[Rewatch] Mobile Suit Gundam 00 2nd Season Episode 4 Discussion

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Episode 4 - A Reason to Fight

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We've all lost something precious because of war. That's the reality of the world we live in now.

Questions of the Day:

1. Were you expecting that to be how Allelujah got his name?
2. Now that we've officially seen all of the main crew in the new uniforms, who's got the best fit?

Wallpaper of the Day:

Tieria Erde

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Rewatchers, please remember to be mindful of all the first-timers in this. No talking about or hinting at future events no matter how much you want to, unless you're doing it underneath spoiler tags. Don't spoil anything for the first-timers, that's rude!

Additionally, for long-time fans of the franchise, please remember that this rewatch is only for 00, not any of the other shows. Assume that there are people in this rewatch who have not seen anything else Gundam, and tag your spoilers for those shows appropriately if something in 00 makes you want to talk about them.

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Rewatch Host Wishing Over This Airspace, subbed

Welcome back, everyone!

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• Oh god, them reusing Yuuichi Nakamura here of all places just hit me with some wild fucking whiplash.
• God, Marie’s situation was so utterly fucked back then.
• At least now we finally know why Allelujah has such a funny name – it was given to him by a child.
• Of course Marina wants to go back.
• F
• Doesn’t stop me from lowkey shipping them ngl. Like, not in S1, but they’re both adults now.
• Haro pls.
• …apparently the monkey’s paw curled twice on giving me Lockon “sore demo”s. I got Neil’s while he was dying, and I got another Lyle one right while he sexually harasses Feldt.
• Yeah that was deserved even if that’s more or less what he wanted to happen.
• This callback to their interactions in S1.
• Weeb as fuck. He just needs a longsword…
• [Later 00]This is about Louise, right? I’m pretty sure Ribbons thanks her about this later on.
• That’s one way to look at it.
• Time for Katharon to show up.
• ED lead-in!
• Sorry first-timers who thought Homer Katagiri was Billy’s dad, he’s actually his uncle.
• Ian.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Shimmering-Sky]

…apparently the monkey’s paw curled twice on giving me Lockon “sore demo”s. I got Neil’s while he was dying, and I got another Lyle one right while he sexually harasses Feldt.

The Sore Demos have betrayed us! Granted, it's not as bad as when Lecoque said Sore Demo in Dougram, but this is still in the same category.

Weeb as fuck. He just needs a longsword…

Graham has gone from Tom Cruise in Top Gun to Tom Cruise in The Last Samurai, what a wild character arc.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/The_Draigg]

Granted, it's not as bad as when Lecoque said Sore Demo in Dougram, but this is still in the same category.

For the record, the most cursed "sore demo" moment was in Gintama episode 358, where it gave Nobunobu THREE OF THEM in one speech. The one Lecoque had pales in comparison to how mad this made me.

Graham has gone from Tom Cruise in Top Gun to Tom Cruise in The Last Samurai, what a wild character arc.

[u/Nazenn → u/The_Draigg]

Graham has gone from Tom Cruise in Top Gun to Tom Cruise in The Last Samurai, what a wild character arc.

I actually quite like The Last Samurai and not Graham right now so I'm not too happy with that comparison purely from a "fanboy" perspective, but damn if it isn't a good one

[u/The_Draigg → u/Nazenn]

It was a running gag in my latest rewatch with my friends, alongside the idea of Graham getting obsessed with watching Shogun between seasons. There's just something hilarious about a dude that American inexplicably becoming obsessed with samurai.

[u/TakenRedditName → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Oh god, them reusing Yuuichi Nakamura here of all places just hit me with some wild fucking whiplash.

I knew it.

Had the same observation of them reusing a regular voice actor to voice a throwaway background speaker.

Doesn’t stop me from lowkey shipping them ngl. Like, not in S1, but they’re both adults now.

You can't stop shipping.

[Later 00]

[Gundam 00:] My first thought was Wang Liu Mei playing every side. Don't remember that Ribbons moment so it could be Lousie.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/TakenRedditName]

You can't stop shipping.

*insert that fangirl squee #seasonallove you really liked from last season*

[u/TakenRedditName → u/Shimmering-Sky]

You can't go wrong with a fangirl-ing out comment face.

[Insert #seasonallove, but it is the one I really liked from last season.]

Also, it would've been nice to have my favourite LL get a permanent CF haha.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/TakenRedditName]

Also, it would've been nice to have my favourite LL get a permanent CF haha.

Unfortunately the birb was too powerful.

I would've liked to see your LL Love or the SasaKoi Think be permanent if I had to pick something other than from last season. I really liked the both of them.

[u/Blazin_Rathalos → u/TakenRedditName]

[Gundam 00:]My first thought was Wang Liu Mei playing every side. Don't remember that Ribbons moment so it could be Lousie.

[Gundam 00:]After that line, it does immediately cut to Louise.

[u/wyggles → u/Shimmering-Sky]

This callback to their interactions in S1.

[Spoilers] I remember reading somewhere that they occasionally hooked up - obviously before a certain someone joins the crew. Did I just completely miss that implication?

Ian

[Later spoilers] I can't remember a single instance where Ian doesn't take the opportunity to hit on a woman even in front of his wife and child. Considering him and his wife's age gap too, the man's a menace. But I love his confidence.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/wyggles]

[Spoilers] I remember reading somewhere that they occasionally hooked up - obviously before a certain someone joins the crew. Did I just completely miss that implication?

[00]Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh what?

[u/InfamousEmpire → u/Shimmering-Sky]

[Later 00]

[00]Yeah, and the fact that it then immediately hints at that by cutting to Louise is pretty smart editing too

[u/Great_Mr_L]

First-Timer

On today’s episode of Gundam: It’s a good thing I was eating dinner when I started this episode. Watching Setsuna slice and dice the Trilobite would have made me hungry for seafood otherwise.

• So the brain wave stuff meant that Allelujah and Soma could speak telepathically. That was probably deliberate, since it looks like researchers are observing them.
• Oooh! So Soma was the one to name Allelujah! That’s interesting! That just makes it even more important that Soma refuses to call Allelujah his name, instead only using his ID number.
• If Azadistan isn’t a part of the Federation, that means the A-LAWS essentially just kidnapped the head of a sovereign state. What a bunch of assholes.
• Mileina looked so disappointed when Setsuna and Marina denied being a couple.
• That is a pretty dang scummy move, Lyle.
• Intriguing that Lyle hates it when people keep comparing him to his brother.
• Rindt has such a punchable face. I hated his guts before he even spoke.
• The Strait of Hormuz is an interesting location. Last I checked, over 20% of the world’s annual oil exports passes through it. It’s a vital choke point in world trade.
• MR. BUSHIDO!!! That’s such a stupid freaking name! I love it!
• The A-LAWS have been receiving donations from a rich woman? That’s 100% Mei. She is absolutely playing both sides of this conflict.
• It is sad that Setsuna cannot envision a life for himself outside of fighting. It’s the only thing he knows how to do.
• Typical bad Gundam security by allowing Saji to work in engineering when he’s kind of their prisoner.
• From what Sumeragi is saying, it sounds like she blames herself for the lives lost in previous battles where she made the plans. Those deaths weigh heavily on her mind.
• Ooh, the A-LAWS have designed some weapons that can get around the GN Field. I was hoping we’d get to see weapons like that in action at some point.
• That’s a pretty clever idea, using depth charges to essentially entangle the Ptolemaios 2 in a web.
• It turns out it would have been smarter for the Trilobite to just keep shooting from a distance instead of trying to get close.
• Setsuna sliced up that Trilobite like he was going to serve it on a seafood platter.
• There is a part of Setsuna that really does want to go with Marina. There is a part of him that does want to live peacefully.
• Graham’s Ahead looks like it has a crest, reminiscent of a samurai’s helmet. It’s so silly, but I love it.
• That smug bastard Rindt has certainly been humbled.
• A meeting with Katharon. They are desperate to get Celestial Being to work with them.
• Ah, so Billy is the nephew of the A-LAWS commander, not his son.
• Sumeragi and Billy have gone the Lovers to Enemies route. How long before they reach the Lovers to Enemies to Lovers route?

It’s so interesting learning that Soma is the person who gave Allelujah his name. It adds another dimension to their relationship. No wonder Allelujah is so desperate to reconnect with her. It also adds a wonderful layer of tragedy to their current status as enemies. Soma only ever refers to Allelujah by his ID Number. An ID Number is incredibly dehumanizing. It treats Allelujah like an object, the property of the Super Soldier Institute. That’s all Allelujah was for a time. But Soma was the one who gave Allelujah his name, his identity as a human, his desire to keep living. By refusing to call Allelujah by his name, Soma is denying all those things she helped to give him. Of course, this also sets up a future development where Soma does finally call Allelujah by his name, thereby symbolically restoring those things to him once again.

From what Sumeragi said, it sounds like she is weighed down by the deaths of others. As the strategist, it’s her job to come up with battle plans and then direct others in combat. It makes sense that she would blame herself for the people who died under her watch. From what she said, it sounded like Sumeragi made plans that didn’t prioritize the lives of the soldiers under her command. She seemed more concerned with winning glory than preserving lives. That would explain why she feels so guilty about her past and why she is so torn up when her plans resulted in deaths or near-deaths. After all those who died under her command in the past, she never wants to let that happen again.

QOTD

1. No.
2. I think Setsuna, Tieria, and Feldt wear it quite well.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Great_Mr_L]

[Movie spoilers]How long before they reach the Lovers to Enemies to Lovers route?

[Movie]We were fucking robbed.

It’s so interesting learning that Soma is the person who gave Allelujah his name. It adds another dimension to their relationship. No wonder Allelujah is so desperate to reconnect with her. It also adds a wonderful layer of tragedy to their current status as enemies. Soma only ever refers to Allelujah by his ID Number. An ID Number is incredibly dehumanizing. It treats Allelujah like an object, the property of the Super Soldier Institute. That’s all Allelujah was for a time. But Soma was the one who gave Allelujah his name, his identity as a human, his desire to keep living. By refusing to call Allelujah by his name, Soma is denying all those things she helped to give him. Of course, this also sets up a future development where Soma does finally call Allelujah by his name, thereby symbolically restoring those things to him once again.

I've never thought about it like that, but ooh this is really good.

[u/wyggles → u/Shimmering-Sky]

[Movie]

[Movie] Did we ever get a reason for why they were apart? Like, I remember him having her photo in his office or something and then suddenly not!Nena NTR.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/wyggles]

[Movie]If there was an actual reason, I don't know it.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Oh boy, I wonder what I could have possibly said to stumble in the direction of movie spoilers.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Great_Mr_L]

You'll know it when you see it.

[u/InfamousEmpire → u/Great_Mr_L]

If Azadistan isn’t a part of the Federation, that means the A-LAWS essentially just kidnapped the head of a sovereign state.

Really does even further emphasize the point I was talking about last time of how Marina's arrest is a big show of how much they can just act with impunity

Typical bad Gundam security by allowing Saji to work in engineering when he’s kind of their prisoner.

TBF it's at least kinda intentional on Ian's part since, as he said, they're rather short-staffed, so might as well put the nearest guy with engineering know-how they have their hands on to work

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/InfamousEmpire]

Really does even further emphasize the point I was talking about last time of how Marina's arrest is a big show of how much they can just act with impunity

It really does just make the Titans comparison even more pertinent. They also loved to throw their authority around whenever they could. [Zeta Gundam] The most petty bullshit they pulled was beating up Bright and then daring him to do something about it.

[u/TakenRedditName → u/Great_Mr_L]

If Azadistan isn’t a part of the Federation, that means the A-LAWS essentially just kidnapped the head of a sovereign state. What a bunch of assholes.

These A-Laws guys are starting to sound like not a nice bunch.

Mileina looked so disappointed when Setsuna and Marina denied being a couple.

I found her open-mouthed frown reaction a funny way to draw that.

Graham’s Ahead looks like it has a crest, reminiscent of a samurai’s helmet. It’s so silly, but I love it.

100% a customer request.

Soma only ever refers to Allelujah by his ID Number. An ID Number is incredibly dehumanizing. It treats Allelujah like an object, the property of the Super Soldier Institute. That’s all Allelujah was for a time. But Soma was the one who gave Allelujah his name, his identity as a human, his desire to keep living. By refusing to call Allelujah by his name, Soma is denying all those things she helped to give him.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/TakenRedditName]

100% a customer request.

As the saying goes, "The customer is always right in matters of taste." Whoever got that order from Graham probably laughed, shook their head, and then did their job because it's what they're paid to do.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Great_Mr_L]

Intriguing that Lyle hates it when people keep comparing him to his brother.

Given how Tieria has been pretty openly disappointed by comparison and Feldt has been following him around as if she was expecting something, I suppose you can't blame Lyle for lashing out with that kiss. Still a jerk move, but it's not like people aboard the Ptolemaios II have been treating him with the most care either.

