View source for Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz

{{short description|Japanese mecha anime series}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header|
| name            = Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz
| image           = GundamWing-EndlessWaltz.jpg
| image_size      = 230px
| caption         = ''Endless Waltz'' DVD cover, featuring the redesigned Wing Gundam Zero designed by [[Hajime Katoki]]
| ja_kanji        = 新機動戦記ガンダムW: ENDLESS WALTZ
| ja_romaji       = New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz
| genre           = [[Military science fiction]]
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = ova
| director        = Yasunao Aoki
| producer        = Atsushi Yukawa<br>Hideyuki Tomioka
| writer          = Katsuyuki Sumisawa
| music           = [[Kow Otani]]
| studio          = [[Sunrise (company)|Sunrise]]
| licensee        = {{English anime licensee|NA=[[Sunrise (company)|Sunrise]]}}
| first           = January 25, 1997
| last            = July 25, 1997
| runtime         =  25 minutes (each)
| episodes        = 3
| episode_list    = List of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing episodes#Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = film
| title           = Endless Waltz -Special Edition-
| director        = Yasunao Aoki
| producer        = 
| writer          = 
| music           = 
| studio          = [[Sunrise (company)|Sunrise]]
| licensee        = {{English anime licensee|NA= [[Sunrise (company)|Sunrise]]}}
| released        = August 1, 1998
| runtime         = 90 minutes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type            = manga
| author          = [[Kōichi Tokita]]
| publisher       = [[Kodansha]]
| publisher_en    = {{English manga publisher | NA= [[Tokyopop]]}}
| demographic     = ''[[Shōnen manga|Shōnen]]''
| magazine        = [[Comic Bom Bom]]
| first           = March 1998
| last            = July 1998
| volumes         = 1
| volume_list     = 
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type            = manga
| title           = Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Ground Zero
| author          = Reku Fuyunagi
| publisher       = [[Kadokawa Shoten]]
| publisher_en    = {{English manga publisher|NA= [[Viz Communications]]}}
| demographic     = ''[[Shōnen manga|Shōnen]]''
| magazine        = Monthly Fantasy Deluxe
| first           = August 1998
| last            = September 1998
| volumes         = 1
| volume_list     = 
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type            = manga
| title           = Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Blind Target
| author          = [[Sakura Asagi]]
| publisher       = Gakushukenkyusha
| publisher_en    = {{English manga publisher|NA= [[Viz Communications]]}}
| demographic     = ''[[Shōnen manga|Shōnen]]''
| magazine        = Anime V, Looker
| first           = July 1998
| last            = January 1999
| volumes         = 1
| volume_list     = 
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}

'''''Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz''''', known in Japan as {{nihongo|'''''New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz'''''|新機動戦記ガンダムW: ENDLESS WALTZ|Shin Kidō Senki Gandamu Uingu: Endoresu Warutsu|lead=yes}}, is the sequel to ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam Wing]]'', both of which are set in the "After Colony" timeline, an alternate universe to that of the original ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam]]'' series. Aside from being a continuation to the ''Gundam Wing'' TV series, it also reveals details regarding the pasts of the five Gundam pilots and the true objective behind "Operation Meteor."<ref name="New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz">{{cite web | url = http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/ew/ewmain.htm | title = New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz | access-date = 2013-02-01 | publisher = Mecha Anime HQ | archive-date = 2012-11-05 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121105072824/http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/ew/ewmain.htm | url-status = live }}</ref>

''Endless Waltz'' originally premiered in Japan as a three-part [[Original video animation|OVA]] in 1997.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/ew/ewep1.htm | title = Endless Waltz episode 1 | access-date = 2013-02-01 | publisher = Mecha Anime HQ | archive-date = 2011-09-12 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110912040534/http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/ew/ewep1.htm | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/ew/ewep2.htm | title = Endless Waltz episode 2 | access-date = 2013-02-01 | publisher = Mecha Anime HQ | archive-date = 2011-09-12 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110912072128/http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/ew/ewep2.htm | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/ew/ewep3.htm | title = Endless Waltz episode 3 | access-date = 2013-02-01 | publisher = Mecha Anime HQ | archive-date = 2011-09-12 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110912081530/http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/ew/ewep3.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> It was later released as a theatrical compilation film in 1998, including additional scenes and an altered musical score.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/ew/ewm.htm | title = Endless Waltz Special Edition | access-date = 2013-02-01 | publisher = Mecha Anime HQ | archive-date = 2011-09-12 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110912071345/http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/ew/ewm.htm | url-status = live }}</ref>

