Huh, oh yea uh Gundam…
For the preservation of our blue and pure world! Wait that’s not right…
Well that sure ended with a bang, I have to hand it to them I do feel a bit excited for the second season even if Graham’s inclusion and subsequent masking was rather tacked on and in the grand scheme of things a bit poorly built up. Still Ali and Patrick live! I take solace in knowing my favorite character and reigning king of the leader board will return to make those CB terrorist wankers pay dearly for their insolence…
Full Size (Hard to believe that Corner got 2nd place…)
Yeah you did it man. Congratulations for winning second place. Corner Banzai!
Look no one likes a sore loser. Now if you can dupe some guy to go around fighting in a hideous looking GM variant with gold plate armor then we can talk…
So yeah Setsuna beats Corner in a pretty fight with lost of lasers, weapon clashes, and yelling. It was pretty, but Corner’s Golden GM looked tacky and ugly. My first thought was that a lesser version of Wing Zero had come back. Well at least Corner wasn’t dual wielding Buster Rifles though I am sure by the end of the duel he wished he had also paid for Char’s ejection system or a corefighter upgrade. If nothing else Corner did kill off that tool Lassie whom I liken to Biggs Darklighter. It really says something when Corner was able to give the trained meister a run for his money when thing went mecha on mecha. The complete rejection of the Trial System as their ace in the hole and subsequent touting of that Kurdish brat annoys me. Perhaps they forgot about the system, like how they almost forgot all about Graham.
Only now at the end do you realize…
Hey Graham you got this?
Well put Graham, well put.
The Graham and Exia fight was fun, since I took immense joy from seeing Exia being cut into pieces. However it seems really tacked on and they certainly could have included Graham in the prior operations so that at least the Chivalrous Graham’s descent in to madness would have been legitimatized. He seemed pretty damn mellow while he waited for Billy to pimp his ride. I would have bought Graham’s new out look on life if he had watched all his men die under his command while he fought at his best to no avail. Graham’s being AWOL for the biggest operation was a crime. If he wanted to fight in a FLAG he could have taken another one instead while his was getting a new engine. There was really no reason why Graham could not have been there to see his men get shot to pieces by the Gundams he loves/hates so much. Well I can sort of see why Graham was ever so late to the party, the Union Air Force. I suppose if the UAF was descended from the USAF then Graham probably got held up by paper work and spent more time on the tarmac than the battlefield. As they say the unofficial motto of the transport fleet is “hurry up and wait.” Also hopefully this is the last time Graham elects to use such poor choice in diction. Me thinks they should have just gone for the 1 hour special rather than cram everything in less than 30 minutes they took. Even as pretty as it was it still did not help either in getting any where near Ali’s record.
Well not quite as manly as Reuntal, or as cute as Suiseiseki. I give this heterochromia my lowest score ever…5 thumbs up.
The fog it does nothing…to conceal your hawtness mien Leutnant.
Let me guess she caught you staring lewdly…
Speaking of the leader board Ali still being king was hardly ever in doubt and his survival means that Lockon pretty much died for nothing. That makes me happy as Lockon had failed as a marksman. Still I can’t believe that Corner is ranked #2 for almost raping Al and Tieiria. The Unknown Soldier also got ranked #3 for wiping out the bridge, thus beating out every UN ace except for Ali. The next surprising bit is that now that Tieiria basically went where Lockon was, and that means Patrick gets ranked fourth. Patrick is indeed the luckiest and by far the second best fully named ace in the new Federation beating out Sergei, Soma, and Graham. Katie did indeed make a man out of him. So to all those Patrick haters fuck you all of you; Patrick has more Frags and Almost Raped than the much vaunted GARham Acre, the lovely Soma, and the burly Sergei. If you needed any more proof about the absolute suckage of Sumeragi’s pilots one need only look to realize that Hal was their top ranked guy and all he got was two Almost Raped. Nena even beat out all of them by helping off Eifman. It’s kind of sad how the Union pilots fared so poorly compared to the AEU pilots. Taken all together the AEU has done more for the Federation than either the HRL or Union.