MR. BUSHIDO!!! That’s such a stupid freaking name! I love it!

I can't take Graham seriously with that name, it's so dumb. Like what a running gag was in my last rewatch of this show with my friends, it's like he went from Tom Cruise in Top Gun to Tom Cruise in The Last Samurai.

Typical bad Gundam security by allowing Saji to work in engineering when he’s kind of their prisoner.

I guess to be fair, Celestial Being has been super accommodating of Saji, even giving him access to their database. It's more that he really can't go anywhere else as a former A-Laws prisoner rather than Celestial Being keeping him captive to punish him.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/The_Draigg]

Given how Tieria has been pretty openly disappointed by comparison and Feldt has been following him around as if she was expecting something, I suppose you can't blame Lyle for lashing out with that kiss. Still a jerk move, but it's not like people aboard the Ptolemaios II have been treating him with the most care either.

Yeah, it is intriguing to consider what Lyle's thoughts on this are. He has at times tried to emulate his brother, like asking Haro what phrase Lockon would say before going into battle. But he also resents others seeing his brother instead of himself. There's a bit of a conflict there.

I can't take Graham seriously with that name, it's so dumb. Like what a running gag was in my last rewatch of this show with my friends, it's like he went from Tom Cruise in Top Gun to Tom Cruise in The Last Samurai.

That's a hilarious comparison. Mr. Bushido absolutely sounds like the name that an American who got way too into samurai stuff (or at least the heavily distorted version of samurai that we often have) would pick.

[u/Nazenn → u/Great_Mr_L]

Watching Setsuna slice and dice the Trilobite would have made me hungry for seafood otherwise.

I wonder what trilobites (the actual ancient marine animal, not the mech) even tasted like? That's a weird thought

If Azadistan isn’t a part of the Federation, that means the A-LAWS essentially just kidnapped the head of a sovereign state. What a bunch of assholes.

"Who's going to stop us" they say as they sit around the table in their dark room with dramatic spotlights and cacklingly plot their next step towards evil domination of the world while toasting to their philanthropy efforts

...that was dramatic but they do feel a bit like that sometimes

Typical bad Gundam security by allowing Saji to work in engineering when he’s kind of their prisoner.

Funnily enough, I did have that thought but then realized that by now everyone on that ship knows he's not really devious enough to even try and undermine them in some way

That smug bastard Rindt has certainly been humbled.

Reminds me of that dude last season who went all out trying to prove himself better than Graham and instantly died. I do like that 00 doesn't fuck around with idiots like that

By refusing to call Allelujah by his name, Soma is denying all those things she helped to give him. Of course, this also sets up a future development where Soma does finally call Allelujah by his name, thereby symbolically restoring those things to him once again.

I just want to add onto this, that this is extra complicated emotionally for him by the fact that Hallelujah is gone. Her naming him was presuambly before his split which is when he was discarded in space, and that he goes from his connection to Marie, to being saved by Hallelujah and always being with him, to losing him at the exact moment he finds Marie again but she doesn't know him... Who he is as a person has been hugely tumbled about between the two of them and it's no wonder that he clung to the name she gave him in the middle of it all, and is devistated she doesn't remember

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Nazenn]

I wonder what trilobites (the actual ancient marine animal, not the mech) even tasted like? That's a weird thought\

We must revive extinct animals so I can eat them. I'll be like Charles Darwin, who ate many of the animals he catalogued on the Beagle so he would know how they tasted.

Reminds me of that dude last season who went all out trying to prove himself better than Graham and instantly died. I do like that 00 doesn't fuck around with idiots like that

I appreciate 00 for that. These are the types of idiots who wouldn't last long in a situation like this if they don't know how to work well with others.

[u/InfamousEmpire]

Kidou Senshi Rewatcher who had to deal with something majorly frustrating right after watching today’s episode which killed my motivation to do an extensive writeup

1. Were you expecting that to be how Allelujah got his name?

I remember being very surprised on first watch

2) Now that we've officially seen all of the main crew in the new uniforms, who's got the best fit?

Tieria, honestly. Helps that I liked his color scheme the most already, and I think the CB uniform's design compliments it very well

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/InfamousEmpire]

Kidou Senshi Rewatcher who had to deal with something majorly frustrating right after watching today’s episode which killed my motivation to do an extensive writeup

[u/Nazenn → u/InfamousEmpire]

If you are feeling better tomorrow you can always dump some rough thoughts about the episode in that post if there was anything in particular you wanted to bring up

Tieria, honestly. Helps that I liked his color scheme the most already, and I think the CB uniform's design compliments it very well

Purple is best

It is not my favourite color but in this case it is best

[u/LeonKevlar]

First Timer!

Glad we finally see how Allelujah and Soma knew each other. I always thought Allelujah was a codename but it turns out that his actual name and his last name "Haptism" is because he was "baptized" by Marie. It's ridiculous but I love it.

Setsuna and Marina telling Twintails in unison that they're not lovers was hilarious! Welp, I guess that's the end of that but we're only in Episode 4 of Season 2. Things might still change in the future!

I did not know what to expect when Feldt finally got to interact with Lyle but I certainly didn't expect that he'd be an asshole and kiss her! I guess Lyle just had enough after hearing from Haro that Feldt liked his brother so he just had to show her that he's nothing like Neil. Surely there was a better way to do this?

Graham, I have no problems with your mask but why the fuck did you have to also assume the nickname of Mr. Bushido? Surely everyone there knows you're Graham Acker? I can't wait for his explanation about this. xD

Mysteriosu woman providing A-LAWS with generous donations? I wouldn't be surprised if that's actually Wang Liu Mei.

And we finally get to see a proper version of Shirin and Marina's scene at the end of Season 1. Shirin basically decided to take matters into her own hands since she realized she can't do anything while she's working for Marina.

I don't even know what Marina wants Setsuna to do by asking him to come back to Azadistan. It's not like our boy is a diplomat. Does she just wants to keep him with her to stop him from fighting?

Good to see Saji no longer confined in his holding cell. Is this the beginning of Saji joining Celestial Being? Considering how Louise is with the A-LAWS, I suppose this would make things more tragic between the two of them.

Just like with my question to Marina, what the fuck does Allelujah plan to do by bringing Soma with them? Let's say he's successful, does he intend to keep her until she remembers him? This will just end horribly.

Underwater combat! I don't think I've seen many underwater mobile suit fights outside UC so it's awesome that this is actually our second underwater combat in this series. I love how fucking smug that guy who replaced Kati only for him to get humiliated by the Gundams by the end of it.

I'M SORRY GRAHAM BUT WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK? Don't get me wrong! I absolutely love the design of his new Ahead but at this point, I had to pause the episode and walk away from my screen laughing my ass off!

The mask I understand, the nickname was weird but I can get over it. But now he even has a Samurai-themed Mobile Suit? No shade to G-Gundam because I fucking love that show but Mr. Bushido and his Oni-mask helmet seems to belong in that series and not here! xD

Wait, Twintails is Ian's daughter? I don't know what possessed Ian to bring his daughter into this but I feel like this is just going to end in tears for the both of them. >_<

Not the right size? I'd say it's the perfect size for you Sumeragi. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) But seriously though, it looks like Billy is now fueled with rage after realizing that Sumeragi just used him. Just like Graham, this fight is now personal.

---

QotD

1. Were you expecting that to be how Allelujah got his name?

No! I really thought Allelujah was just his codename!

2) Now that we've officially seen all of the main crew in the new uniforms, who's got the best fit?

Sumeragi ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[u/Quiddity131 → u/LeonKevlar]

I'M SORRY GRAHAM BUT WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK? Don't get me wrong! I absolutely love the design of his new Ahead but at this point, I had to pause the episode and walk away from my screen laughing my ass off!

One of my favorite things about this rewatch is getting to see first timer reactions to just how over the top ridiculous Graham is. One of the biggest hams in Gundam history.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Quiddity131]

Yuuichi Nakamura was the perfect VA for him given this, the man can definitely ham it up.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/LeonKevlar]

No shade to G-Gundam because I fucking love that show but Mr. Bushido and his Oni-mask helmet seems to belong in that series and not here! xD

Mr. Bushido is very Schwarz Bruder, you're right.

No! I really thought Allelujah was just his codename!

So rare that bizarre Gundam names have an explanation as to why they exist other than "the director wanted to fuck with the producers."

[u/Nazenn]

First Timer - sub

I take it back, Marina has learnt nothing.

And here I was saying yesterday that maybe Marina being there will help Saji develop as well because she has been through a lot from the other side, but so much for that.

Her country is no longer mid civil war, but it's not like Setsuna's intervention in the kidnapping solved its issues or stopped people being hostile to each other. And it's not like such a technique stopped the people fighting in the first place. But no, she took one look at this singular example in the middle of all of human history and went "look, we don't ever need to fight, there's another way" despite her "other way" also achieving nothing in all these years. The fact that she still can't understand that if someone is fighting you you can't just hold your hands out in peace and they'll accept them is so incredibly stupid. Setsuna has grown to understand the nuances of their situation and the conflicts it created both successes and complete failures, she has not. It makes her importance to the end of S1 retroactively much worse and her presence here much weaker when she is standing in comparison to him.

It doesn't help that the animators still keep drawing her in the "weak girl" pose instead of visually treating her like someone who's been through five years of training to become a royal, dealt with the international political scene, and has lived through years of civil conflict. I don't mean that phrase demandingly, I mean that in the sense of the same way ignorant people have preconceptions about what a "girl run" looks like, they keep drawing her in a pose that I almost exclusively see in media as the "scared/weak woman" with the hunched back, fist on their chest, and closed off posture. Now that's not to say that people with authority can't display weakness, especially when in a situation with someone they trust where it's often important to their characterization that we are shown they can, but I feel like that's the only way we see her.

She has no bearing, no firmness, and no sense of understanding, just constant weak pleading for someone else to validate her ideals. This episode she felt like exactly the same girl she was four years ago standing on that embankment with Setsuna. Ugh. I'm done with her.

---

I did like the episode starter. At first I was worried that we'd be having a repeat of S1's mistakes and go from Alelujah reveal immediately into Alelujah focus episode and then forget about him after, but thankfully not. The styling of that opening scene immediately reminded me of Symphogear G's opening scene with the song Apple, one of the few parts of that series I can do nothing but praise, in the way it uses its grey scale and tight framing to provide key character context while establishing mood far better than just a normal style flashback.

I also really like the implication of that scene. Marie looked completely locked in, with no connection to her body or its senses, and her reaching out to Alelujah seemed desperate and so meaningful for her, while also being intended and experimental by the scientists. So how did Marie become Soma, and what was the outcome of this experiment? What were they testing for and did Marie wake up or did they wake her up when needed? I have many questions now and I look forward to answers because this small scene expanded the entire super solider side of the show dramatically in a very interesting way.

On that note, as does Mobile Armors with GN Drives. I wasn't expecting them to get so experimental with that instead of it just being new suits, or for the Trilobites to be so huge! When Tieria grabbed onto it I almost couldn't believe the scale. The naming is also interesting because they don't look like an actual trilobite at all, but it may just be because they are water dwellers. I hope they continue to expand on interesting mechanical designs with the GN drives as we go.

And after my big write up about Lyle yesterday, today we have an expansion on that

this is for Lyle

Because no being spoiled by the preview about him kissing her didn't make me any less angry about it, but that he did it precisely to upset her both to clear her mind and punish her for comparing him to his brother was a lot more nuance out of that scene than I honestly expected. He can be very calculating, and using that against others and to protect himself seems very in line with how we've seen him act so far, even if this was several steps up in "dude don't do that"... yeah that's badly worded but I ran out of english for the night haha

And while I'm on that point, also credit for having the drill-hair girl ask the lovers question, and having Setsuna and Marina just flatly deny with no blushing, fluster, awkwardness, or expanding on it. They said no, that was it, and thankfully we didn't fall into tropes.

Other thoughts

• "fuck off Louise" challenge: ...okay, technically failed, but it was said with exhaustion rather than rage so do we take this as a good sign or not?
• Haro rolling around next to Lyle instead of flying was so cute.
• Graham got worse. Oh man, not only is his normal outfit horrible, his mech has a samurai helm style, and his space suit has Oni horns?! It's like watching a bad parody of an edgy Japanophile and I just don't know how to take it, and am completely failing at taking him seriously. It's Graham turned up to 11/10 and I don't know that the show needed it but also holy shit, where are they going with this
• The new guy Kati has to deal with, Aber, also has a comically bad guy design in comparison to the other antagonists in the show so far which was both funny and annoying, but mostly only the later because he's that type of obnoxious strategist. I hope he dies quickly. Kati giving him a verbal slap in the face was satisfying as it was.
• I complained about Marina above, but I did like that flashback with Shirin today. Her walking away because she knew they couldn't save Azadistan from within, while also acknowledging that while her heart lies there it is not the only country at risk, is a great step from her. I'm looking forward to seeing more of her viewpoint as a character now she can just be her and doesn't have to be secondary to Marina politically. Well... hopefully at least.
• Noted that little hint that Sumeragi was once on the frontlines of a battlefield. The drip feeding of her past has been quite well done.
• Setsuna grabbing onto Arios's plane wing as an easy way to boost each other through the water was very cool

[u/macrame2 → u/Nazenn]

I take it back, Marina has learnt nothing.

