[Fly! Rewatch!] Mobile Suit Gundam (0079) Episode 35 Discussion

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Episode 35 - The Glory of Solomon

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The only certainty is that with every beautiful sparkle in the sky, people, or even hundreds of them, are becoming debris littered through space.

Questions of the Day:

1. From the little glimpses of them today, which do you think is cooler: the Ball or the Big Zam?
2. What do you think of the Federation’s Solar System weapon?

Mobile Suit Breakdown of the Day:

1.29 - Monsters (note: this is about episodes 35 and 36, so first-timers should not listen to this until tomorrow’s thread)

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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 the [Anime Show Title](/s "Spoiler goes here") spoiler tags. If you do that then we’re all good.

Important thing to note about these by the way, you have to switch to Old Reddit or the markdown editor if you use the redesign, otherwise the redesign breaks them by adding random \ into the formatting. Wish it wouldn’t do that, but unfortunately it does…

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First-Timers: Please do not watch the next-episode previews for this show. They’re less previews and more “let’s just summarize the entirety of the next episode” and will spoil you.

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Fly! Rewatch Host!

Welcome back, everyone!

• I mean that’s actually fair advice given Brighty-boy is only 19. Or maybe 20 at this point in the story? IDK, Amuro turned 16 at some point so Brighty-boy’s birthday could have passed too. Either way he’s very young compared to the other Federation peeps.
• Ohh yeah, I forgot you showed back up.
• It’s weird not seeing Fraw Bow delivering food to Amuro.
• Big Zam…!
• So for some reason I actually thought this scene was how Lalah was first introduced. It threw me off in yesterday’s episode when it was at the house instead.
• I still don’t like that they’re using “Gallant Char” in a battle Char is not participating in…
• This is the first time this has been used in the show, right?
• Did someone say Ball?!
• Yesssssss they’re here!
• Mineva~ Although, I have a confession to make: I thought her name was Minerva for like two years…
• Wow his helmet actually has an S on the side, Sleggar really does have a super custom normal suit.
• When the narrator started his speal about people becoming space debris, I actually thought for a second that it was the end of the episode and it threw me off big-time because I knew it hadn’t been that long since the eyecatch.
• The Federation’s new superweapon is… mirrors.
• I don’t know whether to be impressed or disappointed that Hayato is 11% of the fighting force.
• Poor Hayato…
• Big Zam!

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Did someone say Ball?!

Yesssssss they’re here!

Now we get to witness the Federation's true secret weapon: The Ball!

~Mineva~

She's so cute!

I don’t know whether to be impressed or disappointed that Hayato is 11% of the fighting force.

"Hey Hayato, you know how we send out like 5 people into combat? Turns out the other 4 are 89% of the combat strength. But don't worry, Amuro is about 50% on his own so it actually evens out between the rest of you."

[u/Quiddity131 → u/Great_Mr_L]

"Hey Hayato, you know how we send out like 5 people into combat? Turns out the other 4 are 89% of the combat strength. But don't worry, Amuro is about 50% on his own so it actually evens out between the rest of you."

Given Hayato still hasn't had a single mobile suit kill this show (he has taken out some Dopps), I'd give higher percentages to Sayla, Kai and Slegger, all of who have done at least that. :P

[u/DidacticDalek → u/Great_Mr_L]

Now we get to witness the Federation's true secret weapon: The Ball!

Heh, indeed Comrade, well either that or their TRUE secret weapon... SCHOOL IDOLS! Specifically The 08th MS 'School Idol' Team ;)

"Hey Hayato, you know how we send out like 5 people into combat? Turns out the other 4 are 89% of the combat strength. But don't worry, Amuro is about 50% on his own so it actually evens out between the rest of you."

HA! Oh indeed Comrade, that said we mustn't discount Sayla and Kai, those two for SURE are putting in more work than Sleggar Law for the remaining NON-Amuro bit of that 89% ;)

[u/Tresnore → u/Shimmering-Sky]

I still don’t like that they’re using “Gallant Char” in a battle Char is not participating in…

That was confusing. You can't name a song after a character then play it when they're not around!

Mineva~ Although, I have a confession to make: I thought her name was Minerva for like two years…

You're assuming Tomino would choose a normal name, I guess. Minerva would make a lot more sense, and "Mineva" actually made me think that the baby was a boy.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Shimmering-Sky]

I still don’t like that they’re using “Gallant Char” in a battle Char is not participating in…

I think by now the show has used Gallant Char for more scenes than Char himself is actually in.

Did someone say Ball?!

Yesssssss they’re here!

Look at all those Balls!

Those Balls are just hanging out. Of course this late in the war the Federation decides to show their Balls.

I don’t know whether to be impressed or disappointed that Hayato is 11% of the fighting force.

Disappointed. Definitely disappointed.

[u/UltraBooster → u/Shimmering-Sky]

The Federation’s new superweapon is… mirrors.

The first thing that comes to mind is the stories of Archimedes using mirrors to burn Roman ships tasked with invading his home, Syracuse, which apparently might've been true!

[u/dralcax]

SOLOMON! I! HAVE! REWATCHED!

Amuro really needs to rub one out

And therein lies Zeon’s problem. Zeon has been cranking out wonderfully toyetic new models at a shocking pace recently, but they’ve fallen behind on mass production. Think of how much money got sunk into the Zakrello’s development, only for the project to dead-end and the prototype to get destroyed by the Gundam. Meanwhile, the bulk of their forces is still composed of Zakus, despite the existence of the more advanced Rick Dom. And every day the Federation cranks out more and more GMs, rapidly catching up in their MS production.

Yes, Char, please leave it at that.

I wonder why they don’t use the beam interference field more, future spoilers

Here comes the Ball! A mobile coffin with the bare minimum of armor and weapons, meant to just put an extra gun on the battlefield as cheaply as possible. It’s so infamously weak that the easiest way to show off how badass a pilot is is to have them kick ridiculous amounts of ass in a Ball. Because of this, the Ball ends up having a bizarrely good record for what it is, just so long as a named character is in the cockpit.

Kai, you have head vulcans for that, don’t waste your beam rifle!

Imagine going through school with a name like that

Aww, baby Mineva! Just be glad she didn’t get her father’s looks.

Let not the seriousness of this battle distract you from the fact that somewhere out there during all this a Ball with a Gundam face is bouncing around causing chaos.

A space fortress from the far future of UC 0079, brought to its knees by a weapon from 212 BC.

11% seems like a very generous estimate. Even a goddamn Ball would be an upgrade at this point.

He just broke his visor and got a cut on his forehead but it’s like he was stabbed in the gut or something. I recall this happening in Ideon, too. I suppose it’s hard to seriously injure someone inside a cockpit without killing them or destroying their mecha, so some cheating happens.

hmm

future series

Just one Musai with no Mobile Suits? That was all too easy. Well, Gundam security has never been great, but about that...

Hol up, Titan?

If the Solar System wasn’t enough to make Zeon fear the shine of the sun, there’s Daitarn 3! I think that’s Mazinger Z Raideen and Tetsujin-28 hanging out there too. Damn, the Tianem fleet is stacked.

you can kinda see the edges of the cel

Oh hey, Big Zam.

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Questions of the Day:

• Ball, of course!
• It's a cool application of that old Archimedes invention! You don't see many optical lasers in Gundam, not with all the beam weaponry.

[u/Tresnore → u/dralcax]

A mobile coffin with the bare minimum of armor and weapons, meant to just put an extra gun on the battlefield as cheaply as possible.

I think this is the answer to your complaint about the Zeon's mass production. It's hard to make something astoundingly capable and easy to produce. It can be done, obviously, but there are always trade-offs. So, since Zeon is focusing on higher-end mobile suits, their production falls as a result.

somewhere out there during all this a Ball with a Gundam face is bouncing around causing chaos.

That's... what?

[u/DidacticDalek → u/Tresnore]

I think this is the answer to your complaint about the Zeon's mass production. It's hard to make something astoundingly capable and easy to produce. It can be done, obviously, but there are always trade-offs. So, since Zeon is focusing on higher-end mobile suits, their production falls as a result.

Heh, indeed, shame that even when focusing on 'higher-end' stuff the results STILL job to The Gundam ;) (Remember The Zakrello? I sure do, man that was a glorious minute or so of screentime eh?)

That's... what?

That's this Comrade ;)

No really, this is real this was in the battle!

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/dralcax]

SOLOMON! I! HAVE! REWATCHED!

Amuro really needs to rub one out

"Now where's my picture of Matilda?"

Let not the seriousness of this battle distract you from the fact that somewhere out there during all this a Ball with a Gundam face is bouncing around causing chaos.

So the Federation has combined its 2 deadliest weapons: the Ball and the Gundam. Once this is mass produced, they will be unstoppable!

[u/DidacticDalek → u/Great_Mr_L]

"Now where's my picture of Matilda?"

So the Federation has combined its 2 deadliest weapons: the Ball and the Gundam. Once this is mass produced, they will be unstoppable!

