T5W#511-Top 5 Reasons to be Excited about Mobile Suit Gundam GquuuuuX after Episode 8

I’m gonna be honest: ever since the first three episodes of Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuX, the ones that made up the sneak peak “Beginnings” film, the show has been a huge let down week after week.  In fact, todays Top 5 was supposed to be a rant about what I’m not liking about this show when it has sooooo much potential beyond Clan Battles and endless fussing about “Kira Kira”.  And then Episode 8 dropped and whoa, it’s amazing what dropping some of that dead weight can do for a show.  It might be foolish to feel optimistic but I’ve been psyched all day about reworking this Top 5 and I’ll take all the optimism I can get.  These are my Top 5 Reasons to be Excited about Mobile Suit Gundam GquuuuuX after Episode 8.

 
Spoilers ahead if you haven’t watched Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuX Episodes 1-8

Gunbuster Part 2 Episodes 4-6

The war against the Alien threat rages on.  Noriko is at last given control of the experimental Gunbuster and set loose on the Monsters who killed her father.  But even this powerful new weapon is not enough to stop the oncoming endless army of creatures determined to wipe out mankind.  In a war that spans both space and time, Noriko and Kazami must unite in a final desperate ploy that could mean the end of all life or ultimate victory for Humanity.  No price is too high, no cost too great.  It’s time for Noriko to finish this fight.

I’ve been mulling over how to start this review for a good while now.  This is because I have a very mixed response to the Gunbuster finale and Gunbuster as a whole.  A lot of what worked in the first half works even better in the second half.  What didn’t work in the first half is made even worse and then some.  Does that make me love or hate what I just watched?  Well it’s somewhere in the middle?  I don’t know, the more I get to working on this the more I may settle my own feelings as we go.  So, does Gunbuster merit it’s legendary 80s mecha status or is it a pretty looking dud like the original Bubblegum Crisis?
 

Gunpla Builder Thursday RETURNS!!!

It’s been a minute since this little features been around hasn’t it?  As a lifelong Gundam fan, I’ve only been into building Gunpla for the last couple of years.  And during those last couple of years, I’ve kinda been making up for lost time.  I’ve got well over 150 builds (and growing).  When GBT was first introduced, I wanted to share my insights into building these amazing models.  However, after a shorter Second Season last year, I decided to back off and just enjoy the build cause time is precious with a full time job.  However, since I wanted to supplement some material for Mega Mecha Summer, I figured, why not bring this back.  It’s not gonna be business as usual though.  Every week in June, this 4 episode Third Season of Gunpla Builder Thursday will feature just pics and short descriptions of the Gunpla I choose to share.  Thinking maybe 3-4 models but we’ll see, I’ve got plenty to choose from.  Which Gundams or other Mobile Suits will make the list?  You’ll just have to find out starting Next Thursday as Gunpla Builder Thursday returns at last to the Gundam Anime Corner.

T5W#510-Top 5 Kakegurui Characters Done Dirty in Bet

Well Bet (That F’ing title, I swear) dropped on Netflix last weekend and if you need a refresher on my initial thoughts, you can check out my special First Impression Friday episode right here: http://gundamanimeblog.blogspot.com/2025/05/fif237-bet.html.  And trust me, it didn’t get any better.  In fact it got mind bogglingly worse with each episode.  Was there anything I liked about Netflix’s horrendous American take on Kakegurui?  Not much.  I liked Mary, that was kind of about it.  But what really pissed me off the most?  The characters.  Oh sure they can have the names and some visual similarities of Hyakkou’s demented and insane student gamblers.  When you miss the point of why the characters are how they are and why fans love them so much?  Why even adapt in the first place if you’re not gonna stay true to the spirit of Kakegurui, which Bet definitely does not.  So, which Kakegurui character got the worst translation in Bet?  We’re here to talk about that on today’s Top 5 Wednesday with the Top 5 Kakegurui Characters Done Dirty in Bet (Care to wager who takes the #1 spot, double or nothing if you think it’s Yumeko).

 
Minor Spoilers Ahead if you actually want to watch the show.
 

Gunbuster Part 1 Episodes 1-3

Six years after the death of her father, Noriko Takaya attends an academy for Mecha pilots, hoping to continue her dream of following her father into space.  But when Humanity finds itself at war with a terrifying menace from beyond the stars, Noriko finds herself thrust into an unexpected role as the top candidate for a top secret project called Gunbuster.  As Mankind takes to space to fight this Alien menace, Noriko must face the fears of her past and present in order to fight for a better future.

Welcome, Dear Readers, to the start of our new Summer long event known as Mega Mecha Summer.  And we’re kicking it off with a gem from the late 1980s that, today, is most known for being the Directorial Debut of one Hideaki Anno, the man behind Neon Genesis Evangelion.  Unlike Eva though, Gunbuster never seems to have risen to the same levels of infamy, nor is it as widely regarded as it’s fellow 80’s mecha titans like Gundam and Macross.  Does that make Gunbuster a gem in need of reappraisal?  Well we’ll be looking at it for the next couple of weeks so lets get to Aim for the Top! Gunbuster.
 

