ShopDreamUp AI ArtDreamUp
Deviation Actions
Literature Text
NOTE: This review is written under the expectation that the reader has watched the episode under review. Spoilers will be discussed freely and unlabelled, so if you’ve not watched the episode read at your own risk.
If you watched the last episode and were bothered by how the Gundam Barbatos just suddenly appeared at the end of that episode, this episodes opening should placate that issue. The sudden reveal of the Gundam last episode was a damn good way of finishing the animes premiere episode, so seeing the events leading up to that and showing Mikazuki and the Gundam being prepared was fairly justified. If nothing else it highlighted that piloting the Gundam will have severe mental stress on Mika due to it being more advanced than a typical Mobile Worker, which we saw throughout the episode with Mika’s nose bleed.
The subsequent battle between Mikazuki and the two Gjallarhorn managed to be entertaining and successfully portrayed the Gundam’s capabilities without making it seem overpowered. Considering the annoying trend of Gundam battles reducing to just beam spamming it was actually really cool to get a battle scene which relied a lot more on close combat, and to a certain degree an element of tactics (such as Mika using Gjallarhorn Mobile Workers as a shield).
The combat this episode happened at the start so the majority of the episode was instead dedicated to the main characters licking their wounds after the attack. If there was any doubt last episode that the horrors and abuse of child soldiers wasn’t gonna be a major part of this anime those doubts were swept away this week. Mika’s use of the Gundam further emphasis the level of mental trauma just piloting Mobile suits and workers can be on a person and paints a much darker shadow on seeing so many young in the show piloting them.
The show certainly hits this over the head during a small flashback scene of Kudelia making speech about the horrors of poverty on Mars and putting a special emphasis on the children that are suffering. This can arguably be considered strange since it ain’t just children that are hurt by poverty, but it is seemingly keeping with the shows major theme and one could argue that Kudelia emphasising the horrors the current situation of Mars on children is a good tactical way to garner support. Really the bit I liked was Crank Zent – the elder Gjallarhorn pilot – being disgusted and reluctant to fight when he learns that his enemies are children. It makes for a good, nuanced antagonist and shows that even one of the ‘bad guys’ is disgusted by all of this.
There isn’t much to talk about this one because again it was just an aftermath episode. Besides the battle and the show showing just how awful things are we see the start of our main characters planning to overthrow their older superiors the First Army Division. We also get a scene between Mika and Orga which further emphasises how much they do depend and trust each other, and the show has done a fine job at making their bond very genuine.
If there is anything to complain about, it’s that I don’t see yet what that little girl Atra is contributing to this series besides token cute girl, or Biscuits two sisters for that matter. In fact it is really unfortunate that all the female characters in this show – barring possibly Kudelia’s maid – seem to be ineffective bystanders so far. I still like what they’re doing with Kudelia and how this whole situation has forced her to confront her own ignorance, but the show needs to be careful in how long they keep that up for. Eventually she’s got to actually become useful and not a burden or else she will just be a scrappy.
Some Minor Points…
. The episode hinted that Mika is illiterate and according to Wikipedia most of the Third Division is illiterate too. Damn.
. Forgot to mention this last week, but this show’s soundtrack is AWESOME!
. Yea, they do seem to be setting something up with Mika. His creepily calm nature is just too abnormal, and unlike the dumbasses who made Aldnoah.Zero I have a feeling that this shows creators are planning something with him.
. Biscuits sisters are named Cookie and Cracker. Perfect.
. Don’t know what to think of these two Gjallarhorn inspectors yet. They’re much more relaxed and almost less serious than the other soldiers and it’s hard to say at the moment what their role in this story exactly is gonna be.
. Anime opening is all right. Not a fan of Engrish but I’ve heard worse, and the rest of the song is pretty decent.
Overall
While this episode didn’t blow me away like last week it kinda didn’t need to. This was clearly a cool down episode from last week and in this regard it did its job to a T. It’s helped further set up this world and it’s properly introduced the shows new Gundam. Next week is looking to be more eventful and I certainly can’t wait to see it. Till then!
