Gundam

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Gundam 00 Episode 9: Smooth

For once, Gundam pilots get into trouble not because their opponents got a Bigger Robot, but because their opponents were actually thinking. Gundam 00 clearly makes full use of tactical mind games to create dramatic tension. Let’s just hope they don’t degenerate into Death Note’s insane Xanatos Roulettes.

I like Lockon Stratos even more now. He is so good at forming meaningful emotional connections with intellectual girls. Just look at how Felt draws strength from his words in battle. It’s a refreshing break from the hackneyed and/or dysfunctional relationships that often plague the Gundam franchise. Now I know why he carries Haro around: it’s a geek girl magnet.

(Screenshots via Random Curiosity.)

Gundam + Front Mission = Gundam 00

Anyone who’s played the Front Mission series of mech RPGs appreciates its realistic tactics and politics. Many recent Gundam pilots and politicians, on the other hand, tend to follow the rule of cool: insane tactical decisions and political systems are fine as long as they look and sound awesome.

Gundam 00 looks to buck that trend, introducing politicians in believable powerplays and pilots making smart decisions. The realism is enhanced by the show touching on conflicts raging today, from the Sri Lankan civil war to the IRA insurgency. The show is animated in HD, so it can look cool without resorting to over-the-top situations.

Some Gundam fans complain of a lack of early character development, but I’m glad the show’s waiting ’til episode five to actually get into anyone’s backstory. I’m enjoying the sensible awesomeness enough that the crazy angst can come later.

At least the lead Gundam still wears parade colors into battle. Some things just don’t have to make sense.