The Most Overlooked Gundam Anime is Now Free to Stream in English: A Hidden Gem Awaits
Mobile Suit Gundam is a beloved franchise known for its mecha battles, epic storytelling, and iconic characters. While the series has grown in popularity worldwide, some aspects of the franchise remain underrated or overlooked by casual fans. Among these hidden gems is "Musha hen: Ibukuro Magiya Gaiden" or simply "Mobile Report: Galactic Tour 0167", a non-canonical episode that serves as a side-story to the events of "Victory Gundam" (also known as "High School!!", the sixth television series of the franchise). Up until now, this 6-minute episode had been inaccessible for English-speaking viewers. But times have changed!
As of June 2023, the underrated "Musha hen: Ibukuro Magiya Gaiden" is now officially available to stream in English through the popular video-sharing platform Crunchyroll! This exclusive upload marks a crucial step towards expanding the franchise’s global appeal by making lesser-known content accessible to a broader audience.
For context, "Victory Gundam", released in the late 90s, revolutionized the genre by featuring teenagers as main pilots, unlike other Gundam series focusing on older veterans. While some fans appreciate its unique storytelling approach, "Ibukuro Magiya Gaiden" often falls into the background amidst the chaos surrounding the original Gundam series.
Within the non-canonical episode, we meet Shin Matsunae, a seemingly ordinary student journalist who covers Gundam battles on assignment. Unaware of the wars raging beyond Tokyo, he visits the 164th Marine division, an esteemed military organization formed to fight off the Federation army. Here, he learns valuable lessons about comradeship, discipline, and heroism as his perception of Gundam pilots transforms significantly.
Fans expecting a high-flying mecha battle fest, however, should temper their excitement. Instead, "Musha hen: Ibukuro Magiya Gaiden" focuses on Matsunae’s personal journey of self-discovery, blurring the lines between journalism, conflict, and duty. With these themes expertly woven, creator Yoshiyuki Tomino deftly transcends genre-specific expectations to build a memorable standalone story that even casual fans might appreciate.
Despite its unique angle, the animated episode never faltered in representing the same action-packed essence viewers have grown accustomed to from Mobile Suit Gundam productions. Beautiful backgrounds, intense mobile suit fights, and emotive character expressions transport viewers directly onto the battle-ravaged plains of Tokyo City.
Given this newfound availability of "Musha hen: Ibukuro Magiya Gaiden", fans, whether seasoned Gundam devotees or enthusiasts of other action-packed anime genres, can revel in a heretofore inaccessible, overlooked gem that awaits their exploration.
Crunchyroll has played a vital role in sharing forgotten Gundam tales worldwide, giving passionate fans worldwide unprecedented access to hitherto off-limits media. If history repeats itself with "Ibukuro Magiya Gaiden"’s success, maybe we can finally see a complete English dubbed/subbed "High School!’" series (it’s only time, after all!).
Experience for yourself this unique, character-driven tale from Mobile Suit Gundam today, streaming live on Crunchyroll. While it might just be an extended episode to you, to an entire new group of viewers it’s an awakening to the Gundam universe and everything it represents – a thrilling yet poignant, small yet substantial offering that highlights human resilience, love, and commitment.
Discover for yourself the charms of "Mobile Report: Galactic Tour 0167" within the realms of the legendary mobile suit universe today!
