Common Sense Media Review
By Jeremy Looney, based on child development research. How do we rate?
age 14+
Lots of blood and action in dark sci-fi anime.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans is a Japanese sci-fi anime. The series centers around a group of child soldiers who form a military company and participate in a revolution to free Mars and its people. There is fantasy violence and scary imagery that includes war, starvation, blood, and death. Weapons such as bombs, guns, swords are used. It's common to see characters die in combat and there is a lot of blood. Sexual content includes implied off-screen sex, characters making sexual comments, and a character whose backstory heavily implies they are the victim of sexual abuse. Language includes "damn," "hell," "bastard," and "ass." Characters smoke cigars and drink in multiple scenes.
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Violence & Scariness
a lot
Lots of fantasy violence and scary imagery. This includes war, starvation, blood, death, use of weapons such as bombs, guns, swords, etc. executions, dismemberment, and child abuse. It's common to see characters die in combat from getting beaten, executed, shot, stabbed, or exploded. There are depictions of abusive experimental surgeries performed on child soldiers.
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Sex, Romance & Nudity
some
There are sexual references. Characters talk about wanting to die between large breasts. There is implied off-screen sex.
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Language
some
Language includes "damn," "hell," "bastard," and "ass."
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Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
some
Characters drink and smoke cigars in multiple scenes.
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Products & Purchases
very little
This series is part of the Gundam franchise that offers films, tv series, comics, novels, video games, toys, and model kits available for purchase. None of these are referenced in this series.
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Positive Messages
a little
Themes explored include sacrifice, bravery, slavery, independence, poverty, and corruption.
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Positive Role Models
a little
Soldiers on both sides of the conflict show perseverance, bravery, and sacrifice. Kudelia is a kind and courageous woman. She is a royal noble who leads a political movement that fights for the independence of Mars and her people. She is a pacifist who wishes to achieve her goals with the least amount of bloodshed. Her sheltered royal lifestyle makes her naïve to the grim realities of war.
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Diverse Representations
a little
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans is a Japanese series set in space. The cast is made up of male and female characters. Most of the characters appear light-skinned and are presumably meant to resemble Japanese or White people. The series focuses on social class, status, activism, and independence within its fictional political system. A royal noblewoman Kudelia leads the political movement for Mars independence from Earth.
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Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans
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What's the Story?
MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM: IRON-BLOODED ORPHANS centers around a band of child soldiers who form a private military group called Tekkadan. The group led by Orga Itsuka (voiced by Johnny Yong Bosch) and Mikazuki Augus (Kyle McCarley) participate in an active revolution against the government of Earth to establish independence for Mars and its people.
Is It Any Good?
Fans of mecha (robot and machine-focused) anime may enjoy this darker installment to the hit franchise. Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans is a solid entry in the Gundam franchise. It mixes solid amounts of action and grit to deliver satisfying battle scenes. The art and animation are strong, and the fight choreography is very fluid. Plus, the mecha themselves have unique designs that are fun to examine.
Beyond the surface, the series' grittier plot and its exploration of the darker themes of war such as child soldiers and government corruption adds depth. That said, this anime tends to wallow in these themes and often borders on melodrama.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about activism. Protests and activism are themes in this series. Talk about what makes a movement successful. What are the factors of successful movements?
Sacrifice is another theme addressed in this series. Have you ever had to sacrifice something important? How did it feel?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 4, 2015
- Cast : Kyle McCarley, Cherami Leigh, Johnny Yong Bosch
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Adventures, Robots, Space and Aliens
- TV rating : TV-14
- Last updated : August 9, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans
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