==Synopsis==
It is the year After Colony 196, and the battles between Earth and the space colonies have ended. [[List of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing characters#Treize Khushrenada|Treize Khushrenada]] is dead and OZ has come to an end. This gives birth to the Earth Sphere Unified Nation (ESUN) and the Preventers. Seeing they won't be needed anymore, the Gundam pilots (except [[List of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing characters#Chang Wufei|Chang Wufei]]) send their suits into the sun. However, this peace would not last, for a rebellion occurs on the newly completed colony, L3 X-18999. Led by seven-year-old [[List of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing characters#Mariemaia Khushrenada|Mariemaia Khushrenada]], Treize's illegitimate daughter, the rebellion kidnaps [[List of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing characters#Relena Peacecraft|Relena Darlian]], now the Vice Foreign Minister of the ESUN, during a diplomatic mission to X-18999. As the Gundam pilots investigate further, they discover that Mariemaia is merely a puppet controlled by her grandfather [[List of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing characters#Dekim Barton|Dekim Barton]], a former advisor to martyred colony leader [[List of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing characters#Heero Yuy|Heero Yuy]], who is using X-18999 to go through with the original Operation Meteor, as a contingency plan in case the ESUN doesn't comply. The Gundam pilots must prevent Dekim from seizing power over the ESUN. The Gundams are retrieved from their course to sun to Earth's orbit thanks to [[List of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing characters#Quatre Raberba Winner|Quatre]] and the Maganacs. The pilots use their Gundams one last time to fight against Dekim's forces, not killing anyone. In the end, Dekim is killed by one of his own soldiers, Earth and its colonies are at peace once again and all mobile suits (including the Gundams) are forever destroyed and never seen again.

==Characters==
{{main|List of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing characters}}
;[[List of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing characters#Heero Yuy|Heero Yuy]]
:{{animevoices|[[Hikaru Midorikawa]]|[[Mark Hildreth (actor)|Mark Hildreth]]}}
:Pilot of the XXXG-00W0 Wing Gundam Zero,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.mahq.net/mecha/gundam/w/xxxg-00w0.htm | title = XXXG-00W0 Wing Gundam Zero | access-date = 2013-02-01 | publisher = Mecha Anime HQ | archive-date = 2006-07-08 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060708194352/http://www.mahq.net/mecha/gundam/w/xxxg-00w0.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> who was code-named after the assassinated pacifist of the same name. Though he brought an end to the war between Earth and the colonies, Heero must now prevent the Mariemaia Army from disrupting the peace.
;[[List of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing characters#Relena Peacecraft|Relena Darlian]]
:{{animevoices|[[Akiko Yajima]]|[[Lisa Ann Beley]]}}
:An ally of the Gundam pilots and the strongest political advocate for peace between Earth and the colonies, who is kidnapped by the Mariemaia Army.
;[[List of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing characters#Duo Maxwell|Duo Maxwell]]
:{{animevoices|[[Toshihiko Seki]]|[[Scott McNeil]]}}
:Pilot of the XXXG-01D2 Gundam Deathscythe Hell,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.mahq.net/mecha/gundam/w/xxxg-01d2.htm | title = XXXG-01D2 Gundam Deathscythe Hell | access-date = 2013-02-01 | publisher = Mecha Anime HQ | archive-date = 2012-12-29 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121229103246/http://mahq.net/mecha/gundam/w/xxxg-01d2.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> who assists his fellow Gundam pilots in maintaining the peace they fought so hard to attain.
;[[List of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing characters#Trowa Barton|Trowa Barton]]
:{{animevoices|[[Shigeru Nakahara]]|[[Kirby Morrow]]}}
:Pilot of the XXXG-01H2 Gundam Heavyarms Kai,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.mahq.net/mecha/gundam/w/xxxg-01h2.htm | title = XXXG-01H2 Gundam Heavyarms Kai | access-date = 2013-02-01 | publisher = Mecha Anime HQ | archive-date = 2013-02-20 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130220000143/http://mahq.net/mecha/gundam/w/xxxg-01h2.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> who infiltrates the Mariemaia Army in order to prevent its revised version of Operation Meteor.
;[[List of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing characters#Quatre Raberba Winner|Quatre Raberba Winner]]
:{{animevoices|[[Ai Orikasa]]|[[Brad Swaile]]}}}
:Pilot of the XXXG-01SR2 Gundam Sandrock Kai,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.mahq.net/mecha/gundam/w/xxxg-01sr2.htm | title = XXXG-01SR2 Gundam Sandrock Kai | access-date = 2013-02-01 | publisher = Mecha Anime HQ | archive-date = 2012-06-05 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120605191500/http://mahq.net/mecha/gundam/w/xxxg-01sr2.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> who comes up with the idea of sending the Gundams into the Sun, but is forced to retrieve them after the Mariemaia Army declares war on the Earth.
;[[List of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing characters#Chang Wufei|Chang Wufei]]
:{{animevoices|[[Ryuuzou Ishino]]|[[Ted Cole]]}}
:Pilot of the XXXG-01S2 Altron Gundam,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.mahq.net/mecha/gundam/w/xxxg-01s2.htm | title = XXXG-01S2 Altron Gundam | access-date = 2013-02-01 | publisher = Mecha Anime HQ | archive-date = 2012-12-30 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121230184240/http://www.mahq.net/mecha/gundam/w/xxxg-01s2.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> who joins forces with the Mariemaia Army and becomes an enemy toward the other Gundam pilots.
;[[List of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing characters#Zechs Merquise|Zechs Merquise]]
:{{animevoices|[[Takehito Koyasu]]|[[Brian Drummond]]}}
:A former enemy of the Gundam pilots, now their ally and a member of the Preventers (code name: "Wind"), as well as the pilot of the new OZ-00MS2B Tallgeese III mobile suit.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.mahq.net/mecha/gundam/endlesswaltz/oz-00ms2b.htm | title = OZ-00MS2B Tallgeese III | access-date = 2013-02-01 | publisher = Mecha Anime HQ | archive-date = 2012-12-29 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121229133219/http://mahq.net/mecha/gundam/endlesswaltz/oz-00ms2b.htm | url-status = live }}</ref>
;[[List of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing characters#Lucrezia Noin|Lucrezia Noin]]
:{{animevoices|[[Chisa Yokoyama]]|[[Saffron Henderson]]}}
:An ally of the Gundam pilots and a member of the Preventers (code name: "Fire").
;[[List of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing characters#Sally Po|Sally Po]]
:{{animevoices|[[Yumi Touma]]|[[Samantha Ferris]]}}
:Another ally of the Gundam pilots and a member of the Preventers (code name: "Water").
;[[List of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing characters#Lady Une|Lady Une]]
:{{animevoices|[[Sayuri Yamauchi]]|[[Enuka Okuma]]}}
:Another former enemy of the Gundam pilots, now their ally and the head of the Preventers (code name: "Gold").
;[[List of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing characters#Mariemaia Khushrenada|Mariemaia Khushrenada]]
:{{animevoices|[[Rei Sakuma]]|[[Maggie Blue O'Hara]]}}
:The young daughter of the deceased Treize Khushrenada and Leia Barton, who is manipulated by her grandfather Dekim Barton into leading a rebellion against the Earth with the intentions of conquering it.
;Narrator
:{{animevoices|[[Akio Ōtsuka]]|[[Campbell Lane]]}}

