Gundam Unicorn Episode 6 (with spoilers)

[Bells]

So, right out of the gate... this is your spoiler free warning and notation for this episode/movie.

If you haven'`t watched Gundam UC up to this point, go for it. It's completely worth it. And it's avaliable at your PSN store in both Dub and Sub.

I do love this series, i love how it is exactly the genre Gundam is suppose to be. Space Opera. Not Sci-Fi action with robots, but the true definition of space Opera. grand set pieces, ambitions plans and arching stories that run around epic conflicts that can be fought just as hard with words and ideology as they are with giant beam sabers...

Now, Gundam history is far from sacrosanct. Much to the contrary really, any gundam show is easy to pick apart and punch holes. It's just a matter of how much you are willing to accept the conceptions of the story and it's narrative.

Suspension of disbelief is another item on the checklist here... although, ever since Jesus Yamato survived an atomic explosion while underwater, Setsuna F Seiei transformed into quantum particles, and Flit Asuno cannonball'ed between 2 gundam cockpits in midflight while in space, while wearing civilian clothing... i would say my disbelief is acceptably floaty.

But you still get intriguing stories, interesting narrative, colorful and rich characters and some fantastic animation (and superb soundtrack), so it is indeed worth of your time.

Pro tip though: always watch the previous episode before watching the next new one. These things come REALLY long apart. It`s natural to miss some finer detail if you trust on 6-7 months old memory alone... specially since each episode is around an hour and half long...

That being said... episode 6! SPOILER TIME!







The penultimate episode in the saga is out. HEAVILY focused on story, exposition and narrative, very light on action (but really cool action when it's there) and wrapping up several plot and character points that leads us to a final episode promised to be filled with action and some probably real sad moments (as per Gundam tradition)

One thing i did love (as much as i kinda hate it too) is how they framed and defined the "pseudo love triangle" between Banagher, Mineva and Ridhhe. Now, it's all very watered down and artificial... i would find it hard to see it any other way. But its also not the main focus on the story... so that eases it up a bit.

It is though, what drives Riddhe (ever since Episode 1, quite honestly) to slowly but surely turn evil and bitter. Now, he is not a bad guy... but he is pretty shallow as a person. Jagged in many ways, tired of the ways of the world and willing to serve his own benefit as he has no faith that things would ever improve...

I Liked VERY much how they managed to portrait the differences between Riddhe and Banagher throughout the story. Which included altering a few things from the original novel. Riddhe is what Banagher could become, he is what Banagher would be, if he stop caring, if he stopped trying to save people regardless of flags and affiliations.

On the other extreme of the spectrum, you have Marida, which is what Banagher was meant to be, a shell soldier, a created effort. To be pushed along by will of others, not by fate or choice. Marida is brought to her breaking point of servitude all the way into Episode 5, and in Episode 6 she becomes human again, almost like she regained her soul.

i loved how Marida and Riddhe seem to have completely traded places... Riddhe, the noble federation warrior, brought up in the good life, a military diligent man vowed to faith and order, who becomes bitter and shallow and turns to be a husk of a man by the end, being used as a weapon with no purpose if not to maintain the status Quo, no matter the cost.

Which was exactly what Marida was when the series started! And now she is the noble person. Raised on the slums, no family, memories or history. Living a life of servitude and no guidance, she comes up to become her own person and rescuing the only family she ever truly had while saving herself on the process, giving herself a sense of worth.

That dichotomy was simple fantastic to see on the screen, right down to how their facial expressions and overall appearance changed to reflect that. The minute detail of the animation on this episode is truly amazing.

And then we have the main man, Banagher. Who finally finds his voice. Someone who is not a warrior, who does not wish death upon anybody, who does not wish for war or care for the political war of others... he comes from being a true cry baby. In reality, a normal teenager who simply does not want to be used as a political tool of war, but by the end of episode 6 we see what he has truly become from his experiences and influence of those around him (big props to Bright Noa on that department, in episode 5).

By the end we see Banagher who would be tossed into the battlefield, pushed left and right, had his emotions and desires played against him in order to make him move... now you see him taking the frontline of combat, standing tall in front of his goal and guiding others there instead of being dragged along.

And when he finally meet with Riddhe by the end of the episode, that is made even more clear. It's Banagher who charges, draws his weapon first. He comes for Riddhe clear and to the point... he doesn't see Riddhe as evil or as an enemy, but he no longer hesitates or is afraid of going toe to toe against those who want to destroy the things he choose to protect.

And as tradition states on Gundam Unicorn, the final scene is simple overflowing with awesome...

On that Note, the main cast sees their story arcs wrapping out in a solid, well posed manner. Like i said, a true Space Opera.