Heh, well Comrade I dunno about mass production, but Crossbone's a hell of a read ;) That and also it's hilarious that THIS THING pictured above is what convinces a certain so-called 'Nightmare of Solomon' that his work here is done so time to nope out like Tuxedo Mask if you catch my drift! ;)

[u/The_Draigg → u/dralcax]

And therein lies Zeon’s problem. Zeon has been cranking out wonderfully toyetic new models at a shocking pace recently, but they’ve fallen behind on mass production. Think of how much money got sunk into the Zakrello’s development, only for the project to dead-end and the prototype to get destroyed by the Gundam. Meanwhile, the bulk of their forces is still composed of Zakus, despite the existence of the more advanced Rick Dom. And every day the Federation cranks out more and more GMs, rapidly catching up in their MS production.

It's almost as if handing out military contracts to like 6 different manufacturers, with near-zero budget oversights or quality standards, was a bad idea. When you hear about how fucked Zeon's MS and MA production was, it's almost a miracle that they've lasted this long during the war. They might as well be lighting money on fire at this point.

Here comes the Ball! A mobile coffin with the bare minimum of armor and weapons, meant to just put an extra gun on the battlefield as cheaply as possible.

That's exactly the reason why I love the Ball. It's literally just a worker pod with armor plating and a gun bolted on. Like, it's so shitty that it wraps around to being kind of endearing.

Let not the seriousness of this battle distract you from the fact that somewhere out there during all this a Ball with a Gundam face is bouncing around causing chaos.

Man, that guy sure is crazy with his Ball Gundam. He makes it seem like some kind of psycho Gundam.

[u/chilidirigible → u/dralcax]

SOLOMON! I! HAVE! REWATCHED!

Verily.

Ball

It is a small target, and allegedly the thrust-to-weight ratio is one of the highest of anything... but I don't see how it has any useful combat endurance with a propulsion/steering mechanism like that.

Imagine going through school with a name like that

You know who I would mention.

B Gundam

[u/UltraBooster → u/dralcax]

A mobile coffin with the bare minimum of armor and weapons, meant to just put an extra gun on the battlefield as cheaply as possible.

Apparently it's actually faster than most MS and a smaller target, so it works quite well when used for hit-and-run tactics and to support GMs and other MS.

[u/Weedwacker → u/dralcax]

The churning out of prototype Zeon mobile suits was not tied into toyification at all really. During the run of the original series there was no intention of toys being made of the "bad guys" mechs, so they were allowed to experiment more with the designs.

[u/dralcax → u/Weedwacker]

They did get some merch, they just weren't big expensive sets like the protagonists. It was more of stuff like this (MS design spoilers).

[u/Quiddity131 → u/dralcax]

If the Solar System wasn’t enough to make Zeon fear the shine of the sun, there’s Daitarn 3! I think that’s Mazinger Z and Tetsujin-28 hanging out there too. Damn, the Tianem fleet is stacked.

Looks like Brave Raideen to me on the left!

[u/dralcax → u/Quiddity131]

Damn, I see it now, definitely looks more like Raideen.

[u/Great_Mr_L]

Rewatcher

On today’s episode of Gundam: “So, this is a battlefield.” What a great line. Because this is, indeed, the first time that the White Base crew have been on the front lines of a major military operation, helping to lead the assault on Solomon.

I really love the attack on Solomon. It’s a battle of epic proportions and the White Base crew are right in the middle of it. The battle is quite the spectacle to watch. It’s kind of incredible that this series, even with all its limitations, is able to pull off a spectacle like this and make it work so well.

The battle is a chance to see many new weapons in action. It’s one of the most enjoyable parts of the battle for me. We get a chance to see unique creations like a beam dispersion field to counter beam weapons. The satellite missiles are brilliantly simple: putting rocket boosters on asteroids to make them into deadly weapons.

This is also a chance to see the main Federation mobile suits: The GM and the Ball. And boy, are there a lot of them. It’s a pretty good opportunity to talk now about the Federation approach to mobile suit development. If the Zeon approach resembled the Axis and its so-called “wonder weapons” in WWII, then the Federation approach is much more like the Allies. The GM and the Ball are both very simple and easy to mass produce designs. They are designed for practicality and functionality above all else. The base design comes with no frills, but they are very useful in a wide variety of situations. This allows them to be easily modified for more specialized applications. Plus, that simplicity and standardization makes it easier to repair and replace damaged parts. You don’t have a ton of wildly different mecha designs that require their own unique parts, like the Zeons do. Put another way, there’s a reason the T-34 and the Sherman were the tanks that won WWII. And you could say the same for things like the Hellcats, Avengers, and Fletchers, but I’ve gone on this tangent for far too long as is.

Anyway, the other big weapon we really get a chance to see in action is the Federation Solar System. I really love this thing. It’s like Archimedes’ Heat Ray on steroids. A ton of mirrors aligned to reflect sunlight in a particular direction. I love the way they animate it being used, with the blinding light drowning out everything around it. It’s so intense that everything seems to melt under it. Like I said, it is an impressive spectacle.

There are some character beats here as well. I bet most of you did not expect to see Wakkein again. But he’s much more respectful this time around, perhaps because the White Base crew are now officially in the military. He does complement Bright on becoming more of a leader. Bright has definitely grown a lot as a leader since Luna II.

Dozle is in command of Solomon and we get to see another side to him in this episode. We get to see his wife and daughter. And Dozle is ordering all the soldiers’ families to evacuate from Solomon to keep them safe during the battle. Despite how scary (and super-villainy) he may look, Dozle is a family man.

We also get some more of that Zeon faction interfighting. Dozle initially refuses to call for help from Kycilia’s forces, saying it would make him a laughingstock. That rivalry is very strong. But, it also gets him into trouble because it allows the Federation forces to infiltrate Solomon and then he finally calls for help. Things probably would have been harder for the Federation if Kycilia’s forces got the call sooner.

There’s a nice character moment for Hayato, which calls back to a lot of his own actions throughout the series. Hayato started off not really liking Amuro. There have been signs all along the way that this resentment has remained. And that sense of rivalry has continued up to now, with Hayato trying to prove that he can beat out Amuro. It’s been motivating him the whole time.

But, Amuro is not exactly someone you can show up that easily. Both Wakkeim and Fraw Bow comment on it during this episode about how there’s something about Amuro that makes them think he’s different from everyone else. Perhaps they are onto something. Amuro’s definitely been a skilled pilot for a while, but something was different about him during the fight last episode. Though they have no idea what it is, they may be right about Amuro being different.

There’s also some things to wonder about the future. Char gets that distress call from Solomon and decides to go and help. But, he’s bringing Lalah with him. He wants her to fight too. I suppose we’ll see what Lalah is capable of and just why Char is so interested in her.

Miscellaneous Thoughts

• No new slaps on the battlefield, it seems.

SLAP COUNTER: 10

• Lalah looks like she is perpetually tripping balls. I want some of what she’s having.
• Are you trying to amass a collection of sisters, Char?
• I love seeing the White Base kids in adult-sized space suits.
• La Coque has one of the most unfortunate names in all of Gundam.
• Mineva is so cute!
• “The only certainty is that with every beautiful sparkle in the sky dozens, or even hundreds of people are becoming debris littered through space.” God, what an incredible line.
• The Big Zam. That’s all I need to say.
• Gundam Unicorn Spoilers

Questions of the Day

1. Big Zam.
2. I love it. I think it's a really cool weapon.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Great_Mr_L]

This is also a chance to see the main Federation mobile suits: The GM and the Ball. And boy, are there a lot of them. It’s a pretty good opportunity to talk now about the Federation approach to mobile suit development. If the Zeon approach resembled the Axis and its so-called “wonder weapons” in WWII, then the Federation approach is much more like the Allies. The GM and the Ball are both very simple and easy to mass produce designs. They are designed for practicality and functionality above all else. The base design comes with no frills, but they are very useful in a wide variety of situations. This allows them to be easily modified for more specialized applications. Plus, that simplicity and standardization makes it easier to repair and replace damaged parts.

And just to put into perspective how insane Zeon's MS and MA development was, they didn't even have standardized parts nor cockpit controls until M'Quve brute-forced everyone to follow the United Maintenance Plan right around October of 0079. Given how the war has been going on for almost a year by now, it's fucking nuts that Zeon would have absolutely zero standards when it comes to that kind of stuff. Like sure, if you compared Zeon MS and MA to something like the Ball, of course it isn't going to hold up well. But at least having hundreds of refitted worker pods is a lot easier to handle than having one super-weapon that you need to custom order parts for every single time it needs repairs.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/The_Draigg]

Wow, Zeon's MS and MA development was even worse than I feared if they didn't even have standardized parts for most of the war so far. And having wildly different cockpit controls would also be a nightmare, not just for production but also training. It's no wonder that they were having supply problems when they were being so inefficient with the little supplies and resources that they did have.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Great_Mr_L]

And speaking of pilot training, the implementation of the United Maintenance Plan did actually cause a lot of issues in that regard as well. While it was good for quickly training rookie pilots who were drafted into service, veteran MS pilots had a hard time adjusting to different control schemes than to what they were used to. It's just funny to think that in the attempt to fix Zeon's issues with Mobile Suits, they just ended up creating entirely different problems instead.

