Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX episode 8, titled “Falling on the Moon,” has landed, and it’s already generating buzz among fans. The episode premiered on May 27, 2025, at 9:00 AM Pacific Standard Time (PST), 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST), and 5:00 PM British Summer Time (BST), and is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Episode 8 dives deep into the series’ overarching conflicts, answering some lingering questions while charting bold new territory.
A Tale of Two Halves
Episode 8 essentially presents viewers with two distinct narratives that provide context to the GQuuuuuuX timeline.
Flashback to the One Year War
The first half of the episode revisits the final stages of the One Year War, an era familiar to Gundam enthusiasts. This segment focuses on Char Aznable during the Second Battle of Solomon. The Earth Federation Forces (EFF) are attempting to crash the asteroid base Solomon into Granada, a lunar city under Zeon’s control, where Kycilia is stationed. Char leads a team to destroy Solomon, but during the mission, he and the Red Gundam vanish in a burst of destructive light. This event becomes known as the Zeknova Incident.
The flashback expands on scenes from the Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX: Beginning movie. It shows Char’s final transmission, where he claims, “I can see time,” before the Zeknova incident occurs. The segment also depicts a Newtype woman on a swing who bears a striking resemblance to Lalah Sune from the original series. This flashback sheds light on the events that solidified the alternate timeline of GQuuuuuuX and reveals Char’s true intentions. He plans to exploit Zeon’s impending victory against the Earth Federation to usurp the Principality of Zeon’s rulers and install himself as leader.
Nyaan’s New Life in Granada
The second half of the episode shifts to the present, five years after the One Year War. Nyaan is now living in Granada, under the care of Kycilia Zabi. Nyaan is getting acquainted with her new life as Kycilia’s protégé. She befriends Xavier and meets Miguel Serveto.
Xavier reveals the new GFreD, a second GQuuuuuuX unit painted in the colors of Evangelion Unit 01. The GFreD has had two previous pilot candidates who died during training due to apparent heart attacks. Miguel offers to bake Nyaan a cake to welcome her, but Nyaan later realizes that Miguel poisoned the cake. She connects the dots and realizes that Miguel made the same cake for each of the GFreD test pilots, and Xavier never had a chance to try it himself. Nyaan confronts Miguel and ultimately kills him.
Key Takeaways and Plot Developments
- The Zeknova Incident: Episode 8 finally depicts the Zeknova Incident, a pivotal moment that shaped the GQuuuuuuX timeline. It shows Char’s disappearance and hints at his ability to “see time.”
- Char’s True Intentions: The episode reveals Char’s ambition to use Zeon’s victory to seize power for himself.
- Nyaan’s Development: Nyaan takes center stage, showcasing her intelligence, intuition, and resourcefulness. She quickly adapts to her new environment and demonstrates a capacity for ruthlessness.
- The GFreD Gundam: The introduction of the GFreD Gundam adds another layer of intrigue to the story. Its connection to the deaths of previous pilot candidates raises questions about its true purpose.
- Machu’s Whereabouts: The episode ends with Xavier informing Nyaan that the GQuuuuuuX has escaped from the Sodon and is heading towards Earth. Machu is likely piloting it.
Themes and Parallels
- Alternate Timeline: GQuuuuuuX continues to explore an alternate timeline of the Gundam universe, offering a fresh perspective on familiar events and characters.
- Political Intrigue: The episode delves into the political machinations within the Principality of Zeon, highlighting the power struggles between different factions.
- Betrayal and Deception: The episode features several instances of betrayal and deception, emphasizing the treacherous nature of war and politics.
- Coming-of-Age: Nyaan’s storyline can be seen as a coming-of-age story, as she navigates a new and dangerous world, developing her skills and uncovering her potential.
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: The episode has drawn comparisons to Neon Genesis Evangelion, particularly with the design of the GFreD Gundam and the themes of pilot candidacy.
Reception and Fan Theories
The episode has garnered mixed reactions from fans. Some have praised the episode for its revelations about Char and the Zeknova Incident, as well as Nyaan’s character development. Others have criticized the episode for its pacing and the introduction of new characters who are quickly killed off.
One popular fan theory suggests that the blonde-haired man named Shirozu is Char Aznable in disguise. Shirozu’s name uses the kanji for the number four, which is a reference to Char’s nickname, “The Red Comet” (red being the fourth color in the rainbow).
Streaming Differences
Some viewers have noted that certain scenes in Episode 8 differ slightly between the TV broadcast version and the version available on Amazon Prime Video. The anime’s official X (formerly Twitter) account acknowledged the differences and encouraged fans to enjoy the streaming version.
Where to Watch
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX streams exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
