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Gundam AGE Ep. 26: The Earth is Eden

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Summary

The Diva joins up with Algreus’ fleet, and Flit tells Algreus to come aboard because the Diva will be taking over as flagship. On Downes, Zeheart announces to his pilots that they will capture Nortrum and dock Downes with it to use the colony as their forward base for an Earth invasion. Dole thinks the plan is ridiculous, and Medel says the colony will make it easier to supply their troops, plus the population will serve as hostages and labor. Dole asks if such a plan will work, and Zeheart responds that it’s the will of Ezelcant. In his quarters, Desil hopes that Flit will be at the battle. Romary reports to Flit that the fleet of Darwin ships is ready to launch, so the Diva and Amadeus depart from Nortrum. Medel isn’t surprised that Zeheart plans to fight, and Zeheart explains that he can give more precise orders on the front lines. Zeheart mentions hearing that Medel is returning to the Mars Sphere after the operation, and Medel explains that he wants to be with his wife because she hasn’t been in cold sleep and is getting old. Desil angrily confronts Zeheart and demands to know why he’s on the reserve instead of the front line. Desil rejects Zeheart’s explanation that it’s basic tactics, and Zeheart tells Desil that he’s letting his feeling for Flit control him. Flit orders the fleet to deploy as the Vagans approach, and Algreus orders the activation of the photon ring ray. The photon ring ray uses a circle of electromagnetic terminals that accelerate electrons and generate kinetic energy into a blast guided by the Diva‘s photon blaster cannon. Millais asks if they can prepare the ray with the enemy out there, and Flit says they’ll have to keep them away until it charges. Woolf addresses his pilots and tells them they’re all going to survive, but they need the resolve to fight until the end. As Woolf heads to the G-Bouncer, Asemu thanks him for what he said earlier. As Obright prepares to launch in the Genoace II, Remi tries to wish him well, but he can’t hear her with all the noise. She then floats up to him and asks him to come back because the ship is their home. She then mentions his proposal and says that if he’ll have her, she’s ok with it. Asemu launches in the AGE-2 Double Bullet, followed by Woolf, Obright and the two Adeles. Dole approaches Zeheart and tells him that the plan is too reckless. Zeheart responds that he made a vow to help Ezelcant create Eden, even at the cost of his own life, which surprises Dole. Zeheart then launches in the Zeydra, followed by Daz’s Dorado L, Desil’s Khronos and the Zedas Ms of the four remaining Magicians Eight. The photon ring ray begins accelerating electrons as the Vagans fire the first shot. The EFF fleet responds by firing beam particle dispersal missiles. Max destroys a Dorado, and Magicians Eight pilots Zafar and Ned destroy a Darwin. Woolf destroys a Baqto, and Asemu covers him by destroying a Dorado. On his own, Asemu destroys multiple Gafrans, Baqtos and a Dorado with his long beam sabers. Desil attacks Asemu and realizes that it isn’t Flit’s Gundam. Woolf rushes in to assist Asemu, but Desil holds both of them back. Zeheart has an X-Rounder reaction and realizes that the EFF formation is unnatural, because they’re trying to make the Vagans move through the middle. He then calls Zeheart with emergency orders to move Downes, saying the EFF has completed “it.” Zeheart orders his pilots to fall back, but Dole and Mink don’t want to listen. Downes’ sensors detect the energy buildup from the photon ring ray, so Medel activates the Gigantes Shield in response. The Diva fires the guide beam, which then sets off a blast from the photon ring ray.

The photon ring ray destroys multiple mobile suits and hits Downes, but the Gigantes Shield completely deflects the blast. Romary explains to Flit that the Vagans put up an interference screen, and he can’t believe that they adapted so quickly. Asemu and Woolf pursue Desil, so he uses X-Rounder resonance to take control of Zafar and Ned’s Zedas Ms. Asemu rushes in to attack Desil and destroys one of his cannons. He then moves in closer, but both Zedas M units grab onto him. Woolf destroys both Zedas M units and pushes Asemu out of the way, but Desil then rushes in and runs him through with a beam saber while trying to attack Asemu. Asemu asks Woolf if he’s ok, but Woolf says it’s too late for him with his injuries. Woolf asks Asemu to listen to him and says he’s a pain in the ass to look after, but he’s an amazing guy, even if he’s not an X-Rounder. Woolf tells him to become a super pilot more amazing than him or anybody. The G-Bouncer then explodes, and Flit is shocked to see its signal vanish. Flit holds back his tears and says someone is leaving him again. Millais clears away her tears when Flit asks her to fire the photon ring ray again. Desil holds back Obright, Max and Arisa, but Asemu flies in and attacks with his beam sabers. Mink and Dole want to avenge Zafar and Ned, but Zeheart tells them not to go over there because Desil took control of their suits and got them killed. Asemu dodges all of Desil’s attacks, and Desil can’t understand why he can’t read the attacks of a non-X-Rounder. Asemu slices the limbs off the Khronos and then slices the torso in half before blasting it. Desil can’t believe that he’s losing as the Khronos explodes. Dole asks Zeheart if he intended to let his brother die all along, and Zeheart answers that he’ll carry out Ezelcant’s vision, no matter what. Flit wonders about the Vagan deployment and realizes that they aren’t out to destroy Nortrum. He leaves Algreus in charge and launches in the AGE-1 Flat, equipped with the Zefuld Launcher.

Commentary

We do indeed get a big battle as was teased in the last episode, but it comes with some consequences. Desil is at his most unstable point here due to his obsession with taking down Flit. He’ll go so far as to sacrifice his own comrades, which even as a child he had no hesitation in doing. He kills Woolf, which provokes from Asemu a similar reaction as when Desil killed Yurin in front of Flit. However, this time Asemu manages to finish the job and finally kill Desil. The EFF deploys a new experimental weapon, but the Vagans already knew about it, which lends more credence to Grodek’s allegations of traitors within the forces. It seems that Woolf’s death is the shock that finally got Asemu out of his obsession with measuring up against Flit and Zeheart. We also see the effect Woolf’s death has on Flit, especially coming so soon after Grodek’s death. In one development, Remi surprisingly accepts Obright’s proposal, which normally would throw up a big death flag for him. I find continuing amusement in how horrible the Magicians Eight are as pilots. Two more basically nameless dies guy, and Dole and Mink manage to do nothing but be angry at Zeheart. Like Desil, they all have the similar problem where their arrogance exceeds their ability, with the results clear for all to see.

Overall Rating
4/5

Gundam AGE Info

Director(s):
Susumu Yamaguchi
 (TV)
Shinya Watada (OVA)

Writer(s):
Akihiro Hino
Kazuho Hyodo
Noboru Kimura
Rika Nakase
Yoichi Kato

Mechanical Designer(s):
Kanetake Ebikawa
Kenji Teraoka
Junya Ishigaki

Character Designer(s):
Takuzo Nagano
Michinori Chiba

Musical Composer:
Kei Yoshikawa

Airdates:
Japan 10.09.2011 – 09.23.2012

Format:
49 episodes; 1 compilation OVA

Video Release (OVA):
Japan 07.26.2013
U.S. 07.03.2018

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