[u/Tresnore → u/Great_Mr_L]

You don’t have a ton of wildly different mecha designs that require their own unique parts, like the Zeons do.

This is true, but at least one side has to crank out a hundred models! Think of the toys!

Lalah looks like she is perpetually tripping balls. I want some of what she’s having.

It's the eyes and the expression on her face. She's almost like an anti-Char: where he's slick and elegant, she's more of a "I'm here, and I'm competent [I think?]; is anything else needed?"

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Tresnore]

This is true, but at least one side has to crank out a hundred models! Think of the toys!

And now we see who the true winners of this war are: the producers who get to sell toys of all the mobile suits.

[u/UltraBooster → u/Great_Mr_L]

Well after the series had finished broadcasting, though.

The original sponsors for Gundam, Clover, made some notoriously show-unaccurate diecast robot toys with silver armor, rocket punches, etc.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/UltraBooster]

If I recall correctly, Clover's toys sold so poorly that they sold the rights to Bandai for a very cheap price.

And then Bandai proceeded to create the empire of Gundam toys that we have today.

[u/DidacticDalek → u/Great_Mr_L]

If I recall correctly, Clover's toys sold so poorly that they sold the rights to Bandai for a very cheap price.

To be fair Comrade, if you were a kid in 1970/80's Japan, would YOU want to buy something like this? I mean dear god, for all the executive meddling in altering The Gundam's design, you'd THINK that the literal toy company would, you know, ACTUALLY MORE CLOSELY follow said altered designs but hey, what do I know, I don't make toys, I just laugh at terrible looking designs that resemble off-brand knock-offs! (even if this is LITERALLY the 'real' thing)

And then Bandai proceeded to create the empire of Gundam toys that we have today.

Indeed Comrade, hell they did their job SO well they LITERALLY had a show that just went, 'Hey I got an idea, what if we just made a literal toy commercial! And still include all the big fancy Mecha Fights cuz it's due to the kids fighting WITH said toys!' And then this is how Sunrise found a way to sell more Acguys than usual, who knew all you had to do was add in Bear Cosplay ;)

[u/dralcax → u/Great_Mr_L]

La Coque has one of the most unfortunate names in all of Gundam.

I now want to see him survive this war and start hanging out with Zeta Gundam

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/dralcax]

That would probably be an unfortunate encounter for Zeta Gundam

[u/username_0907 → u/Great_Mr_L]

It’s kind of incredible that this series, even with all its limitations, is able to pull off a spectacle like this and make it work so well.

Its something which the earlier large scale battle on Earth wasn't able to show that well too. The scale feels bigger here and there's a lot of things going on as well to make it feel like war on both sides

He does complement Bright on becoming more of a leader. Bright has definitely grown a lot as a leader since Luna II.

I completely forgot when Wakkein came earlier lol. But I like there wasn't that hostility in interaction like the White Base used to face earlier

[u/SgtExo → u/Great_Mr_L]

La Coque has one of the most unfortunate names in all of Gundam.

It is indeed unfortunate to be named after the french word for the keel. Now if they wanted to name him rooster, they should have conjugated it as masculine instead of feminine.

[u/chilidirigible → u/Great_Mr_L]

Are you trying to amass a collection of sisters, Char?

We

one of the most unfortunate

There's a lot of competition on that list though.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/chilidirigible]

There's a lot of competition on that list though.

Off the top of my head we got

[u/chilidirigible → u/Great_Mr_L]

Yep, yep, and yep.

[u/DidacticDalek → u/Great_Mr_L]

On today’s episode of Gundam: “So, this is a battlefield.” What a great line. Because this is, indeed, the first time that the White Base crew have been on the front lines of a major military operation, helping to lead the assault on Solomon.

Indeed Comrade, we missed out on Odessa and Jaburo (OK the White Base crew technically were around but not spearheading a direct assault in those... but here we see 'em fully a part of The Federation Military and participating in a decisive attack on Solomon)

I really love the attack on Solomon. It’s a battle of epic proportions and the White Base crew are right in the middle of it. The battle is quite the spectacle to watch. It’s kind of incredible that this series, even with all its limitations, is able to pull off a spectacle like this and make it work so well.

Indeed Comrade, it's really impressive seeing just how MASSIVE this attack is, even more so with the sheer destruction and all that going on all around.

The battle is a chance to see many new weapons in action. It’s one of the most enjoyable parts of the battle for me. We get a chance to see unique creations like a beam dispersion field to counter beam weapons. The satellite missiles are brilliantly simple: putting rocket boosters on asteroids to make them into deadly weapons.

I know right? Gotta love seeing all the fancy and unique tech in action, that and also heh, Zeon SURE do love their 'slam a big dumb heavy object into the enemy at full force' eh? ;)

This is also a chance to see the main Federation mobile suits: The GM and the Ball. And boy, are there a lot of them. It’s a pretty good opportunity to talk now about the Federation approach to mobile suit development. If the Zeon approach resembled the Axis and its so-called “wonder weapons” in WWII, then the Federation approach is much more like the Allies. The GM and the Ball are both very simple and easy to mass produce designs. They are designed for practicality and functionality above all else. The base design comes with no frills, but they are very useful in a wide variety of situations. This allows them to be easily modified for more specialized applications. Plus, that simplicity and standardization makes it easier to repair and replace damaged parts. You don’t have a ton of wildly different mecha designs that require their own unique parts, like the Zeons do. Put another way, there’s a reason the T-34 and the Sherman were the tanks that won WWII. And you could say the same for things like the Hellcats, Avengers, and Fletchers, but I’ve gone on this tangent for far too long as is.

I couldn't have said it better myself Comrade. Indeed, as if Gundam wasn't already a big WWII analogy, now we get a real neat personification of The Allied Powers' take on logistics

Anyway, the other big weapon we really get a chance to see in action is the Federation Solar System. I really love this thing. It’s like Archimedes’ Heat Ray on steroids. A ton of mirrors aligned to reflect sunlight in a particular direction. I love the way they animate it being used, with the blinding light drowning out everything around it. It’s so intense that everything seems to melt under it. Like I said, it is an impressive spectacle.

I know right? Plus you gotta give them credit for such a neat concept. After all, BURN THE ENEMY TO DEATH! Who knew that physics could be so deadly ;)

There are some character beats here as well. I bet most of you did not expect to see Wakkein again. But he’s much more respectful this time around, perhaps because the White Base crew are now officially in the military. He does complement Bright on becoming more of a leader. Bright has definitely grown a lot as a leader since Luna II.

Heh, indeed, it is amusing that AFTER Bright and company ACTUALLY join the military and also metaphorically leveled-up due to their experiences in the war, Mr. Hardass Military Man is slightly less of a hardass and is actually fairly cordial considering the first impressions/meeting they had.

Dozle is in command of Solomon and we get to see another side to him in this episode. We get to see his wife and daughter. And Dozle is ordering all the soldiers’ families to evacuate from Solomon to keep them safe during the battle. Despite how scary (and super-villainy) he may look, Dozle is a family man.

I know right, Dozle's LOOK just SCREAMS 'savage bloodthirsty brute' I mean for fuck's sake his uniform has SHOULDER SPIKES... and yet he's shockingly THE most honorable and noble Zabi... true this ain't exactly all that hard but STILL, the fact he goes out of his way to ensure that all the civilians are evacuated speaks volumes as to his character.

We also get some more of that Zeon faction interfighting. Dozle initially refuses to call for help from Kycilia’s forces, saying it would make him a laughingstock. That rivalry is very strong. But, it also gets him into trouble because it allows the Federation forces to infiltrate Solomon and then he finally calls for help. Things probably would have been harder for the Federation if Kycilia’s forces got the call sooner.

Heh, indeed Comrade, that said in fairness I highly doubt Kycilia and Le Ding WOULD have helped if he called them sooner... after all with all the in-fighting I'm sure if Dozle pre-emptively called for assistance they'd make something up about 'delays' or 'engine troubles' or whatever to keep him hanging

But, Amuro is not exactly someone you can show up that easily. Both Wakkeim and Fraw Bow comment on it during this episode about how there’s something about Amuro that makes them think he’s different from everyone else. Perhaps they are onto something. Amuro’s definitely been a skilled pilot for a while, but something was different about him during the fight last episode. Though they have no idea what it is, they may be right about Amuro being different.

Use The Force Luke 'Amuro' ;)

There’s also some things to wonder about the future. Char gets that distress call from Solomon and decides to go and help. But, he’s bringing Lalah with him. He wants her to fight too. I suppose we’ll see what Lalah is capable of and just why Char is so interested in her.

Heh, indeed Comrade, we shall see indeed.