She is fighting…for love.
Damn it Sergei give her a hug.
I’d demand a kissu at this point but those face shields are in the way.
Get over it she likes old dudes with biceps and six packs, not scrawny girls with bad hair pretending to be boys.
Well the Hal/Al vs. Soma and Sergei fight was actually the best part for me. The pulling back his hair was silly, but heterochromia made up for it even if it was not as pronounced as Oskar Ruental or Suiseiseki. It was good to see that Soma and Sergei were getting along so well, though they really must clarify their relationship; father/daughter or something more? I do not want to see another daddy-con relationship in a Sunrise production or any other production. Sad to see Hal go, but hopefully Al will follow though in all likelihood they are going to keep the sissy half of Haptism around to elaborate on how he knows Soma. If Al has any pretensions of trying to bring back Marie, I hope Sergei breaks him in half. Katie also makes it out alive and her idiot comes back too. I am glad that they will be with us for Act II. Perhaps they can go on a double date with Sergei and Soma.
Dude there is fashionably late and then there is Acre late. One of them will get you dumped.
Good now use that the next time you meet a girl…
That mask is…fuck it just go…just hope she/he has a thing for masks. BTW avoid the brothels and chicks named Lala.
Ali is back bitches and he is going to not only be badass he’s going to be badass while downing hard liquor. Huzzah! I hope that Ali plans on going back home to make war in Princess Ismail’s backyard now that Shirin has left. I cannot wait to see Azadistan go to hell in a hand basket, compliments of Ali and the real Kurds. No doubt that traitor to the Kurdish people Setsuna is going to try and protect the Azadistani occupiers and I hope Ali guts him in front of the princess just to hear her scream in terror, it would also make a good ring tone too. Not sure why Graham needs a mask now since we all know who he is and even Char ditched his silly head gear once he got outed. Take a lesson from the master just use sunglasses. Still it’s not the most elegant thing in the world and one can only hope that he gets a real custom suit this time so he can go about and kick CB arse.
You see when a clone meets a corpse they start to get feelings for one another they then get married and…
This health ed film was brought to you by GQ magazine subscribe today! (from the blokes at /m/)
…they then have kids, lots of kids.
So Ms. Wang is scheming something and has kept Nena around. Though judging by Nena’s new eye color I hope Ribbons has turned Nena into a sleeper agent to keep tabs on Wang’s plotting. I hope Ribbons is going to rape Wang figuratively and literally, but not sexually because those who get hanky panky have not long to live. Not sure what Ribbons is planning but I do hope he makes life difficult for those insolent terrorists who continue to struggle for Gundam even after the world has formed the Federation. I suspect Ms. Wang is not happy because some African beat her in the last election.
Sleep well mein Oberst you have earned it.
Bring out your dead. Bring out your dead…
Where Katie leads Patrick follows. All of you who doubted the luck of Patrick I accept your tears of anguish, and no they are not manly.
All in all it was an ambitious series that promised a lot and had more plot threads than they really could handle. The energy crisis, Azadistan, the international rivalry, and Ms. Wang were not really developed and in the second season I hold out little hope. I have lowered my expectations and if they finally do deliver I will be pleasantly surprised, but I can live with more Soma, Sergei, Katie, Ali, and Patrick. Not sure how to feel about Graham, maybe he will be more badass with his mask otherwise he’s competing against Ali for unprincipled bastards, and Ali is definitely in the lead. Hopefully Ribbons will prove his mettle and become hegemon of za wouldo and fuck over Setsuna and the no good Wang where ever they dare show their faces. It will be interesting to see if Ali can maintain his lead over the rest.
Thanks guys really helped them out there…
Is irrelevant.
Yes We Can.