Mega Mecha Summer Begins!!!! (Tomorrow)

Grab your flight suits.  Make sure your ride is fueled up and armed to the teeth. Cause starting tomorrow, it’s non stop Mecha from now until the end of September.  That’s right, we’re starting the Gundam Anime Corner special summer event: MEGA MECHA SUMMER!!!!  Now mind you this is mostly going to be on the review front (no all Mecha Top 5 Wednesdays and such).  And we’re gonna be taking a look at Mecha TV Series and OVAs from the latest to the greatest and even a couple of long lost legends thrown into the mix.  What there to look forward to?  Well how about a quick breakdown:

FIF#237-Bet

Saint Dominic’s Prep School is home to the next generation of the most ruthless elite on the planet.  The way ones standing is gauged isnt by grades but by skill of the gamble.  When a beautiful new transfer student named Yumeko arrives, Saint Dominic’s finds itself rocked by a seemingly unstoppable Gambling force of nature.  But Yumeko’s not just here for the thrill of the game.  Behind her playful façade lies a girl who’s been seeking revenge for years and now she’s going to get it anyway she can, no matter how much money or blood must be spilled to get it.

 
Oh Netflix, you just had to push your luck didn’t you?  The streaming service somehow did the impossible with One Piece, bringing to life one of Anime’s longest running classics and adapting it in a way that struck a cord with fans and general audiences alike.  While this seemingly wiped the bad taste of their attempt at Cowboy Bebop away, there’s still a bit of time to kill before One Piece Season 2 arrives.  And for some reason someone thought a sure fire win for Netflix would be a live action American version of Kakegurui.  The first trailer infuriated me and after watching the first episode, that fury has evolved.  So much so that I’m breaking FIF’s seasonal hiatus to do a special report on this one.  Because my God…this is…this is beyond bad. 
 

T5W#509-Top 5 Ya Boy Kongming Musical Performances

The curtain has come down on Ya Boy Kongming’s time here at the Gundam Anime Corner but damn what a tour it was.  The ridiculously creative initial setup gave way to a series that showcased a love of the world of music on par with that of Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Carole and Tuesday).  As Eiko’s skill grew, so too did her musical performances and Kongmings sage advice helped guide her to the inspiring celeb she wanted to be.  And while Eiko’s music cant be disputed, Ya Boy Kongming had a ton of excellent musical numbers and today on Top 5 Wednesday, we’re taking a look at those moments as Kongming takes his final bow here (hopefully just for now).  These are my Top 5 Ya Boy Kongming Musical Performances

 

Ya Boy Kongming Part 4 Episodes 10-12

At long last, the time has come.  Eiko and Azalea meet on a battlefield chosen by Kongming himself for a showdown of epic musical proportions.  It’s Eiko’s dream of performing at Summer Sonia vs. Nanami and the power that suppresses the music she really wants to share.  Behind the scenes, Kongming’s places his biggest stratagems into play.  But the key to it all is Eiko.  Will her music reach the hearts of her audience…and especially Nanami?  The Battle of Shibuya 109 has begun.

When looking at shows that have 12-13 episodes, the final 3-4 have the highest pressure upon them.  Sure the opening has to hook people but the ending has got to deliver and deliver hard.  And while the sum of its part getting there leave a bit to be desired, there’s no denying that the finale of Ya Boy Kongming delivers on all fronts with one of the most feel good conclusions I’ve seen in a while.  Great music, big payoffs, new directions laid in place, there wasn’t a moment I wasn’t cheering…well during the Battle of Shibuya 109 anyway.  Let’s get into why the end of this chapter of Ya Boy Kongming kicked so much ass and how it could improve going forward.
 

T5W#508-Top 5 Gundam Iron Blooded Orphans Characters akin to The Black Knight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail

This year marks the 50^th Anniversary of one of the greatest comedies of ever made and one of my personal favorite films of all time: Monty Python and the Holy Grail.  If you know it, you quote it.  If you quote it, you quote it with or without reason, it’s just that good of a movie.  While I was discussing this with a friend, he brought randomly brought up how similar some of the characters were to those of, of all things, Gundam: Iron Blooded Orphans.  Originally, this list was going to expand on that notion with five comparisons.  However, the more I thought about it, the more everyone came back to one particular chap clad in black and played by John Cleese.  I’m of course talking about the “INVINCIBLE” Black Knight.  Sure enough, how many IBO pilots can take the kind of limb splitting punishment they take and still keep pushing forward to kick ass even if they cant?  Well I came up with five brave souls (and one total sissy) who fit the bill.  Been a while since I had a Top 5 Wednesday title this long, here are my picks for the Top 5 Gundam Iron Blooded Orphans Characters akin to The Black Knight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

 

Ya Boy Kongming Part 3 Episodes 7-9

With the 100,000 Likes Competition quickly approaching, Kongming assigns Eiko and Kabetaijin tasks to refine and improve their musical skills.  Kabetaijin returns to his roots with her fellow Fresstylers.  Meanwhile, Eiko meets Nanami, a beautiful songstress and the two quickly form a friendship.  But Naname is hiding a big secret from her new friend, one that could either destroy what they have or become the key to Eiko figuring out what’s missing from her own music.

This weeks Ya Boy Kongming takes a bit of a risk after the high water mark of the Epic Rap Battle from last time.  Kongming himself takes a backseat to the continuing journeys of Eiko and Kabe but is this a wise move, keeping the big draw of the premise on the sidelines for almost three full episodes?  The answer may surprise you and while it doesn’t reach the heights of last weeks set, this penultimate chapter of Ya Boy Kongming still manages to maintain momentum and do some heartstring tugging too.