==Mecha redesigns==
One of the most notable features of ''Endless Waltz'' was the massive redesigns all five of the Gundams from the end of the ''Gundam Wing'' TV series received, courtesy of the artist [[Hajime Katoki]]. The Gundams in ''Endless Waltz'' have more stylized appearances, reflected in the even more demonic design of the Gundam Deathscythe Hell, the more dragon-like design of the Altron Gundam, and the new "angel-winged" design of the Wing Zero Gundam. Despite the dramatically different designs of the Gundams, the story in ''Endless Waltz'' [[Retcon|retcons them]] as if the original designs from the TV series never existed.<ref name="New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz" /> However, this changed after the release of the ''Glory of Losers'' [[manga]] series.

==Music==

===Theme songs===
{{main|Music of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing}}
*'''OVA Ending Theme''': "[[White Reflection]]" by [[Two-Mix]]<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mZVX4g16fI | title = Endless Waltz OVA ending theme | access-date = 2013-02-11 | publisher = YouTube | archive-date = 2017-10-23 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171023135635/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mZVX4g16fI | url-status = live }}</ref>
*'''Movie Ending Theme''': "[[Last Impression]]" by Two-Mix<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2r7cJvtUNo | title = Endless Waltz movie ending theme | access-date = 2013-02-11 | publisher = YouTube | archive-date = 2014-06-05 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140605180951/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2r7cJvtUNo&gl=US&hl=en | url-status = live }}</ref>

