Mikazuki holds back Ein, who accuses him of being the sinful child who killed Crank. Orga asks Takaki to help him get Makanai out of the SUV so that Mikazuki can fight freely without worrying about them. Ein vows to make Mikazuki repent for his sins so that Crank’s tears will stop. Riding on the Mobile Worker, Orga promises to get Makanai to parliament in time. Gaelio demands to know who’s piloting the Grimgerde and is shocked to hear the voice of McGillis. He says that they need Tekkadan to help them realize their ideals, but Gaelio doesn’t understand. McGillis notes that Gjallarhorn has long cast bionic modifications as an abomination, yet they created a monster like Ein, who will be seen as the embodiment of fear. Gjallarhorn ground soldiers wonder what to do about the fight since the Graze Ein is one of their suits. Ein proclaims that his Alaya-Vijnana is perfect because it combines humans with mobile suits. McGillis believes Kudelia, Tekkadan and its Gundam Frames will be seen as heroes fighting against corruption, and if Makanai wins re-election it will expose the scheming between Henri and Iznario. Gaelio accuses McGillis of using Ein to ensnare Gjallarhorn and attacks, but McGillis easily dodges. McGillis explains that he’ll become the heir to the Bauduin family when Gaelio dies, and that combined with Carta’s death will disrupt the balance of power within Gjallarhorn. Gaelio accuses McGillis of using his and Carta’s lives for his own purposes, so he rushes in again to attack. Nervous MPs discuss the commotion outside, and some demand that the election proceed. However, everyone goes quiet when Makanai and Kudelia enter, much to Henri’s shock. Takaki relays to Orga that Makanai made it to parliament, which means their job is over. Orga asks Takaki for a favor because he can’t leave Mikazuki alone in battle. Iznario curses the arrival of Makanai and wonders what McGillis has been up to. McGillis calmly dodges all of Gaelio’s attacks while inflicting damage. Gaelio cries and reveals that Carta was in love with McGillis and died repeating his name. Gaelio thought he could trust McGillis with his sister, and McGillis vows to keep Almiria happy. McGillis proclaims that Gaelio’s weak feelings won’t reach him, and he stabs the Kimaris Trooper through the chest. McGillis then states that he needed his and Ein’s life for his goals, and that Gaelio was his only friend. Yamagi climbs into the Ryusei-Go‘s damaged cockpit and is happy to see Shino alive. As Ein prattles on about Crank, Mikazuki does a mental inventory and sees that the Gundam Barbatos has little propellant and only a few Gatling bullets remaining. Mikazuki launches a decoy attack with the wrench mace, and Ein accuses him of being an animal. Ein attacks with his axes, and Mikazuki tries to examine his movements. Ein kicks Mikazuki away and tries to attack from behind, but Mikazuki breaks free with increased reaction speed that causes his right eye to bleed. Alesi asks Makanai to give his policy speech, but he chooses instead to give the floor to Kudelia. Atra encourages Kudelia, who takes the stage and ignores Henri’s complaints. Takaki deploys LCS drones that allow Orga to address Tekkadan and deliver the news that they succeeded and can’t die now. Kudelia explains that in wanting to end inequality on Mars, she realized it spreads much further than that. The Gundam Barbatos loses more armor to Ein’s attacks, and Orga yells at Mikazuki and asks what he’s doing. Mikazuki quickly reacts and cuts off one of Ein’s arms, followed by a hand. Mikazuki charges with his sword and stabs the Graze Ein to end the battle. Eugene and the others see a cease-fire signal above the city. The news reports that Makanai has won re-election. Mikazuki asks Orga if this is the place they belong, and Orga answers that it’s one of them.
