episodes, focuses on grunts, Vietnam analogue, and a silly but super compelling romance plot. Seemed up your alley, hope we see it in the future

I really think you should watch the original Mobile Suit Gundam. I personally prefer the trilogy that edits the series into something more concise while hitting all the important bits but you may enjoy watching the entire series. If you want to watch more Universal Century after that then you should watch Zeta Gundam. Really great series as well IMO. There is so much great mecha anime out there so you’ll be eating good for a long time if you want.

Keep the robot show going. Love this shit. Wish I had this to 10 years ago

Please keep the robots. They are the ultra paradise monster alternative to the white monster main feed.

Hell yeah, more robots please!

Just adding more love and support for this side series. I honestly think it could stand on it's own at this point! I think some who aren't interested in history or don't know LLBD but love Gundam are missing out! Still my favourite thing about the Patreon, but I'm biased. I'd listen to you guys watch paint dry.

My wife and I just rewatched our dvd set of this OVA. One of the high water marks for the franchise. Glad y’all enjoyed it. Tom, check out a band called …its name was epyon

How dare you bring up the only Voice actor of the 90's and 2000's and not give a name drop for King Steve Blum.

Last Patreon comment before I bite the bullet and finally join The Discord. Please do watch more of the UC Gundam series. Excited for NGE, but if you need a break, 08th MS Team (space Vietnam/what if we tried to interrupt the Manhattan Project/ Romeo and Juliette because anime) is waiting for you.

It's notable that War In Pocket takes place AFTER the One Year War, during a Cold War-ish phase of the greater Zeon V Federation war. (The war going hot again can be seen in Zeta Gundam, ZZ Gundam, and Gundam Unicorn, amongst other stories in the U.C. continuity) But I started this post to say, the OG Gundam story also starts with the Federation building a prototype weapon on a "Neutral" Colonoy. The Earth Federation, Space Colonies at large , and Principality of Zeon (Originating in Side 3, "Sides" referring to a cluster of space colonies) is fascinating.

8th MS Team is legit and my favorite gundam series being Gundam Wing

Do Mobile Suit Gundam- The 08th MS Team. It’s by far the best and most grounded combat in gundam

Just saying I love Lions Led By Robots Please keep them coming

Watch Iron-Blooded Orphans for your next Gundam series and/or the newer Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway or Gundam Requiem for Vengeance movies.

The religion talk reminds me of the Appendices to Dune, which are framed as a sort of diegetic encyclopedia: the first part is just an explanation of the pan-religious crises brought about by the advent of space-travel, and the ensuing universally-reviled slipshod attempt to rationalize literally every religion into "Orange Catholicism."

Lions Led By Robots is always a fun diversion, including Joe and Tom's gym talk therapy sessions. I haven't seen Eva, but I'm looking forward to that series! It was kinda funny going through LLBR again after the G Gundam finale and seeing them go from "this is so bad it's good" to "this is terrible and no one should watch it" as they rewatched the show lol

Also controversial opinion: SEED/SEED Destiny might not look as great compared to UC or the newer generation of Gundam shows, but it kept the lights on and roped in a new generation of fans in the 00s after the 90s and Evangelion absolutely rocked Sunrises' shit. Gundam still being relevant today (unlike most of its competitions, namely Macross) absolutely owes to SEED.

If you want more gritty Gundam, I cannot recommend Iron-Blooded Orphans enough. It's not Universal Century, but it's about a group of child-soldiers who end up getting their hands on a Gundam.

I listened to all of G Gundam for the bits, but this one made me want to watch all of the UC. Keep up the good work guys

*dutch tom voice* zeer goede podcast

Love Gundam LLBR episodes very good thank you 🤖

I'm the kind of psycho that just listens to watch-alongs and never watches the associated content. I've never gotten into anime and these episodes don't make me want to go watch anime, but I am still enjoying being here for every but of it.