If you watched the last episode and were bothered by how the Gundam Barbatos just suddenly appeared at the end of that episode, this episodes opening should placate that issue. The sudden reveal of the Gundam last episode was a damn good way of finishing the animes premiere episode, so seeing the events leading up to that and showing Mikazuki and the Gundam being prepared was fairly justified. If nothing else it highlighted that piloting the Gundam will have severe mental stress on Mika due to it being more advanced than a typical Mobile Worker, which we saw throughout the episode with Mika’s nose bleed.
The subsequent battle between Mikazuki and the two Gjallarhorn managed to be entertaining and successfully portrayed the Gundam’s capabilities without making it seem overpowered. Considering the annoying trend of Gundam battles reducing to just beam spamming it was actually really cool to get a battle scene which relied a lot more on close combat, and to a certain degree an element of tactics (such as Mika using Gjallarhorn Mobile Workers as a shield).
The combat this episode happened at the start so the majority of the episode was instead dedicated to the main characters licking their wounds after the attack. If there was any doubt last episode that the horrors and abuse of child soldiers wasn’t gonna be a major part of this anime those doubts were swept away this week. Mika’s use of the Gundam further emphasis the level of mental trauma just piloting Mobile suits and workers can be on a person and paints a much darker shadow on seeing so many young in the show piloting them.
The show certainly hits this over the head during a small flashback scene of Kudelia making speech about the horrors of poverty on Mars and putting a special emphasis on the children that are suffering. This can arguably be considered strange since it ain’t just children that are hurt by poverty, but it is seemingly keeping with the shows major theme and one could argue that Kudelia emphasising the horrors the current situation of Mars on children is a good tactical way to garner support. Really the bit I liked was Crank Zent – the elder Gjallarhorn pilot – being disgusted and reluctant to fight when he learns that his enemies are children. It makes for a good, nuanced antagonist and shows that even one of the ‘bad guys’ is disgusted by all of this.
There isn’t much to talk about this one because again it was just an aftermath episode. Besides the battle and the show showing just how awful things are we see the start of our main characters planning to overthrow their older superiors the First Army Division. We also get a scene between Mika and Orga which further emphasises how much they do depend and trust each other, and the show has done a fine job at making their bond very genuine.
If there is anything to complain about, it’s that I don’t see yet what that little girl Atra is contributing to this series besides token cute girl, or Biscuits two sisters for that matter. In fact it is really unfortunate that all the female characters in this show – barring possibly Kudelia’s maid – seem to be ineffective bystanders so far. I still like what they’re doing with Kudelia and how this whole situation has forced her to confront her own ignorance, but the show needs to be careful in how long they keep that up for. Eventually she’s got to actually become useful and not a burden or else she will just be a scrappy.
Some Minor Points…
. The episode hinted that Mika is illiterate and according to Wikipedia most of the Third Division is illiterate too. Damn.
. Forgot to mention this last week, but this show’s soundtrack is AWESOME!
. Yea, they do seem to be setting something up with Mika. His creepily calm nature is just too abnormal, and unlike the dumbasses who made Aldnoah.Zero I have a feeling that this shows creators are planning something with him.
. Biscuits sisters are named Cookie and Cracker. Perfect.
. Don’t know what to think of these two Gjallarhorn inspectors yet. They’re much more relaxed and almost less serious than the other soldiers and it’s hard to say at the moment what their role in this story exactly is gonna be.
. Anime opening is all right. Not a fan of Engrish but I’ve heard worse, and the rest of the song is pretty decent.
Overall
While this episode didn’t blow me away like last week it kinda didn’t need to. This was clearly a cool down episode from last week and in this regard it did its job to a T. It’s helped further set up this world and it’s properly introduced the shows new Gundam. Next week is looking to be more eventful and I certainly can’t wait to see it. Till then!
Comments4
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
The episode was alright.
One thing that kinda bugged me is that the villains seem a bit too cartoony for my taste, it honestly reminded me of Code geass and Gundam seed in that aspect except not to the levels of that thankfully, unless the main rival goes all Rau le creuset which won't happen.
As for the opening I didn't care for it much at first, but I like it but still no where near as good as FRY DA SKY or TURN A TURN.
One thing that kinda bugged me is that the villains seem a bit too cartoony for my taste, it honestly reminded me of Code geass and Gundam seed in that aspect except not to the levels of that thankfully, unless the main rival goes all Rau le creuset which won't happen.
As for the opening I didn't care for it much at first, but I like it but still no where near as good as FRY DA SKY or TURN A TURN.