Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance is a new Netflix series that looks at the darker side of the Gundam franchise. Set in the Universal Century, the story revolves around a squad of Zeon troops rather than skilled pilots.
If you’re interested in the premise of this, keep reading this review to decide if you can add it over the weekend or not.
A Grounded Approach: Zeon Troops Take Center Stage
Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance stands apart from previous Gundam series by focusing on average Zeon troops rather than larger-the-life heroes. This grounded approach is akin to the popular OVA The 08th MS Team.
However, Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance relies largely on realism, both visually and narratively. The animation avoids overdone expressions and emphasizes delicacy in character design, yet the mobile suit combat is violent and chaotic.

Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance promises deep character development but falls short in execution. The Red Wolves division, led by Iria, suggests complicated motivations and psychological problems, however, these parts are underdeveloped. The series fails to adequately explore the characters’ emotional depth, with potential emotional resonance rushed or sidelined.
The storytelling feels rushed as if the series was meant to be longer but had to stick to a six-episode limitation. Characters are introduced only to disappear for extended periods, and story points are left hanging without being satisfactorily resolved.
New characters enter the story abruptly, adding to the impression of disarray, and the pacing alternates awkwardly between leisurely character moments and wild action sequences.
Missed Opportunities: Rushed Storytelling and Underdeveloped Characters
The story has thematic depth similar to older Gundam entries like Iron-Blooded Orphans and War in the Pocket, but the short runtime makes it difficult to establish meaningful arcs.
The series touches on betrayal, loyalty, and the personal cost of war, but these themes are not developed thoroughly enough to have a lasting impression.

The soundtrack nicely complements the atmosphere, with haunting tunes that heighten emotional moments and tense percussion during battles. While the music isn’t particularly distinctive on its own, it suits the story well, heightening the show’s tone and strengthening the sense of dread that surrounds each episode.
How Is It Overall?
Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance is an ambitious yet imperfect introduction to the Gundam universe. It aims to provide a more grounded and character-driven storyline, but inconsistent storytelling, weak characters, and technological limitations prevent it from realizing its full potential.

Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance is a fresh take on the Gundam universe, with some brilliant depictions of war’s cruelty. However, it struggled to strike a balance between character depth and narrative consistency.
Fans looking for a new take on Gundam may find it interesting, but it is unlikely to persuade doubters who regard mecha anime as shallow robot brawls.
Conclusion
Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance delivers a fresh perspective on the Gundam universe by focusing on ordinary soldiers, offering a grounded narrative with gritty realism. However, the series struggles with rushed storytelling, underdeveloped characters, and inconsistent pacing, preventing it from reaching its full potential.
Fans seeking a different take on Gundam may appreciate its ambition, but it may not convert sceptics or those expecting deeper character exploration.