Hell yeah! Such a great OVA. It's really nice hearing you guys have a good time

I’m constantly cheering all the jrpg and anime references shoutouts in all your content. Please keep it this exact kind of weird. I’m pretty sure Nate has referenced the single best mecha sci-fi ever created before, Xenogears

Not all Gundam series are as good as War In Pocket, but you were almost certainly wrong to start with G as a representative. Those telling you to check out 8th MS Team next are absolutely correct. Especially if you want to avoid the 50 episode + series.

Joe and Tom, I do think that for poignancy, 0080 is hard to beat since it is from Al's perspective and he has to deal with the horrors of war, but lots of the mainline (UC) stuff is kind of shit - it deals with a lot of "newtypes" who are people who understand things instantly. I think 0080 War in the Pocket and 08th MS Team are probably the best of the UC series (I haven't seen any of the new stuff). Can't wait to listen to you two talk about NGE though.

I'll repeat others in wanting you guys to watch 8th MS Team since it's the One Year War from the grunt's point of view. Also, look up the Principality of Zeon's flag and war cry. It's gonna make you look at things a little differently.

You definitely picked the right Gundam series for this. Good episode.

I only come to lions led by robots for the gym talk. Im a gym rat who could never get into anime, but I play the pod regardless

If they keep going with mecha long enough eventually Tom Joe are going run into Handler/Hound stuff and that is going to be hilarious

I'm kind of hoping to see you cover Evangelion next, specifically because I live with the hope that maybe Joe would join me in the club of "people who don't think it's all that amazing".

I've never watched any Gundam, but still love the series and everything about this one sounded really good, and the line from Joe about, "the closest Gundam comes to Come and See" has convinced me to watch it! So, thanks guys! Keep up the good shit

Thank god you’re no longer doing G Gundam anymore. 0080, 0083, and Origin are my favs. Excited to hear you cover them

Me and my gym girlies today laughing about and complaining about those guys whose whole gym session is just variations of bicep curls!

PS- I know y'all don't want to be a fitness podcast but as someone who is clueless about nutrition in general and would like some realistic exercise routines from people who stand to gain nothing and love to talk about it- I'd love a bonus that was just you and Tom banging on about fitness stuff.

Joe, if you want more 90s anime recs- Blue Gender is a weird one with robot suits and tanks fighting bugs on a dying earth. The other is Berserk- which has nothing to do with robots but looks great.

I've never seen a minute of Gundam, but I love these episodes

Gundam has some amazing shows

Buddy of mine spent three years in a refugee camp as a kid, kids absolutely end up with bullets and shit, and in at least one case, a god damn hand grenade.

I came for Gundam but I'm now fascinated by the world of bodybuilding grifters.

The reason they let Bernie do anything is that Zeon is going to lose the war in a week or so. It's December. They ain't got anyone else

This is why I am subscribed. These episodes are a vibe

Not gonna lie as a huge Gundam fan this was a blast. This and Thunderbolt are among my favorite Gundam OVAs. I'd highly recommend. Thunderbolt if you want some absolute war is hell level Gundam stuff.

"were we wrong this whole time?" Yes and no. Gundam had high highs and low lows.

"Australia still exists." Uh, well for the most part

Yes, you were wrong about Gundam. G Gundam is the franchise trying to rebound after "Kill-em-all" Tomino and his untreated clinical depression, so it's as silly as possible. But there's a lot of really serious and really good stuff out there too. And not all of it looks good, but this OVA has the benefit of basically being movie length, so they can spend a bit more on the scenes that count.

There's definitely a split in the Gundam franchise between "Oh wow, cool super robots!" series and "War fucking sucks and this shit is dire" series in terms of presentation, themes, and character depictions. G Gundam is in the former, 0080 is in the later.

Oh fuck yes I hope to god they do 8th and stardust too.

Is that a war in your pocket or are you just happy to G me

The adaptation of the original gundam 79 series in a movie trilogy is extremely good on both story recap and animation quality.

+1 for The Expanse but I’ll include the TV show as well which is very good

Oh sheeeeee my dream got answered!

Do not watch everything Gundam cause there some goddamn stinkers in that franchise

Definitely need to do 08th MS Team after this one.

Oh no, you're doing a good one

LET'S FUCKING GOOOOOOOO

oh fuck yeah, I'd love to hear your take on that and 8th MS team