There were some really cringe worthy moments like when ever we had to sit through some Setsuna philosophy in Mariana’s bedchambers, when Virtue got goo all over itself, when Graham described his love for Gundam, when blood diamonds and drugs only took a few bombs to solve. There were moments that did get me excited like when the random terror bombings started (I really hated how that one ended with the destruction of a few bases to bring it all to heel, eh were it so easy), when Louise’s life was crushed by Nena, when the Big Three kicked ass in the desert (Oh the Trinities come to save all of them woo…), when Patrick started to kick ass, and when Ali pulled off his glorious Gundam jack. It was frustrating to see how those CB incompetents always got saved by something (Trans-am, Trinities, GN-Arms), and I have to admit seeing them lose so badly in the end does bring me a lot of satisfaction.
Ya, know if a bomb went off just then it would have made more of an impact.
Yes they are here to pwn you life again. Tell me are there any more sisters in your family? Ali would like to give them a ride. Also please invite Nena to your next wedding.
Those are either contacts, the result of Wang’s 50000 USD special, or the result of Ribbons getting to her first. Either way her eyes don’t look the same. Oh wait it was Arrakeen spice…
I know there is precedent for Lances, but given how Code Geass basically monopolized the concept it’s not the best nor the most inspired decision in the world when Code Geass R2 is coming. That is unless everyone gets a Fuun Saiki…
Overall Grade: B- for the first act
23 Comments
I sure don’t like the ambiguity over Setsuna’s end. Ms. Wang obviously recovered the drive from Exia, but that doesn’t answer if Gundam Jesus is dead and awaiting resurrection or not.
Hopefully, Graham’s mask is only temporary to cover the burns and skin grafts. I’ll bet he opts to have quite a few scars left in place to grant him that grizzled soldier look he just couldn’t pull off before (and he’ll be giving Sergei a run for his money in the facial scar department).
We saw neither Sumeragi or Billy in the epilogue, so maybe they’re off somewhere having lots of consolation sex.
After the end of the first season that I didn’t watch I have these comments to make:
I love the leaderboard concept. In fact, I want to steal it. Please give me permission? Keeps me updated on who’s pwning the most even though I don’t watch the show…which I find to be very awesome.
That GQ pic is the shit…seriously. P.I.M.P
And as always, I love your screen captions. Favorite one this time around: “Setsuna, our existence…is irrelevant.” Lol.
“The fog it does nothing…to conceal your hawtness mien Leutnant.”
When I made that comment about someone somewhere getting turned on I had no idea it was going to be you.
And bravo for really going at this article, I can see the effort (The false magazine cover in particular) and it doesn’t just feel like a spinoff of the Manatees. The rather unnecessary rage is gone and replaced with to the point honesty and even the captions are witty and intelligent (Don’t worry I got all of the references). And a grade B-, I’m a bit suprised considering I thought this series was a failure for you. Or was it just seeing Setsuna and Co. get beat up?
Keep in mind the Spice Melange turned the Fremen’s eyes blue though, not orange.
That “yes we can” caption is so wrong, but so right at the same time. Sergei and Soma cannot be allowed to die ever! And did Nena wander onto the set of Mai Otome or something?
@Will
I am hoping the Kurdi Kid stays dead as per his rabu rabu letter to Mariana, but he’s the main so…he’ll be back. If not Acre gets to tie with Soma in the rankings.
I hope Graham gets a new mask or at least gets a Glasgow smile. Hehe.
I don’t think they having all nighters that way. Billy seems destined to rely on lotion and tissue and Sumeragi is probably giving blow jobs for booze at this point.
@rieuzedx
The leaderboard is owned by no man, take the concept and run with it. Good luck on thinking of achievements.
The GQ thing was the best thing I saw today on /m/. He is Ali, Setsuna will lose bend over and prepare to get a boot up…
@Kaioshin
You doubt the loveliness of Soma in love?! We do not tolerate such heresy around here, go apologize to the Wild Bear and accept you wild kick for disparaging the mascot of the soon to be formed Titans.
The false mag cover was discovered on 4chan I plumb the depths and bring you the best filtered non pr0n stuff they have to offer.
Studio Sunrise is a lazy student the ideas are intriguing, the execution often poor and poorly planned, but this quarter they definitely slacked off only to pass the final. Sergei, Soma, Katie, Patrick, and Ali have acquitted themselves superbly and pass with flying colors, not so much with the rest of them Graham was getting lazy and failed to show up for lecture towards the end. Sumeragi showed up drunk for discussion and her crew not only came in late they often left early disrupting class. Still the class passes or fails as a whole, good thing Katie rallied the hard workers or this class would have failed. (e.g. Yes, if CB had won they would have gotten a failing grade.)