Four days later, Makanai meets with Kudelia and agrees to her rough draft proposal for the deregulation of half-metals. Makanai comments on Tekkadan leaving tomorrow and asks Kudelia what she’s going to do. McGillis informs Iznario that his exile location has been set, so he’d better leave if he doesn’t want trouble from the Regulatory Bureau. McGillis urges him to stand down, and Iznario reminds McGillis that he saved him from despair. Nobliss meets McMurdo on Saisei and discusses how Arbrau is considering hiring Tekkadan as a military advisor. Nobliss notes that the other economic blocs are now distrustful toward Gjallarhorn and want to build up their own military forces. The two men talk about how they’ll both be busy with all these new business opportunities. Almiria cries in McGillis’ arms over Gaelio’s death, and he promises her that he’s not going anywhere. As Tekkadan prepares to leave, Eugene notes that someone will have to tell Cookie and Cracker that Biscuit died. Merribit tells Nadi that she never thought the kids would be able to go back to being kids. Naze comes down to the surface and tells Orga he should be proud of doing a good job. Orga notes that they lost a lot of their family, and Naze asks if Orga’s earlier statement about not letting comrades die in vain over stupid orders was a lie. Naze tells Orga that his comrades died in the place he made for them, so he should be proud for the sake of the living and the dead. Atra asks Mikazuki how he feels, and he explains that he can’t see well out of his right eye and his right hand is useless. However, it’s able to move only when he’s connected to Alaya-Vijnana. Kudelia gives Mikazuki and the other boys reading homework for the trip back to Mars. Kudelia notices Mikazuki’s hand, and he tells her he can’t console her anymore, so she and Atra give him a hug. Orga addresses Tekkadan and congratulates everyone on a job well done. He tells them that they’re all receiving a bonus, which is the start of Tekkadan growing bigger. He then asks Mikazuki what they should do next, and Mikazuki answers that it’s obvious.
The first season ends with the completion of a long journey that began on Mars. Tekkadan has come a long way from being the space rats and human debris looked down upon by CGS employees, but it’s been a costly struggle. Kudelia steps up to the world stage and succeeds in her mission to increase equality on Mars. Tekkadan finishes the big job and makes a name for itself. However, most interestingly, McGillis took down three of the Seven Star families and set into motion events that led the world into distrusting Gjallarhorn. His cold-blooded manipulation and betrayal of Gaelio calls to mind Char Aznable and Garma Zabi, not the least of which because in both cases a masked blond betrayed a friend with purple hair. It’s the kind of ruthless ambition that Lelouch Lamperouge of Code Geass would appreciate, which is made more amusing by the fact that McGillis’ Japanese actor voiced Suzaku Kururugi. In a way, you could say McGillis accomplished more than anyone in Tekkadan given his manipulations. But with some teases about his past, I have to wonder if his plans are more about reform or revenge. That’s one of the points that I’m sure will be addressed next season. Overall, the first season was an enjoyable ride, but not without a few bumps on the road. The span of episodes from where they meet the Turbines to battling the Brewers took up too much time, so I would’ve preferred to see that journey streamlined. I’d also prefer antagonists more competent that idiots like Kudal and Carta. I don’t know what season two will bring, but I hope it at least matches and maybe exceeds this season.
Iron-Blooded Orphans Info
Director:
Tatsuyuki Nagai
Writer(s):
Mari Okada
Hajime Kamoshida
Michihiro Tsuchiya
Toshizo Nemoto
Shinsuke Onishi
Hiroyuki Yoshino
Mayori Sekijima
Tatsuto Higuchi
Yousuke Kuroda
Mechanical Designer(s):
Naohiro Washio
Kanetake Ebikawa
Ippei Gyoubu
Kenji Teraoka
Tamotsu Shinohara
Character Designer(s):
Yu Ito
Michinori Chiba
Musical Composer:
Masaru Yokoyama
Format:
50 episodes; 9 compilation episodes
Airdates (TV):
Japan 10.04.2015 – 03.27.2016 (S1);
10.02.2016 – 04.02.2017 (S2)
U.S. 06.04.2016 – 12.11.2016 (S1);
10.08.2017 – 04.28.2018 (S2)
Airdates (SE):
Japan 04.29.2022 –
MAHQ is now officially on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mahqdotnet.bsky.social.
Our future on this cursed app is unclear, but expect more posts over there.
Cutaway diagram of the VF-1J Valkyrie Fighter Mode from “This is Animation Special: Macross Plus”(1995). Larger versions on my DA profile:
https://www.deviantart.com/marchly/art/Macross-VF-1J-Valkyrie-Cutaway-Diagram-detailed-973372931
https://www.deviantart.com/marchly/art/Macross-VF-1J-Valkyrie-Cutaway-Diagram-clean-973371729
Art by Kiyomi Tanaka. Original concept by unknown Macross fan. Image built by me
#Gundamn278; Next Episode! With our special guest, Sophia, we finally tackle the second half of the latest chapter of the #Gundam Franchise; #WitchFromMercury! Join us live on 07/20/2023 @ 10:15 p EDT! #MAHQ #Mecha #Anime #Podcast #G_Witch
Live Stream: https://youtube.com/live/fqw4pnuOYF4?feature=share
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