And we’re back and it looks like G Gundam wanted to show older fans that it can take itself kind of seriously in order to stand alongside its fellow Gundam brethren. Doesn’t mean there wasn’t room for a little craziness, like a MUMMY GUNDAM!!! But this second set of episodes definitely tapped into some far more dramatic territory than the opening premiere. And while Domon still needs to do some growing (and maturing), the stories and fight he found himself in more than made up for his shortcomings.
Maybe it’s just me but shouldn’t the Neo Japan military have done a psychological evaluation of Domon BEFORE he went to Earth? We’re they in that much of a hurry to send him to Earth to pursue the Devil Gundam that they didn’t think Domon would fly off the handle and break a few rules once he was there? I’m not saying the whole matter wasn’t worth it, it just seemed like they should have done this before Domon was allowed to even set foot in the Shining Gundam. Still, we got to see Domon’s tragic origin story, or at least the events that led to the beginning of the series. Seeing happy, laughing Domon made me wish he’d do this more often. But considering his bother Kyoji got his father put into hyper sleep and their mother killed during the Devil Gundam’s escape, there’s plenty of reason why Domon’s not the one to smile or enjoy life these days. The Devil Gundam is hyped up a lot during its first reveal, in particular the three aspects that make it so formidable and terrifying: it can regenerate, it can replicate and it can evolve. We got so see some of its influence when Domon and Sai Saici battle the long dead Mummy Gundam IV in Neo Egypt and it took Domon taking the Shining Gundam into its Super (Sayian) Mode to defeat it. I’m sure we’ll learn more about how the Devil Gundam can possess other machines and even reanimate the dead down the line. In short, the Devil Gundam is nothing to scoff at and Domon, whether I like him or not, is the only guy with the power to take him down.
The other episodes of this set took a look at a more personal side to the Gundam Fight Tournament. Like I said in the last review, every fighter has a reason for partaking in the tournament and we got three fighters with equally heartbreakingly important motivations. Neo Mexico’s Chico stole his Gundam to take his dying sister to Earth to live out her remaining days, even if it meant him becoming a fugitive in the process. Neo Canada’s Andrew sought revenge on Argo, who presumably killed his wife years ago. And three time Gundam Fight Champion Gentle Chapman was just so desperate to keep on fighting he’d stoop to using dirty tricks and flat out cheating just to keep on winning. The “Destiny of a Gundam Fighter” was constantly brought up in these stories. Domon is a man of action and is very much the Dragon Ball Z equivalent of a Saiyan: he lives to fight and doesn’t really know any other way to live. Chapman in particular was an interesting look in the mirror for Domon. Could this old man way past his prime, desperate to relive his long lost glory days be a possible future for the Neo Japan Gundam Fighter? I’d argue Domon could end up worse if he keeps pushing Rain away and keeps racing into fights just to find out more about the Devil Gundam and Kyoji’s whereabouts. Poor Rain. She is a kind soul and gets some of the shows more light hearted moments in this set. But credit where credit is due, the moment Rain was in true danger, Domon turned from cold and heard headed fighter to desperate man trying to save his friend. Not only do we learn that Domon and Rain go way back, but Rain is clearly in love with the stubborn Gundam Fighter. Too bad that’s an emotion Domon might seem incapable of understanding right now…or maybe ever.
G Gundam definitely felt more on par storytelling wise with a traditional Gundam series but that didn’t mean it couldn’t embrace it’s more whimsical side with the newest Mobile Fighter’s unleased. The Tequila Gundam from Neo Mexico was a fun design and I wish it saw a little more battle before Domon crushed it. The fact that we got to see a Mummy Gundam was wild and crazy and awesome. Only in a show like G Gundam would a premise like Domon and Sai Saici meet The Mummy just work without question. Cudos should definitely go to the John Bull Gundam. It’s said that Chapman was a three time Gundam Fight Champion and it makes sense his Mobile Fighter would look just as aged as he is. It shows the history of this entire event, which is brought up both in Chapman’s episode and in the Mummy episode as we learn about Neo Egypts former champion Dahal Muhammad.
I almost forgot to mention that this set of episodes also introduced us to who I assume is our “Char Clone” of G Gundam: Ulube Ishikawa. He was apparently part of an early intercept force sent out against the Devil Gundam and the battle ended with his face getting scared. Ulube doesn’t have a helmet and mask like Char but he does have a metal plate covering part of his face. It’s revealed he was the one who recommended Domon go to Earth as the Neo Japan Gundam Fighter and he seems to be in his corner compared to the dirtbag Karato, who is a military man looking to be Neo Japan’s next PM should Neo Japan triumph in the Gundam Fight. Not much else to say on the guy at the moment but I’m wondering how big of a role he’ll have to play since he seems to be sitting out the action in space while Domon and his fellow fighters duke it out across the planet.
Overall, this next set of G Gundam episodes was a lot stronger than the first and not just because it steered towards the more serious and insightful tones of past Gundam shows. The mecha all continue to be creative, there’s a good origin tale for Domon and the Devil Gundam’s reveal promises a terrifying showdown in the future. And we got to see all of the fighters Domon faced before make welcome returns even if it is a huge coincidence they all show up when they do. We’ll get back to things properly on Monday as the Gundam Fight continues right here at the Gundam Anime Corner, you wont wanna miss a thing.
No comments:
Post a Comment