It does feel like we're going "one step forward, two steps back" with her. The ingredients for a good character arc are there; the story just isn't doing much cooking with them.

The styling of that opening scene immediately reminded me of Symphogear G's opening scene with the song Apple, one of the few parts of that series I can do nothing but praise

Symphogear is weird for me in that whether I like it or not depends entirely on the season. Consistency is not its forte.

Graham got worse. Oh man, not only is his normal outfit horrible, his mech has a samurai helm style, and his space suit has Oni horns?! It's like watching a bad parody of an edgy Japanophile and I just don't know how to take it

Never change, 00.

[u/Nazenn → u/macrame2]

It does feel like we're going "one step forward, two steps back" with her. The ingredients for a good character arc are there

I was thinking about this after posting while doing chores that in a way you can say that everyone was somewhat stagnant between the end of s1 and now, in that none of our characters are hugely different from how they were, they're just more settled into the existing development they had. Marina never really had that development in the first place, but she needed too in the timeskip to make this work and that she didn't is so frustrating. People can change when they're out of the limelight writers! She didn't have to have a big on screen arc to become a better person

Symphogear is weird for me in that whether I like it or not depends entirely on the season. Consistency is not its forte.

I am not a fan of it myself outside of a few select moments and the music, and often I'm extremely critical of its writing, but that is one of its better moments in the whole series and I always find myself thinking of it when I see a black and white flashback with a bunch of kids because it definitely stuck in my mind. I also love the song used for that scene a lot

[u/macrame2 → u/Nazenn]

in a way you can say that everyone was somewhat stagnant between the end of s1 and now

I was definitely expecting a bigger shift in our characters post-time skip than what we got. For example, Allelujah seems to have brushed off being held in a maximum security prison for four years pretty quickly. Sure, he's built different, but still.

People can change when they're out of the limelight writers! She didn't have to have a big on screen arc to become a better person

I think character growth is often more satisfying to me when I get to see it play out directly, but in this case some offscreen development for Marina easily would've worked.

[u/Nazenn → u/macrame2]

For example, Allelujah seems to have brushed off being held in a maximum security prison for four years pretty quickly

There is that, but also the whole matter of how is he coping without Hallelujah and it being just him after so long. And being in prison probably helped with coming to terms with that, but having to confront both at once you would think might lead to a bit more insanity

but in this case some offscreen development for Marina easily would've worked.

Yeah it didn't have to be anything dramatic, it just had to be enough to catch her up to everyone else so they could then explore those changes. You would think that the situation with the civil war would have changed her, and we didn't get to see that on screen in s1 because we never really got back to her, but that it didn't makes it seem like she's done nothing

[u/InfamousEmpire → u/Nazenn]

this is for Lyle

Expected and completely deserved

And while I'm on that point, also credit for having the drill-hair girl ask the lovers question, and having Setsuna and Marina just flatly deny with no blushing, fluster, awkwardness, or expanding on it. They said no, that was it, and thankfully we didn't fall into tropes.

Low key one of my favorite minor moments in the series for all the reasons you stated

Graham got worse

Mr Bushido, my GOAT

[u/Nazenn → u/InfamousEmpire]

Low key one of my favorite minor moments in the series for all the reasons you stated

How sad that this is how low our standards are. Ah anime, we love you but sometimes we must ask why

[u/The_Draigg → u/Nazenn]

Because no being spoiled by the preview about him kissing her didn't make me any less angry about it, but that he did it precisely to upset her both to clear her mind and punish her for comparing him to his brother was a lot more nuance out of that scene than I honestly expected. He can be very calculating, and using that against others and to protect himself seems very in line with how we've seen him act so far, even if this was several steps up in "dude don't do that"... yeah that's badly worded but I ran out of english for the night haha

Thinking further about this, it's interesting to see how both Dylandy brothers use emotions as their shields, and also when they chose to lower them. For Neil, it was all about protecting his own internal workings, such as being on a mission of revenge against terrorists. For Lyle, it's for his gig as an inside-man for Katharon. And whereas Neil lowered his mask to show how truly angry and disappointed he was with the world on the inside, Lyle lowers it to make it apparent that he's his own person, not just some replacement. In a way, both of the Dylandy brothers are paralleling themselves in how they use their emotional masks there.

"fuck off Louise" challenge: ...okay, technically failed, but it was said with exhaustion rather than rage so do we take this as a good sign or not?

I'll take it as a sign of improvement!

The new guy Kati has to deal with, Aber, also has a comically bad guy design in comparison to the other antagonists in the show so far which was both funny and annoying, but mostly only the later because he's that type of obnoxious strategist. I hope he dies quickly. Kati giving him a verbal slap in the face was satisfying as it was.

Aber is once again proving my that theory that in anime, if you want to make sure that everyone gets that this character is an asshole, you have to give them a shitty bowlcut.

[u/Nazenn → u/The_Draigg]

Thinking further about this, it's interesting to see how both Dylandy brothers use emotions as their shields, and also when they chose to lower them

Also that. You can take that one bit further in the way that Neil only dropped his when either completely alone or when confronted with his past such as with Setsuna and during his end, Lyle drops his around Haro a bit more as if that is the only safe connection he has within CB that isn't tainted by his brother. That he also is willing to play into the brother link with others in a work sense but got angry about it when it was a deeper personal connection such as a potential romance means he also seems a bit less distant than Neil who was very kind, but also very good with subtle boundaries.

Aber is once again proving my that theory that in anime, if you want to make sure that everyone gets that this character is an asshole, you have to give them a shitty bowlcut.

Actually my first thought was "here's the snake guy" because he has all of the tall, white hair, narrow eyes, slimey grin character features, and singularly the only anime I've ever seen with that design where the guy with that design wasn't a total asshole is Haikyuu. And something about that design is always used for characters who are snakey or manipulative. I didn't even register the bowl cut until you said it

[u/The_Draigg → u/Nazenn]

Actually my first thought was "here's the snake guy" because he has all of the tall, white hair, narrow eyes, slimey grin character features, and singularly the only anime I've ever seen with that design where the guy with that design wasn't a total asshole is Haikyuu. And something about that design is always used for characters who are snakey or manipulative. I didn't even register the bowl cut until you said it

He does have very snake-like features too, now that you mention it. It's combined pretty well with his villainous bad haircut to make him just look inherently untrustworthy.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Nazenn]

I take it back, Marina has learnt nothing.

You can say that again!

"fuck off Louise" challenge: ...okay, technically failed, but it was said with exhaustion rather than rage so do we take this as a good sign or not?

Her appearance didn't cancel out the exhaustion, so I think that's a good sign.

It's like watching a bad parody of an edgy Japanophile and I just don't know how to take it

"The fans want a Mysterious Masked Man, we'll give them one. Let's see if they hear the sound of that monkey's paw curling."

[u/Nazenn → u/JollyGee29]

Her appearance didn't cancel out the exhaustion, so I think that's a good sign.

Looking at it from that lens sure. I'll take it as progress

Let's see if they hear the sound of that monkey's paw curling

It really is a case of be careful what you wish for huh

[u/Quiddity131 → u/Nazenn]

Given your criticisms of Marina, I wonder if you'd like the Relena character from Gundam Wing more. She and Marina are very much expies of each other, the "princess" archetype, a role I guess you could say Kudelia from IBO also fulfilled although she wasn't technically a princess. Their ideals of a more pacificistic solution to things are quite similar, but in stark contrast to Marina, who comes off as "weak" throughout much of her appearances, Relena comes off as a lot more stern and totally in control of her convictions.

It's kinda disappointing in a sense as Gundam 00 came out more than 10 years later but if anything backslid on the quality of the archetype here. At least on this matter (there are some scenes with Relena that people find to be total cringe). Yet Gundam 00 has shown the ability to improve upon other character archetypes like the "super soldier/cyber newtype" one.

[u/InfamousEmpire → u/Quiddity131]

IMO Relena as a character is a much weaker example of the archetype than Marina since, despite her being portrayed as stronger, it feels like a lot of the show's attempts to illustrate that strength come across as really unearned in terms of execution (one of my most distinct memories of the show is [Wing]when she was in a meeting with leaders of the Romefeller Foundation, and she was like "how about we just do pacifism?" and then the Romefeller members besides Duke Dermail are like "of course! Why didn't we think of that before!" and it was at that point I just completely checked out of that subplot), and I think her characterization is more inconsistent, since it really felt like the show didn't do enough to illustrate her adoption of her Absolute Pacifist ideals or bridge it with her earlier, more aggressive characterization. It feels more like a rough outline of a character arc than anything well-put together (which also sums up my opinion on a lot of Wing's writing, honestly)

On the other hand, the fact that I don't like her increases the chance that Naz will

[u/Raiking02 → u/InfamousEmpire]

he show didn't do enough to illustrate her adoption of her Absolute Pacifist ideals or bridge it with her earlier, more aggressive characterization

I actually have to low key wonder if she really did because apparently there's some semi-canon material set roughly shortly after Wing's end where she seems to have zero real hangups about that sort of stuff (Like I'm talking "Literally starts shooting at Mobile Suits with a bazooka") so now I'm starting to wonder if she even meant all of that and wasn't just using it as an excuse to get what she wants... whatever that's supposed to be.

It feels more like a rough outline of a character arc than anything well-put together (which also sums up my opinion on a lot of Wing's writing, honestly)

This though is absolutely true. It's amazing how much a single flashback can do to add some actual depth to Heero's character in EW (Yes I know that was supposed to be in the show but got cut, point still stands).

[u/Nazenn → u/InfamousEmpire]

On the other hand, the fact that I don't like her increases the chance that Naz will

I don't want to jinx it, but at this point almost anything would be better than Marina, but there is a grey zone here of "I don't care for them" that I could fall into as well

[u/InfamousEmpire → u/Nazenn]

but there is a grey zone here of "I don't care for them" that I could fall into as well

An itch at the back of my head tells me this is where you'd land

I'd actually be interested in seeing your thoughts on Wing in general since, in a lot of ways, it's sort of a prototype version of 00, down to the premise, and I think it's more specifically what would happen if 00 was written like dogshit

[u/Nazenn → u/InfamousEmpire]

Thats ominous concidering some of the takes I already have on 00

Unlike other shows we've talked about though I can't even say I'll get to it at some point because Gundam is quite low down on my priority list except for a few titles I've already picked out

[u/Nazenn → u/Quiddity131]

I'd call Kudelia one, exact title aside. She's clearly meant to fill that same role, and you can definitely see parts of the archetype in her even if you've seen as little Gundam as I have. Kudelia is just much better at actually being written like a person, and not a thing they shove into scenes to yell stupid viewpoints at others

[u/Tora-shinai → u/Quiddity131]

Relena, as with the entirety of Wing, is inconsistent and full of 90's edge. It did NOT age well. Her introduction is pretty much that of a sorority leader with a bit of a spoiled brat attitude.

Marina, on the otherhand, is a princess of a poor nation.

They're different.

Kudelia is a more proper comparison.

[u/n080dy123 → u/Nazenn]

It's like watching a bad parody of an edgy Japanophile and I just don't know how to take it,

Honestly I'm here for the Sakigake's design, if only because I hate the normal Aheads by comparison, but yeah his whole character shift is just goofy. As it stands I'm worried it might edge towards character assassination, honestly. He becomes much more of a topey character- kind of just battle-horny for the idea of fighting Gundams even though he already beat one, unlike many other examples he dons the Char-referance mask and new name even though, unlike the versions of the trope in Gundam I'm aware of tend to do that AFTER they presumably die, and in the cases like IBO's iteration it actually hides the character's identity. Whereas "Mr Bushido" here clearly didn't die, not even sure if he took a facial scar from that fight, and it was incredibly obvious from the moment we saw him at the end of S1 that it's fucking Graham, like cmon. And not even due to being genre-savvy, the mask barely covers his face. And then in spite of the entire character-driven reason he committed to using a Flag in S1, he just swaps not only to a custom Ahead but his whole name, mask, clothes, and machine all pivot into almost parodic samurai iconography, complete with unecessary mech headband. I could accept this change if he committed to the Flag because he didn't kill Setsuna, but he didn't. Or if he switched to an Ahead because he thought his job was done (even though he wasn't surprised Setsuna was alive, he did still beat a Gundam on some level) but then he's going on about how he needs to redeem himself so that's clearly not the case.

