Gundam Wing has skyrocketed to the top of Cartoon Network's programming to become the highest rated program on the Toonami block by a substantial margin. Gundam Wing's average rating is consistently beating Dragonball Z and Sailor Moon in all age categories.

As for teen ratings, Gundam Wing has been able to maintain its No. 1 position not just on the Toonami block, but against the entire Cartoon Network.

Gundam Wing's immense popularity can be attributed to the expanding popularity of Japanese Animation in recent years, including titles such as Pokemon and Princess Mononoke.

The space colonies have grown tired of the oppressive rule by the Earth Government, a corrupt organization ruled by politicians who have no interests in the colonists nor their well-being. Their rules are unjust and unfair, but not unopposed.

Resistance forces in the colonies have created five special Mobile Suits (robot-like vehicles) called Gundams. Five young pilots have been selected to sneak these Gundam down to Earth and begin a campaign to end the Earth government's tyrannical rule forever. These pilots carry the hopes and dreams of thousands of people with them as they descend to Earth to fight for their freedom.

What is Gundam?

Gundam is a set of animated science fiction series that has been running for the last 20 years on Japanese television. Celebrating its 20th anniversary last year, the Gundam franchise has since spawned 8 television series, 8 feature films, and 4 direct to video releases. The Gundam franchise has often be referred to as the ``Star Wars of Japan''.

Visit www.gundamofficial.com or www.Bandai-Ent.com for further information.

Bandai Entertainment is one of the premier distributors of Japanese animation on home video in North America. They have distributed such notable titles like Mobile Suit Gundam, Silent Mobius, Cowboy Bebop and The Vision of Escaflowne.

Bandai Entertainment is a subsidiary of Bandai America Inc., who makes the toys for the FOX hit television series, The Power Rangers and Digimon and is producing the action model kits, and action figures for Gundam Wing. The kits were orginally test marketed exclusively at Toys R Us stores in Southern California last year, and on Toysrus.com, and are now being spotted at Toys R Us locations around the country. Bandai will continue to expand on the products distribution as it continues to expand on the line itself.

Many new Gundam Wing products were shown recently at the American International Toy Fair and can be seen in RTM's Bandai Toy Fair 2000 coverage. A few of the currently available are shown below.

[Updated 3/20//2000]

Gundam Wing Zero	Mercurius

Tallgeese