Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, the latest mainline installment in the venerable Gundam franchise, recently concluded its first season, delivering a multiverse-spanning finale that has captivated and divided longtime fans. Jointly produced by Sunrise and Studio Khara, the series garnered significant attention for its unique premise and its creative team, including Hideaki Anno and Kazuya Tsurumaki. The twelve-episode season, available exclusively on Prime Video in over 240 countries and regions, concluded with its twelfth episode, prompting considerable discussion about its narrative choices and its place within the broader Gundam universe.
A Bold New Direction for the Universal Century
GQuuuuuuX is notable as the first full Gundam series to be set in the Universal Century calendar since Mobile Suit Victory Gundam, albeit in an alternate timeline. It also marked the second television series in a row (after The Witch from Mercury) to feature a female lead, Amate Yuzuriha, who pilots the titular GQuuuuuuX. The series begins with Amate, a high school student living peacefully in a space colony, being drawn into illegal mobile suit dueling known as “Clan Battle” after meeting war refugee Nyaan. Under the entry name “Machu,” Amate becomes entangled with a mysterious boy named Shuji and an unidentified Gundam pursued by both space forces and police, setting the stage for a new era.
The narrative takes a significant turn by rewriting history, specifically the events of the original Mobile Suit Gundam. In this timeline, Char Aznable successfully steals Amuro Ray’s RX-78-2 Gundam, reverse-engineers its specifications, and shifts the “One Year War” in favor of Zeon. However, Char is subsequently cast into a “cosmic timeout,” leading to the show’s main plot years later, where Machu, Nyaan, and Shuji stumble upon Char’s re-branded Gundam and the prototype GQuuuuuuX, sparking battles where timelines converge.
The Explosive Season Finale
The twelfth and final episode of Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX delivered a complex and often “off-the-rails” conclusion that required viewers to have a deep understanding of previous Universal Century Gundam lore to fully appreciate. A central revelation in the finale is that Lalah Sune’s grief, stemming from Amuro killing Char in the original Mobile Suit Gundam timeline (though reversed here, with Char dying and Lalah shattering the universe to bring him back), has created a multiverse. This concept of Lalah’s power and the existence of multiple timelines becomes a pivotal element of the climax.
Key plot points and character developments in the finale include:
Shuji’s True Identity and Mission
Shuji is revealed to be a transplant from the original Gundam timeline, effectively the spirit or will of Amuro Ray, haunted by the guilt of killing Lalah across infinite timelines. His mission is not destruction, but a desire to end Lalah’s grief by “euthanizing” her, which would also wipe the GQuuuuuuX timeline from existence.
Machu’s Redemptive Arc
Machu emerges as the true protagonist and a force for change. She intervenes to save both Shuji and Lalah, arguing that Lalah doesn’t need Shuji’s “protection.” Her demonstrated strength and message of Newtype potential offer a new path forward for the Gundam franchise, culminating in a kiss between Machu and Shuji.
Char and Challia’s Confrontation
The finale provides a “last shooting” moment between Char and Challia Bull. Challia realizes Char, now that the Zabis are gone, is merely a “hollow narcissist” and will not be a suitable leader for Newtypes. Char, facing Challia, ultimately understands he needs to be a better person to avoid being killed by her, leading to a rare instance where Char does not die in this universe.
Artesia’s Rise
The series concludes with a montage showing Artesia taking the Zeon throne, presented as a more promising leadership option than Char, whose previous reign as Neo Zeon was less than ideal.
Easter Eggs and Legacy Connections
The episode is replete with Easter eggs and deep cuts for long-time Gundam fans, including the appearance of a “hyper” enlarged RX-78-2 in its Grey Ghost coloring, the return of the Psycho Gundam, and cameos from characters like Ramba Ral and Annqi. The headless Gundam also makes its famous “Last Shooting” pose for a brief moment.
Reception and Future Prospects
The finale of Gundam GQuuuuuuX has been described as ambitious, packed with enough material to fill an entire season, and a “stunning visual feast.” Critics noted that while the initial episodes might have felt like “monster-of-the-week” affairs, the latter half, particularly the finale, delved into complex narrative layers. The show is seen as a love letter to seasoned Gundam enthusiasts, offering intricate riffs on previous series, but perhaps not serving as an ideal “gateway” Gundam title for newcomers due to its reliance on existing lore.
Despite a satisfying conclusion for many, there has been no official announcement of a second season. Some reviewers suggest that the nature of the ending makes a continuation unlikely, while others feel the show, with its twelve-episode constraint, was too ambitious to fully explore all its hinted possibilities. Ultimately, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX is poised to be remembered as a unique and thought-provoking entry in the Gundam canon, lauded for its bold narrative, impressive mecha designs, and its surprisingly upbeat conclusion compared to many other Gundam series.
