The Official Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans Anime Thread Mk I

[Mythgarr]

I wasn't brave enough to name my son Cloud Garrod

But on one side we have Mikazuki, a normal japanese name, and Orga, a name recycled from X.

I hope we can get background info on why the machine was named Barbatos...

Barbatos and Gusion are names of Dukes of Hell

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbatos

and there were 72 "Gundam frames" in Calamity War !

Bandai's exec eyes were probably lit up when they see the backstory of Calamity War

[Chris]

Well, it's a shame that this kind of work is only 25 episodes. What happened to proper world building?

The idea that 25 episodes is insufficient for world building in Gundam or any other show is a myth. Sure, Reconguista mismanaged its 26 episodes, but that doesn't happen in every case. Look at shows like Escaflowne, Cowboy Bebop and Outlaw Star that all construct vibrant worlds in just 26 episodes. You can tell a Gundam story in 25 episodes with all the world building you want as long as the writing is solid.

[Zeonista]

The series continues to surprise and delight, using the approved list of Gundam Tropes but using them with a degree of innovation and energy that I have been missing for a while.

Lazy cleverness?: Todo wants to be taken seriously but he is the least mature person in the room. Making things interesting for Tekkadan seems like a poor way to do it. Plus he seems to have seriously forgotten or overlooked that Orga solves problems by giving them to Mikazuki.
Mars the Green Planet: Between the Gjallarhorn lordlings and the Tekkadan boys helping Biscuit's grandma (Sakura, as per sakura mocchi, it's multi-generational! ) we get the big picture, and it explains why Mars is a powder keg. The only thing we ever learn, etc etc. No great pie-in-the-starry-sky conflict here, we have people who are in want so their far-away masters shall not be, and they resent the hell out of it. "Human debris" is a cruel term, but it is very illuminating.
Botany Bay, expanded: *looks at map* Hey!! I guess like X this story took a "road less traveled", no?
McGillis Fareed: He is definitely the designated cool antagonist. Clever fellow, very dangerous, I can see why he is an inspector. It is just as well Tekkadan is escorting Kudelia-hime off-planet, he got too close!
Flipped the kill switch: Mika-kun goes into combat mode very easily, but it's based on an over-developed sense of protection rather than the desire for mayhem, which makes him very human indeed.
Triangle Formed: The Snack Pack has even called it in-story! Both girls like Mika-kun for different reasons, and he is nice enough to both of them to make them think they have a chance.

Levatein: Good analysis of the hero-and-princess routine in Gundam series and IBO's reverse spin on it so far.

Chris: I would rather have a Gundam series with 25 episode stuffed with goodness like IBO this season than a 50-episode Gundam series that only used half its episodes to the same effect.

Mythgarr: I see someone else followed me into the "what's in a name" category. Personally I would be leery of dealing with any company named Orcus, but maybe that is just my gamer prejudice?

Soma Taozi: Good to have you back. I don't know how many "out-of-cockpit episodes" we are going to have in this series. It seemed to me that #4 was more about catching up and filling in to explain everything that happened in the the introductory arc of #1-3. But there won't be gratuitous MS battles in this series, if Barbatos goes into action it will be for a reason.

excalibur2008: You and Destiny_Gundam are both right in terms of map-coloring. However I had the same thought concerning current events.

[Deacon Blues]

But on one side we have Mikazuki, a normal japanese name, and Orga, a name recycled from X.

There was no one in Gundam X named Orga... Perhaps you're confusing this name with Olba?

[Kyuzo Aoi]

But on one side we have Mikazuki, a normal japanese name, and Orga, a name recycled from X.

There was no one in Gundam X named Orga... Perhaps you're confusing this name with Olba?

That was actually one of the 3 Extended pilots in Gundam SEED. When the name was revealed at the trailer, I laughed at the potential crossover between the two Orgas.

By the way, Kudelia and Itsuka is not the only offender there. Biscuit's surname is also shared by a character in Victory Gundam.

[Mythgarr]

But on one side we have Mikazuki, a normal japanese name, and Orga, a name recycled from X.

There was no one in Gundam X named Orga... Perhaps you're confusing this name with Olba?

Ah Yes, I confused with X-Olba and not SEED-Orga. I don't know why each time I see an Orga in Anime I remember that one from X.

[Ryujin]

I really enjoyed how durable the mobile suits in this week's episode were. Makes for a more 'weightier' fight.

Also that armour purge on Barbatos' left hand.

It seems like a bit of an oversight that Aki's Graze didn't have an Alaya system, though. They've had a lot of time to work on that, given how quickly they managed to install one in the Barbatos.

Looks like the pastry sisters get to stay in the farm, and I snickered at 'Chocolate man'.

[Chris]

It seems like a bit of an oversight that Aki's Graze didn't have an Alaya system, though. They've had a lot of time to work on that, given how quickly they managed to install one in the Barbatos.

The Alaya system was originated in old mobile suits like the Barbatos, and its cockpit seat came straight from a mobile worker. Newer post-Calamity suits that Gjallarhorn makes don't have them. But more fundamentally, what would be the point of putting an Alaya system into the suit since Akihiro hasn't had the surgery?

[nacho-wan]

It seems like a bit of an oversight that Aki's Graze didn't have an Alaya system, though. They've had a lot of time to work on that, given how quickly they managed to install one in the Barbatos.

