Kita ze Inbou! - キタぜ陰謀!

[ Episode 16: Trinity ]

Despite being partly a recap episode I really enjoyed it. The Thrones made some pretty awesome entrances and I can’t wait to see what effect Nena, Johann, and Michael have on the story. I particularly like Nena as she is so cute and her Gundam is pretty slick. All of the Thrones have some pretty neat abilities though and those fangs were impressive. I couldn’t tell what they were at first but I knew that they were laying down the ownage. Still, I can only imagine what Setsuna and the other Meisters are thinking right now. They had no idea another three Gundams existed. I’m not sure but Sumeragi either didn’t know of their existence or didn’t expect them to show up but I’m guessing that’ll be cleared up in the next episode.

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[ Episode 15: Broken Wings ]

Holy shit! This is the best episode of the series yet! Tons of action that constantly pumped excitement through my veins. Even though the entire engagement was beyond unfair I have to say that it was well planned. Using hundreds upon hundreds of mobile suits to bombard he Gundams and keep them from fleeing would no doubt cause the pilots tremendous amounts of stress and exhaustion. Fifteen hours isn’t easy to survive and performance will suffer immensely. Lockon was one of the easiest to see because he comment on how numb his fingers/tips were getting after having to shoot for so long. Setsuna was pretty tired as well and was pretty sluggish when he went up against Ali at the end of the episode. Luckily, he was saved by a brand new Gundam that destroyed Ali’s extra armor. Somehow I don’t think this is going to sit well with Setsuna’s mental state regarding him ‘becoming a Gundam’.

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[ Episode 14: Dawn of Determination ]

So a huge war is about to start in the guise of an “exercise”. Only the public and a fool would believe the latter. Like it was said in the episode, moving troops and especially mobile suits costs a ton of money and they’re only spending that money for one thing: for a chance to capture a Gundam. I’m pretty sure that this means that the Gundam Meisters are going to be in trouble. Sure they have very advanced mobile suits but constant fire and seemingly endless enemies coming at them will even take a toll on the Gundams if it lasts long enough.

As for the characters I had various thoughts during the episode. Regarding Saji and Louise, I’m wondering when their importance will come to light. Aside from giving us a civilian viewpoint of the events taking place in the world and providing some comic relief they really haven’t done anything noteworthy as yet. Sumeragi yet again intrigues me and again she makes me interested in where her character development is heading. Oh, and I can’t not mention that wonderful fanservice shot of her coming out of the shower.

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[ Episode 13: Return of the Saint ]

I really liked this episode! Part of the reason was that Setsuna has more exposure and development that in previous episodes. I enjoyed the scenes where he met up with Graham and the other guy, I though his acting was pretty good. Only Graham wasn’t convinced that he was just a civilian. Also, I wonder if he meant to help Setsuna out by mentioning that the Enact was around the area? There’s just no way he’d really accidentally let important information like that just be “the slip of the tongue”. Another other notes, I was quite surprised that someone actually made it so far as Marina’s room to try and kill her but I suppose that they wouldn’t have the best security compared to other nations. Well, at least the guards were lightning fast at responding to the threat.

The latter half that took place which Setsuna proceeding towards the palace unarmed was just so damn intense that I was sitting on the edge of my chair. I’m pretty sure putting up with being shot at took a lot of willpower but it payed off in the end as they managed to show the world their resolve. I liked the Setsuna/Marina interaction as well and I hope that they are able to meet on more private terms soon. Still though, Marina was taking a big risk at shouting out Setsuna’s name like that. Who knows who could have heard or been recording her.

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[ Episode 12: At Doctrine's End... ]

Ah yes, it’s about time there was (another?) Setsuna-centric episode. Even more so it takes place in his home country where the lovely Marina is also residing. Which of course raises the chances of them meeting than if they were any where else on Earth (or in space lol). Anyway, this episode reminded me about just how ridiculous religious differences can be when they lead to war. There’s nothing that really can be done about them except hope that those involved don’t remain as total idiots. Though, as shown in this episode that kind of reality is too optimistic. Marina was pretty much disturbed with the whole coup de ‘trait going down so suddenly and can’t help but waver in her thoughts. Shiri, like her or not, is there to make sure she doesn’t fall into despair though which brings some comfort.

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[ Episode 11: Allelujah ]

I find myself enjoying Gundam 00 with each and every passing episode. This one was no different and it focused one of the more interesting Gundam Meisters: Allelujah. If there’s one thing that this episode shows is that everyone has to face their pasts at some point in their lives. It just so happened that Allelujah’s time came and when it all boiled down he had no other choice but to wipe out that super soldier facility. I can only imagine how hard it is to do something like that. That is, erasing the lives of those like yourself who were being tortured for the purpose of modification and eventually having a purpose to solely stand on the battlefield for the rest of their lives. Allelujah/Hallelujah and Soma are two exceptions to that last been though and thankfully so. Still, I wonder just what kind of effect will his actions live upon him. Though I guess I’ll just have to wait and see where he goes from here.

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[ Episode 10: Operation Gundam Capture ]

Now that was really the best episode in the series so far. Watching everything unfold left me without words for some time. Both Kyrios and Virtue were so close to being captured but they both had backups. Allelujah having passed out from his pain gave way for Hallelujah to awaken and wreak havoc. He really gave Soma a hard time by consistently blasting her with his rifle, not even giving her a chance to get close. He’s a pretty awesome guy though and I can’t wait to see more of him in the future, even though I really like Allelujah. Tiera was surprising though. Yeah, he was going to destroy the vessal Kyrios was in but thankfully he was stopped. During his own struggles he unveiled his Gundam’s secret…it has another form named GN-004 NADLEEH. Of course, he proceeded to kick ass in this form but was pretty torn over having to use the secret so early in the plans. It was strange to see him referring to this Veda person (or could it be the AI?) and switching between all the different forms of “I”. Looks like we have another identity-confused individual here.

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[ Episode 9: A Great Nation's Dignity ]

Wow. This has been one of the best episodes of the entire series so far. Celestial Being’s ability is really being put to the test with Sergei and Soma leading the HRL forces. Sumeragi did her best to construct her strategy and I can understand her frustration with being off with her predictions since I too would have assumed they’d go after Ptolemaios first and then the Gundams, not the other way around. The Gundams themselves are also having a hard time. Setsuna can’t wander too far away from Ptolemaios because the defensive line would break. Lockon (whose name is revealed to be Neil) can’t move from his container because his repairs for Dynames’ legs aren’t done. Both Allelujah and Tiera were lured away from the others and by the end of the episode Allelujah and Kyrios are lead into a minefield and also confronted by Soma and her troops. What makes things…er…worse…is that he’s experiencing the same New Type reaction he did a few episodes ago. Are we going to see some ass kicking next episode? Will Soma experience the same thing as well and go nuts? Things are getting very exciting, that’s for sure. ^__^

I’m also interested in seeing more of Felt as she is quickly becoming one of my favorite characters in Ptolemaios and in general.

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[ Episode 8: Indiscriminate Retribution ]

WHOA @ Sumeragi and her bikini. She sure knows how to take sexy to an insanely high level.

I really love the way everything is presented in Gundam 00. The story is developing quite nicely and the way politics is used is just amazing. The characters are all getting attention in varying degrees. Though of course, it could be better. Speaking of which, Lockon got some development in this episode as it seems his family was killed in a terrorist attack when he was younger. It only makes sense, after seeing that, that he’s so intent on taking out terrorists.

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[ Episode 7: Unrewarding Spirit ]

Being a Gundam Meister is tough business. Especially when one of your teammates is a purple-haired douchebag.

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