The End of 00……

So, just fresh from watching the last episode (25) of Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (Spoilers Follow). I have to say I was impressed and, while it didn’t leave me as hungry for more as, say, the final episode of Code Geass, it certainly kept me guessing as to the second series and the fate and future of the characters. So, onto the episode summary I guess.

Firstly, Setsuna finishes his fated duel with Alejandro Corner and his Alvatore. He first defeats the mobile armor section using the GN Arms at the cost of Lasse’s life, only to find that it has a mobile suit control unit, similar to Ali Al-Sarshes’ Agrissa. Exia succeeds in defeating the unit but only after using Trans-Am. Alejandro also discovers that Livonze has betrayed him and has decided to continue Aeolia’s plan without him. When all seems well again he’s faced with yet another unit, Graham Aker’s Overflag, now equipped with a GN drive. After a couple of minutes of trading blows, including the loss of some limbs, they charge at each other, Exia with the GN Sword, the GN Flag, with a beam saber. After piercing each other both units are effectively incapacitated.

Secondly, Allelujah reconciles with his alter ego Hallelujah to become the “perfect super soldier” in order to defeat Soma Peelis and Sergei Smirnov combining reflexes and intelligence, something which Peelis seems to lack. He succeeds in injuring Smirnov only to be shot repeatedly by Peelis causing sever injuries to the right side of his face. He is prevented from fighting on by the pain and by discovering the Soma Peelis is someone called Marie (A relation or a friend?)

Thirdly, Tieria, in his badly damaged Nadleeh ejects his Solar Furnace in order to save it from falling into the hands of the UN.

Now, a brief summary of the epilogue. Saji has achieved his dream and now works in space, the three nations have now become one union and it is seen that all the “aces” survived including Patrick, Graham, who wears a mask possibly due to scarring and Ali Al-Sarshes who has likely returned to being a mercenary. It’s also shown that Tieria survives but the fate of Setsuna and Allelujah are unknown. The series does provide some insight into the second season at the end by showcasing a heavily shadowed “00 Gundam”, likely the main unit for the second season, much like Exia was for the first.

Now, onto a review of the series as a whole I guess.

Artwork, mechanical designs and character designs are all highlights of the series, this being the first Gundam series to be shown in HD. All the character designs look individual with few similarities, mechanical designs are progressive and, while maintaining all the Gundam hallmarks, are still noticeably individual and well done.

Equally, the performance of the Seiyuu is fantastic with nothing to complain about, each of them bringing a personal element to each of the characters with, again, few, if any, similarities between them.

Lastly, the story as a whole was very impressive and well thought and the scenes were handled equally well with many moments showing emotion that is surprisingly moving, as expected from the director of Fullmetal Alchemist.

All in all, the Gundam 00 series is one that is capable of carrying the Gundam name made famous by UC, considerably more so than the  pretender series’ Seed.

-Solaris