I was worried for the inverse thing: to have this merry band of orphans being able to retro-fit the Alaya system in a brand new mobile suit was too much of a strech for me. I mean being able to map the interfaces has to be to much. Speaking of Alaya, I was marveled at how Mikazuki was able to use the Barbatos in Zero-G without too much hassle. I was expected an adjust period as most shows tend to suggest that it is very different to fight in space.

I was surprised at Gallio's recognition of Mikazuki so early. I thought they were going to form a rivalry before that happened.

I did liked the episode, well the little bits I was able to see on daisuki; is anybody having problems with lagging video. I swear I was seen a picture drama with 10 frames per minute.

[Destiny_Gundam]

But more fundamentally, what would be the point of putting an Alaya system into the suit since Akihiro hasn't had the surgery?

But he has.

Anyways, good on Atra for being assertive. She won't give up on Mika so easily.

[Deathzealot]

Yeah Akihiro is the only other one who went through the surgery more then once besides Mika.

[Ryujin]

I mean being able to map the interfaces has to be too much.

Newer post-Calamity suits that Gjallarhorn makes don't have them.

Yes, these are logical, plausible reasons.

Moving on, the show probably won't delve into it any deeper, but the hints & references to the Moon's state & the Gundam's influence on history is some pretty intriguing additional material for Black History theorists.

[Amion]

Great episode, but some of the quality is lacking. I'm probably wrong to say this, but I feel like Bandai didn't give as big a budget to this show so it could allocate funds to Thunderbolt. Maybe that's no so, but if TB turns out to be a regular release series versus OVA like Unicorn, then I will stand by my suspicions that they took some of the budget money and decided to split it between the shows versus focus on a single, high quality product.

As for the episode, probably the first really lackluster one for me. Sure it was good, and had some nice moments. Even the animation possessed some flare. Considering Gundam's history with animation, namely the original's issues, I don't mind the uncertain quality. So long as the story remains good and doesn't drag.

Also, there's a good a reference to Code Geass with the current main antagonist being given a food name. Only instead of Orange its Chocolate Man. Guess we should have seen it coming, what with Mika loving food so much. It would be a hilarious running gag if he starts naming all his major opponents after the food he sees them eating or distributing.

Only question now is, is this the last of Mars, or will we be seeing the Red Planet again? Considering the early start for Earth, I would assume it's likely. This show's moving fast and good, may be we're in for the Assault on Jaburo arc, meaning a return to Mars for the finale at least, maybe sooner. At any rate, I don't rate Kudelia's chances so high with convincing the higher ups of Mars' plight.

Is this the beginning of a new Calamity?

[Kuruni]

Ah, look like Atra will be with us to the end...

The battle is incredible. Glad I'm right that Orga does think ahead and has back up plan ready,

Spoiler

although I'm surprise that Coral dead at this point.

[Deathzealot]

Hmmmm.... You know I just thought of something in response to Amion. In other Gundam series we have it starting on Earth then ending on Earth (bear a few exceptions like AGE) therefore this may seem like they are going to start on Mars and end on Mars which I think is going to be quite refreshing in my opinion.

[Amion]

So long as we see more of another planet beside Earth, I'm happy. The real fear I hold now is that they'll spend a long time journeying to Earth. Then again, if they do it like Crossbone Gundam than we've got some good moments coming in the depths of space.

*Sighs* Some people still aren't enjoying IBO and say it's too low key. Oh well, I guess I kinda get where they're coming from at this point. But the plot obviously is going for a more post-war scenario.

[Raikoh]

So Mika's snacks are dried dates. Neat.

The return of the glorious mace/lance/rocket/piledriver... It might be a good idea for me to commit the weapon's name to memory. Only it doesn't have a name.

This episode was definitely a shining moment for Orga. He showed off just why he's got the chops to be the commander. It actually impresses me how good he is at it. He gives his crew independence while maintaining control, keeps his cool under pressure, and pulls off creative/ballsy moves like that slingshot maneuver which just happened to be the perfect out. Not bad for someone with no formal education on the matter.

[Xenosynth]

To be fair, the mace does have a name. It is literally just Mace in the materials. Which, really, is fine, I don't mind having less specialized, more generic names for weapons, as long as the weapons themselves are cool.

I do... find comparisons of Mika to Setsuna and Heero almost a bit insulting to Mika. Namely because Mika can actually still converse and otherwise interact in a rather normal way, trading smiles, conversation, and so forth. It has made me personally like him a lot more than other characters in his archetype tbqh

[Mythgarr]

The easiness of Mika's using Barbatos in space is one of the thing that irked me here. He should have struggled more a la Kou Uraki when using GP01.

Will we be shown that after Akihiro's reaching his age, he can't use the Alaya system anymore?

I think Mass Driver is like railways on our time: we know it's amazing, we know it takes us anywhere faster, but we also indifferent about it since it's been there forever

Gundam Frames are famous throughout history eh? Is this another "Future of UC What-if" ala X? That'd be cool! We already have Phenex as one of 72, now we're going to have Barbatos, Kimaris, and Gusion as three of 72. Actually we already have Ashtron and Virsago as another 2 of 72. So that's six of 72. It'd be cool if all of them are from "Future of UC what-ifs"

[monster]

Will we be shown that after Akihiro's reaching his age, he can't use the Alaya system anymore?

I believe the issue about age is only referring to the surgery. Once you have it, you should still be able to use it until you die or until you suffer some kind of damage to the relevant system.