This article contains spoilers.
Holy shit. If this is indicative of the quality to come from Bandai's latest iteration of their Gundam franchise, then consider me sold. The Witch from Mercury will premiere in October, featuring a new timeline, characters and ideas, much like Iron Blooded Orphans that preceded it by some 6 years.
It's a clever strategy, setting up the background to the upcoming series quite some time before what will be "current events", with our protagonist, Eri, a mere 4 years old and already placed in the centre of events. Her parents are involved in a GUND-ARMS project, wherein mobile suits are linked directly to the user via a neural interface that can take a heavy toll on the user. The central conflict revolves around a new organisation, Cathedra, that claims any weapon that requires a pilot to sacrifice themselves to kill is unethical (though I'd argue the opposite is actually true). As such, the research conducted by Eri's parents is to be stopped with lethal force.
In one short episode I've come to love both characters
At 24 minutes, I'm amazed at what they've packed in here. It never felt rushed, but there's enough character and world-building work in this short runtime to create a real sense of drama toward the end. The score is absolutely pitch perfect, with moments of triumph and tragedy punctuated with just the right amount of musical flair. The moment when the test Gundam confirms a successful neural link with Eri is magical, her delighted little face an absolute picture as she proudly shows her accomplishment to Mummy, simultaneously breaking scientific barriers and saving their asses.
The central theme of family is also a wonderful accomplishment, the events taking place on Eri's 4th birthday. The way the episode uses the celebration to punctuate the ending is absolutely gut-wrenching, a fittingly Tomino-style end to a fantastic standalone episode.
Digital effects show the frame neural-linking with the pilot, "powering up" in a similar fashion to SEED's Phase Shift Armour
It wouldn't be Gundam without some mecha action, and here too the prologue delivers in spades. The Lfrith Gundam makes a suitably epic entrance, all clever mechanics and lovely lines saving the day in fine style. I love the shield and it's modular uses, and for once the enemy mecha is just as elegant, with the Beguir-Beu looking very sharp (and deadly) indeed. The effects, as shown above, are lovely, with electronic patterns dancing across the Gundam frame as it activates its neural link.
It's not just the mecha that deserves applause either, the entire setting and outfits are also masterful, with a chunky aesthetic that puts me in mind of 80's/90's James Cameron in his prime. The eye for detail is impressive, making it all feel very grounded, the rigours of space well-realised and integrated into the fabric of the on-screen world. Ironically, there's a real "weight" to everything here, including the weightlessness.
In all, this is a perfect capsule episode that performs all of its major tasks flawlessly - the world is introduced, along with the ideology and conflicts that will drive the new series. Meeting Eri as a 4 year old is a cunning way to have the audience feel protective of her, and goodness knows I'll be rooting for her when she returns in October. Bravo Bandai, I'm in.
Watch the episode here:
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