I cannot believe no-one has made a thread for these yet. I'd rather make a thread about the UC Gundam series (Zeta, 08th, 0083 etc etc), but they are not very well known with the younger fans of Gundam since those series are +- 10/15 years old. So instead this thread is for the more recent incarnations of the Gundam multiverse.

This is really a thread I made to discuss the characters and plot development in both series since they are on many areas intertwined with one another.

SEED:
Unlike what many others say, I think this is the worst of the two main SEED storylines since it really only focuses on one character (Kira Yamato), which by chance I also find the most annoying character yet.
Not that I don't like the way they focused on one character, just the choice is very bad.

As always the EAF(Earth Alliance Force) gets pounded despite having some kickass drug-boosted Gundam pilots (Crot[Raider], Shani[Forbidden], Orga[Calamity]), but they are consecutively wiped out by Yzak Joule[Duel], which is a true shame.

All in all it's worth a watch, if only Kira Yamato wasn't included.

SEED Destiny:
Now we come to the cream of the crop, the way CE(Cosmic Era) should have been.

We have a new main character (YAY) named Shinn Asuka, who finds himself in a tight spot after seeing his family getting killed by ORB/Kira Yamato[Freedom]. Oh god, KIRA YET AGAIN?

Destiny is all about intrigues, deception, lies and treachery, which makes it a fine show to watch. There's enough action to keep everyone interested, and the fillers are kept to a minimum.

As for the characters, the "main" character Shinn Asuka is easy to relate to, since he's very human.
Sadly enough there are a few characters that make their not so welcome return from SEED. Namely Kira Yamato, Athrun Zala and Lacus Clyne (some minor characters return, but in a not so annoying way).

Kira yet again wants to fight a Holy War (hence the nickname the community gives him, Jesus Yamato). There is also the annoying ORB princess Cagalli Attha who has no idea about politics, and ends up killing many of her own troopers. She was a fine character in SEED, but in Destiny she is a total emo. Athrun Zala decides to return to ZAFT, but defects from it later, and repeats this, thus making him a double time traitor to ZAFT.

This time around, ZAFT and PLANT get pounded, which in a way is a true shame since they have the greatest characters.

The Gundam designs in both series are very good, and in most cases the animation is top notch, making for some eyecandy action.

If u wanna kill Kira...go and play Rengou vs ZAFT II PLUS.

Seed & Destiny are very good series.there on my to buy list.

I think Gundam Seed is quite a good series actually, and I do like Kira Yamato. But he can get a bit annoying since he is all "god-like" and "holy" as you said. It would be better if he wasn't invincible, but, I still like him :)

Personally, i find that the Cosmic Era gundams are over powered. The newest installment, Gundam 00, is much more realistic.

Accounting for the fact that mechs are generally impractical and far from cost efficient? If Gundam were to be at all realistic it would have to find a completely different premise. Let's refer to science fiction as what it is: fiction.

I recommend watching the series Gundam 00 to understand what it is indeed about. I am referring to realism as in political sense:) The Gundams in the series are what they should be, but the mobile suits everyone else have is, well, terrible. Overall, Gundam 00 is on par with Gundam Wing in terms of story and mecha. I think you'll find the series quite interesting. And one more thing: I'm taking into account every single mobile suit and Gundam present in the entire Gundam franchise (Universal Century, Cosmic Era, Anno Domini, etc). When I say overpowered, those units in the Cosmic Era are indeed that. The suits from Gundam Wing and Gundam 00 are far more plausible, as not every joint or extension is a weapon. Don't get me wrong; I like the Cosmic Era the way it is. However, the newest series takes things back a bit, and due to its similarity with Gundam Wing, I find Gundam 00 to be a more engaging series. Natually, the series is relatvely new, and thus, I've only seen the episodes that are already out. Anyhow, at least see the series before passing judgement:)