Gundam Build Fighters: Battlogue · review
Many, if not most, gundam freaks have their own gundam(s) inside their imagination. Gundam Build series help us that, by freeing our imagination far and wide inside gundam universe. This concept is very spectacular, especially for gundam freaks, it's kind of heavenly. But concept doesn't always executed properly. Gundam build series anime fall exactly at this point. Except this one title : Battlogue. GBF Battlogue is all about gundam battle in a particular setting. So there's only thin story, except the story of battle itself - if we can call that a story. Despite its thin story, the quality of that story speaks quite well. Eachepisode has their own story, most are little expansions of stories from GBF anime season 1 and 2. That is a good thing, even more so because it's written with consistency.
Another aspect of story that Battlogue has a very high point is the references for Gundam universe. In such a short episode, there are some (if not many) references shown to please gundam freaks. Dig it deep, swim in the gundam universe, and we'll know how to appreciate those references.
Gundam Build series always falls in the aspect of animation, except for a few, early episodes in season 1-3. Battlogue, however, gave us one of the best animation in Gundam Build series in each episode. The animation is fluid, quite clear, nice colored, with many movements, etc. Such a pleasant thing to watch. It is important to note that Battlogue animation has more "realistic" feels than "shounen-ic" feels like season 1-2 (meaning, Battlogue isn't that flashy)
Another pleasant thing in Gundam Build series is the strong feel of "shounen" vibe. Im not talking about flashiness here, but a feel that make our heart trembles in excitement. It makes our heart unrest with such a joyful flame inside. The battle animation surely gives us this vibe, but the musics amplify this vibe by leaps and bounds. The musics have such a strong nuance of shounen and very fit to the battles shown. One can't help but feel "something is very lacking" when watching gunpla battle without a proper music. But nothing to worry, Battlogue gave us the best for this aspect.
To conclude this review, GBF Battlogue is the best Gundam Build series ever, because it could execute the concept very well. Im well aware that we can't fully see this title as a separate thing from GBF season 1 and 2, but nevertheless it has different title and the quality differs greatly from the previous seasons. For Gundam Build fans, it's recommended to watch Battlogue as a pretty nice, closing, after-taste from season 1 and 2.