Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans

Episode 3

Who would have thought that episode three of Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans would make good on the promise of a title as dramatic as "Glorious Demise"? This episode raised the body count once again while establishing a new balance of power that better shows the main cast's true colors. It's a gripping portrayal of war that does not directly resemble any Gundam series that precedes it, leaving us all in suspense.

In the whole of the Gundam universe, I can't recall another hero quite as cold or jaded as Mikazuki Augus. Gundam Wing's Heero Yuy certainly threatens to kill a lot of people, but he's nowhere near as efficient as the hero of Iron-Blooded Orphans, who kills exactly as many people as he says he will. There's no moral conflict in Mikazuki, who does whatever Orga tells him. Last episode, Orga handed him a gun and a mission, and Mikazuki accepted before he even heard what Orga wanted him to do. This episode, he shoots several people at point blank with an impassive look on his face, and then goes off to calmly eat raisins. Why should he be upset when all he did was follow Orga's orders? It's not that Mikazuki has a passion for killing, but “I was told by Orga to kill you” is all the explanation he needs to give to Crank.

It's funny that Orga doesn't think Crank is being honest—he's probably the most honest person around in this episode. Crank's weakness is that he sees Mikazuki and the other “children” of Mars as victims. He's the most morally good antagonist we've been presented with, challenging Mikazuki to a duel out of a sense of honor. “Children should not be victimized for adult strifes,” Crank offers up in half-apology, and Mikazuki becomes furious. “I've never been victimized for anything,” he insists, claiming free will for his actions. However, it's hard to believe coming the man who is essentially Orga's dog. We've seen the same flashback several times—Mikazuki standing in a pool of blood, calmly asking Orga, “what should I do now?” It's a dangerous relationship this show is exploring, and we can only imagine how powerless Orga would become if Mikazuki ever questioned the nature of this dirty work. I'm not putting the blame on Orga here, and neither is the show. Mikazuki knows exactly what he's doing, but a redemption arc where he decides to go his own way is definitely a possibility.

Meanwhile, Orga is making a name for himself as a calculating leader. The plan he concocted last episode was to drug and capture the First Corps. With them out of the way and the “orphans” in charge, Orga considers the suggestion of a man who looks like Hitler and debates whether or not to exchange Kudelia with people who want her dead so they can get money. This show is getting astoundingly dark very quickly. Just like these “orphans” have been exposed to bloodshed and forced to grow up early, this show is Gundam at its most grown-up. Against a background of energetic music and gorgeous sunsets, humanity is looking pretty darn disappointing. From this viewpoint I don't foresee a happy ending for Mikazuki and Kudelia or a clean victory for Tekkadon (as the orphans now call themselves). Still, with characters that I can't rely on to do the right thing, I have no idea what's coming next—and I love it.

Rating: A

Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans is available streaming at Daisuki.net and Funimation.com.

Lauren writes about anime and journalism at Otaku Journalist.