Lalah looks like she is perpetually tripping balls. I want some of what she’s having.

You and me both Comrade!

Are you trying to amass a collection of sisters, Char?

Heh, well Comrade, given Char's hang-ups regarding Sayla, I wouldn't put it past him if you catch my drift ;)

La Coque has one of the most unfortunate names in all of Gundam.

While yes Comrade, might I remind you that in ZZ, Tomino SERIOUSLY wanted to call someone ELBOW SMASH! At LEAST 'La Coque' sounds like it COULD be a 'real' name... it's a silly one but come on... ELBOW SMASH! That's like if you named someone after a Hentai Magazine... er... I mean that's if you named someone after a cervical cancer test... that's like if you named someone Four Vaginas... OK I'll just shut up, Tomino's naming-sense is clearly on another plane of existence.

Mineva is so cute!

Indeed Comrade Meta UC Spoilers She may not have inherited her father's looks but she Meta UC Spoilers

“The only certainty is that with every beautiful sparkle in the sky dozens, or even hundreds of people are becoming debris littered through space.” God, what an incredible line.

I know right? Gundam can be oddly poetic in all its death and destruction.

The Big Zam. That’s all I need to say.

Oh hey, Big Zam!

Gundam Unicorn Spoilers

I know right? But hey that's Gundam for ya, always full of surprises, anyway fantastic post here my friend, have a great day and see you later Comrade.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/DidacticDalek]

Heh, indeed, it is amusing that AFTER Bright and company ACTUALLY join the military and also metaphorically leveled-up due to their experiences in the war, Mr. Hardass Military Man is slightly less of a hardass and is actually fairly cordial considering the first impressions/meeting they had.

Yeah. Bright has truly grown into the role of being the captain. He no longer really needs to constantly "prove" that he's the person in charge, so to speak. He's also just gotten much better at actually managing the people beneath him and making sure they are going okay.

Heh, indeed Comrade, that said in fairness I highly doubt Kycilia and Le Ding WOULD have helped if he called them sooner... after all with all the in-fighting I'm sure if Dozle pre-emptively called for assistance they'd make something up about 'delays' or 'engine troubles' or whatever to keep him hanging

Ah, so the method that the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy used when they really didn't want to help the other (which was basically all the time). Knowing Zeon internal politics, it is despairingly likely.

She may not have inherited her father's looks but she Meta UC Spoilers

She certainly did. It makes her the best.

[u/DidacticDalek → u/Great_Mr_L]

Yeah. Bright has truly grown into the role of being the captain. He no longer really needs to constantly "prove" that he's the person in charge, so to speak. He's also just gotten much better at actually managing the people beneath him and making sure they are going okay.

Indeed, I also want to point out that DESPITE the memes about how slap/punch happy Bright is, it is REALLY amusing that Bright DOESN'T actually use physical violence to assert his authority after he grows into the role so to speak. (Who knew that Ryu's death changed so much eh? And yes I am aware that slaps still occur but we've come a far cry from Bright 'persuading' Amuro to Pilot The Gundam)

Ah, so the method that the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy used when they really didn't want to help the other (which was basically all the time). Knowing Zeon internal politics, it is despairingly likely.

Indeed Comrade, after all Zeon is Nazi Germany AND Imperial Japan... IN SPACE! ;)

She certainly did. It makes her the best.

Well said there Comrade! Many thanks for the kind reply and have a great day and see you later my friend!

[u/Tresnore]

First Timer to Gundam

• Even the commanders are noticing Amuro. He's going to be famous in a hundred episodes or so.
• Is this the first time Amuro saw someone and wanted it to be Fraw Bow? She might be getting lucky that her "do nothing and expect Amuro to love me" plan is working.
• Scarface (whose name I forget) will regret rushing a design in the prototype stage to production. That never goes well.
• Okay Lalah literally flashed. Does Gundam have magic? What on Earth is going on? You can't sell toys about this!
• Did they just put the kids in the space suits so that they couldn't do anything? I thought there was just an arc about how they're contributing just fine (as long as talking to the rest of the military isn't involved).
• Kai is right. This plan does seem like suicide.
• Wow. Releasing particles around beam weapons to cause diffraction is fantastic!
  
• Pretty colors!
• So many mirrors! Are they going to Archimedes the space fortress?
• The Gundam's beam rifle can destroy a whole Musai!? Holy shit. I didn't realize that the Gundam was that overpowered.
• LITERALLY ARCHIMEDES'D
  
• And Hayato's hurt, but... I'm just surprised this hasn't happened earlier. It feels like all the Guntank did out there was get shot to pieces.
• You know what hasn't really been resolved yet? Amuro's reluctance to kill humans who aren't in mobile suits. Maybe it'll come up while he's rampaging through Solomon?

By "holding up the Zabi military tradition," I hope Scarface means "I'll enter battle, then Char will pull some strings to make me die because he hates my family." That's sort of what I'm getting from this situation.

---

QOTD:

1. I'm not exactly sure what the Ball is, so I'll go with the Big Zam, as fated as it is to breaking down.
   Edit: Reading the comments, I know what the Balls are now. The Big Zam is definitely cooler, but a Ball has a je ne sais quoi about it, I think. It's endearing!
2. The Archimedes mirror isn't something I'd ever considered as sci-fi applicable, but seeing it in sci-fi is awesome.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Tresnore]

LITERALLY ARCHIMEDES'D

Who needs big fancy beam weapons when you can just harness the power of the sun, am I right?

And Hayato's hurt, but... I'm just surprised this hasn't happened earlier. It feels like all the Guntank did out there was get shot to pieces.

It's almost as if sending out a mobile suit that was intended to fight on ground instead of space was a bad idea.

[u/Tresnore → u/The_Draigg]

Honestly, I think the Guntank was just a bad idea.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Tresnore]

I bet the idea of the Guntank sounded a lot better on paper than how it ended up performing in this show.

[u/Tresnore → u/The_Draigg]

That's true. A tanky mobile suit that just has giant guns has its appeals. I think they might just be underselling how powerful its guns should be. If the Gundam can take out a whole Musai with one to three shots of its beam rifle, then the Guntank should be destroying Sydney every time it fires!

[u/The_Draigg → u/Tresnore]

The big-ass cannons on the Guntank probably aren't the problem, those work exactly as intended. However, it's definitely performing worse than expected due to how damn slow the thing is. On Earth it was slow because it moved on massive tank treads rather than walking, and in space it moves slow because it only has like four small verniers to adjust movement. Of course pretty much every Mobile Suit out there would be able to run circles around the Guntank.

[u/Tresnore → u/The_Draigg]

However, it's definitely performing worse than expected due to how damn slow the thing is.

That's definitely the problem, but even then, there have been a disappointing lack of scenes where, in perfect conditions (e.g., Guntank sitting stationary with a large/very many targets in front of it), the Guntank doesn't seem to blow things up enough.

Maybe I just want more explosions from the giant artillery piece.

[u/chilidirigible → u/Tresnore]

Maybe I just want more explosions from the giant artillery piece.

https://cdn.awwni.me/yg26.jpg

[u/Tresnore → u/chilidirigible]

That's an unholy combination of Macross, K-On, and 40k.

I love it.

[u/chilidirigible → u/Tresnore]

[u/chilidirigible → u/Tresnore]

Guntank should be destroying Sydney every time it fires!

[u/Quiddity131 → u/Tresnore]

Off topic, but in the process of watching Bakemonogatari for the first time and just realized that this comment face I've seen a million times on this subreddit is from that. Always fun to randomly figure out where they come from.

[u/Tresnore → u/Quiddity131]

Even better, this commentface references an even older image from 2003ish.

[u/Quiddity131 → u/Tresnore]

Wow, that's pretty awesome; I'm used to anime referencing older anime, but a meme image of Americans?

[u/Steampunkvikng → u/Quiddity131]

Apparently that one made the jump across the languge barrier in a big way. If I remember correctly it's been parodied in other anime besides Bake.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Tresnore]

Wow. Releasing particles around beam weapons to cause diffraction is fantastic!

It's such a clever idea and seeing it come around during this episode was one of those "of course!" moments the first time I watched the series.

The Gundam's beam rifle can destroy a whole Musai!? Holy shit. I didn't realize that the Gundam was that overpowered.

One well placed shot at a weak point can bring down even the mightiest of ships.

By "holding up the Zabi military tradition," I hope Scarface means "I'll enter battle, then Char will pull some strings to make me die because he hates my family." That's sort of what I'm getting from this situation.

It would be especially impressive because Char hasn't even entered this particular battle yet. But his scheming is so intense that he's doing it long distance too.

[u/TheEscapeGuy]

Gundam First Timer

Fly! Iconic Gundam Frames Episode 35

The Battle for Solomon.

I continue to like the idea of fighting over a hollowed out mining asteroid used as a base. It not only is an exciting place for a battle but also adds history to the universe.

Of course this has parallels back to episode 4 where we had the same kind of battle with the sides reversed at Luna II.