==Distribution==
In North America, ''Endless Waltz'' premiered on Canada's [[YTV (TV channel)|YTV]] on September 11, 2000<ref>{{cite news |title=Squamish Chief: Tuesday, September 5, 2000 - Squamish History Archives |url=https://squamishlibrary.digitalcollections.ca/squamish-chief-tuesday-september-5-2000 |access-date=28 October 2021 |work=squamishlibrary.digitalcollections.ca |date=5 September 2000 |archive-date=28 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028232107/https://squamishlibrary.digitalcollections.ca/squamish-chief-tuesday-september-5-2000 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=YTV monthly CRTC Television Program Logs - February 2000 to September 2007 |url=https://archive.org/details/ytv-CRTC-Logs |website=Archive.org |access-date=28 October 2021 |date=September 2007}}</ref> and on [[Cartoon Network]] in the U.S. on November 10, 2000.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSAe5MMJZ2w | title = Endless Waltz Toonami trailer | date = 27 June 2010 | access-date = 2013-02-01 | publisher = YouTube | archive-date = 2013-03-12 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130312103328/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSAe5MMJZ2w&gl=US&hl=en | url-status = live }}</ref> It was later released to VHS, UMD,  and DVD by [[Bandai Entertainment]],<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAuoznPuS04 | title = Endless Waltz Bandai trailer | access-date = 2013-02-11 | publisher = YouTube | archive-date = 2014-10-31 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141031171453/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAuoznPuS04 | url-status = live }}</ref> with the DVD edition containing both the OVA and compilation film versions on one disc.<ref name="New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz" /> Due to the closure of Bandai Entertainment, the OVA and film went out-of-print. On October 11, 2014 at their 2014 [[New York Comic Con]] panel, Sunrise announced they will be releasing all of the Gundam franchise, including ''Endless Waltz'' in North America though distribution from [[Right Stuf Inc.]], beginning in Spring 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-10-11/sunrise-partners-with-right-stuf-to-release-gundam-franchise-stateside/.79830|title=Sunrise Partners with Right Stuf to Release Gundam Franchise Stateside|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2014-10-11|access-date=2014-10-12|archive-date=2014-10-11|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141011180715/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-10-11/sunrise-partners-with-right-stuf-to-release-gundam-franchise-stateside/.79830|url-status=live}}</ref> Right Stuf had re-released ''Endless Waltz'' on Blu-ray and DVD in December 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-08-12/right-stuf-details-g-gundam-gundam-wing-anime-releases/.120051|title=Right Stuf Details G Gundam, Gundam Wing Anime Releases|publisher=Anime News Network|date=August 12, 2017|access-date=August 12, 2017|archive-date=March 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311211400/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-08-12/right-stuf-details-g-gundam-gundam-wing-anime-releases/.120051|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Reception==
The initial airing of the OVA on November 10, 2000, was [[Cartoon Network]]'s second highest-rated program ever at the time, only being topped by the [[Funimation Entertainment|Funimation]]'s in-house dub of ''[[Dragon Ball|Dragon Ball Z]]''.<ref>{{Cite web | date=December 12, 2000 | title=Gundam Wing leaving Toonami?! | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2000-12-12/gundam-wing-leaving-toonami | publisher=Anime News Network | access-date=2008-11-29 | archive-date=2023-08-12 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812192611/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2000-12-12/gundam-wing-leaving-toonami | url-status=live }}</ref> [[Helen McCarthy]] in ''500 Essential Anime Movies'' commented that "the giant robot fights are as good as ever" and that "the art direction and design is excellent".<ref>[[Helen McCarthy|McCarthy, Helen]]. ''500 Essential Anime Movies: The Ultimate Guide''. — Harper Design, 2009. — P. 122. — 528 p. — {{ISBN|978-0061474507}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.gundam-w.jp}} {{in lang|ja}}
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.gundamofficial.com/www_ac/ew/index.html |date=* |title=Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz English official website }}
* {{anime News Network|anime|255}}

{{s-start}}
{{succession box | before = ''[[After War Gundam X]]'' | title = ''[[Gundam]]'' metaseries (production order) | years = 1997 | after = ''[[Turn A Gundam|∀ Gundam]]'' }}
{{succession box | before = ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam Wing]]'' | title = ''Gundam'' [[After Colony]] timeline | years = AC 196 | after = ''[[New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Frozen Teardrop]]'' }}
{{s-end}}
{{Portal|Anime and manga|1990s}}
{{Mobile Suit Gundam Wing}}
{{Gundam}}
{{Sunrise films}}

[[Category:1997 anime OVAs]]
[[Category:1998 anime films]]
[[Category:1998 films]]
[[Category:Bandai Entertainment anime titles]]
[[Category:Gundam anime and manga|Wing Endless Waltz]]
[[Category:Kadokawa Shoten manga]]
[[Category:Kodansha manga]]
[[Category:Kōichi Tokita]]<!-- 1998 manga adaptation -->
[[Category:Fiction about impact events]]
[[Category:Mobile Suit Gundam Wing|Endless Waltz]]
[[Category:Sunrise (company)]]
[[Category:Shochiku films|Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz -Special Edition-]]
[[Category:Tokyopop titles]]
[[Category:Viz Media manga]]
[[Category:Works about coups d'état]]
[[Category:Real robot anime and manga]]