Up until now, even when it’s stumbled, Zeta Gundam has been a blast to watch. However, as we begin the end of the series with this penultimate set of episodes, I cant help but feel really annoyed with half the cast. Most want to save those who cant be saved. Others are so blinded by manipulative devotions they cant see anything else. The rest are doing their damdest to stay alive and in the fight, even if it means making deals they don’t agree with. Everythings heating up, that I wont dispute.
I can see now why Kamille is seen as sort of the archetype for all other Gundam protagonists in the Gundam multiverse. From Shinn Asuka’s unquenchable angst to Banagher Link’s inability to fire on a soul he really wants to save to Jamil Neate’s desire to protect all Newtypes from all walks of life, Kamille embodies all of these qualities and more. They’ve been highlighted a lot with his interactions with two highly damaged individuals in Zeta Gundam: Four and Rosamia. The latter was at the front of a subplot that went on too long. The only reason Kamille kept Rosamia (or Rosamy) around was out of a desire to help her, even if she was a brainwashed enemy spy. He’s so guilt ridden of being unable to save Four that he’ll doom himself to try and deal with Rosamia’s trauma. It’s when the entire Argama becomes threatened where it becomes a problem…not helped by the fact that Rosamy has the mind of a child and there are two problem children on the Argama who will help her without question. I swear, if I didn’t know the Argama would be back for Gundam ZZ, I’d say Shinta and Qum are going to be the death of the AEUG flagship.
Things didn’t get much better when Katz make an unfortunate return to the series after being away for a bit. The kid hasn’t grown up in the slightest and is determined to pester everyone at any given moment. He constantly questioned and berated Char and Bright’s plan to ally with Haman and refused to shoot Sarah because he’s in love with her. But Amuro and Lalah Katz and Sarah are not. Sarah is so far down Scirocco’s rabbit hole of lies and maniuplations she will literally die for the man just to please him. She’s far more volatile and dangerous compared to the gentler soul that Lalah was. And Katz…jeez I literally want to yell at the screen whenever he’s around. Even Kamille’s getting sick of his crap and probably slapped Katz so hard, its like he’s been storing every single slap he himself has received throughout the entire series and was ready to unleash it on someone. What’s sad is that characters like Fa and Beltorchika, who have had their run of being useless and annoying characters, have grown and changed throughout Zeta Gundam. Even Kamille is more wise than before. Katz is still Katz and if he isn’t careful, he’ll pay for his stubborn naievte big time in the finale.
One character not falling sway to stupidity was Haman. This was Haman’s set of episodes and she owned virtually every scene she was in with confidence and menace…all while look so freaking hot. Katz may be right in knowing that Haman’s gonna backstab the AEUG when the time is right. But honestly, watching Haman play the long game is fun. She’s not worried in the slightest and she’s more than willing to play both ally to both the Titans and AEUG in order to get them widdled down before she launches her own big plans (and we’ll get to all of that in due time). Haman’s been one of the best villains in Zeta Gundam, surpassing the “all according to plan” mastermind Scirocco and the “DISAGREE AND ILL PUNCH YOU FOR NO REASON!!” Bask Oum. Scirocco is so in love with himself and his own legend as an enlightened Newtype from Jupiter that it’s gonna be his downfall. And Bask…well Bask is ordering Colony Laser and gas attacks on colonies just to prove he’s the man in charge. There’s a reason Haman will outlast both of these fellow baddies. Hell, Jamitov tried to have Jerid of all people assassinate her and Haman still got the one up on them.
The latter half of this set focused on a battle at a familiar location. While it might’ve been given a different name, A Boa A Qu is still A Boa A Qu and its ironic that we’d return to the sight of the final battle of the One Year War for yet another pivotal battle of another long time conflict. The scale of the battle was the largest of Zeta so far and I doubt itll be the biggest once we get into the finale. In a way, its surprising that long time Kamille and Char squadmate Apolly was the only major character casualty. But again, this is a Gundam show by Tomino, how he WANTED to do things…so everyone else is still on the chopping block (except for Char and Bright cause they come back for future Gundam entries obviously). A lot of this will come from personal duels which got more personal in this outing. Since Jerid killed Apolly, that puts him and Kamille tied at three kills of three friends and loved ones a piece. I cant wait to see how this rivalry ends. Fa got to face Reccoa, who continues to try and justify her defection when she really doesn’t have a good reason besides “Scirocco’s so dreamy.” And honestly, after blowing her own chance to stop a Titans gas attack and just let it happen, I might be out of sympathy for her. Also wow, Axis is one sturdy piece of space property being able to carve its way through A Boa A Qu and split the mighty fortress in half without so much as a scratch.
The Titans are actually on the ropes now with A Boa A Qu gone and their Colony Laser damaged by Haman. Their time might finally be at hand…but there’s still Haman to worry about. And if she or what’s left of the vengeful Titans don’t get Kamille and the AEUG first…the constant complaints of Katz probably will. No matter what happens, tomorrow is the end of the line for Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam…you know before we run it all over again with the Compilation Trilogy later this week. See ya for the grand finale tomorrow right here at the Gundam Anime Corner.
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