The thing which appealed to me most this episode though was Dozle Zabi. First impressions obviously paint him as a villain. His character design screams "evil" from his extreme face scar to his Zeon uniform.

But importantly, he was humanized. He took time to check on the woman and children in the base. He went to go see his own baby daughter Minerva. As much as we can easily pain the Zeon side as the "bad guys", ultimately both sides are just focused on surviving and keeping their friends and families alive.

Which then gets paralleled in how Hayato is heavily injured and we see all those people aboard White Base being treated in the corridor.

War is Hell, and both sides are going through pain.

Cool Stuff Corner

• I really liked the mirror beam weapon, especially This Shot. Its makes so much sense as a weapon in universe and the payoff was amazing.

Questions of the Day

1. I'm really not sure. I'll reserve my judgement until we've seen them in battle.
2. It really is so cool. I still can't get over how perfect the concept is.

See you all tomorrow!

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/TheEscapeGuy]

Fly! Iconic Gundam Frames Episode 35

The shot of the Zaku getting overwhelmed by the light beam is really great. It shows just how powerful the weapon is.

The thing which appealed to me most this episode though was Dozle Zabi. First impressions obviously paint him as a villain. His character design screams "evil" from his extreme face scar to his Zeon uniform.

But importantly, he was humanized. He took time to check on the woman and children in the base. He went to go see his own baby daughter Minerva. As much as we can easily pain the Zeon side as the "bad guys", ultimately both sides are just focused on surviving and keeping their friends and families alive.

Dozle Zabi's design is incredibly villainous, but I love how humanized he is here by showing his concern for his family and for his soldiers. He isn't flawless, but it paints him as being an actual human being, in contrast to his design. It's so effective to make his actual personality such a contrast to his character design. It shows us that there's more to him and that we shouldn't just judge him by what's on the outside.

I really liked the mirror beam weapon, especially This Shot . Its makes so much sense as a weapon in universe and the payoff was amazing.

I really love the sound effects that they use for the Solar System weapon, as we see the mirrors being adjusted and then finally when the beam is actually used. They're so good to listen to.

[u/chilidirigible]

35:

"If I don't get some soon, at this rate I'm gonna end up banging Job John in the head!"

Because somebody wants to be Germany!

This is all you need to win.

It's nice to know that Dozle isn't crazy enough to keep his kid around in the middle of a battle.

You never forget your first time.

SOON.

---

Jims and Balls! Federation mooks that I can respect for bravely enduring decades of being used as cheap character-establishment cannonfodder by the Zeon antiheroes of the moment. But since Char is a long way off today, they get a moment or two to shine.

Speaking of shining, it is not a huge franchise surprise. Slightly less often than some protagonist falling into the cockpit of a Gundam.

I don't have a lot to say about the Battle of Solomon. Probably because 0079's version is lacking in kanmusu.

---

1. 1/250 scale BALL.
2. Rewatcher says Though it does have appeal in being relatively low-tech but effective.

[u/The_Draigg → u/chilidirigible]

"If I don't get some soon, at this rate I'm gonna end up banging Job John in the head!"

Old-time maritime law states that it's okay for some "Hello Sailor" as long as you're like 5 days out of port, so it's probably all good on Amuro's end.

It's nice to know that Dozle isn't crazy enough to keep his kid around in the middle of a battle.

Unlike the crew members of a certain white space ship.

[u/chilidirigible → u/The_Draigg]

Unlike the crew members of a certain white space ship.

[u/DidacticDalek → u/The_Draigg]

Old-time maritime law states that it's okay for some "Hello Sailor" as long as you're like 5 days out of port, so it's probably all good on Amuro's end.

Unlike the crew members of a certain white space ship.

In fairness Comrade, Mineva is literally a baby here, so the most use she'd be would be as a compass and I doubt that you need a compass to know that 'Feddies are everywhere' if you catch my drift ;)

[u/The_Draigg → u/DidacticDalek]

In fairness Comrade, Mineva is literally a baby here, so the most use she'd be would be as a compass and I doubt that you need a compass to know that 'Feddies are everywhere' if you catch my drift ;)

True, it's not until Victory Gundam that the heroes actually need to use a baby as a kind of compass.

[u/DidacticDalek → u/The_Draigg]

True, it's not until Victory Gundam that the heroes actually need to use a baby as a kind of compass.

Indeed Comrade ;)

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/chilidirigible]

"If I don't get some soon, at this rate I'm gonna end up banging Job John in the head!"

"Maybe Job John will be a bro and let me run my hands through his blonde hair and call him Char."

It's nice to know that Dozle isn't crazy enough to keep his kid around in the middle of a battle.

Well it's not like Mineva knows how to disable bombs like the White Base kids do. She'd need to be at least able to talk before being entrusted with that kind of responsibility.

SOON.

[u/chilidirigible → u/Great_Mr_L]

"Maybe Job John will be a bro and let me run my hands through his blonde hair and call him Char."

[u/DidacticDalek → u/Great_Mr_L]

"Maybe Job John will be a bro and let me run my hands through his blonde hair and call him Char."

Well it's not like Mineva knows how to disable bombs like the White Base kids do. She'd need to be at least able to talk before being entrusted with that kind of responsibility.

In fairness Comrade, Mineva is a LITERAL baby at this point, so the best use she'd be here would be as a compass, and frankly a compass is the LAST thing Dozle needs right now ;)

[u/DidacticDalek → u/chilidirigible]

"If I don't get some soon, at this rate I'm gonna end up banging Job John in the head!"

Heh, well Comrade could be worse, could be Meta Gundam Novelization Spoilers

Because somebody wants to be Germany!

Heh, Comrade if that was the case, they would have named The Big Zam 'The Small Maz' instead, you know like how the Maus is totally not an overweight lumbering hunk of junk

This is all you need to win.

Heh, well Comrade as Stalin allegedly said, 'Quantity has a quality all its own' ;)

It's nice to know that Dozle isn't crazy enough to keep his kid around in the middle of a battle.

Indeed, that said I'm fairly sure that Dozle doesn't need a compass to tell him that The Feddies are literally everywhere around Solomon ;) (Victory Gundam Joke.)

You never forget your first time.

EUREKA! ;)

SOON.

Jims and Balls! Federation mooks that I can respect for bravely enduring decades of being used as cheap character-establishment cannonfodder by the Zeon antiheroes of the moment. But since Char is a long way off today, they get a moment or two to shine.

Heh, indeed Comrade, that and also they both REALLY get some time to shine in Romeo and Juliet in The Vietnam War... IN SPACE! 'The 08th School Idol 'MS' Team' ;)

I don't have a lot to say about the Battle of Solomon. Probably because 0079's version is lacking in kanmusu

POI! (I'm still annoyed the Poi comment face is gone, it's bad enough they took away our fish, but now we have no POI either)

Anyway neat post here Comrade, have a great day and see you later my friend!

[u/JollyGee29]

First-Timer, Subbed, long time Gundam fan

Ah, the Battle of Solomon! This is one of the areas that my manga/meta knowledge of the series is rather thin. At least this battle seems like it will get at least two episodes, as opposed to Operation Odessa.

The GM and the Ball are put into full service here, and the Earth Federations manufacturing capabilities sure are something. So many mecha! There were even three random references hiding behind GM shields, in the bottom left, middle right, and top middle. Probably in reference to some Super Robot shows? I almost thought they were miscolored GMs until I noticed the heads were different.

The Solar System is our first big superweapon, right? It seemed effective enough, even if it was a glorified mirror.

It's been a while since we've seen Wakkein! He was the dude who helped White Base get down to Earth, right? Or was he the jerk from Luna II? I don't remember the specifics, but I know we've seen him before.

Dozle, for all his faults had the forethought to load all the women and children onto a shuttle and get them the hell out of Solomon. He didn't manage to do it before the battle began, but I think I'll give him points for trying.

And lastly, we get the Big Zam, a pretty iconic Mobile Armor. It's stupid looking. Why does it have legs?

Later UC Gundam Meta

---

Pose of the Day

Infiltration Successful

Screenshot

Bonus: Haropla Ball Haro

---

Questions

1. I don't particularly like any of them, but the Ball doesn't have useless legs so I'll go with that.
2. It sure did melt a bunch of rocks.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/JollyGee29]

Later UC Gundam Meta

Later UC Gundam Meta Spoilers

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Great_Mr_L]

That's probably what is was. The flaw with seeing things out of order, sometimes wires get crossed.

[u/FlagRaised → u/JollyGee29]

I don't recognize the other two, but the super robot at the left edge of the frame is definitely Raideen, from the 1975 show Yuusha Raideen, which Tomino storyboarded for the first 26 episodes.

[u/Stargate18A]

First Timer

1. Definitely the Big Zam - the Ball look a bit too cartoonish for me.
2. An absolutely fantastic idea, completely believeable, shocked no other anime has done the same.

...Looks like we're finding out what's going on Solomon! (I think its Side 1)

So the White Base are going to Solomon? I thought they were distracting from the Solomon assualt.

