Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuX Part 2 Episodes 4-6

Now a full fledged member of the Pomeranians, Machu continues to develop as a Mobile Suit pilot in Clan Battle.  The deeper she gets into it though, the tougher it is to keep her secret and push herself to be as ruthless as her opponents.  But all hell is about break loose when Zeon leader Kycillia Zabi pays a visit to the colony with a secret Federation Black Ops unit ready to take her out.  Machu might be able to hack it in Clan Battle but is she ready for real combat against actual soldiers still fighting a long lost war?

When I was originally considering reviewing GQuuuuuuX a major hurdle became timing: just how long was this series planning on running?  Realizing it was gonna wrap after only 12 episodes signaled problems and those problems begin rearing their ugly heads in this sophomore set of episodes.  GQuuuuuX is sort of suffering an identity crisis as well as not really being able to handle the weight of lofty expectations, trying to be new but not really knowing how or why in general.  From the characters to the pacing to the constant teases that I don’t know will even pay off, the second part of our Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuX coverage is not in the best shape.
 
Traditionally, most Gundam TV Series have run about an average of 50 episodes.  The Witch from Mercury bucked this trend with 24 (I know Reconguista in G did it first but F*** that show).  Such a large episode count is necessary to establish, build and explore a world where Mecha combat and political intrigue can weave in and around each other while also focusing on the many characters caught up in it all.  It also means they can take their time building some things up, take the occasional filler detour, and extend an important event across a couple of episodes.  GQuuuuuX is only 12 episodes.  It should NOT be moving as slowly as it is for most of this set.  12-13 episodes might be fine for an OVA like 08^th MS Team and Gundam 0083, but this TV Series is setting up way too much, stalling on most avenues and kind of expecting to coast by on style and the Gundam name alone.  And let me tell you, it’s not working.
 
We’re six episodes in and what little I know of our main cast I do not like or care for.  Shuji still says “the Gundam is talking to me” in the creepiest way and is so high on his own…whatever he’s high on, he gets a fever and acts like it’s the funniest thing.  Chalia Bull is getting on my nerves because of that aforementioned “I know everything and you know nothing, nyah, nyah” attitude I talked about yesterday.  Only now, he’s even dialing up the drama with more secret keeping and a silly rescue via rocket pack for a pilot he could not give two cares about.  Machu gets it the worst.  I get it, she’s a kid pure and simple.  Machu’s not the typical protagonist thrust into the Gundam cockpit during wartime.  But while it makes her stand out, it doesn’t make her interesting and she becomes less likeable the more childlike and whinny she behaves.  Now she’s pissed that Nyaan got to see her special “Kira Kira” that she only wanted to see with Shuji?  Also sunbathing to get over trauma just because fan service, really?  Nyaan at least gets to finally do something by going full berserker in the GQuuuuuX, now that offers some possibility of goodness.
 
Moving onto the snails pace moving plot, all three new episodes varied at least but none of them were spectacular or good.  Shiiko’s episode arc felt like something Gundam AGE might do: introducing a game changing new recurring character only to off her in the same episode after barely glossing over her backstory and trying to make her interesting.  Seeing as how I made a Gundam AGE comparison with her, you can imagine that didn’t go well.  And I have zero sympathy for the crazy girl who sacrificed her family and peaceful life just to get revenge on a machine while simultaneously getting weirdly turned on fighting it (seriously it creeped me out and I’ve seen my fair share of crazy Newtypes in Gundam).  The Black Tri Stars partly fulfilled my wish to see what’s become of original UC characters in this alternate universe…but were ultimately just sacrificial lambs to get Nyaan’s character arc kicked into high gear for a moment.  Then suddenly, the pacing wants to act like we’re not just midway through the show but way more than 6 episodes in before it threw the Pomeranians betrayal setup our way.  This is supposed to be a shocking moment that could change Machu’s status quo.  Too bad I haven’t liked Annqi or her crew of misfits since the moment they were introduced (like Machu and Nyaan with Annqi, cute character designs can only get you so far without much personality or character).  Again, the pacing.  This show might have some of the worst in all of Gundam.
 
I’ve complained a lot but while GQuuuuuX isnt working in general, there are nuggets of ideas and a simmering plot brewing that could potentially save the show.  Many in the colony are whispering about the never ending feud between Kycilia and Ghiren Zabi, believing a civil war is inevitable.  Now THAT is a story I’d like to see play out.  Heck Kycilia even appears briefly at the end of the poorly titled “The Plot to Assassinate Kycilia”, meaning we’re about to get more of one of Gundams OG bad girls in action once again.  Then there’s the reveal that the Titans or some form of them, are active in this new Universal Century.  Even Zeta Gundam baddie Bask Oum made a cameo appearance, dispatching a Cyber Newtype hit squad to the Side 6 colony to carry out said assassination plot.  I guess if there’s one thing I am enjoying about GQuuuuuX it’s when it finds ways to bring the old and familiar back in interesting ways (except Chalia Bull).  The story wants you to give a damn about Machu, Shuji and Nyaan but really, all I want to see is the world happening around them and their little love triangle Kira Kira spat.  Episode 6 tees up a lot of promises.  Whether they pay off is an answer for next week.
 
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuX spins its wheels slowly before reving the engine up while forgetting what kind of a series and how long it is.  The burgeoning greater happenings of the Alternate Universal Century are overshadowing underdeveloped and unlikeable characters and are really making me wonder if this whole project didn’t need a couple of rewrites and revisions…or is it really trying to skate by on Studio and Brand recognition alone?  Whatever the case, we’re halfway through this quick trip through the Alternate UC.  Don’t worry, our special Christmas Review continues Next Monday with Part 3 before the Series Finale Next Tuesday, right here at the Gundam Anime Corner.