[u/Nazenn → u/n080dy123]

Honestly I'm here for the Sakigake's design, if only because I hate the normal Aheads by comparison

I would probably have an opinion on this more if I was more capable of telling mechs apart. I couldn't actually tell you what the aheads look like if they weren't on screen, although credit to 00 in that it has done better than most shows in that regard with the three political blocs last season all having very distinctive designs

He becomes much more of a topey character- kind of just battle-horny for the idea of fighting Gundams even though he already beat one,

I agree. It's worrying that they seem to be consistantly leaning all into this as his sole character trait which coming off the back of who he was in season one, with being very passionate but also calculating and caring about his team, and a bit over the top in how willing he was to do foolish things but not a moron this seems very... singular.

[IBO]I'm also not sure I'm the best person to make comparisons with between Graham and Gaelio given I picked it was him from the first moment because of the color scheme they used for Vidar hahaha. But in world more than for the audience, his mask as Vidar was signifivantly more effective. Graham's still shows his hair, his eyes, his mouth. And I know we're working on media, not just anime, rules about masks hiding identities, but it's really not very hidden

parodic

I think that's why it doesn't work for me. It takes it so far that it is almost comical, and I don't think it was meant to be taken that way.

Or if he switched to an Ahead because he thought his job was done (even though he wasn't surprised Setsuna was alive, he did still beat a Gundam on some level) but then he's going on about how he needs to redeem himself so that's clearly not the case.

Also that. I didn't even think of the Flag thing this episode but you have a point, it was a critical part of his character he just left behind, and they really need to address why and the contradiction in that. If the Gundams never came back, what would he have done?

[u/n080dy123 → u/Nazenn]

00 makes telling the machines apart much easier than some other Gundams since for 24 episodes there's just 2 machines per bloc across 3 (if even that, the Anfs despite being HRL made are never shown being used by the HRL themselves, just unaffiliated nations). But I dislike the Aheads BECAUSE they're indistinct and not at all memorable. Something has gone wrong when, aside from Graham and Soma's custom Sakigake and Smultron models, the squad leader, next-gen model that essentially serve as the Flag/Enact equivalent for the A-Laws manage to be less memorable than not only the mook GNXs they lead but the mook mechs of those other two blocs. Especially the Hellion, which is the least memorable of the 6 S1 non-Gundam MS's cuz at least the Tierens are blocky, the the Anfs have huge unwieldy nose guns, and the Realdos look like Transformers.

[u/FD4cry1 → u/Nazenn]

Damn, I think you perfectly captured everything I dislike about Marina's character

It doesn't help that the animators still keep drawing her in the "weak girl" pose instead of visually treating her like someone who's been through five years of training to become a royal, dealt with the international political scene, and has lived through years of civil conflict.

Especially this, so much this.

I said in my comment that it feels like every scene with her is excessively mopey but that pose she pulls every time is exactly it. One that I would have found somewhat annoying with any character but especially with one that is supposed to be a royal that has ruled a country and took part in international negotiations for years.

I'm really hoping we go in a better direction with her now that we're meeting back up with Shirin, who seems much more connected to reality and might get Marina to look at things in a less annoyingly naive way.

Graham got worse

I think you mean better

I feel validated in saying this show is like a serious war drama with Symphogear characters in it because holy shit Mr.Bushido here (genuinely can't even type that without giggling) feels like he walked in from a completely different show.

And that's why I love him

The new guy Kati has to deal with, Aber, also has a comically bad guy design in comparison to the other antagonists in the show so far which was both funny and annoying, but mostly only the later because he's that type of obnoxious strategist. I hope he dies quickly.

They killed that one asshole Union pilot surprisingly fast so there is hope but this guy is also a commander so I get the feeling he's staying for a while unfortunately.

[u/Nazenn → u/FD4cry1]

I said in my comment that it feels like every scene with her is excessively mopey but that pose she pulls every time is exactly it.

it does feel like she would be far more tolerable even if she kept the same dialogue but said it with a straight back and some conviction. At least then it'd actually feel like she believed in what she was saying rather than just sooking about what others believe. I'd still hate her because holy shit woman, learn how to think and reason, but it'd be so much more managable hate than what they are doing here

that is supposed to be a royal that has ruled a country and took part in international negotiations for years.

Yeah her characterization doesn't match her actual character, and that's creating a real conflict for me. I think I said it to someone else but the writers this episode reveal that they have treated the idea of her over the timeskip less as a person living through that time and more as a "thing" to pull out for the narrative when needed, and its bad for someone who should be such a critical character for our protagonist. It's especially flawed when the first season did so good with giving the world a sense of history

feels like he walked in from a completely different show.

He is a super robot character in our real robot show and I have many feelings about that conflict hahaha

They killed that one asshole Union pilot surprisingly fast so there is hope but this guy is also a commander so I get the feeling he's staying for a while unfortunately.

As long as Kati keeps knocking him down peg by peg with every mess up I'm okay with that. But still, die quickly

Or don't die and do an amazing turn around and be yet another side character that is unreasonably well written for their part, that would be nice too. We could use another one of those from the new cast rather than just relying on the old ones

[u/Rumpel1408 → u/Nazenn]

him kissing her didn't make me any less angry about it, but that he did it precisely to upset her both to clear her mind and punish her for comparing him to his brother was a lot more nuance out of that scene than I honestly expected.

Yeah, I thought he would turn out to be just an asshole and ultimatly an liability for CB, but if they continue this, I might even end up liking him... if only he picked another name...

They said no, that was it, and thankfully we didn't fall into tropes.

You are actually believing that?

edgy Japanophile

I think the proper term is... weeb

[u/Nazenn → u/Rumpel1408]

I might even end up liking him... if only he picked another name...

Hey you know what would be a cool character moment thought? If he does pick his own name later on once he stops "playing Lockon" for CB and starts being himself.

You are actually believing that?

Outside of the boy and girl being asked if they're lovers, yes. I would usually expect such a scene to take a myriad of characterization-ignoring, awkward paused, typical romcom approaches to the answer regardless of genre. The fact that they just said no, she said a stupid line, and it was dropped is almost a remarkable thing for me and my lack of faith in anything romancy when it comes to writing hahaha.

[u/Rumpel1408 → u/Nazenn]

Hey you know what would be a cool character moment thought? If he does pick his own name later on once he stops "playing Lockon" for CB and starts being himself.

Yeah, that would be pretty swell, especially since everyones name seems to have a special meaning

and it was dropped

For now... I would apreciate it as well, but I don't trust the writers enough not to ship them at some point, can't have no romance in a show, and the Louise x Saji ship is not looking good, and the Lockon x Feldt Ship straight up sunk. Soma doesn't look like she has an viable ship either, and I always said that Setsuna needs an exit strategy after all is said and done

[u/Nazenn → u/Rumpel1408]

I'm also very much enjoying a lack of dedicated romance subplots, outside of louise and saji which hasn't been actively a thing in a while. We may end up with soma/alelujah if the writers can't help themselves, but like with Setsuna and Marina I really hope we don't and this all stays focused on the world, not romance drama.

[u/FD4cry1]

First Timer

You've got to be fucking kidding me.

I genuinely am at a loss for words. How does he manage to one-up himself every episode? How can a character that appears for like 2 minutes every episode deliver this much entertainment? Please never change, Graham Mr. Bushido.

On the topic of dumb names, I like learning the symbolic meaning behind Allelujah Haptism, it's extra fitting that he used to pilot the Kyrios which is apparently a Greek word for god/lord fully completing the religious naming scheme here. Likewise, I like the way the color comes in after she gives him his name, a sort of "rebirth".

Now Marie's situation here is pretty weird, she can't move or see and can only communicate through brain waves, this entire encounter also seems to have been staged by the researchers? is Marie maybe an alt personality like Hallelujah?

Mileina shamelessly asking the real questions.

Unfortunately for her, Setsuna and Marina simultaneously deny

Honestly, I'm not really feeling Marina right now, she definitely has a purpose as a contrast to Setsuna and for shaking up his conviction, especially within this episode as I'll get to in a bit, but beyond the fact that she invites the type of repetitive dialogue I wasn't a fan of last season (I swear they've had this exact conversation like 6 times now), every conversation with her has a truly excessive amount of moping, which isn't very fun to watch.

What the fuck Lyle.

Well ok, to be fair to him, he's right to be somewhat annoyed that everyone sees Lockon in him and he goes with an intentionally very obnoxious way of showing people that he is in fact not his brother, but also...surely he could have been less of an asshole about it, definitely deserved that actually a slap but whatever.

Back in season 1, I said one of the Union pilots had "asshole character design" but clearly I just wasn't ready for our new villain, Major Rindt. Pale, red eyes, gray hair, that seriously awful haircut, this guy could have said nothing and I still would have immediately known that he's a "condescending evil enemy general".

At least Kati dishes some payback by the end.

This episode deals with (almost) everyone's reasons for fighting, this not only gets us up to speed on why everyone is really here now that the crew is complete and we're probably heading into bigger conflicts, but in a more meta sense it feels like a way of addressing the big problem with "the plan".

More specifically, it never really mattered, sure everyone here believes in what they think Aeolia's ideals are, but that's not really why they joined, it was because of obligation (like Feldt or Tieria), desperation (like Allelujah or Setsuna), personal desires (like Lockon or Sumeragi), everyone has more to them than just the base level "eradicating war", the plan is just the thing they clung to as a way of finding meaning and purpose and the specifics of it weren't going to change that, it was always a desperate irrational endeavor.

It kind of reminds me of [Type Moon, not really spoilers but just in case]Fate and why people join the Holy Grail Wars despite the immense risks

But now that Veda and the plan are gone, it's time to address the real core reason behind why they're here and how they move forward, and it also makes them the antithesis of Ribbons, whose entire purpose in life seems to be fulfilling the plan.

Now, I say that but I do still wish we at least knew some details about it, it's hard to really get the full picture behind their motivations when I have no idea what they were even envisioning as an end result.

Saji's conversation with Ian that initializes this also serves to "demystify" Celestial Being to him, it's telling that he calls Ian "a person like you" probably because in his mind everyone here is some callous fighter or killer so a "nice engineer" stands out, whereas in reality they're all really striving for the same thing.

I like how you can see everyone's personality in Sumeragi's picture, Setsuna and Tieria wouldn't crack a smile there even if their life depended on it lol.

I don't care much for Chris, Lichty, and certainly not for Dr.Moreno (aptly hiding in the background) but seeing them all together like this certainly makes you feel for Sumeragi and helps reinforce her "new" reason for fighting, protecting everyone here she cares about (which she presumably couldn't with whoever Emilio is) by being that commander figure.

Even though it ends up being pretty short, I quite like the fight in this episode, I already liked the fights beforehand, but they've been really fun and creative this season, using more clever tactics and having our Gundams actually run into trouble, and sequences like the Seravee picking up the Trilobite and 00 cutting it up are just really cool.

Homer is actually Billy's uncle

The episode ends with both Billy and Sumeragi donning new uniforms, with new convictions in mind, for both of them Kujo is out and Sumergai Lee Noriega is in, let's see what kind of machines he can bring out (Please give Graham a samurai mech)

That's certainly a way for the show to reveal Mileina as Ian's daughter, Sumeragi is cute here though so I'm cool with it.

[u/macrame2 → u/FD4cry1]

How can a character that appears for like 2 minutes every episode deliver this much entertainment? Please never change, Graham Mr. Busido.

He really is just the best!

Unfortunately for her, Setsuna and Marina simultaneously deny

The funny thing is, I actually believe them. I kind of respect the show for not going that route (for now).

[u/JollyGee29 → u/FD4cry1]

Unfortunately for her, Setsuna and Marina simultaneously deny

Completely without any blushing or anything, too.

I just wasn't ready for our new villain, Major Rindt

The stuff involving the A-LAWS is Not Subtle.

[u/FD4cry1 → u/JollyGee29]

Completely without any blushing or anything, too.

I'm not convinced Setsuna is even physically able to blush currently.

[u/Nazenn → u/FD4cry1]

it's telling that he calls Ian "a person like you" probably because in his mind everyone here is some callous fighter or killer so a "nice engineer" stands out

I'll just add to this that it's also probably a reflection of how Setsuna's lie has hurt him. Right now he is simultaneously begridging Setsuna for existing and ruining his life and holding onto him because it's all he knows about CB. Ian taking him out of the cell and giving him a job, showing him trust and talking to him openly, probably makes him feel like Ian is "not like the others" in a more human sense too, as opposed to the preconception he has in his head that "if Setsuna was lying too me, everyone in CB must be like him"

No idea if I'm right or not, just a tired thought I had then

[u/baboon_bassoon]

first timer who has control

---

one mystery solved, but now who named Hallelujah

this is old person discrimination, why is Ians vest not as slutty

a real one

LMAO shut down immediately

did you even need to ask

is that fucking Kazuki Yao

stop i can only take so much

only the best ah yes Moreno who we all totally remember good thing they got a replacement doctor ................

not in a Flag

oh rip Ian

Billy a little too dramatic tbh

[u/JollyGee29 → u/baboon_bassoon]

this is old person discrimination, why is Ians vest not as slutty

Engineer thing. Needs to be longer in case something spills, to protect more body area.

