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Gundam 00 Release Details

Anime Limited has announced details of the Blu-ray home release of Mobile Suit Gundam 00.

It will be released as two Collectors Edition Blu-rays, each containing 25 episodes. The first will be released on November 11 and the second on December 16.

Both volumes will contain audio commentaries on particular episodes, featuring Japanese voice-actors and the director Seiji Mizushima. There will three commentaries on the first collection, and seven commentaries on the second collection.

The first print-run of Part 1 will come with a bonus edition box that can hold Part 2. The first print-run of Part 2 will contain a limited edition booklet.

According to Anime Limited, "there will be a standard edition release of both parts in the future, but not until next year at absolute earliest."

Anime Limited is also hoping to release Mobile Suit Gundam 00 the Movie: Awakening of the Trailblazer and the 3-part “Special Edition” Season 1 and 2 compilation OVAs, but again, "these won't happen until next year at the absolute earliest."

The company adds, "We did previously talk about plan for a Deluxe Edition style release, however plans have had to change for that. That being said, we're still hoping we may be able to offer bonus box of some sort for you to able to house all of Gundam 00 that would incorporate space for both the parts (factoring in the space for the art box and booklets and the movie/OVAs)."

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 was the first Gundam series to be produced and broadcast in high-definition format.

In the story's wartorn future, mankind has splintered into three major factions over energy resources. However, a group known as the Celestial Being aims to eradicate war with four giant robotic mecha known as Gundams and their Gundam Meister pilots. Anime Limited has described the story:

"The year is 2307 A.D. While the Earth's reserves of fossil fuels have been depleted, humanity has obtained a new, nearly infinite source of energy to replace them in the form of large-scale solar-powered generation systems based on three huge orbital elevators. However, the benefits of this system are available only to a handful of major powers and their allies.

"These orbital elevators belong to three superpower blocs: the Union, the Human Reform League and the AEU. These confederations continue to play a grand zero-sum game for the sake of their own prestige and prosperity. Thus, even in the 24th Century, humanity has yet to unite as one.

"In this world of unceasing conflict, a private armed organisation steps forward, declaring their intention to eliminate war through martial force. Using the power of their mobile suits combatively, a series of four high-performance machines each dubbed “Gundam,” the paramilitary organisation known as Celestial Being takes the world stage, beginning armed interventions within all the world's nations."