Gundam Factor

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Lore & Background

The series takes place in the Cosmic Era, a parallel timeline where mankind has developed into two subspecies: Naturals, who are born normally and mainly reside on Earth, and Coordinators, genetically enhanced humans capable of withstanding the rigors of space who inhabit orbital colonies. The story revolves around a young Coordinator Kira Yamato who becomes involved in the war between the two races after a neutral space colony is invaded by the Coordinators.

In Their Own Story

The source outlines Kira Yamato's involvement in the war following a neutral space colony invasion by Coordinators. The series aired from October 5, 2002, to September 27, 2003, with fifty episodes on TBS. A sequel called Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny aired from October 9, 2004 to October 1, 2005, also with fifty episodes. Both SEED and SEED Destiny have special editions which are condensed versions of the series that include additional footage.

Reader's Guide

The source provides factual data on episode counts (fifty), air dates, and DVD releases. It notes that special editions condense these into three 95-minute episodes. The series is compiled onto thirteen DVDs in Japan and ten DVDs in English-speaking countries. A five-minute epilogue was included on the final DVD of the Japanese and European release, but it was not included on the North American and Australian release. A series of HD remasters was released in 2012.

Did You Know?

• The English TV dub used a 30-second shortened version of 'Invoke' as its opening, but used the same endings as the original (albeit with edited visuals).
• For Japan's HD remaster, Gundam SEED cut the two recap episodes from its original broadcast (episodes 14 and 26).
• The first episode of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED C.E. 73: Stargazer premiered a week early on July 7, 2006, at Tokyo Anime Center's Akiba 3D Theater before streaming on July 14, 2006.
• The Special Editions of Gundam SEED contain an additional twenty minutes of new footage beyond the compiled scenes from the television series.
• Only the first two episodes of the Special Edition were broadcast in Japan, each split into two 55-minute parts.