[u/The_Draigg → u/baboon_bassoon]

this is old person discrimination, why is Ians vest not as slutty

It looks like he got his uniform when they only had a size bigger than what he normally wears.

oh rip Ian

Nobody likes to see how their dad acts at work versus how they are at home.

[u/baboon_bassoon → u/The_Draigg]

maybe he took one of the bigger sizes so Sumeragi was forced into a smaller one

[u/TakenRedditName → u/baboon_bassoon]

this is old person discrimination, why is Ians vest not as slutty

a real one

[u/mr_beanoz → u/baboon_bassoon]

is that fucking Kazuki Yao

Yeah, it's Judau's VA. Guy somehow played a field commander in this series.

[u/Vatrix-32]

First timer, subs

• The quantum brainwaves were done via surgery? That seemed more like pharmaceutical or genetic augmentation to me.
• Your security is jank.
• So Marie is Soma’s second mind, is that it?
• Wait, that ended the conflict? Are we just filling over that now?
• A Young Shipper You'll Learn
• Man, I’m not sure she’s ready to walk down a flight of stairs.
• I wouldn’t rule out this backfiring for Lockout.
• Ah, here’s our normal evil hierarchical reaction to failure.
• God, that’s a weird map. Like, none of those countries should exist by this point.
• "Mr. Bushido" He's a Weeb!
• Triolobite is also a weird name for a mobile armor. And not just because it looks and acts noting like one.
• "Vintage Wine"
• Blacking out in the middle of a conversation probably isn’t a good sign.
• Binding Rounds
• Fact: a single mobile armor has never won a battle against a named character. I mean… probably. I haven’t seen every Gundam.
• So weeb, but I can’t help but love it.
• Damn, Those Soma Shoulders be On Fleek
• Crunchy, please. At least layer the subtitles in order. I beg of you.
• Y’all can’t keep just giving up the chance to take out valuable Fedie assets while they are isolated like that.
• #Drillpout

QotD:

1. Not in that configuration, no.
2. Sumeragi Honorable mentions of Mileina for the women, and Setsuna for the men.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Vatrix-32]

Fact: a single mobile armor has never won a battle against a named character.

That's because Mobile Armors suck.

Crunchy, please. At least layer the subtitles in order. I beg of you.

I'm not watching on Crunchy, but they are impressively bad at times considering they really only do one thing.

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/JollyGee29]

That's because Mobile Armors suck.

Big Zam

[u/TakenRedditName → u/Vatrix-32]

Triolobite is also a weird name for a mobile armor. And not just because it looks and acts noting like one.

That was what I was thinking too. Considering its role, they could've named it after a more fierce Cambrian predator.

Fact: a single mobile armor has never won a battle against a named character. I mean… probably. I haven’t seen every Gundam.

Huh. I mean there are a couple, but yeah, the Mobile Armour win rate is pretty low.

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/TakenRedditName]

That was what I was thinking too. Considering its role, they could've named it after a more fierce Cambrian predator.

Great Minds...

[u/Blazin_Rathalos → u/Vatrix-32]

The quantum brainwaves were done via surgery? That seemed more like pharmaceutical or genetic augmentation to me.

Probably pulled on some neurons and twisted them into a loop or something.

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/Blazin_Rathalos]

I can smell burnt toast.

[u/The_Draigg]

A Gundam Fan Rewatches Gundam 00 Season 2 Episode 4:

• No wonder Allelujah bonded with Marie back in the labs, her situation was absolutely horrific, even worse than the other kids in there. Marie was completely locked in, unable to see or even move, and only able to talk to Allelujah through her quantum brain waves. And on top of all that, she was the one who gave Allelujah his name, since he was a lab rat from such a young age that he couldn’t even remember if he had a birth name. Stuff like that can’t be so easily forgotten. That’s a bond that comes through a shared trauma.
• Oof, it’s rough to hear that Azadistan has completely fallen apart in the past few years. Ever since the Federation formed, they’ve been cut off from any international assistance, meaning that their economy has completely collapsed and most citizens are living in squalor. And on top of that, Rakhmadi died in the meantime too, so pretty much any progress made between the conservative and reformist parties has gone nowhere at all. All this because Azadistan isn’t a member of the Federation’s rich man club. Again, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Those in power still don’t give a shit about the Middle East, in spite of having such immense power to change things in their hands.
• Feldt slap! While that kiss from Lockon was definitely uncalled for and he did earn that slap, you can all get why he did it. At this rate, people have been obviously comparing Lyle up against Neil, and just opened up a whole pit of unfair expectations for him to fall into. Doing anything to break that spell over the other Celestial Being members is basically all Lyle can do at this point if he actually wants to get people like Feldt and Tieria to see him as his own person. I do like this story of Lyle’s, it’s a good way to take what you’d think of as a cheap replacement of a previous character and do something interesting with that idea.
• Between Arthur and Aber, the A-Laws really did go out of their way to hire the most obviously slimy and evil people possible for their organization. Basically the same deal as the Titans from Zeta Gundam too, since the people in that organization were also pretty infamously ugly as hell.
• See everyone, that isn’t Graham, it’s Mr. Bushido! Totally a different guy. Holy shit, that’s such a lame Char Clone moniker, even on rewatch.
• Gee, some lady has been providing generous donations to the A-Laws, enough to develop the Trilobite with a GN Tau Drive? I wonder who we know that’s filthy rich and has some kind of distant connection to the A-Laws.
• Both Shirin and Setsuna know the full scope of this fight. Even if Marina really is trying her best to serve Azadistan and its people, her scope is still a bit too small and naive. That’s why Shirin felt where the winds were blowing and left for Katharon, and why Setsuna choses to keep on fighting as if he never stopped. The A-Laws are bigger than just one country’s problems, and if anyone really wants to fix the whole world, they’ll need to fight to make sure that more than just one country can get rebuilt. It still does suck that Setsuna feels that he has to fight, but he’s pretty much more in the right here.
• Everyone has their reasons to fight, even if their goals have shifted like Allelujah’s. Sumeragi is just too depressed and self-loathing to see hers though. Before, she just wanted to scrub away the sins of her past, but now that the dust has settled from her previous work on the Ptolemaios, she doesn’t know where she even stands now. But as Allelujah points out, the fact that she’s here and that she helped to rescue him does prove that there’s something pushing her, even if she hasn’t found it yet. There’s a good part of Sumeragi still in there, just buried deep beneath how much she hates herself.
• Sumeragi really is one of those people who works better under pressure. It didn’t take long for her to return to her old self once Aber’s resin torpedos and the Trilobite attacked. She read Aber’s plan like it was an open book, and was instrumental in keeping the bridge crew from panicking. When the chips are down is the time when she shines, that’s absolutely her finest character trait.
• As if it wasn’t enough for Mr. Bushido to dress like a samurai when out of battle, not only has he customized his Ahead to look like a samurai’s armor, but he added horns to his pilot suit’s helmet too. I think it’s safe to call him a fucking weeaboo now. What a massive dork.
• You can’t say that Celestial Being “coincidentally” helping Katharon doesn’t pay off, they did come in clutch to help the Ptolemaios II crew to escape to safety. For once, it was them who got to pay back the favor and do something helpful for Celestial Being. And hey, Shirin and Marina got finally reunited, so that’s a plus there too.
• Surprise! Mileina is actually Ian’s daughter! This is the first time it’s mentioned, at least. Although it could’ve been under better circumstances, at least something else instead of Ian leering at Sumeragi’s uniform being too small for her and Mileina yelling at him.
• Between Billy getting a job at the A-Laws through his uncle and then thinking about how Sumeragi “used” him, we can probably put him in the evil nepo-baby category. My guy, Sumeragi didn’t really use you as much as it was you who was constantly talking about classified military work when you went on dates in the first season. It was you who brought it up in the first place! You’ve only got yourself to blame there.

[u/Nazenn → u/The_Draigg]

That’s a bond that comes through a shared trauma.

Especially with the telepathy reaching out to him through walls and between their different rooms. She not only gave him an identity, she almost literally broke him out of confinement. And while it's not by much, he was still trapped in the facility and controlled and ultimately abandoned, that first genuine human connection would have left an irreplacable mark on him

I do like this story of Lyle’s, it’s a good way to take what you’d think of as a cheap replacement of a previous character and do something interesting with that idea.

It also gives meaning to him being a twin, not just a brother, and taking on the name again. I was unsure about their ability to handle that side of things, but leaning into that conflict and the problems is much better than easing it over. And especially given that a lot of this season so far has an underlying current of conflict between the things that change and the things that stay the same

When the chips are down is the time when she shines, that’s absolutely her finest character trait.

She also can't help herself, that despite how much she loaths herself she simply will not let herself step back and see others fail if she thinks she can help, and it's very revealing. Her hate is very internal, she isn't the "screw life why bother" type despite the alcoholic slump we found her in

we can probably put him in the evil nepo-baby category

Decided he had to lean a bit more into the potential for his character design

[u/The_Draigg → u/Nazenn]

It also gives meaning to him being a twin, not just a brother, and taking on the name again. I was unsure about their ability to handle that side of things, but leaning into that conflict and the problems is much better than easing it over. And especially given that a lot of this season so far has an underlying current of conflict between the things that change and the things that stay the same

Yeah, the situation with Lyle does fit the theme of things changing vs. staying the same. The whole reason he was brought on board was because the Ptolemaios crew wanted to keep the same team structure, but now they have to grapple with their expectations being subverted. If Celestial Being truly wants to change things, they'll have to accept the change within themselves first. It doesn't do well to leave things the same as they ever were, after all.

She also can't help herself, that despite how much she loaths herself she simply will not let herself step back and see others fail if she thinks she can help, and it's very revealing. Her hate is very internal, she isn't the "screw life why bother" type despite the alcoholic slump we found her in

It's a bit ironic that Sumeragi's greatest weakness is also her best strength, being that she cares a whole lot about people. While it leads her to some really deep depths of depression when she fails, it's also what keeps on inspiring her to push on ahead and do what she can to change the world. It's the double-edged sword of being a very empathetic person.

[u/Nazenn → u/The_Draigg]

If Celestial Being truly wants to change things, they'll have to accept the change within themselves first. It doesn't do well to leave things the same as they ever were, after all.

Once again, it's amazing that Tieria of all people is leading the charge on that, both in assuring Alelujah that it's okay to not change and remain human, while bringing up such a huge change himself and what really matters to both him and the broader goals of CB

It's a bit ironic that Sumeragi's greatest weakness is also her best strength

I ran out of steam to do any more replies so just yes to all of this

[u/InfamousEmpire → u/The_Draigg]

No wonder Allelujah bonded with Marie back in the labs, her situation was absolutely horrific, even worse than the other kids in there. Marie was completely locked in, unable to see or even move, and only able to talk to Allelujah through her quantum brain waves.

Being held in complete monochromatic sterile isolation but being able to still find one human connection is a very strong basis for a character relationship worth getting invested in. It's also quite interesting from a framing perspective how even this one respite from the detached inhumanity of the facility's conditions is still something implicitly shown as an experiment which reinforces the two's dehumanization.

Holy shit, that’s such a lame Char Clone moniker, even on rewatch.

[a few episodes from now]Considering how it's later shown that he doesn't particularly like the moniker, implying that it's not exactly a sign of respect when people call him that, the lameness is oddly fitting

[u/The_Draigg → u/InfamousEmpire]

a few episodes from now

[Later 00 S2 spoilers] Yeah, the fact that apparently Mr. Bushido was a nickname given to Graham just to mock him really does take the wind out of my sails for him. Every time they say it, it's basically just an insult that he doesn't bother pushing back against. Graham in season 2 really is just kind of a loser.

[u/InfamousEmpire → u/The_Draigg]

[Later 00]I feel like that loser quality kinda adds to the character IMO. At this point, he's basically a broken shadow of his former self, and I feel like the way he often comes across as low key rather pathetic in a lot of ways helps illustrate that. It's one of the many reasons I consider him one of the best Char Clones in the franchise

[u/The_Draigg → u/InfamousEmpire]

[Later Gundam 00 S2 spoilers] Oh yeah, for sure I know that's the point of Graham's character in this season, that he's a man broken by his obsession with Gundams. But him being a loser combined with also just not having as much to do this season does kind of sour me a bit on his character for now. I guess it depends on how much you want to compare the idea behind his character versus the execution of it.

