Review of Mobile Suit Gundam: GQuuuuuuX

DISCLAIMER: I have not watched any other Gundams and in fact have hardly watched any mecha (besides Code Geass and...oh god Guilty Crown I'm so old) I really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really REALLY wish this series was 2 seasons like the past Gundam series apparently were There is no avoiding it. This series is an absolute mess. Our main leads have "arcs", but they feel like sudden plot points rather than proper progression and don't get to interact nearly as much as I would have wanted. Like suddenly, this character needs to feel angry,suddenly this conflict between these two characters needs to be resolved. There is way too much going on for such a short series, between multiverses, political feuds, an initial premise that gets turned on its head halfway through, and tons upon tons of undercooked characters. There's a ton of jargon and references to other Gundam shows that makes it difficult for me as a new view to keep up with (Episode 2 was pretty much a non-starter for me). And, well, there's still a big reliance on "hype moments and aura". The fact that this series started development in *2018* is just a sign that this series had a troubled development, and it would explain a lot since that's the same year Spiderverse came out (which I am absolutely sure this anime owes a lot to).

Anyways, Gundam GQuuuuuuux is the first anime series (not counting movies) I've finished watching as it aired since Assassination Classroom and it reminded me why I fucking love this medium.

What hooked me to GQuuuuuux was its colorful sense of its style, its visuals and animation, its wonderful soundtrack, and its premise. Holy crap, I love the premise of young people stumbling upon a mecha and getting roped into doing illegal underground combat for the purposes of making money and getting some excitement in their lives. Yes, the premise isn't at all reflective of how the series shakes out. And yes, I really really wish Nyaan and Machu got more development. But...god damn it, I love these two characters. I love Nyaan's desire to find a life that fulfills her after losing everything, and her uneasiness with people, her bright and ecstatic highs and her cold and lonely lows. I love Machu being this goofy ass high school shonen angsty teenager who somehow got roped into having to pilot a mech for criminals and using it to make her life feel less mundane. I treasure every moment I get to spend with these eccentric dorks and their journey to free themselves from the world around them. I adore stories about multiple normal characters wanting to lead normal lives, but are forced to enter fights involving powers far beyond their understanding, and have to fight not to "save the world", but simply for their own inner peace and the people and small world they care about. And that ending...man. I know it was a big dose of "hype moments and aura", I know that last bit was way too painfully short, but...I JUST LOVE THESE CHARACTERS AAAAAAAAAA

There is a hole in my heart after finishing this series. I can't tell what exactly is the cause. Is it disappointment? Do I wish this series was more than it was? Or is the fact that I can't accept that this is the last we'll see of these characters and that their story is likely finished? I mean, I guess in that case I should be upset that the show is rushed and I don't feel satisfied with the journey I had with these characters. But...in a modern anime landscape where there is so much coming out, so many high quality fantasy and shonen anime that I just can't bring myself to care about, so much isekai, I am just glad there exists a messy-ass, but passionate, human-focused, and gorgeous-looking sci-fi anime I can have fun with. I'm glad this made it out of its 7 year development alive and I got to meet these characters at all.

Should you watch Gundam GQuuuuuux? Unless you're already a big Gundam fan, or you're a sci-fi loving freak like me who sees the beauty in the messiest pieces of media, absolutely not.

In fact, this is maybe a sign I should develop better taste and watch FLCL and Gurren Lagann...and other Gundams...and Evangelion...and fuck it, I should probably watch Symphogear too. Or maybe I'll give up on anime series again and return to manga and anime movies.

But the fact remains...this is what pulled me back into watching anime.

Thank you, Gundam Gquuuuuux, for reminding me why I love anime.