I think it's because Tomino said that one episode (15) was so bad, and he doesn't want anyone to see it. Granted, if Japan decided to include it anyways despite his best wishes, us Americans getting the version without the episode is weird.

Which like I said, I don't understand because it was a pretty enjoyable episode. Not to mention Tomino doesn't even know what qualifies as good or bad even if it bit him in the ass. I'll have to search for it to download at some point because I'd love to watch it again.

If Tomino were to throw out stuff that was clearly bad, he would have thrown out the first half of ZZ and all of Victory by now :p. Although he's disavowed Victory, he doesn't seem the same sort of power over it as he does with MSG episode 15. Maybe it's just because Bandai could sell new sets of Victory and keep the designs relevant compared to whatever unimportant stuff happened in episode 15 that won't sell them kits.

I think the guy deserves to leave the Gundam franchise off on a high note, so he could make up for the First half of ZZ if he directed some ZZ compilation movies with gorgeous new animation. Make the whole tone of the show like the second half, include some stuff about where Amuro and Char are during the Neo Zeon event, connect it better to Char's Counterattack.

...But I like Victory.

I hope Rightstuf fixes the episode numbers when they release Victory and make what aired as the first episode in its correct spot of being episode 4.

ZZ is one of my favorite Gundam series, so I think it is fine just as. The Zeta compilation movies are down right dreadful and cut out most of the good stuff. Not to mention it makes the motivations of certain characters unknown. As far as I'm concerned, all Gundam compilation movies are for those who don't care about story, they just want brainless mech action but can't sit through 50 episodes.

Char's Counter Attack is just a terrible movie no matter what. The only reason I own it and watch it is because it is the conclusion to the Amuro/Char storyline. It just is a shame they had to go out on such a convoluted whimper. Not to mention Char's sudden desire to destroy the Earth makes no sense.

*looks at Seed and Seed Destiny*....
https://media.giphy.com/media/LzKhSiHnpMyHu/giphy.gif

I don't get it.

Are you talking about the Seed compilation movies? Because they were still awful, but the only reason they were only slightly better was due to half the shows just being clip show episodes. :lol

The only downside to the Seed movies is we see less of the Strike before the aimbot shows up on the otherhand though the stupid soap opera drama and Kira's wangst is drastically reduced.

And The Destiny movies make it somewhat watchable.

I got annoyed so bad by the fact they choose to do TWO GOD DAMNED CLIP SHOWS in a row after leaving it off on a cliff hanger too...keep in mind, when I watched SEED it was on TV back in the 90s.

That's incredible! Especially seeing as SEED didn't even exist until 2002! ;)