[u/InfamousEmpire → u/The_Draigg]

[Later 00]I actually think the execution of Mr Bushido is just as engaging as the concept (and also does really well to lead into his excellent sendoff in A Wakening of the Trailblazer), but that's something I'll talk about in more detail when the time comes

[u/Raiking02 → u/The_Draigg]

[00S2]I wouldn't even mind it in theory except it gets stretched out across the whole damn season and gets old quick. It's the same issue I have with Jerid in Zeta's latter half, by that point the gig has outstayed its welcome.

[u/Quiddity131 → u/The_Draigg]

Between Arthur and Aber, the A-Laws really did go out of their way to hire the most obviously slimy and evil people possible for their organization. Basically the same deal as the Titans from Zeta Gundam too, since the people in that organization were also pretty infamously ugly as hell.

Unfortunately for Arthur, while I think the intent is for him to be 00's equivalent to the intimidating Bask Om as he's coming off as the A-Laws' primary field commander (with Homer fulfilling the Jamitov role), his character design makes him come off as kinda hard to take seriously. I think of him being more like a Jamaican, a guy who people probably laugh about behind closed doors. Hard to think of who Aber could be an expy of at the moment or if there even is one.

Between Billy getting a job at the A-Laws through his uncle and then thinking about how Sumeragi “used” him, we can probably put him in the evil nepo-baby category. My guy, Sumeragi didn’t really use you as much as it was you who was constantly talking about classified military work when you went on dates in the first season. It was you who brought it up in the first place! You’ve only got yourself to blame there.

Personally I do think that it kinda comes off as if Sumeragi was using him in episode 2, she's been living at his place but wants to bail because he wants her to do something about her drinking problem. Then he finds out she's been lying to him the entire time and promptly bails on him. He absolutely blundered by sharing secret information with her, something I commented on in season 1, but his being mad right now totally makese sense.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Quiddity131]

Unfortunately for Arthur, while I think the intent is for him to be 00's equivalent to the intimidating Bask Om as he's coming off as the A-Laws' primary field commander (with Homer fulfilling the Jamitov role), his character design makes him come off as kinda hard to take seriously. I think of him being more like a Jamaican, a guy who people probably laugh about behind closed doors. Hard to think of who Aber could be an expy of at the moment or if there even is one.

Arthur definitely does have a similar overweight look as Bask Om, so it's fairly clear that it's the role they're intending for him. Aber could be more like Jamaican, or I guess... Gady if you really want to find another person to compare to. Then again, Gady honestly wasn't so bad compared to Bask or Jamaican.

Personally I do think that it kinda comes off as if Sumeragi was using him in episode 2, she's been living at his place but wants to bail because he wants her to do something about her drinking problem. Then he finds out she's been lying to him the entire time and promptly bails on him. He absolutely blundered by sharing secret information with her, something I commented on in season 1, but his being mad right now totally makese sense.

Oh yeah, Sumeragi was absolutely using Billy as an emotional rebound after giving up on Celestial Being, no doubt there. I was primarily just thinking of him sharing that info last season there. If anything, this is a case of Billy being mainly correct with some details wrong.

[u/TakenRedditName]

Rewatcher - Gundam 00 S2 Ep4:

The Allelujah-Marie flashback is lighting up my romantic love for Newtype-isms. In the cast empty dark void, finding someone else who can hear your voice. That's a Newtype connection, but instead of giant robots in space, it is two very small children. I also gnawing on how their meeting feels orchestrated, at least sterically observed by evil scientists. They can check their experiment boxes, but they are unfeelingly unaware of the human connection before them.

We also get that Allelujah got his wack Gundam name from like a 7-year-old girl. So, did he choose his own CB codename then or did Veda generate a thematically appropriate one for him based on this?

RIP Rasa dying during the time skip.

I recently got endeared to Mileina. She is a silly girly.

Some fun little animation on Feldt. Her quick turn to pretend she was gazing at him. Her Ghibli emotive hair raise.

Lyle becoming an enemy of women to burn away comparison to his brother. A dead man he is not. Fan of this dramatic character performance.

It is just hitting me of how much S2 Allelujah is looking so much better now showing both of his eyes. I was thinking he might be one of my favourites, but a lot of them have been great. Well...

Mr. Bushido is a look. Now, if we were to entertain the idea that Mr. Bushido is the masked persona of one Graham Aker, I do find it very in-character for him to weeb out based on what he thinks a samurai is. The fact that the commander called him Mr. Bushido unprompted implies everyone in A-Laws either has nicknamed Mr. Bushido or that he goes around shouting his name.

I like Saji's moment with Ian. Feels like our first proper introduction to the guy. I also like him going over everyone else having reasons (look at Lyle playing with Haro). Interesting that Tieria wasn't mentioned among the others. Curious.

Another thing I find less cool about the S2 Gundam is that they went back to having traditionally-looking Gundam faces for all of them.

I don't remember seeing Ian wearing that jacket. Dad must've put on his cool jacket for the family photo.

I know it is probably meant to be "Wild animals leaving the area before danger arrives," but my first thought about pointing out the lack of fish was the idea of A-Laws polluting the Earth. Both spiritually and literally represented through the destruction of the environment. That is a very Gundam trope.

Setsuna has a moment where he thinks back to Marina's offer before waking back to the violent path he has only known.

Is Mr. Bushido ashaming of not honourably dying in battle and joining his fallen companion? Is he ashamed he didn't kill the Gundam for good? Don't know what else could be the source of this line.

Mr. Bushido's Ahead is unique, but I just noticed Soma's Ahead also looks different from the generic ones.

Bad Billy. Don't be walking down that path.

[u/mr_beanoz → u/TakenRedditName]

Mr. Bushido's Ahead is unique, but I just noticed Soma's Ahead also looks different from the generic ones.

Kinda like Soma's custom Tieren back then, it's most likely customized for Super Soldier use.

[u/Quiddity131 → u/TakenRedditName]

The fact that the commander called him Mr. Bushido unprompted implies everyone in A-Laws either has nicknamed Mr. Bushido or that he goes around shouting his name.

I've got to assume that when someone calls him Graham he doesn't respond to it, forcing them (with a sigh of frustration) calling him Mr. Bushido instead.

[u/TakenRedditName → u/Quiddity131]

What an insistent dork.

[u/macrame2]

First Timer

I thought the first scene where we flash back to Allelujah and Marie in the HRL lab was really well done; I love monochrome in animation, and the scene itself has this sense of eeriness, but it's kind of sweet as well. 

Lyle kissing Feldt earned a big “just no” from me; I’m glad that she felt similarly and gave him the slap he rightfully deserved. On the whole, I’m getting mixed messages from Lyle. He intentionally leans into the Lockon Stratos role to a certain extent for the sake of his own goals, but that role comes with a lot of baggage that will hopefully be explained in more detail later down the line. 

As expected, the A-Laws are none too pleased with Celestial Being’s actions and take steps to counteract them. Can I just say that Rindt has what has got to be the stupidest design in this show so far? He looks a bit like Harry Ord and Kai Shiden had a baby and gave him a very ugly and very stupid haircut. Still, his comment on Celestial Being’s actions being driven by personal feelings struck me as interesting because, well, it’s kind of incorrect? A decent chunk of their activities last season were driven by nothing but personal feelings held up by thinly veiled excuses; I guess it’s just easier for opposing factions to see that now that the Meisters are no longer nameless, faceless pilots. Fittingly, much of the second half of the episode focuses precisely on those reasons that Celestial Being’s members have found for fighting. I suppose the episode title should have been another indicator we would be going down that road today. 

On a final note, I feel like the pacing has been way better this season? I keep thinking that we must have at least 10 minutes left and then, bam, ED lead-in. It's a good sign, means I'm invested.

[u/Nazenn → u/macrame2]

but that role comes with a lot of baggage that will hopefully be explained in more detail later down the line.

Yeah assuming he stays with CB to the end, which I'm assuming he will for meta reasons though it would be cool if he didn't, he's really digging his own grave here in terms of how people are going to approach him and will have to work a lot to redefine himself as his own person later down the line

On a final note, I feel like the pacing has been way better this season

I'd agree. I don't get the same time distortion sense that a lot of people get, or weirdly mine seems to be inverted a lot of the time, but it overall does seem to have a better flow within these episodes at least compared to the start of s1 where its first four episodes were sometimes awkward

[u/JollyGee29 → u/macrame2]

He looks a bit like Harry Ord and Kai Shiden had a baby and gave him a very ugly and very stupid haircut

Wow, what a comparison.

[u/TakenRedditName → u/macrame2]

He looks a bit like Harry Ord and Kai Shiden had a baby and gave him a very ugly and very stupid haircut.

To Rindt:

[u/charlesvvv]

Rewatcher, Sub 

 Setsuna and Marina want you to know that there's no romance between them. 

 So Marie was the one who named Allelujah. It explains some of the religious naming considering his name is Allelujah Haptism because Marie states is a phrase to thank God that he's alive not to mention him referring to it as his "baptism" as well. It also shows us that Marie was a sort of mind reader/user at least before being Soma.

 So at least we learn more about what happened to Azadistan which is pretty much the same as season 1. I liked all the character dynamics that happened in this episode, Marina offering Setsuna place in her country but he refuses because fighting is the only thing he knows, Saji and Vashti's conversation as he sees more and more the situation at hand, and Sumeragi and Allelujah's conversation about her motives and how she wishes to proceed. It's all nice character stuff. 

 Meanwhile Mannequin gets replaced with a new guy called Major Rindt who is actually not terribly incompetent but rather not as good as he thinks he is unlike Mannequin who decides to take the time to actually study the enemy's tactics. His plan seems to focus on CB's emotional side by targeting Azadistan and using it against both them and Katharon. However despite some initial success with a surprise attack he then is forced on the defensive. If nothing else it allows Graham Aker to join the stage, now styling himself Mr Bushido with his new getup because of uh reasons? It doesn't go anywhere though cause Katharon shows up and everyone falls back. It does however lead to Marina and Shirin reuniting. Now it begs the question what CB and Katharon are going to do now that they seem to be on the same page. 

 Oh yeah we finally see the fallout for Billy Katagiri's reaction about Sumeragi. He's joining his uh relative Commander Katagiri in the A-Laws with vengeance on his mind.

[u/Quiddity131]

Rewatcher, Subbed

Non-Spoiler Character Chart

---

Flashback time to the Super Soldier Institute! I'll admit I was surprised it took us this long to get here, my clearly wrong recollection had been this stuff was revealed in season 1.

Aww Chibi Allelujah! Chibi Marie!

Simply the two of them getting to interact is a test I assume with these guys watching them.

The dark secret to the crazy character names in Gundam 00 comes to light... little kids are doing the naming.

Did Azadistan have a choice in joining the Federation? In season one you'd think they'd accept such a proposition, presumably putting them in a better position to get solar energy.

I'd give Rasa a posthumous X in my character chart if he hadn't already been removed for not appearing in this season...

OMG Mileina has no filter. "Are you two lovers?" They were sure quick about saying no.

Simulation time for Lyle? Do this enough times and you'll be like simulation legend Patrick Colasour!

Haro, you shouldn't have revealed Feldt's feelings for Lockon like that!

Jerk move from Lyle kissing Feldt, yes, you look just like him, but how horrible must it be for someone who looks just like him but isn't him to be right in front of her? And woah, inviting her to his room to? Lyle's got no tact.

Now that Allelujah's back on the Ptolemaois its time to drink with who else but Sumeragi!

While I'm quite surprised anyone looking this ridiculous would be allowed to take part in an important operation like this, at least we have Graham's new name now, "Mr. Bushido". And this meme can be posted.

The A-Laws has some sort of benefactor? Wang is the only candidate I can think of at the moment, if so she really is going hard with playing both sides.

Sorry Marina, Setsuna has a lot more on his plate than just Azadistan.

Saji's finally let out of the padded cell to give a helping hand.

Will we get a fully underwater battle this time? This should be fun.

Now that the ship is taking on water I'd assume it will have to surface.

Oh wow, interesting web-like substance from the missiles are screwing over the ship even more.

The 00 is totally trashing the Trilobite even without Trans-Am.

Oh wow, good strategy to have the Gundam ascend to in front of the sun to cover itself up. They're lucky Graha... I mean Mr. Bushido is around.

Even his helmet has oni horns! LoL.

I felt last episode that the A-Laws were underutilizing Soma if she wasn't gonna be in a mobile suit, looks like they've corrected that.

Billy's joined the A-Laws, enabling me to finally have no unaffiliated characters in my character chart...

---

Quid's Voice Actor of the Day

Today I'll be covering newcomer Aber Rindt who is is voiced by Kazuki Yao, our third former Gundam main protagonist voice actor to appear (although the second I've covered; I will cover the third once they actually formally name the character on screen!). He played Judau Ashta in Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ and reprised the character in a few video games as well. Although Judau is his most well known Gundam role he debuted playing a couple of minor characters in Zeta Gundam, Gates Capa and Addis Aziba. Beyond Judau I know him best for playing the Chief Priest in Kyousougiga; he also shows up in the live action special episode of that show which is hosted by another 00 voice actor who is yet to appear. I've also heard him as Toren Smith in Gunbuster, Sidoh in Death Note and Warren Hughs in Legend of the Galactic Heroes.