Yes real spice turns the eyes blue, but Nena has poor judgment of dealers…CHOAM is making a killing off her.
@Kabitzin
SergeixSoma forever. Not sure where Nena came from but let the yuri doujins flow! If Sunrise resorts to Mai Otome class Yuri baiting I will give them an A next quarter.
Yes, that man makes serving in the Federation that much more palatable, and why is CB still resisting the Federation. Well I heard that Ms. Wang, hates Negroes…
@Crusader: I’ve always liked Soma’s flatness and piloting ability.
And Sunrise is being graded on how well your favourite characters do in battle. I should take notes. Honestly it seems like a lot of people were just waiting around to see a Gundam blow up before they finally gave the series a pass. If that’s what it takes for them to make their bones I guess….
I blame Destiny again for making Kuroda and Mishizuma have to repair the franchises image by essentially blowing up it’s…..very image. If that’s what pleases you man….and I know it does.
By the way, can we be spelling my name right now? It’s bad enough people constantly butcher my real life name, but do we have to do this online to? *Sulks*
My my, this is a fine study of folks wearing their viewing biases on their sleeves.
*Lit Grad glasses on*
Crusader and Kaioshin: The old soldier has a point, in that Sunrise started the series with several intriguing premises that set it apart from its predecessors, but these were either underdeveloped, brushed aside, or poorly executed — Graham’s growing obsession with the Gundams could have been handled better, for example, as well as his entry in the climactic battle (too late to make a difference). And the pacing, well, despite the fact that the series is meant to span 50 or so episodes, it was uneven, not to mention there were too many ‘distractions’ inserted into the plot. And really, did we really need to have a masked man again?
In the same vein, Kaioshin has points as well — in essence, it’s too quick to judge the series at this junction, as it’s still at the halfway mark. In most Gundam series, this is where things start to hit their stride, or at the very least, narrow their focus. Note that I said most, since even the oft-mentioned Zeta stumbled during its second phase (ugh, Pyscho mk-II arc).
And please, the lances that the new Fed units have their precedents NOT in Geass, but in F91 (they’re called Shot Lancers, and were used to great effect by Crossbones Vanguard against the Feds).
(Just got back from work, continuing on my post)
*glasses off*
For all its underdeveloped themes, hanging plot threads, and other obvious flaws, I still found Gundam 00 enjoyable, since I never came into the show with pre-set expectations (aside from, of course, expecting it to be a Gundam show). And I suspect many of the ‘casual’ viewers did as well, but for the more ’serious’ type of anime fan, who prefer plot coherence, tight pacing, and developments that don’t come out of thin air, well, the show’s mileage might vary.
However, it would also be amiss to call it perfect (I’m looking at you, sir Kaiohshin, since you seem to love to look at Gundam through the colored lens of a longtime fan). It’s a far cry from Turn-A — what non-fandom aligned ‘old hands’ like me consider Gundam done (mostly) right — that’s for sure. I’m awaiting the second act, and see if the production team can fix what needs fixing… As well as the inevitable stream of snark and rounds of debating it’s bound to generate.
the President of the ESF is Barack Obama. Nice.
Ali al-Sarshes’ great2x grandaddy.
Best GQ mag ever. also, i think there is a mistake in the scoreboard because the kurd kid most definitely pwned Corner. Graham’s mask would be closer to a grotesk if you ask me.
I give the series a B for failing to deliver on the politics. it was a rather interesting ride though.
Yo, just wanted to mention that you gave the unknown soldier a point for killing Lockon’s Haro, when Haro is on the same container as Feldt. Remember they left Haro inside Dynames. And shouldn’t Setsuna get a frag for Alejandro? What Ribbons did was more or less teabag Setsuna’s kill. His Golden GM exploded from the damage the Exia caused, not anything Ribbons did. Anyway, fun read.
