Modern animation for a story almost 40 years old already and a prequel at that. One cant help but be in awe at the longevity seemingly exhaustless for the Gundam franchise. I get spawning shows casting different characters from different timelines or Sides or another sort of universe if there are I wouldnt put it past them across the years due to the inherent expanse of the series but revisiting the origins from such a long time ago and amassing more important details so as to increase its breadth is quite simply a power move. A fresh new look for the ancestral narrative The Origin offers vibrance at times coming off as comical thus outofplace and clarity for the fleshedout history of the OneYear War. The Principality of Zeon always had that air of intrigue around them solely for the sinister halo encircling the Zabi family. That Char and Sayla both also hail from Zeon adds further substance to that party. Of course not to forget Ramba Ral and Hamon too who were both blessed by elucidation. That is to say Zeon has been far more interesting than the Earth Federation and I am glad that they were given special focus here. It is proper as well to approach the prequel like that for it makes more sense to present the origin of the conflict in the eyes of the antagonistic element so to speak. The Origin made it clearer that even the common people of Side 3 disagrees with the colonizers there is always a different perspective in conflicts. Succeeding then were the plans of the Zabi family to ascend as rulers utilizing the voices of the masses winning their hearts with resistance though not without underlying motives of their own. Tides have stirred and were made witness to political dramas during sensitive times. https://i.ur.com/7yr9hYe.png One thing that had me satisfied with this season is the inclusion of war guilt. As Vice Admiral Dozle assumes one of the authoritative positions commanding a large population of soldiers. I always thought he had the purest heart among his family of snakes and gloryblind immatures like the trope of a large brute with a soft heart. Indeed sentimentality was in him when he was the only one who had shown vulnerability enough to have a family of his own amongst his siblings. As a sort of climax to his character was his guilt after carrying out Gihrens plan that Side 2 catastrophe which killed half of the population. He showed extreme signs of regret hesitance doubt in the humanity of the plan. But right after that breakdown in the majesty of his kid he was made to be convinced that war is about protecting families by crushing others that fault shall not be found in the blood of his hands but in the blood of the fallen. Somehow or another he had to reconcile with the fact that he was also responsible for the greatest disaster of mankind to date and his brain distorted his views to block out feelings of guilt by equipping such a mindset. See I am glad for that showcase of guilt. It was something so essential within the Zabi family for it shows that there is still that common humanity found somewhere from at least one person in that unit though it did become inevitably spoiled. The theme of how family must be conserved is evocative in Gundam more so it must be in the Zabi family. To Dozle this war is to protect his family thus he abides in the theme in a twisted way. It is quite the same with Zeons Sovereign he treats his children with love especially Garma as the youngest and laments at the unfolding of Gihrens sullied heart endangering the country with his godcomplexpowered whims Zeon being deemed as Degwins family himself too. Kycilia well shes still enigmatic to me. Though shes in cahoots with Gihren in many schemes and presumably instigated the murder of Sasro their brother she deemed it the pits of despicableness that Gihren had no care for the life of their father moving her to kill her eldest brother in Season 1. Lastly Garma well he wants to be validated as a child of nobility taking tunnelvision means outside morality to childishly preserve his familys honor. Outside the Zabis there is natural love for ones family in the likes of the Deikuns. It extends to found affectations for Teabolo the Aznables and even ones own pet. The relationship of Amuro and Tem too was given emphasis as one sort of rough in quality time. There is warmth then there is loss opting Sayla to eventually realize that Zeon and the Earth Federation are madmen no different from one another. Everyone is taking away something important to them. On the topic of the Deikuns I should finally talk about Char who is actually not Char because Char was only someone else that looks like him. Casval Rem Deikun Edouard Mass Char Aznablemany identities for a standout character. I want to highlight his character arc as a soldier of Zeon. It makes Char more mysterious when we arent granted access to his inner thoughts in his interactions with the Zabi family specifically Dozle and Garma and for that matter I dont think the creators ever showed what was going on inside his mind explicitly. Especially during the times he was close with Garma there were snippets radiating suspense the tension felt by the viewers unaware for the prey. Such direction heightens intrigue on the true motivations of Casval. What did he feel being under the command of Dozle being praised as the hero of Zeon? His countenance showed no sign at all of the deepseated hatred he must have on his family. Instead he was obedient no fang bared. https://i.ur.com/gCOthQM.png About that I just had some misgivings when as young Casval he declared to Kycilia that hell make the Zabis bow down to him but he himself was absent in the deaths of Degwin Gihren and Dozle. He seemed less of a vengeful spirit because of that. Well though he offed Kycilia and Garma in one way or another through his involvement letting them bow down is different from taking their lives for the former preserves the objects existences only for the sake of subjugation. I guess Ill need to watch Zeta and the following UC seasons first to truly understand his actions. I guess Newtypes really are first and foremost for him. Some other things I want to write out just in bullets. I mentioned earlier that sometimes the anime was comical making it outofplace. The attitude of character movement seemed out of a sliceoflife comedy which made victim even lieutenants of the army. Im just more used to the army being rigid that this fluidity unnerved me to the end. We have highranking officials acting like caricatures and the majority of others following suit in almost cartoony fashion. I dont know I just couldnt get used to this in Gundam. Its like it didnt take itself seriously. The vibrance permeates throughout which Im glad of as it makes it an easier watchI mean everything is lively and expressive in times of joy and grief making it a more emotional show giving a breath of fresh air to the dreariness of Season 1 and adding grandiosity to the likes of Gihren sells him out surely but still I cant justify for the team need of its affixing to the general cast. Another gripe from a passing thought: why does the EFSF not have a Char or someone similar to him? I get that hes a prodigious Newtype and we have Amuro sure but really they have no other notable pilots. Zeon has the TriBlack Star at the very least. Earth has Amuro of course then I guess Hayato Kai and Sayla? Maybe they should count. Tianem and Revil arent pilots so Im excluding them. That is to say names are more glorified on the other side. The sheer number of the EFSF must harbor some big names. Eh it doesnt really matter. These dont really take away a lot of my enjoyment just a bugging discomfort. There is much implication of spirituality in the series. Deikun was spouting a lot of arcane things in his first appearance and he really is treated as if he had a divine possession. He mentioned Gaia which is a primordial god in mythology. There is Gihren and his god complex. There is Degwin mentioning Cain and Abel. There is Char saying that the second act of the war after Revil intervened in the Antarctic peace talks is one without God. Newtypes have a very transcendental hue to them. Im interested in what they have in store for this. https://i.ur.com/VDZBTPB.png https://i.ur.com/Imkhlvw.png Saylas consecutive losses was just sad. Shes such a strong girl more than she is given credit for. And I guess thats it. Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin fulfilled its duties decently. There were no plotholes I have noticedthe team truly was meticulous in seamlessly threading together the narrative despite the large gulf between the years. Due respect was given indeed. I had fun with this it is always a joy knowing how the story unfolded in reverse chronology. I got answers the civilians were given focus and still some questions though they serve as magnetic entities luring me to the next phases of my watch experience. https://i.ur.com/h38pbvZ.png