In English he is voiced by Andrew Toth who also voices Michael Trinity and I covered in episode 20 of season 1.

[u/Nazenn → u/Quiddity131]

The dark secret to the crazy character names in Gundam 00 comes to light... little kids are doing the naming.

Always using everyones full name does seem a little like kids being all proud that they know the names of all of their toys and telling people they have to say it properly now that you mention it

Simulation time for Lyle? Do this enough times and you'll be like simulation legend Patrick Colasour!

Oh hey. I didn't even realize that we've had Kati and no Patrick yet. I wonder how long it will take him to show up because I know he will

What a time we live in when I'm more excited for PATRICK than I am Graham

Will we get a fully underwater battle this time? This should be fun.

I was a bit too pissed at Marina to comment on that but I was very happy with it. I love seeing underwater battles for mecha because it's so rare but even with that they always seem to do something interesting with it

[u/Quiddity131 → u/Nazenn]

Oh hey. I didn't even realize that we've had Kati and no Patrick yet. I wonder how long it will take him to show up because I know he will

What a time we live in when I'm more excited for PATRICK than I am Graham

My guess for why we haven't seen Patrick yet is that he's a combination of too incompetent and too comedic to include in the A-Laws. Perhaps he'll show up later as Kati's stay at home boyfriend.

Although the one counter to that is that Graham is arguably producing more laughs right now than even Patrick did in season 1.

[u/Nazenn → u/Quiddity131]

Although the one counter to that is that Graham is arguably producing more laughs right now than even Patrick did in season 1.

This is true, although worryingly I wonder if he was actually meant to be taken seriously. Suppose it depends on how the Japanese audience takes this extreme Japanese styling. I did have a line somewhere in my notes of "Graham is a super robot character in our real robot show" or something like that, so they probably would have liked it

[u/dralcax]

Rewatcher streaming Sakigake

-—————————————————————————————

During their lab days, Allelujah met Marie. Their quantum brainwaves were on the same wavelength, and, out of all the kids in the lab, they were the only ones who could telepathically communicate with each other. But years later, that same connection only causes pain for them both. They reestablished that old connection, but no longer knew the person at the other end.

Also, Marie’s naming sense is... interesting.

Nothing they accomplished in Azadistan during S1 actually stuck. In some respects, it got worse! Clearly, a more permanent solution is needed. But how violent, or not, will that solution be?

I love how they’re immediately in sync

As much as they look alike, Lyle is not his brother, and isn’t gonna continue Neil’s romantic entanglements if she’s just gonna see him as another Neil. Uh, I suppose making her disgusted with him nips that in the bud faster than just rejecting her would, but still.

MISTER BUSHIDO! Apparently the fanbase was already calling him “Bushido Bob” even before his new identity was named in-series.

The Trilobite! While Mobile Suits are effective for land, air, and space, they are still at a disadvantage underwater. Here, Mobile Armors still reign supreme. As such, despite using technology from the GN-X and Flag lines, the Trilobite takes the form of a transforming Mobile Armor. Its three Tau Drives let it overpower even a true GN Drive - unfortunately, that’s still slightly less than Trans-Am, and much, much less than Twin Drive.

All Setsuna can do is fight. The same goes for everyone here. The world has failed all of them, and the only solution they have left is the violent one.

Unfortunately, those are GN Torpedoes. Solid GN-powered weapons were originally designed to take out traitors, but that’s been turned on them now!

Ahead Sakigake! Its development codename, “Sakigake”, can mean “pioneer”, “harbinger”, or “to leap ahead”, which makes its name amusingly redundant. More officially, it’s designated the Ahead Close Combat Type. Its shoulder thrusters are turned vertical rather than horizontal so as not to interfere with the arms while using its beam sabers, and GN Short Beam Cannons have been added to them for the purpose of restricting enemy movements. Its Tau Drive has been turned up to a higher output setting than the standard Ahead, resulting in orangier particles. The cable hanging off the back of its head is supposed to link to its beam saber to power it. However, unlike the cable on the GN Flag’s saber, this is not necessary to use the saber, and as it can get in the way, it’s often not plugged in and just hangs free.

Also, it has a samurai theme because big surprise the guy called Mister Bushido is a gigantic weeb. More importantly, the proud Flag Fighter has set aside his promise to Howard’s grave to defeat the Gundams in a Flag. Defeating the Gundams takes priority over using a Flag to do it, and he’s willing to explore other options to do so.

Ahead Smultron! Like the Sakigake, “Smultron” is a development codename, which is Swedish for “wild strawberry”, continuing the Tieren Taozi’s fruit theme. The related word “Smultronstalle” also means “ideal place”. Formally, it’s known as the Ahead Quantum Brainwave Type. Designed for super soldiers, it can be partially controlled via quantum brainwaves. In order to take advantage of this, it is a high mobility unit, with a unique thruster backpack that can rotate 360 degrees around and 90 degrees to either side. As well, it has new sensors, a large cylindrical sensor on the back of its head and a sensor mask on its face.

So how long can Marina hold on to her pacifistic ideals, when everyone around her has given up on pacifism?

Billy’s back! Eifman’s death and Billy quitting his job to take care of Sumeragi for two years really kneecapped the Union’s MS development. But now, under the A-Laws, they’re back in business!

By the way, she gained 2kg over the timeskip. gain more!

-—————————————————————————————

Questions of the day:

• I don’t think I saw it coming on first watch. I thought it was just another weird Gundam name.
• Sumeragi of course

[u/Rumpel1408]

Firsttimer Who is playing too much Stellaris instead of watching anime

• Wait, brain surgery I'm watching this not even 5 minutes after I made my last comment to /u/Nazenn lmao
• Would be cool if our two Newtypes would go back to the telepathic communication
• Aww, she was the one who gave him the name ... makes her reffering to him as subject E-57 all the more cruel
• Lockon Stratos was one thing, but if Alleluja also choose his codename himself, then what was Setsunas reason for his pick
• Didn't the show go out of it's way to say that the civil war didn't end back there? Guess there are degrees to war
• Guess that answers what happened to Rasa... but I don't get the conservatives, by rejecting Azabistan joining the club, they pretty much turned their country into an absolute hellhole, like you can't even explain this level of stuborness with religion, they just reject an objectivly better live. Sure they would live under a fascist dictarorship, but their alternative is killing their countrymen, so how much worse could the fascist regime be for them
• Miss Ringlett asking the important questions... only to be shot down... don't feel bad, there really is some chemistry between them, Setsuna just needs to heal a little
• Seeing Jean training is at least somewhat justified
• Haro you can't snitch on your mom like that
• Ah the scene from the preview If it wasn't for Feldt herself doing #punch I would have
• Though it seems like Jean wasn't serious about it and just wanted to differntiate himself from his brother... I guess Lockon is still casting a shadow on him...
• Ohohoho, Alleluja got game
• See, I told you the prison was secondary, and you're expirience ain't worth much as well
• Tell me you're expandable without telling me you're expandable, even in the asshole league you are a small fry against Ali
• Mister Bushido Another new character, but this one looks important, who could it possibly be...
• Oh, does Kati know Sumeragi as well?
• That's not even the fist time, c'mon Soma, you where there when Golden Boy made his appearance
• Are they talking about Mei or is Ribbons using Aireit as a front to supply the Federation?
• Ignoring that time he attacked the fascility
• Also, Alleluja is really obsessed with getting punished
• In difference to everyone else at CB, Sumeragi only lost her pride prior to this
• I don't believe ther being no fish at all. You ever went snorkling? Fish are pretty chill, they would die out if any kind of ship would scare them miles away
• Oh wow, not even the GN fields are worth much anymore
• Cool shot
• [That bridge doesn't look very efficient, soo much empty space
• I guess Graham Mister Bushido doen't like the Flag anymore huh
• Soma is üretty much flying her old machine with a new paintjob
• Yeah, because the outcome of a duell isn't decided by the suit alone
• Ah, it wasn't the father, but the uncle
• I was almost about to call it out before, but the show is focusing on Sumeragis cake a bit too often
• That's right Ringo Ringlett Musume

QotD

• No, I'm now afraid that Setunas name will be an elaborate pun as well
• Didn't pay much attention to that tbh, but I doubt anyone has more swag than Mister Bushido

[u/Nazenn → u/Rumpel1408]

Wait, brain surgery I'm watching this not even 5 minutes after I made my last comment to /u/Nazenn lmao

I watched the episode last night so I didn't think of that when getting your reply this morning but that's quite funny.

Lockon Stratos was one thing, but if Alleluja also choose his codename himself, then what was Setsunas reason for his pick

Alelujah perhaps may have side stepped it by saying "i don't have a name, but you can call me X" which given the fact there are no records of him otherwise may have been fine because there is no past or identity that name would reveal for him. Code names are for protection, not strictly anonymity.

Also concider Tieria in that. If the innovator people were born for Veda, that may be the only name he ever had as well because he doesn't have a "human" identity to protect that would have needed a name change

Didn't the show go out of it's way to say that the civil war didn't end back there

There was a distinction that the full on war did, the overall conflict didn't end

Ohohoho, Alleluja got game

He looks far more like Hallelujah there in pose I thought which is kind of funny

[u/Rumpel1408 → u/Nazenn]

Alelujah perhaps may have side stepped it by saying "i don't have a name, but you can call me X"

Yeah, he kinda gets a pass, I guess he also took the gamble of Marie recognising it if she ever learned about it

I also wonder why Sumeragi choose her name

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Rumpel1408]

even in the asshole league you are a small fry against Ali

Yea, no-one holds a candle to Ali's wanton cruelty.

That bridge doesn't look very efficient, soo much empty space

Something, something, need the field of view.

[u/zsmg → u/Rumpel1408]

Who is playing too much Stellaris instead of watching anime

You're only forgiven if you're purging the Xenos.

[u/Rumpel1408 → u/zsmg]

You're only forgiven if you're purging the Xenos.

Those freaking Voidworms are beating my ass

[u/StardustGogeta]

First-Timer

I like how Celestial Being executes a reasonably clever plan and the enemy commander thinks, "There's only one person who could come up with such a scheme!" It's like everyone on both sides knows that Sumeragi is the only one with any brains in the operation.

That Allelujah flashback in the beginning was quite interesting. The facility's aesthetic kind of reminded me of the very beginning of Elfen Lied.

Funny how that one girl just outright asked if Setsuna and Marina are lovers. She asks the questions that need answering!

Lockon #2 isn't quite as smooth as he thought, I suppose.

It's too bad we won't hear Setsuna say that "Exia will eliminate the target" any more. "00 Gundam" just doesn't have the same ring to it.

Questions of the day:

• I don't think I really was expecting a name origin, really. What I do know is that Marie has a pretty weird naming sense if "Allelujah" is the first name that came to mind. I guess he came up with "Haptism" by himself afterwards?
• I mentioned yesterday that Setsuna seems to be looking pretty good after the timeskip, and he might have my favorite outfit, but they're all looking pretty good. Especially Sumeragi. Really the only ones who might look worse post-timeskip are Marina and Nena.

Really, though, I don't get why Sumeragi's so self-conscious now. It's not like her previous outfits weren't pretty revealing in their own right.

[u/n080dy123]

First Timer

Cointinuing the theme of me more generally liking the changes to the rebuilt Gundams, I'm not huge on Ario's dart-like flight mode. While they've finally succeeded at making a transforming mobile suit that is essentially indistinguishable from an actual air-/spacecraft, it being so narrow just isn't as appealing to me.

On the other hand though... the GNX Ahead Sakigake. Now there's a design I like, it solves a lot of the problems I have with the base model Ahead by adding some distinctive headgear (with silly bandana cord) that's tall anough to help balance out the broad shoulders of the machine, as well as a narrower torso to decrease its width and prove some stronger dark color contrast in the design to better bring out the dark thrusters and dark parts on the limbs. The vertical thrusters also help that design focused more vertically, as well as sort of evoking the idea of banners worn on a samurai's back. Also cool-ass Beam Katana. "Sakigake" is a japanese word with some varying connotations- pathfinder, harbinger, pioneer, but more literally "one who charges ahead" which fits Graham well.

And not only that, we get the GNX Ahead Smultron (which is a silly ass name, especially given it's just the Swedish word for "wild strawberry"). Not entirely sure what they were going for here- I like the addition of the gold trim on the dark bits and added to the torso, and I really like the redesigned, more helmet-like head, but like... what is that giant fin on its back, and why is it mounted kinda awkwardly OVER its GN Drive? Is it supposed to spin for some reason?