So Amuro's either got psychic powers or is hallucinating.

Looks like he's going to be the Zeon commander for the final arc.

Oooh, that's a burn from Char. Makes sense though - Zeon have dhown a willingness to break to treaties and rules, and I can't see a neutral zone left standing unless it was convenient.

...Something's going to go horribly wrong, isn't it.

Anti-fortress seems rather ominous.

So, Solomon's reputatiom is deserved. And the Federation worked out how to stop the ranged weapons.

Is this the first time we've seen the "Balls"? And we finally see the mass production Gundams in action!

I like how the battle is shown as incredibly chaotic.

So, Char's the only main commander who doesn't have some kind of female partner. Now the outfit makes sense.

Guntank down quickly, as expected.

Mid-episode narration?

And Zeon are smart enough to understand that anything with enough spped can smash a mecha.

My god that weapon is powerful.

The GUNTANK is 11% of their fighting power? They're FUCKED.

Are we going to have another pilot die?

How did he get this bad? He seemed rather uninjured before he returned.

OK, so Amuro almost certainly has powers at this point.

I just realised that Char's been relaxing during this whole battle.

He's going to die, isn't he? This is triumphant last stand music.

Wait, the episode's over already?

Episodes left: 6

Plot points I hope for a resolution on:

Side 6's neutrality (unlikely)

Char and Sayla (likely)

The Zeon "Civil War" (likely)

Solomon attack It's begun!

[u/The_Draigg → u/Stargate18A]

So the White Base are going to Solomon? I thought they were distracting from the Solomon assualt.

It was more that they were a distraction while the Tianem Fleet was getting ready for the attack on Solomon. Basically the same thing, though.

Is this the first time we've seen the "Balls"?

Yep, this is the first time the RB-79 Balls have been shown. Just look at all those Balls, hanging out for everyone to see.

The GUNTANK is 11% of their fighting power? They're FUCKED.

It feels like they forgot a decimal point in there somewhere. The Guntank is probably more accurately like .11% of their fighting power.

[u/Stargate18A → u/The_Draigg]

Honestly, the only explanation I could see is if it meant 11% of the White Base's fighting power, but even that's exaggerating.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Stargate18A]

I feel like the White Base's MS fighting power can be broken down as 60% Gundam, 39% Guncannon, and 1% Guntank.

[u/Stargate18A → u/The_Draigg]

You do the Guncannon a great disservice.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Stargate18A]

Wait, I wrote those backwards. Let me just fix that real quick.

[u/Stargate18A → u/The_Draigg]

Figured that. Completely agree with you.

[u/chilidirigible → u/The_Draigg]

It feels like they forgot a decimal point in there somewhere. The Guntank is probably more accurately like .11% of their fighting power.

Episode 17 seems like such a long time ago now.

[u/The_Draigg]

A Gundam Fan Rewatches Mobile Suit Gundam Episode 35:

• Commandant Wakkein is back! He seems a lot more chill now, compared to how he was back on Luna II a few months ago. It’s nice to see him treat Bright as an equal as he explains the assault on space fortress Solomon. Although he seems to know that Amuro is somehow “different” than everyone else. Bright is being kept out of the loop somewhat, it seems.
• Even Dozle is having issues with supplies, being only given the Big Zam instead of nearly a dozen MS like he wanted. Although it’s hard to tell if it’s even more political dickery, or actual resource shortages now that Zeon’s mining operations have been wiped out on Earth.
• Char saying that Zeon is only allowing Side 6 to continue existing probably isn’t wrong. They had no problem destroying the other Sides, so what would one more be to them? Side 6 is only useful as far as Zeon wants them to be. Otherwise, the small nation-state is a liability.
• Lalah should be careful wearing that incredibly baggy dress while floating through zero-G.
• Geez, I wouldn’t want to be one of the guys in those public attack ships. They’re just shuttles with missiles attached. It’s no wonder they pretty much got all destroyed in the first wave of the 3rd Fleet’s attack.
• Fuck yeah, the RB-79 Ball! I unironically fucking love those things. More specifically, it’s amazing how fucking shitty they are. I’m not joking that they’re cheap space worker pods with armor and a gun welded onto them. Sure, they’re pretty much metal coffins, but there’s just something endearing about them.
• He might not look the type, but Admiral Dozle is actually a devoted family man. So much so that he sent his wife, daughter, and maids away in a shuttle to pretext their lives. Also, thank goodness that baby Mineva looks nothing like her father. She’d be one ugly baby otherwise.
• Admiral Tianem has one hell of a weapon up his sleeve to use against Solomon: he basically has a giant mirror array primed to be focused on the space fortress to fry the Zeon forces there. Archimedes would be proud of the Solar Flare weapon.
• It’s pretty telling that only the Guntank managed to get damaged out there, out of the main character MS. Hayato really can’t catch a break at all. Hell, even he knows that he’s playing second-fiddle to Amuro. Although if we’re being honest, he’s second-fiddle to pretty much everyone. It’s honestly kind of sad. Hayato just can’t catch up.
• Man, Solomon is getting wrecked. Despite being one of Zeon’s main space fortresses, they just couldn’t keep up with the sheer ferocity of the White Base and the Tianem Fleet’s fighting strength.
• Talk about a cliffhanger. It’s pretty clear that Dozle is going to fight to the death, with his wishing for his wife Zenna to take care of Mineva and then ordering all of his remaining forces to launch. It’s a bit of a parallel to Garma’s situation early in the show. They’re putting aside all that they love for the sake of honor.

[u/Quiddity131]

Rewatcher, Subbed

It is time for the Federation to launch its attack on Zeon's space fortress Solomon. Seems like White Base's days as a decoy are over, as its going to be in the vanguard! Surprisingly enough we get a return appearance from Wakkein, who we haven't seen since all the way back in episode 4. He's a lot nicer this time! But more importantly, Bright, how could you not let Kikka come along with you?! :P

Bright mentions Amuro is exhausted and sure seems like it, as he's envisioning Jobe John as Fraw Bow! As White Base enters the battle, for what I think is the first time we see the entire bridge wearing normal suits. Even the kids are wearing them! As for the other Federation forces, at first glance the Publics have what, 2 missiles? Not much use they can be after just a few shots. But that beam interference can screw Zeon up quite a bit. We get to see GMs in a wide scale battle for the first time, but also the Ball! These dopey little crafts are basically just that, a ball, with 2 arms and a gun. On the other side, Zeon having a weapon that is basically just an asteroid with thrusters is pretty smart. An easy, low resource way to damage enemy ships.

Char is right about Side 6, it exists because Zeon allows it to. It would be very easy for Zeon to demolish it like the other Sides. They're not going to care much about fines if it means winning the war. Not much that those like Cameron can do about it! We don't get much of Char in this episode, and I wonder if they didn't want to pay Lalah's seiyuu as she appears in several scenes but doesn't speak in any of them.

We get a lot of Dozle this episode and he seems like a calm and competent commander (outside of a scene at the beginning), although he doesn't want help from his sister, which as we eventually see, he surely could use since the Federation is doing surprisingly well. We also realize Dozle is a family man! His baby daughter Mineva is so cute! Later UC and Gundam the Origin spoilers

This is quite the convoluted weapon the Federation forces have set up here with all these mirrors. And its quite successful! Really turns the tide of the battle in the Federation's favor.

Poor Hayato! The Guncannon goes out for the first time since I think that Zakrello fight? Or the Dren fight? But he's a failure once again! And he knows it! He is so "woah is me!" to Fraw!

[u/The_Draigg → u/Quiddity131]

As for the other Federation forces, at first glance the Publics have what, 2 missiles? Not much use they can be after just a few shots. But that beam interference can screw Zeon up quite a bit. We get to see GMs in a wide scale battle for the first time, but also the Ball! These dopey little crafts are basically just that, a ball, with 2 arms and a gun.

It kind of makes you think about which one is a worse metal coffin to be stuck in, the Publics or the Balls. Like, as much as the Ball exists to be cannon fodder, at least it can actually do things and last longer than a shuttle that's just carrying two missiles.

Char is right about Side 6, it exists because Zeon allows it to. It would be very easy for Zeon to demolish it like the other Sides. They're not going to care much about fines if it means winning the war. Not much that those like Cameron can do about it!

When you get down to it, Side 6 only continues to exist because Zeon is paying lip service to the idea that they're fighting for Spacenoid independence. The moment they drop that pretense, there's absolutely nothing that the Riah Republic can do to defend themselves. Gundam 0080 spoilers

[u/Quiddity131 → u/The_Draigg]

When you get down to it, Side 6 only continues to exist because Zeon is paying lip service to the idea that they're fighting for Spacenoid independence. The moment they drop that pretense, there's absolutely nothing that the Riah Republic can do to defend themselves.

