A lot of people (including me) have noted a lot of similarities between Aldnoah.Zero (AZ) and Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans (Gundam).
- Mars vs Earth conflict (albeit different sides — AZ is Earth trying to be liberated from Mars while Gundam is Mars seeking liberation from Earth).
- The mechs from Mars, while using older technology, are more advanced than the Earth mechs
- The main characters both end up losing their sight in one eye in the respective 1st season finales (Inaho gets his eye shot out, Mikazuki loses his sight and use of the right arm due to overusing the Gundam Barbatos (and can only regain function while connected to the Gundam).
- Both have blonde haired political princesses as potential love interests in Season 1 (Elysium in AZ, Kudelia in Gundam).
Is this more than coincidence? Do we know if Gundam took these elements from Aldnoah.Zero?