By Wilfrid is amazed by how Sekai can unify his feelings and his body with that of the Build Burning to bring out its full performance. It reminds him of the RG system that Sei Iori used in the Star Build Strike Gundam to win the world championship years ago. Sekai and Wilfrid each decide that the other is the rival they’ve sought. Later, Wilfrid tells Shia that he’s glad she helped Sekai because it let him meet a worthy rival. As the Try Fighters prepare to leave the next day, Fumina tells Yuuma that coming here showed her what was important. Wilfrid approaches Sekai and asks him what that special technique was that he used at the end of their fight. Sekai answers that he doesn’t know because it isn’t Jigen Haoh, but rather something new he found. Before getting on his bus, Wilfrid tells Sekai that he’s looking forward to fighting him again. Yuuma runs up to the bus and gives his name to Saga, along with a vow to defeat him at the tournament. Everyone is surprised to see Shia on the bus and realize that she’s part of the Gunpla Academy. The Shiki triplets are disappointed that they couldn’t get more data on the Gunpla Academy, but they intend to win the tournament. Kei steps in and tells them not to forget about him, but they have no idea who he is. Fumina is bothered that Sekai let a rival tinker with his Gunpla, and she wonders if Shia is the girl that Lady was referring to. In Osaka, the Meijin and Lady witness a match that’s won by Sakai’s Build Busters team. The Mejin recognizes Sakai from the Shingyo school and sees that the Eastern and Western masters will both be in the tournament. Sekai surprises Mirai by telling her that Fumina and Yuuma will be staying for a training camp.
With only 10 days before the tournament, Yuuma and Fumina outline the plans to improve their Gunpla. Sekai asks about the Build Burning, and Yuuma explains that its upgrades will include reinforced joints to handle that new move. Yuuma also wants to install his new Burning Burst system that will maximize Plavsky particle emission. The three work late into the night on their Gunpla and pass out at the table. They eventually take a break and set off fireworks in the backyard. Mirai completes a photoshoot and speaks with Karin, who won the contest to be the Gunpla tournament’s image character. Karin suddenly runs off to vomit from morning sickness and wonders if she’s pregnant. Sekai trains in backyard while Yuuma examines the disassembled Build Burning and concludes that Sei definitely built it. He also examines its repair condition and sees that the Gunpla Academy excels at building. Kaoruko shows up and offers to help Sekai get ready for the tournament. At the Gunpla Academy, Shia tunes up the Transient Gundam and Gundam The End. Wilfrid asks her what she’s going to use in the tournament, and she explains that she’s building something new. She then mentions news that the undefeated European champ Lucas Nemesis will be studying briefly in Japan. Lucas visits Granada Academy and uses a Jegan for sentimental reasons, but he singlehandedly takes down a whole team. Fumina returns and is annoyed to find Kaoruko trying to get Sekai to add a shield to his Gunpla. Akira fishes and is approached by Junya Inose, who comments that he’s fallen pretty low. Akira answers that he wants to enjoy Gunpla Battle and will never play against despicable men like Junya. He then adds that the guy who defeated him also uses Jigen Haoh just like Junya. Shimon shows up with food and finds Fumina and Kaoruko arguing about shields. Mirai comes home and plans to tell Sekai some news, but she finds that everyone has fallen asleep after completing all the upgrades.
Following a multi-episode arc at the Nielsen Labs, this episode takes a breather so that the team can reflect on what they’ve learned and start upgrading their Gunpla. It also shows off some of the potential rivals in the national tournament, including Sakai, who is fighting with the completely unsubtle team name of Build Busters. This episode also makes a few callbacks to the original series, including the return of a character I never expected to see again. Lucas Nemesis is the grandson of Team Nemesis’ owner, and he’s followed Aila Jyrkiäinen’s advice about becoming a fighter on his own. He even uses a Jegan in a nod to her first appearance. We also get a face to match the name Junya Inose, and he seems like quite the jerk as well. As a fellow practitioner of Jigen Haoh, I wonder if he and Sekai already have some rivalry. We’ll find out soon enough once the national tournament starts.
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