And remember, kids. This will happen to you too if you don’t play by the rules.
Celestial Being ran out of Fate Points.
@Myssa Rei
I understand that F91 introduced them first, but seeing as how Code Geass adopted it and reach critical mass long before Gundam 00 showed up it still is not the most inspired decision to reintroduce them at this stage in the game. I doubt many of use will ever recall seeing F91 and as one of he lesser known series Gundam F91 may have introduced it, but Code Geass refined it and basically brought the concept to new heights. It’s like Super Mario Bros. vs Super Mario Bros. 3 sure the former birthed the platforming genre, but it was the latter that brought the concept to refinement.
@rollchan
Ali was born from pure win and awesome not some cowardly bastard with a towel on his head who hides in caves.
@Setsuna-san
The GQ freebies wre sweet…
As for Kurdi kid kicking Corner…bah reasoning below.
@Amuro1X
I did not see Haro come back to life did you? So I presume that Haro is KIA until proven otherwise, besides it changes nothing the Unknown Soldier is still ranked third. If Orange Haro comes back then we can make the changes, but until then Haro is dead to me.
As for the Kurdi Kid, bah he wasted time sticking blades into areas that were not Conrner’s cockpit. We all know why Corner died, he died of a broken heart when Ribbons revealed himself as a traitor. Exia merely cremated the corpse. Besides ribbons set up Corner the bomb Corner never would have come out to play had not Ribbons convinced him so. Ribbons needed to be devious to off Corner and spent more time working on his kill, sure Exia helped but that was all according to plan. Sadly Ribboins was unable to convince Corner to use a golden Ball instead, so a GM vs a Gundam was still showed how Ribbons was making everyone dance to his tune. Ribbons worked harder for it while the Kurdish brat just pressed a button.
@Narrator 1
They rolled 1s by the way.
“We all know why Corner died, he died of a broken heart when Ribbons revealed himself as a traitor.”
Okay, I laughed at that. Though even you have to admit the large piece of shrapnel sticking out of Corner’s chest might have had something to do with it too. Oh and..
“Perhaps they forgot about the [trial] system, like how they almost forgot all about Graham.”
It’s not that they forgot about it, they couldn’t use it at all when they were disconnected from the Katamari on the moon. But this is nitpicking at details, so I digress.
@Crusader: was expecting that answer, LOL!!!!!!
I just loved how so many people died in the last couple of episodes! Sad deaths 4tw!
Crusader has an anti-Setsuna bias. But do not worry, when he comes back next season and kills Ali with the GN-00 I will mock Crusader endlessly.
@Amuro1X
Ribbons smashed Corners heart into many more pieces than any mere block of shrapnel. Corner’s heart breaking you say? Just watch the pain on his face when Ribbons called him a clown.
@rollchan
What Ali was born from pure win and awesome.
@Tofumaro
Yes their screams of terror as they died were music to my ears. Mwahahahaha.
@Calawain
Then Ali will be a martyr to the cause and ya know what he will kill more named characters than your “hero.” Ali wants to die in a war leading brave men, just like Patton. Prince Ali Mighty is he.
Crusader, thank you for taking the time out to… comment/satirise this series. It has most definitely made my day! xD I loved your scoreboard cocnept… particularly the notes column!
Gundam 00 definitely had issues with its plot and characterisation, but in the end, I reckon a majority of us watched this purely for the mecha action… I know I did. And as a side note, the second OST for gundam 00 has nice arrangements of the main theme… it’s a vast improvement on the first OST.
The rightmost pretty boy in Ribbons’ harem has the same hairstyle as Nadleeh.
Scoreboard wins the day. Though I had a little bit of a hard time figuring who’s alias was who, it gave me some good mental exercise.
Also spam filter PLEASE don’t eat my comment ._.
@justam
Thanks for reading. I hope the leaderboard concept gets adopted else where. Hopefully I can think of better achievements.
@Shin
Thus we now know who is going to get goo all over himself first. Thanks for the observation comrade.
gotta love your (Frank Hurburt’s)Dune comment.