The Anno Domini (AD) timeline in Mobile Suit Gundam 00 paints a bleak picture of a near-future world where warfare and the struggle for energy resources have shaped the course of humanity. Before the intervention of Celestial Being, the nations of the world were engulfed in a spiral of war and despair, fighting not only for power but for survival on a planet teetering on the brink of collapse. To understand the events that led to the rise of Celestial Being and its mission to eradicate war, we must look back to the origins of the war in Anno Domini, a period of intense international tensions and resource scarcity.
The Collapse of the World Order: The Rise of Superpowers
Throughout the 21st century, humanity faced a series of economic, social, and ecological crises that transformed the world order as we knew it. The once united nations, bound by ideals of international cooperation, were rapidly fragmented due to the growing rivalry between political blocs, resource scarcity, and global warming. The energy crisis was one of the key factors that triggered the fall of governments and the formation of regional superpowers.
The most coveted energy resource was hydrogen, particularly solar hydrogen, which was used as a primary source to power GN Drives and other advanced technologies. Control over this vital resource became the driving force behind international tensions, especially among the three main superpowers: the European Union (EU), the American Union (AU), and the African Federation (AFR). These factions fought not only for political and military supremacy but also to secure access to the energy resources necessary to maintain their economies and military power.
The war for resources sparked a series of conflicts that spread across the globe, with numerous regional wars affecting millions of people. During this period of chaos, the balance of power was unstable, and the world seemed on the brink of total war.
The Role of Private Military Organizations
As the great powers fought for supremacy, private military organizations began to emerge, unaffiliated with any of the superpowers. These organizations, motivated primarily by financial or ideological interests, played a crucial role in the global conflicts. They became key players in the war for resources, and their presence in the conflicts was widely accepted, even by governments, which often relied on them to destabilize their enemies without directly involving their own armed forces.
One of the most influential organizations was Ali Al-Saachez, the leader of a paramilitary group known as the International Armed Terrorists. His involvement in the global conflicts was a demonstration of how the superpowers depended on non-state actors to carry out covert operations or high-intensity attacks. While these organizations did not represent any particular nation, their military power and ability to trigger significant confrontations made them unavoidable players in the history of the Anno Domini conflict.
Technology as a Factor of Change
Technology played a decisive role in the escalation of the global conflict. The development of new weapons, defense systems, and advanced military technologies contributed to the prolongation of the war and violence. Mobile Suits, powerful robotic war machines, became the cornerstone of the superpowers' armies. While Mobile Suits had been used for military purposes since the 20th century, their widespread adoption by all the major factions of the world marked a point of no return.
The key technological breakthrough that changed the course of the war was the GN Drive, an energy source that promised almost infinite efficiency in power production. However, this advance was not only a blessing for the nations that managed to develop it but also a curse. The resources required to produce this device were scarce and controlled by a few powerful corporations. This sparked even more conflict over control of this technology, further increasing tensions globally.
In addition to the Mobile Suits, the ability of artificial intelligence (AI) to control and coordinate attacks also became a decisive factor. Military AIs were used in many of the most significant battles, making quick and efficient decisions on the battlefield. However, this dependence on technology also led governments to make dangerous decisions and, in some cases, to dehumanize military operations, sidelining diplomacy in favor of violence.
The Intervention of Celestial Being: A Response to the Escalation of War
Despite the efforts of the superpowers to maintain order, global war intensified to the point where a worldwide catastrophe seemed inevitable. It was in this desperate context that Celestial Being, a secret organization operating outside the interests of the major powers, emerged.
Founded by Aeolia Schenberg, a visionary scientist, Celestial Being had a clear goal: to eradicate war through armed intervention. Its approach was radical and unconventional: instead of seeking peace through diplomacy, Celestial Being used its technological superiority and Gundam Mobile Suits to directly intervene in armed conflicts, destabilizing belligerent factions and preventing the war from continuing its course.
While many saw Celestial Being as a force for peace, others considered it a threat that could destroy the world order as they knew it. The organization intervened directly in conflicts, attacking the military forces of the superpowers and acting without the authorization of any of the parties involved. Its goal was not to win any war but to dismantle the power structures that perpetuated violence, forcing nations to reconsider their approaches to peace.
War as the Prelude to Change
The origins of war in Anno Domini show us a world on the brink of self-destruction, where global conflicts and the fight for resources led to an escalation that seemed irreversible. The superpowers, private organizations, and military technology formed a dangerous amalgamation that defined a period of constant confrontation.
When Celestial Being intervened, it marked a turning point in history, forcing nations to confront their own inability to stop the war through conventional means. This intervention was both a desperate response and a wake-up call for humanity. However, the consequences of this intervention were not without controversy, and debates over the morality of Celestial Being's actions would continue throughout the rest of the series.
If you're a fan of Gundam 00, what do you think about the intervention of Celestial Being? Was it a necessary solution or an overly radical action? We invite you to share your thoughts in the comments and continue exploring the fascinating history of Anno Domini with us. How do you think humanity could have avoided the war in this context? Your perspective matters!