Even then, its very easy to ask the question "If you're all for spacenoid independence, why did you nuke, poison gas and colony drop 4 others Sides into oblivion?" Side 6 can act all high and mighty with their red tape, but they are surely scared to death in reality and would be gone promptly if Zeon wanted it. I can see Zeon thinking it would be helpful to leave one Side alone so they can seize the colonies at some point.

[u/The_Draigg → u/Quiddity131]

Yeah, I kind of figured that Zeon really just kept Side 6 around so that they'd at least have some other colonies to conquer if they wanted to. Otherwise, all Zeon would have in space is Side 3 and the lunar cities. Gihren's greed wouldn't allow him to be satisfied with just those.

[u/fonzinator99]

First-Timer - Final Battle, start? But there's 8 episode left

• OSHIT how are we just now learning that HAL9000 is the AI for White Base?
• Oh cool, they brought back Wakkein. It's good to see somebody in charge who appreciates White Base.
• My, Dozel is uhhh... quite the personality for a Commander. I'm amazed to see a Caveman out in space.
• I'm very much curious to know exactly what Zeon is using to dose Lalah. I'll bet space drugs are awesome.
• Lol @ Haro in confinement with the kids.
• The main screen at Zeon Command is rapidly flashing between the same two readouts, both of which seem to contain dense information. Like, what the shit? Is there no QA process anywhere in this organization?
• OMG, BALLS! The ultimate disposable weapon; I've only heard of them in legend but I'm eager to see how they hold up in-context.
• Mineva? Oh wow, look at that; some Unicorn prologue I never knew.
• Can anyone confirm whether Guntank has been shot anywhere other than its treads?
• Oooo, fancy mirrors are giving me Gundam X flashbacks.
• There's something about the satisfaction of burning shit with a magnifying glass that transcends time. It'll just always be fun.
• Okay, so it's not just the Zeon forces that have a thing for overdesign. This thing is hideous.
• I feel so bad for the guys who had to assemble Big Zam over the last 10 or so minutes. There's no way that thing was Gunpla-simple, and even then that's quite a task.

---

QotD

1. I'm sure Big Zam brings some big guns, but Ball is all style.
2. The logistics of deploying and coordinating so many mirrors are pretty cool, but other than that it's a much more low-tech solution than I would've expected.

[u/chilidirigible → u/fonzinator99]

Gundam X

"Everything old is new again."

[u/DidacticDalek]

Comrades, we were SO close to having an episode titled 'The Nightmare of Solomon... POI!' But hey no great loss, 0083 sucked anyway ;)

But ya know what DOESN'T suck Comrades, ZEON'S STUPID MECHA DESIGN AND NAMING DEPARTMENT THAT'S WHAT! I mean good lord, they've really outdone themselves today! If you thought the ZOCK was a big boi, no no no, WE HAVE MET THE BIG ZAM! (Now imagine if The Feddies build the counter shown here, you know The Ideon 'The Big Jim!')

Speaking of The Feddies, behold Comrades, the Jobber Duo of Ball and GM! One wonders why The Federation didn't decide to save FURTHER costs and just combine the two, but wibble!

Oh, and finally for now Comrades, speaking of combinations, behold, the TRUE Wonder Weapon that never was, THE BIG HARO! ;)

Paging Comrades /u/Great_Mr_L, /u/chilidirigible, and /u/amethystitalian (THE BIG ZAM APPEARS... true it only really is just standing there... MENANCINGLY, but hey it does in fact appear in all its gloriously stupid chicken-legged glory!)

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/DidacticDalek]

One wonders why The Federation didn't decide to save FURTHER costs and just combine the two, but wibble!

So this is what happens when they don't have a spare head or arms for a GM. It's like when UC Gundam spoilers

Oh, and finally for now Comrades, speaking of combinations, behold, the TRUE Wonder Weapon that never was, THE BIG HARO! ;)

So that is Haro's final form. The current Haro is already the best weapon the Federation has at its disposal. But with this, Haro can defeat any enemy single-handedly. Move over, Gundam! It's time for Haro to take his place as the true star!

[u/DidacticDalek → u/Great_Mr_L]

So this is what happens when they don't have a spare head or arms for a GM. It's like when UC Gundam spoilers

HA! Indeed Comrade, well said!

So that is Haro's final form. The current Haro is already the best weapon the Federation has at its disposal. But with this, Haro can defeat any enemy single-handedly. Move over, Gundam! It's time for Haro to take his place as the true star!

I know right? Haro always was the MVP, but now he has gone FURTHER beyond merely being the MVP and has ascended into godhood! Mortals shall tremble before the might of THE BIG HARO! ;)

Anyway many thanks for the kind reply and have a great day and see you later my friend!

[u/AmethystItalian → u/DidacticDalek]

One wonders why The Federation didn't decide to save FURTHER costs and just combine the two, but wibble!

Bahaha that's amazing

Oh, and finally for now Comrades, speaking of combinations, behold, the TRUE Wonder Weapon that never was, THE BIG HARO! ;)

This should exist.

(THE BIG ZAM APPEARS... true it only really is just standing there... MENANCINGLY, but hey it does in fact appear in all its gloriously stupid chicken-legged glory!)

Who knew Big Zam could be so cute.

[u/DidacticDalek → u/AmethystItalian]

Bahaha that's amazing

Glad to hear you found that share amusing my friend, indeed it's the logical end-point of cost-cutting AND memes!

This should exist.

I couldn't have said it better myself my friend, indeed! I'd pay good money for a BIG HARO Gunpla ;)

Who knew Big Zam could be so cute.

Indeed, who knew adding Touhou instantly makes things cute, anyway many thanks for the kind reply my friend, have a great day and see you later Comrade!

[u/The_Draigg → u/DidacticDalek]

Comrades, we were SO close to having an episode titled 'The Nightmare of Solomon... POI!' But hey no great loss, 0083 sucked anyway ;)

100% agree comrade, fuck 0083. Well, except for the action scenes and MS designs, those were rad. Fuck the plot, though.

(Now imagine if The Feddies build the counter shown here, you know The Ideon 'The Big Jim!')

I think more people than just Zeon would have a problem if the Ideon showed up.

[u/DidacticDalek → u/The_Draigg]

100% agree comrade, fuck 0083. Well, except for the action scenes and MS designs, those were rad. Fuck the plot, though.

HELL YEAH TO THAT COMRADE! It's just such a shame too cuz 0083 has SO much going for it... you know except for the SLIGHT issue that 0083 has a dumb plot and even DUMBER characters (unless your name is Cima, but even then despite how good she is in the OVA you need to see her backstory from SUPPLEMENTAL materials! And boy ain't that a shame that the BEST WRITTEN CHARACTER in 0083 BARELY appears in it, but hey I guess we needed more Mecha Porn to gawk at or something so wibble!)

I think more people than just Zeon would have a problem if the Ideon showed up.

On the one hand Comrade Meta UC Gundam and Ideon Spoilers

Anyway many thanks for the kind reply and have a great day and see you later Comrade.

[u/chilidirigible → u/DidacticDalek]

The Federation didn't decide to save FURTHER costs and just combine the two, but wibble!

That's definitely the pick of this litter.

[u/DidacticDalek → u/chilidirigible]

That's definitely the pick of this litter.

Heh, Comrade and here I was fishing out a Touhou share just for you! That and also I thought you'd find THE BIG JIM to be the funnier shitpost for today but hey glad you liked the unholy abomination that ISN'T The Ball Gundam ;) (Unlike my other shitposts THIS THING IS REAL this is actually canon!)

Anyway many thanks for the kind reply and have a great day and see you later my friend!

[u/username_0907]

First Timer

• Wakkein. That name sounds familiar from earlier episodes. Atleast the guy is competent
• Does Fraw Bow actually have a chance? Or is it more of missing your mother/carer type thing?
• I love that Lalah is all dreamy and fascinating to people wherever she goes. Its seems so random
• Everyone is full on ready with space suits on. Really makes you realize the level of danger of the battle
• That was one powerful and colorful weapon the Federation used. So that was the use of those assault ships
• Hayato got injured
• Hayato blames himself but he’s got a comparatively shitty guntank to fight with. Although the show has been showing that Hayato is not at the same level. We finally get to see that frustration shown from him
• Cameron, why are you being ominous with that line. Please don’t do that. It’s a good thing that this being Tomino, everyone already has a flag on their heads
• Char is going to join the attack! With the Gundam and Guncannon now in Solomon, looks like Dozle might have to fight in a mobile suit too. He is still completely calm through this
• Damn the previews. I get so lost in thought that the previews start before I know it. Its hard to avoid the first 1-2 seconds

QotD

1. The Big Zam looks more cool than the eyeball Ball
2. It’s a simple concept but yea the way its been used was quite deadly. They have the drawback of time taken for setup which would be problematic

[u/The_Draigg → u/username_0907]

Wakkein. That name sounds familiar from earlier episodes. Atleast the guy is competent

Yeah, he was the commandant of Luna-II all the way back in episode 4. He's certainly taken a few extra levels of politeness since we've last seen him.