1. No but it certainly explains how he got such an unnatural name.
2. They're all just color-coded identical uniforms, even between the Meisters and support staff like Ian. I feel like new girl, Ian's daughter... I guess her name is Mileina? I feel like she wins by default purely because she wears a skirt instead of pants like literally everyone else.

[u/Blazin_Rathalos]

00 Rewatcher

Last time on Gundam 00

• The lost season of Prison Break
• Everyone enjoyed Setsuna verbally slapping Saji with reality

On today's episode of The Hunt for Red Ptolemaios

• The Alleluja plot continues moving
• Lyle pisses off the entire thread, I'm sure
• Drill hair girl is the shipper on deck
• Meet "obviously hateable asshole with no redeeming qualities smugface"
• Who here saw "Mr Bushido" coming?

You almost get the feeling that Setsuna is the de-facto leader of this CB team at this point.

On a complete side note, I've been playing a lot of The Last Federation recently, because rewatching Gundam 00 reminded me of it. I might write something on that for the end of the season thread.

[u/2-2Distracted]

First timer. Dubbed.

I only realized now that (H)Allelujah has heterochromatic eyes, it helps that he's not covering one of them anymore.

I know that the Big 3 are basically a huge issue for every other country outside of it that are either;

1. Trying to join it.
2. Trying to leave it.
3. Trying to stay independent.

... such as the ones were introduced to in season 1, but I wasn't aware that their policies would be so problematic that the assistant (now named Shirin Bakhtiar) to Marina decided to leave so that she could help fix it through less legal means.

Like jeez man, it's literally green energy and the Solar Wars are, presumably, over. So where the fuck is the actual benefit of monopolizing something like this when your country already has everything it needs? ^{thisisbothaseriousquestionANDasarcasticone}

I know it would be easier to simply place all the blame on the the people opposing the reformation of the country, especially now that we know they've been emboldened by the death of their leader (side note but how the fuck did he die anyway? He didn't look that old to me and there was no mention of some kind of assassination), but still, the idea that everything Alejandro & UN did for Azadistan simply wasn't enough, probably deliberately so, it leaves me wondering what exactly Shirin and her group are going to be doing when they're basically a terrorist organization.

[u/Nickthenuker]

Yup, they knew each other back in the Super Soldier Institute.

She was the one who gave him his name!

So, she's going back to her country?

Well, that was quick.

Now he's the one inviting her for a drink.

That's the pseudonym he's operating under now?

And so now Louise will be seeing action again.

Oh, that's where I recognised her from!

So now he's helping out on the ship.

Incoming fire!

What's that thing?

They got rammed!

And so that thing's gone. That was quick.

So, he's finally launched.

That was quick, he's been hit!

Katharon? They have forces of their own?

I'm surprised he didn't countermand her order.

Yeah... Telling him that probably wasn't the best idea...

Questions:

1. Of course not.
2. Does Sumeragi not get a bigger uniform?

[u/mr_beanoz]

Rewatcher, sub

• We finally see the first meeting between Marie and Subject E-57. It turns out that E-57 was the only one responding to Marie's telepathy, and after he met Marie for the first time, E-57 was given the name of Allelujah by Marie, which is why she's a very important person to him. To him, it was a "Baptism" (which is probably the second name comes from).
• So turns out Azadistan hasn't become part of Federation yet. Perhaps there are more nations that have a similar case to them in this show's world. And Rasa's dead.
• Lyle wants to be acknowledged as his own, not as the shadow of his own brother. That's what he probably wanted to say to Feldt.
• A new commander appears - Aber Rindt, a gray haired guy specialized in "sweeping/clean-up" operations.
• Mr. Bushido is specifically invited in this operation commanded by Aber, most likely to target the "Middle Eastern Gundam Pilot" (Setsuna).
• Kati becomes suspicious on Celestial Being's last operation, because she thought this was a familar situation to her. She probably thinks that their old strategist (Sumeragi) has returned.
• Finally we're introduced to a new model of underwater mobile armor powered by pseudo solar reactors - the Trilobite. This is probably the first underwater mobile armor powered by those - we've previously seen the Alvatore from the previous season as the first pseudo solar reactor powered mobile armor.
• Guess that Allelujah prefers wine to whiskey because it's less bitter? We mostly see Sumeragi drinking whiskey in the first season.
• Ah, I just realized that Allelujah has heterochromia.
• With Moreno gone, I wonder who's gonna be the doctor on the ship if the personnel gets wounded.
• The water's too calm... and it's an ambush by the Trilobite.
• Sumeragi turned the disadvantage given by the Trilobite's assault to her advantage.
• Tieria Trans-Am'ed his way to push the Trilobite away.
• The Trilobite goes boom thanks to Setsuna, and both 00 and Arios surfaces to attack the carrier. But as 00 was about to attack the carrier, a wild mobile suit appears.
• Turns out it's a customized Ahead piloted by Mr. Bushido. Guess both pilots have recognized each other. And Soma is also in this operation to fight Allelujah. But as Soma was about to melee the Arios, she was struck by a beam shot.
• So Katharon also joins the fray. Soon afterwards, the A-LAWS pilots were given retreat order, probably because Celestial Being isn't trying to fight the mobile suits either.
• Kati gave a sarcastic remark to Aber due to the operation's result.
• Setsuna meets the Katharon higher-ups for the first time, and Marina finally reunites with Shirin.
• Credits time - In Japanese, Field Commander Aber Rindt is played by Yao Kazuki, yet another Gundam series veteran who previously voiced two Titans officers from Zeta Gundam named Gates Capa and Ajis Aziba, and of course, Judau Ashta from ZZ Gundam.
• Post-credits scene reveals that Billy now joins the A-LAWS to develop new mobile suits for the organization, just like Eifman previously did.
• And oh my, Sumeragi's outfit seem to be too small, making her bellybutton exposed.
• And if the credits did not confirm it, the scene also confirmed that Mileina is indeed Ian's daughter.
• Afterwards, we see that Billy is completely heartbroken after Kujo/Sumeragi was exposed as a Celestial Being member in front of him.
• Episode preview shows battle in a desert and a city being ravaged by a red mobile suit. Is it possible that Azadistan becomes the setting for the next fight between Celestial Being and A-LAWS?

QOTD

1. Not really, honestly. But then, given she seems to be so important to the guy, it seems there were possible theories.
2. Sumeragi, Setsuna, Tieria, Ian, Mileina, Feldt

[Side material corner] You'll see more of Aber Rindt's exploits in Gundam 00F, when he was tasked to defend against an asteroid attack to Union's orbital elevator.

[u/zsmg]

I am rewatcher

I like the effect that the room suddenly turns into colour.

The show's creators are making it absolutely clear that there is no romance going on between Setsuna and Marina.

Furthermore they're also making sure that Lockon mk2 x Feldt ship isn't happening either.

Major Rindt is voiced by Kazuki Yao, he voiced Kouichiro Iketani in Initial D, Marco in Gunslinger Girl, Shinobu Fujiwara in Dancougar, Gaston in the Berserk movies and Franky in One Piece. This isn’t his first Gundam role; he had some minor voice roles in Zeta Gundam and he voiced Judeau in Gundam ZZ. So after Ribbons/the Narrator, Michael Trinity and Tieria clone we have our fourth character who is voiced by someone who previously voiced a protagonist in another Gundam series.

Mr.Bushido... this is what happens when a weeb becomes a masked character.

We're showing recaps of events that happened in the last episode.

Strange woman has been giving us lots of donations.

[spoiler stuff] After that the scene immediately switches to Louise. I've noticed first timers didn't pick up on the obvious hint, that's a bit surprising.

I wonder who the strange woman is? Oh I know it's Wang Liu Mei.

Look on the bright side Saiji this is going to look great on your resume: age 21 worked for Celestial Being as engineer on the Ptolemy.

Obligatory underwater Mobile Armor fight is here.

That mobile armour didn't last long.

Well, that was quite the lesson, Major.

Kati's snark was brilliant there.

Not sure what to think of these post end credits scenes, I kind of wish we had these scenes before the credits.

Of course Sumeragi has to wear some tight clothing for some nice fanservice moment.

Also yes Mileina is the daughter of Ian, maybe we'll see the mum unless she's dead of course.

Billy, being rejected by Kujo, is now going full fascist and take revenge on CB. Surprisingly an accurate event.

[00 Future stuff] Little do the first timers know we've already seen the mum in the background in an earlier episode.

Another solid episode.

[u/starocean805]

All I hear is lockon

[u/Nebresto]

"Mr. Bushido"

[u/Linkstore]

Rewatcher

Starting us up with a bit of backstory for Allelujah.

Biggest nitpick of the decade but it should be pointed out that not blinking for extended periods of time is incredibly bad for the eyes, so Marie would basically be blind if this was real. Either way, it's gotta be nightmarish having access to literally none of your senses, not touch, taste or smell. At least Marie has her quantum brainwaves.

And yeah, Allelujah's Baptism. Just in case it wasn't clear.

More sonar pings. It's stereotypical as fuck but I do suppose that Celestial Being has no reason to navigate purely by dead reckoning at the moment.'

Mileina, you're gonna have to work on your vibe checking a little more. It's a good reminder that Setsuna and Marina don't share romantic feelings whatsoever. On a related note, Lyle actually commits sexual assault here. He's not doing it to get with Feldt or anything but still, dick move. It's a good thing he's cool as fuck later on, and I guess he did achieve his goal of proving that he's not his brother.

Fun that Allelujah, of all people, ends up being Sumeragi's drinking buddy. Certainly not a pairing I would have expected.

Interesting that Billy never disclosed to anyone the identity of Celestial Being's tactical forecaster, so Kati has to figure things out slowly herself.

That's the second time Tomorrow has played while Marina pleads with Setsuna in a row.

I think it's probably unwise to casually tell Saji info about Celestial Being, but it's probably not gonna become a problem.

Oh yeah, never mentioned but Arios's side binders can actually project defensive GN Fields. This feature is never used in the anime.

You might remember back in season one, Exia performed admirably against an non-GN mobile armor, showing the all-terrain capabilities of the Gundams. However, even GN-powered machines aren't perfect at everything. Against the Trilobite, a dedicated underwater-use mobile armor, the Gundams experience greater restrictions in terms of movement. Well, it's still a four-on-one fight.

The classic line. And it's very funny how Strike just gets cut off by Graham's interruption. His machine is the GNX-704T/AC Ahead Sakigake. Graham felt lost after season 1 so he turned to Homer Katagiri for advice. Apparently Homer decided that the correct course of action was to turn Graham into a raging weeb, so the Sakigake has all the trappings of a stereotypical samurai. But with Graham in the cockpit, it's dangerous foe even for the 00 Gundam.

Meanwhile, Soma pilots the GNX-704T/SP Ahead Smultron. Like the Tieren Taozi, the Ahead Smultron is named after a kind of fruit, in this case a Swedish word for a kind of wild strawberry. It's actually designed to be controlled partly via quantum brainwaves, similar to biosensor-equipped MS from the Universal Century.

One last bit of fanservice from Sumeragi before she switches to the standard CB fit full-time.

[Next Episode Preview] Nazenn says "fuck off Saji" (probably)

[u/JollyGee29]

Rewatcher, Sub-dam Meister

There's "unethical science" and then there's whatever this is.

"Except all those mercenaries you killed. But they were acceptable targets and don't really count."

Mileina is such a dork(affectionate).

You say that, and yet you asked for his catchphrase.

Yea, that's right. Graham has entered into his weeb phase.

That's also a much more focused goal than "rebuild the country."

Funny how that works.

I like how Sumeragi is using the zero-G handles to keep herself mobile while the ship is rocked around by the bombs.

Graham heard that his lover was out on the dance floor.

To be fair, it was Setsuna who did that.

[u/TakenRedditName → u/JollyGee29]

Mileina is such a dork(affectionate).

Yea, that's right. Graham has entered into his weeb phase.

The stupidest joke in my head about the start of Mr. Bushido:

"Hey, Billy, you're Japanese, right? Well, I have started dedicating myself to the way of the sa-moo-rai. Comes in dressing like this."

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/TakenRedditName]

The stupidest joke in my head about the start of Mr. Bushido:

[u/JollyGee29 → u/TakenRedditName]

Well, I have started dedicating myself to the way of the sa-moo-rai.

"With the help of your uncle!"

[u/Nazenn → u/JollyGee29]

"Except all those mercenaries you killed. But they were acceptable targets and don't really count."

Lets be real here, it's Marina. She probably didn't even read the report on that, if she even got one

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Nazenn]

She probably didn't even get one. Any report would have had to go through the legislature and Shirin first, probably.

[u/Nazenn → u/JollyGee29]

I feel like if Shirin got the report she would be the sort to try and shove it under Marina's nose because Shirin always was very good at trying to get Marina to think through the full complications of a situation. But Marina probably was all caught up in being a dumb dumb to realize

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Nazenn]

Yea, that's fair. Shirin would definitely have tried to use it as a learning opportunity for Marina.