Up until now, Gundam X has been a bit about a group of humans eeking out a living in a post apocalyptic Earth while trying to find other Newtypes who may or may not need their help. All of that has changed now. The second half of the series kicks off by sending the Freeden and her crew in a new direction, one that will see them at the forefront of a conflict I’m sure they hoped would never come again.
One of Gundam X’s major elements that makes it a “What If” companion to the Universal Century is the focus on Newtypes. They’ve been an important part of the Gundam mythos since the original Mobile Suit Gundam series. Deeply in tuned with pretty much everything around them and possessing superhuman reflexes with a dash of mental capability, the biggest question about these evolved or enlighitned human beings is: will they bring about peace or destruction? Usually, you can tell who the good guys and bad guys are in any Gundam show based on their answer to this question: the good guys will want to protect Newtypes and the bad guys will want to exploit their powers.
I bring all of that up because of the birth of the New United Nations Earth, who are set to become the new big bad of Gundam X (at least one of them). We got a good look at their crusty old hierarchy, all desperate to keep themselves in power long past their prime. They think they can keep whats left of planet Earth under their control without Newtypes…and theyre kind of right. The Earth still in such rough shape that the use of super powers isn’t really necessary. But I said “kind of right”. Between independent nations and the Vultures, there isn’t a lot of wishing to become unified under an oppressive government regime. Hence Director Aimzat’s wish to use Newtypes and his brand spanking new Gundam Double X to ensure any resistance is crushed and the New UNE’s rule can last a while. Suffice to say, probs best to keep the future of humanity out of the hands of these ancient wackjobs.
Anyway, all of that aside, this was a pretty good set of episodes this time around. Jamil had to deal with the resurrection of his former command and that was enough to shake him into temporarily surrendering the Freeden and her crew to the enemy. But one thing I’ve learned about Jamil and his merry band, never count them out. The escape from Zonda Epta was fantastic, more so since a lot of the action didn’t involve Mobile Suits. Garrod, Witz, Roy and the others had to use their wits and their crewmembers skills to blast their way out of this secret facility. I don’t think that Ennil’s betrayal of the group was necessary because…well it didn’t really hinder things that long and felt like another backwards step for her character (even if she was selling them out to protect Toniya). Still, she managed to bust in with an armored vehicle and rescue the crew, so I can forgive that brief lapse in judgement. Fairing better than Ennil was Katokk Alzamille, a UNE Soldier who blamed Newtypes, but most Jamil, for the death of his Wife and Daughter during the colony drop. He slowly let go of his hatred thanks (again) to Garrod and Tiffa showing him that now all Newtypes are the devil and it’s ok to trust people with your heart. Thankfully, Katokk returned the lesson in kind to Garrod, who destroyed the abandoned Zonda Epta facility and all of its research with the Double X’s buster cannon instead of killing hundreds of UNE soldiers (who had arrived but got the hell out of there after seeing the blast). Oh and Jamil got to go all one man army on the UNE during the escape, I freaking love this guy and this cast…well most of them. The Frosts and their cryptic plans for rising through the ranks of the UNE are making them more annoying than an actual threat and I think I want to see them more than anyone else get the ass kicking from Garrod they deserve before the show ends.
As I said above, the worlds been rebuilding in its own way after the war. The New UNE suddenly declaring it’s going to bring peace to the planet brings about the response you’d expect. Now the Freeden is caught in the middle of a war in South Asia, the country of Estrado. It’s going to be interesting seeing the crew go from good hearted loners trying to make a living to full blown freedom fighters, maybe giving aid to various countries trying to oppose the UNE. Jamil and Roy definitely have some reservations. As Roy puts it, he and Witz are guns for hire, not soldiers. Could we maybe see some fracturing of the crew over this change in roles? And um, random ?, the Freedens original three Gundams were retrieved after the destruction of Zonda Epta. Witz and Roy have their Airbuster and Leopard back (though both took a helluva beating and might be overdue for an upgrade). But what happens to the Gundam X Divider now that Garrod has the awesome as heck Double X? I imagine it will probably end up going to Jamil but I’d like some confirmation on that please. Could it maybe go to Ennil once she inevitably comes back? That would be awesome, it’s always a plus when girls are given the ok to pilot a Gundam.
Well with the New UNE on the rise, I wonder how long before what’s left of the Space Colonies gets involved. Speaking of, I’m starting to wonder if we’re going to spend anytime at all off planet in Gundam X. Turn A Gundam waited until just before the final act to get its cast into space and space is one of most important theaters in Gundam (even 08th MS Team started in space). Maybe we’ll get a miracle and when we come back to After War Gundam X and see the Double X flying in the sea of stars. See ya then.
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