So before we begin this review properly, let’s talk about the black mark on Gundam X. The show debuted following the conclusion of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing and went on to become the first Gundam series since the original 1979 series to be cancelled before the end of it’s planned 49 episode run. There’s no single concrete reason for this, there are quite a few actually. Some say that Japan had begun to experience a bit of franchise fatigue with Gundam. Gundam X was the 4th consecutive show to air on Japanese airwaves in 4 years after 1993’s Mobile Suit Victory Gundam; 1994’s Mobile Fighter G Gundam; and 1995’s aforementioned Mobile Suit Gundam Wing. Others would claim that X lacked the same massive appeal that Wing had in the past. Then there’s the possible poor Gunpla sales (not surprising since the mecha weren’t all that great in this show). But most notably, the poor ratings of Gundam X had it moved to a dead of night time slot that all but sealed its fate. And…that’s kind of a shame. If Gundam X had those other 10 episodes, the second half could have been much smoother and fleshed out instead of the rushed finale that we got. The finale wasn’t terrible but the force of behind the scenes drama could be felt in spades. What we have, is what we have. So did Gundam X end on a decent note at least?
Everything started off quite well. Garrod and Tiffa reunited with their family thanks to Carris and the Frosts put the finishing touches on their nudging two fuse lit powder kegs together. War returned and it was good to see how those who had already lived through one, but barely, feel immediately shaken. Toniya, normally bubbly and airheaded, got to deliver the chilling and haunting details of the years post colony drop and it was Hell. To think that humanity would want to pick another fight with itself ever again is frightening and I’m glad the finale took a second to acknowledge some characters were so shook up. But then it was time to get back into the game and determine how this was all going to be stopped. And since it is grand finale time, it was time to check in on the crew we’d spent so much time with and start getting some closure on some character relationship arcs. Sara finally told Jamil she was waiting for him; Witz proposed to Toniya; and Garrod finally got the kiss he and Tiffa so deserved especially after the last few episodes. No matter what came next, whether the finale sucked or succeeded, Garrod and Tiffa embracing their feelings for one another is a win in and of itself for Gundam X.
Thankfully, we were back in space in no time at all. Considering the resources available to both sides, it did feel like the skirmish above the Moon was a bit smaller than most Gundam finales and that was fine. It was never really about the New UNE duking it out with the SRA anyway…it was about the Frosts finally getting the world restarting bloodbath they always wanted. And why, after all this time manipulating events behind the scenes and killing comrades without hesitation, why did Shagia and Olba go through all of this to start another war…because they were neglected brats. Yep, because the Newtype Labs and the UNE didn’t love them enough because they weren’t Newtypes, the Frost brothers decided to end the world so everyone would notice them. Wow…yeah it was finally time for their epic ass kicking and HELL YES Garrod delivered. Seeing him punch the crap out of the Frost’s Gundams was so freaking satisfying beyond words and definitely worthy of a loud cheer or two.
But the biggest moment of the finale wasn’t a regular showdown in space, it was the answer to the last lingering question: What is D.O.M.E. and what is it’s connection to Newtypes? The answer…is gonna be a bit of a mixed bag for some Gundam fans. The way I look at it, the explanation we received can apply to the term “Newtype” in this alternate universe and doesn’t necessarily speak to Newtypes back in the Universal Century. D.O.M.E…is kind of an Akira case. He was the first “Newtype” but turns out he was just an abnormal mutant who was dissected and his consciousness placed in the Sattelite Cannon facility on the Moon…ok. But the idea of the Newtype legend springing from his emergence and how the notion has consumed most of humanity was an interesting tale. I liked Jamil’s initial take on the Newtype concept as he lashed out at the leaders of the New UNE and SRA, “Newtypes aren’t Gods and they aren’t tools to advance an ideology. And most of all, they aren’t tools to be used by Oldtypes.” In the end, it wouldn’t be Newtypes who blazed the trail for the future, it would be people with love in their hearts like Garrod and Tiffa…and I can live with that.
What I cant live with is how abruptly everything wraps itself up. After a climactic clash of the mega blasts between Garrod and the Frosts, we suddenly skip to “6 Months Later” and see that everything is ok. Everyones gone their separate ways and are doing their own things but…sorry this is definitely where the extra 10 episodes could have really come in handy. This half assed and tidy wrap up feels wrong. We’d spent so much time building up to another war that no one in their right mind would have wanted and suddenly it’s done and there’s little time to examine what comes next for the planet and the Colonies. Am I happy everyones is ok? Yes…not sure the Frosts surviving sits well with me but I’m oddly enough alright with the “everybody lives” ending. Not every finale needs to be as bleak as Zeta Gundam or Victory Gundam (though I still think Wing’s finale could’ve done with a couple major character deaths still). And at the end of the day, Garrod and Tiffa are free to travel together to their hearts content…that’s all I really need I think.
Right SO, how was After War Gundam X? I think it deserved more of a chance than it received and did well with the time it had though it was far from perfect. The story took a while to tell us where it was going and then had to rush through all of its second half ideas and new characters without giving us proper time to get to know them and let them have their time to shine. The Mecha designs are probably one of my least favorite groups in the Gundam franchise. The different variations of the titular Gundam X were cool but everything else felt lackluster, especially when it came to stand out varieties, particularly compared to the many variants of Mobile Suits in Gundam Wing. And in a show that kind of lives or dies by it’s Mecha loadout, that’s not good. The post apocalyptic setting and the “Universal Century What If” story concept both worked well without outright connecting to the Universal Century itself. I freaking LOVED the cast. Garrod is the Gundam pilot we all wish we could be and his love story with Tiffa was the adorable beating heart of this whole tale. Jamil and the crew of the Freeden all had good moments and supporting characters like Carris and Pala got some of the shows best storylines. I will say that the Frosts and their shifty manipulations and overall endgame were kind of…well it’s hard to like a pair of villains with such childish reasonings for being a-holes. They lacked the complexities of Char Aznable, Treize Kushrenada or Anavel Gato to be truly memorable beyond how unmemorable and annoying they were.
Like I said, if the show had kept it’s final ten episodes, more could have been done to make a decent show great. As things stand, I award After War Gundam X a 7.5/10. What the show kind of fails at in terms of a rushed story and mecha designs, it makes up for with a cast with a ton of heart and some truly fun adventure and action. I’m really glad I got a chance to watch this one at long last. It may not be remembered overall for the right reasons. But I definitely think Gundam X deserves to stand alongside its 90’s Gundam shows with pride.
See ya in 2021 everyone, where more Anime and absolutely more Mobile Suit Gundam will be waiting…right here at the Gundam Anime Corner.
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