So after watching Zeta Gundam I figured hey, ZZ Gundam can't be that bad right? It's one of those things that's hated just because it's hated. The whole "worst gundam ever" is probably just a meme. Besides, Zeta ends on a cliffhanger, the Axis and Haman weren't dealt with, and we don't know what Char and Amuro are doing. It's probably funny too.
I was wrong. Terribly wrong. It's actually worse than people said it would be. It's not even gradual the first two episodes come right out the gate as complete trash. One was supposed to be a recap but it was an obnoxious toy commercial more than anything, and the other somehow displays everything wrong with the series and cast at once. Dogshit traitorous new characters, said dogshit traitors replacing and/or obnoxiously showing up the old characters who were retconned to be morons for that sake, nobody ever gets reprimanded like before, title gundam looks stupid, "onii-chan" little sister character, terrible writing (not just when it's trying to be a terrible slapstick comedy), literal simps for villains. I could go on. I tried to power through but even watching at 3x speed doesn't help. I was willing to slog through if it meant the second half was good like I heard, but ruining Bright and chastising the main character for calling out traitors who nearly got them all murdered was just too much for me back to back. Actually the teenage girl who chastised him is the same person Bright is made stupid to elevate. He's not just stupid like the other returning characters the show goes out of its way to humiliate him. Also Char is never in it. He's in the intro but I looked it up and he never actually appears. What the hell.
This is genuinely the worst anime I've ever watched. Apparently, Garzey's Wing and Brain Powered are somehow worse. I'm morbidly curious about those but this wasn't even fun.
ZZ is one of those series most people either love or hate, never much middle ground. Personally I really enjoy the series, does have a rough start which I think was an attempt to lighten the mood after Z that gave tonal whiplash, but as it nears the middle it starts to get into its groove. Judau and the rest of the Shangri-la gang really grew on me, even Beecha and Mondo. It's actually refreshing how they stand up for themselves and tell Bright or others to get bent when asked to do shit they don't want, nothing was more satisfying than Judau punching back when Bright or Wong tried to start shit. They aren't military, basically mercs to fill in for the fighting force the argama is unable to get and mainly only there because it's a convenient place to try getting Leina back. Sure, later in the show Judau develops more reasons to fight but none of them are due to any love for the Federation or furthering their desires. Judau remains up there as one of my favorite UC protagonist, he's super fun to watch.
One was supposed to be a recap but it was an obnoxious toy commercial more than anything
First episode most people recommend skipping since as you said it's a recap. ZZ seems to have similar problems with Victory in its beginning (Though it's more due to interference higher up wanting action first in Victory).
Dogshit traitorous new characters
Are you talking about Beecha and Mondo? Yeah they do that for a bit mainly because of the Shangri-La character backstory of Junk Dealers that didn't care for a side as long as they got money. Both of them were just weighing which side would make them the most money and more guarantee their survival. Given the reaction of the other Shangri-La guys they must have been used to the two pulling similar shit back home since it comes across more as exasperation.
nobody ever gets reprimanded like before
I mean, none of the Shangri-La gang are military yet Bright kept treating them as if they were with his demands. There's no need for them to take any of his shit.
title gundam looks stupid
Subjective opinion. I love me the Chunky ZZ design and it's later upgrades. Actually wish we got more chunky main suit designs.
"onii-chan" little sister character
Leina is kind of annoying I agree but she's also 10 and the situation she's forced into is pretty awful. If you already don't like Leina you'll probably hate
Puru.
literal simps for villains
Idk I found Glemy and mashymre entertaining.
One of the big issues near the beginning is Bright not understanding he can't use his old dominating ways with the Shangri-La kids and it constantly backfiring on him. Once he starts realizing how to properly deal with them there's a lot less butting heads.
Also Char is never in it. He's in the intro but I looked it up and he never actually appears. What the hell.
I remember reading that they had plans to bring in Char as the big bad for the last third but think they scrapped that once they got confirmation to go ahead with CCA, they were doing work on that alongside ZZ.
Having said all that in defense of ZZ, I'd recommend you skip it anyway and just go to CCA for the conclusion to the Amuro/Char rivalry. Was honestly glad it didn't show up in ZZ since it already took away some fun from Zeta when Amuro showed up for me. ZZ isn't really referenced much, outside stuff like Unicorn I think, so it won't impact CCA for you. You will be missing out on the First Neo Zeon War (takes place during ZZ) and the conclusion to some plot lines from Zeta, but you should force yourself to watch a show you very clearly don't enjoy. Maybe just look up some summaries on ZZ to properly set the stage for CCA.