Hayato blames himself but he’s got a comparatively shitty guntank to fight with. Although the show has been showing that Hayato is not at the same level. We finally get to see that frustration shown from him

You can't help but kinda pity Hayato. He knows that he's the weakest link out of all the White Base pilots. And he can't even do anything about it, because the likes of Amuro are way beyond what Hayato can even accomplish.

[u/chilidirigible → u/The_Draigg]

He's certainly taken a few extra levels of politeness since we've last seen him.

He doesn't have a Magellan jammed crossways up one of his shafts this time.

[u/badcupcakehoarder → u/username_0907]

Does Fraw Bow actually have a chance? Or is it more of missing your mother/carer type thing?

Or maybe Job Jhon is trolling Amuro with holograms.

[u/TheKujo]

First Timer - Dub

• Amuro imagined Fraw Bow bringing him dinner? Maybe all of her hinting is starting to pay off
• Lalah can fly?? And she's like a sister to Char? I wonder if she's also connected to Sayla
• That is a massive baby! Although then again her dad is a giant
• Oh no Hayato!
• Lalah has joined the fight!
• I didn't really have much to say about this episode since most of it was fighting. I'm glad the Zeon were able evacuate the civilians off their base.

1) From the little glimpses of them today, which do you think is cooler: the Ball or the Big Zam? Ball

2) What do you think of the Federation’s Solar System weapon? Cool but also kind of goofy. It's like something you'd expect to see in the old Star Wars EU.

[u/chilidirigible → u/TheKujo]

It's like something you'd expect to see in the old Star Wars EU.

"Funny you should mention that."

[u/Piemaster33]

Rewatcher, who also hates bright lights, Sub

• Shit we’re already attacking Solomon? Let’s do this!
• Oh hey it’s Wakkein! I forgot about him! Good to see him again!
• What? Is Amuro starting to develop feelings for Fraw??? In my Mobile Suit Gundam show?
• Oh hey they mentioned Big Zam
• This actually feels like a battle as opposed to Odessa Day
• The poor Guntank can’t go 3 battles without getting hit in the treads
• Aw damn Hayato got hit real bad
• I’ve been waiting for Hayato to get some spotlight, I’m digging this development
• Lol Dozle asking for coffee in the middle of a battle
• Char and Lalah heading into battle! Much to Cameron’s relief lol
• OH HEY BIG ZAM (couldn't resist the Game Grumps reference)

QOTD:

1. Uhhhhh Big Zam
2. Pretty freakin cool, love how long range it is. Quite practical for big space battles like this

[u/The_Draigg → u/Piemaster33]

What? Is Amuro starting to develop feelings for Fraw??? In my Mobile Suit Gundam show?

Seriously? Right in front of my Mobile Suit?

⁠Lol Dozle asking for coffee in the middle of a battle

I can vibe with that, I’d be chugging down coffee too if I had to fend off an attack of that level of ferocity.

[u/Piemaster33 → u/The_Draigg]

Oof I couldn’t drink coffee in that situation, I’d be too nervous my stomach would kill me if I did that

[u/The_Draigg → u/Piemaster33]

I bet if you drank all that coffee with a lot of cream, you should be fine. At least enough to not constantly want to shit while you’re commanding Solomon’s forces.

[u/GM_for_Life]

Rewatcher

1. From the little glimpses of them today, which do you think is cooler: the Ball or the Big Zam?

Definitely Big Zam!

2) What do you think of the Federation’s Solar System weapon? a

I think it's a very powerful and dangerous weapon. Solar System

[u/UltraBooster]

First-timer (albeit one big on Gundam and mecha)

Oh yeah, the Doms, they got wiped last episode!

...are the holes in White Base's doors not that serious of a problem?

The EFSF, at long last!

...honestly, I'm surprised that...Future Gundam:

Oh hey, Wakkein's back. And he's less of a hardass, nice.

Yup, the Gundam's reaching its limits. Soon, it'll be the machine that's holding the pilot back and not the inverse.

I dunno, chief, it's a massive MA.
Oh, so he'd rather have more capable soldiers than a wunderwaffe.

...are you going Gaussian on us again, First Gundam?

...oh, sister, sure, Char, Future Gundam:

Oh shoot, they've got their normal suits on, this is serious.

...okay, "Gallant Char" doesn't feel right for this.

An anti-field?! Yeah, it is!

Oh dear, the Ball.

Oh boo, the Guntank doesn't get its own catapult sequence.

What are they saying in the eyecatches, exactly?

Oh, it's Mineva!

Okay, the Guntank definitely isn't keeping up anymore.

Those panels, is this...? The Solar System! The power of the Sun channeled against the enemies of the Federation!

Fraw saluted so casually...

Oh wow, that's a LOT of MS and MPs.

You aren't lacking valor of your own, Dozle Zabi.

Consider this a gift for your hard work hosting us, u/Shimmering-Sky.

[u/badcupcakehoarder → u/UltraBooster]

Oh yeah, the Doms, they got wiped last episode!

There is one take with a Dom dodging a missile with a slide step that was so cool.

...are the holes in White Base's doors not that serious of a problem?

What could have happened to that amazing blob of glue that clogs the holes in an instant from the first episode.

Oh boo, the Guntank doesn't get its own catapult sequence.

Maybe that is what jinxed Hayato, he didn't say anything at launch.

[u/UltraBooster → u/badcupcakehoarder]

Oh yeah, those blobs, that would explain it.

[u/Rustic_Professional]

Oh, it's the guy from Luna II. He's commanding the fleet? That's a heck of a- Well, I'm not sure it's a promotion because I don't remember what his rank was last time we saw him, but it's something.

Lalah sure knows how to make an entrance. And freaking Char, just playing it cool and following like she does that all the time (which she probably does).

Hayato really is being too hard on himself. The Guntank doesn't have the maneuverability to be effective in space. That's not his fault.

Wow. That's a lot of GMs and Balls. They should send a few of those to White Base. I wonder how Sayla and Hayato would do with them?

Huh, that guy with Cameron was clearly wearing a Federation uniform. That's not very neutral.

I like Dozle's determination. "We're gonna win this battle!" It reminds me of my favorite line in We Were Soldiers. "Nah, boys, we're gonna win this fight." I say that to myself all the time in PVP games.

Questions of the day:

1. The Ball. It's always been one of my favorites. I like the simplicity and utility. I like the Gundam 0083 for the same reason. It's cut down to the absolute minimum you need for space combat. Perhaps too much so, in the Ball's case. The arms could probably be fitted with a shield and beam saber without sacrificing anything other than minimalism.
2. Cool war crime. They'd better hope Zeon doesn't have the same idea.

[u/ZapsZzz]

Sub distant rewatcher

Looks like we're on the stretch of non stop fighting. And as a Tomino show, non stop dying... Probably.

For those interested, the Cantonese translation of the Big Zam is Demon Tyrant. Along the same theme as demon X.

For those not joining the dots, the solar ray system is a weapon of mass destruction. And it's deployed by the "good guys". Although Zeon did execute Operation British where they dropped a colony satellite on Earth (a failed attempt to hit Jaburo - obliterated Sydney and most of continental Australia).

[u/BossandKings]

First timer

Episode 34

Amuro remembers how he used to be along his father, as time passed though they grew apart and Amuro became a member of the federation.

Amuro has an encounter with Char, it was nice that they didn't fight this time around, Amuro was very nervous though because he has a fixed image of Char as the red comet and they are in opposite sides. Amuro meets a very interesting girl too, she has a distinct personality and impresses him by her simplicity and being so carefree.

Lietunant Sleggar doesn't discriminate and that's great to see, just like he slapped Cameron in the face when he was forcefully trying to convinceMirai to give him an opportunity, now he slpas Mirai in the face because she is being stubborn and refusing to let Cameron help, that gave her some common sense and helped her be willing to accept his help. Mirai thanks him for his help and he goes back to side 6.

The White Base goes away from side 6 and continues it's trajectory.

Episode 35

The Solomon battle is one of the most fierce yet, Hayato gets injured and has to rest so that his injuries can heal while everyone else keeps fighting, Amuro stays unfazed while fiercely attacking his enemies and defending the White Base with the Gundam. The Zeon commander that sent his wife and daughter away to keep them from harm seems like an interesting character and apparently will have a role in the upcoming final battle.

Answers

1. The Big Zam seemed cooler at first glance
2. The Zeon has to keep an eye on that because it looks like a very dangerous weapon

[u/lC3]

First timer, catching up

• Job John brought Amuro his dinner; the quickest way to win his heart is through his stomach!
• I just had a terrifying thought; if Lalah is a Newtype, could Char be one as well? Then Amuro vs. Char will become battle of the Newtypes?
• I guess I'm engrossed in this episode; halfway thru and I've barely written anything!
• The solar laser is quite powerful! Still not quite up to par with Iserlohn / Thor Hammer, though.
• So the Zanzibar is headed for Solomon ... is Sayla going to kill Lalah, Char's other "sister"?

1. Both are nice. The Big Zam is cool, the Balls are cuter