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

 
#5-Lalah and Sayla (and maybe someone else) Return?

The first half of Episode 8 focused on what little was left to show from the Beginnings movie, specifically the Zeon operation to stop the Federation from dropping Solomon on Granada.  Here we see Char clash with another Mobile Suit that is seemingly being piloted by none other than his long lost sister Artesia, aka Sayla.  There’s also a blink and you’ll miss shot of what looks like Lalah Sune telling Char not to attack his sister.  While we knew Sayla was around thanks to Beginnings, the prospect of her maybe showing up in a larger capacity should be on everyones wish list.  And it looks like Lalah herself might be showing up sooner as well as we see what looks like a glimpse of her in the Preview of Episode 9. (then again Episode 6 teased Kycillia and she didn’t pop up til the end of the episode so we’ll see).  Plus, who’s that suspicious looking blonde fellow hiding his eyes under his hair…lets say for a second that he isnt Char Aznable…
 

#4-More Flashbacks

Speaking of Sayla, Char says her suit was the one that felled Dozel Zabi at Solomon.  This could mean that Sayla took Amuro’s place as the Federations front and center Newtype pilot.  Having her come into play means we could see some of her own history throughout the One Year War, how she got drafted into the service and what she’s been up to ever since.  It’s also possible we could see more of Char and Challia Bull’s time in the service of Zeon during this time.  Also what has post Zeon wartime looked like between UC0080 and UC0085?  The flashback episodes have so far been the best of the show since they’re showing what many long time fans really want to see: the wider range of this new Universal Century.  So yeah, more Flashbacks please.

 
#3-GundamGelion Unit 01 (The GFred)

HAHA IM SO HAPPY I CAUGHT THIS AND OTHERS HAVE!!!  Episode 8 sees Xavier introduce Nyaan to a new Zeon Mobile suit, the Gundam GFreD.  The instant I saw this suit, oh man I geeked out.  It might not be an Evangelion but it sure as hell sports Evangelion Unit 01’s famous colors.  Not only that but the GFreD activates on its own to protect Nyaan from an assassination attempt when its seemingly failed to work for any other test pilot.  Factor in that Nyaan is being referred to as the Third Test Subject makes me think that not only is the GFreD destined to be Nyaan’s Gundam, she could be a quintiseential asset to unlocking the Gundam’s true potential…just like Shinji Ikarai and Evangelion Unit 01.
 

#2-Attack of the Clones

Xavier’s mention of Ghirren Zabi working on Clone Cyber Newtypes might not mean much to new fans but to longtime ones, it’s a big indicator of things to come.  In Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, Neo Zeon upstart Glemy Toto has a young Newtype named Elpeo Puru cloned numerous times and each clone is straight up evil.  Puru Two even kills her poor happy go lucky source in battle.  These girls played a major role in the first Neo Zeon War and there’s no telling what kind of role they’ll play in something we’ll discuss in a second.  The question is: Who will Ghirren be cloning and cyber enhancing?  Could Machu and Nyaan have some dastardly dopplegangers to deal with eventually?
 

#1-The Zabi Civil War

Everything in GQuuuuuX that isn’t tied to Clan Battle, Kira Kira or who’s going to hook up with Shuji has been screaming that a civil war between the two big names in the Zabi family is inevitable.  I was surprised to hear Ghirren was still alive if Kycyllia was still around (she famously offed her brother before the end of the original series).   But in all seriousness, this is where the show should be focusing most of its storytelling power: the struggle for dominance and true Zeon leadership in a post One Year War era.  It’s easy to root for Kycillia because 1. She’s awesome and still hot as hell and 2. Her brother thinks a certain mad dictator from WWII is awesome so he needs to be taught a lesson.  Kycillia already has a strong lead thanks to Nyaan instantly bonding with the GFreD.  Will Machu somehow find her way into Ghirren’s side of the struggle?  Actually, will we see Ghirren before the end of this supposed First Season?