Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Special Edition: In-Depth Review and Recommended Points

"Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans" Special Edition - Boys' Battles and Hopes

The special edition of Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans is a digest version of all nine episodes that were broadcast from April 5 to May 31, 2022. This work depicts the epic story of boys on Mars striving for independence from the domination of the Earth Sphere, and focuses on the growth and struggles of the protagonist Mikazuki Augus and his friends. Below, we will take a deeper look at the appeal and details of this special edition.

Story and Background

Iron-Blooded Orphans is set 300 years after the end of a large-scale war known as the Calamity War. This war was fought between humanity and autonomous unmanned weapons known as Mobile Armors, and resulted in many casualties. After the war, a new system of governance was established in the Earth Sphere, and a temporary peace came about. However, in the Mars Sphere, the seeds of a new battle were beginning to emerge.

The protagonist, Mikazuki Augus, is a boy soldier belonging to the private security company "Cruse Guard Security" (CGS). They take on the task of guarding Kudelia Aina Bernstein, a young girl who seeks Mars' independence, but are attacked by Earth's ruling force, Gjallarhorn. CGS uses the boys as a decoy and begins to retreat, and Mikazuki and his friends take this opportunity to rebel against the adults and form Tekkadan. Mikazuki pilots the "Gundam Barbatos", a mobile suit from the Calamity War era, and challenges the battle alongside his comrades.

Characters and cast

Mikazuki Augus is played by Kawanishi Kengo. His companion and leader of the Tekkadan, Orga Itsuka, is played by Hosoya Yoshimasa. The story is supported by a star-studded cast including Hanae Natsuki as Biscuit Griffon and Umehara Yuichiro as Eugene Seven Stark. Yuka Terasaki as Kudelia Aina Bernstein and Hisako Kanemoto as Atra Mixta also deliver impressive performances, realistically portraying the relationships and growth of the characters.

Mikazuki has a generous personality and is willing to make any sacrifice for his friends. Orga has excellent leadership skills and is trusted by the boys. Biscuit plays the role of a strategist, and Eugene has excellent physical abilities but can also be thoughtless. Akihiro Altland is the leader of the Human Debris and often takes on dangerous missions. Norba Shino is cheerful and good at hand-to-hand combat, and Takaki Uno is active as a leader of the younger group. Yamagi Gilmerton is quiet but good at machine maintenance, and Ride Massu is foul-mouthed but caring towards his friends.

Mechanics and battle scenes

The mechanical design of this work was handled by Naohiro Washio, Kanetake Ebikawa, Ippei Gyoube, and Kenji Teraoka, and expresses the profound feeling and power that is unique to the Gundam series. In particular, Gundam Barbatos is one of the Gundam frames used in the Calamity War 300 years ago, and was used as the power source of the CGS, but was activated by Mikazuki and becomes the center of the story. Barbatos' main weapon is a large mace, and its battle scenes are well worth watching.

Other Gundam frames, such as the Gundam Gusion and Gundam Kimaris, also make appearances, with each pilot's unique fighting style reflected in the game. The Gjallarhorn Graze and Schwalbe Graze also play important roles, adding to the scale of the battles.

Music and theme song

The opening theme "Blaze" was written by MAN WITH A MISSION. Along with the all-new opening video, it foreshadows the exciting developments in the story. The ending theme "Tears of Orphans" is sung by MISIA and composed and arranged by Sagisu Shiro, enhancing the moving parts of the story. These songs are important elements that stir the emotions of the viewer and increase their immersion in the story.

The appeal of the special edition

This special edition is a re-edited version of some episodes from the original 50 episodes, and condenses the core of the story. It focuses on the first episode of the first season, and clearly depicts the events from the formation of Tekkadan to the battle with Gjallarhorn. It also includes a new opening video and theme song, making it enjoyable for both existing fans and new viewers.

The special edition also emphasizes the growth of the characters and the changes in their relationships, depicting how the boys fight and find hope. Viewers will be touched by the friendship between Mikazuki and Orga, Kudelia's passion for the independence movement, and the bond between the Tekkadan comrades.

Related works and recommendations

After enjoying the special edition of "Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans," we recommend that you watch all episodes of seasons 1 and 2. Season 2 in particular depicts the further growth of Tekkadan and their battles with new enemies, allowing you to feel the depth of the story. Additionally, the "Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans" retrospective special and the special just before the broadcast will also be a good opportunity to learn about the background of the work and behind-the-scenes stories from its production.

In addition, other works in the Gundam series are also recommended. Each work in the "Mobile Suit Gundam" series has a different theme and character, which has the appeal to attract the hearts of viewers. In particular, "Mobile Suit Gundam UC" and "Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway's Flash" allow you to enjoy the world of Gundam from a different perspective than Iron-Blooded Orphans.

Conclusion

The special edition of Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans is a moving work that depicts the battles and hopes of young boys. The character growth and relationships, powerful battle scenes, and beautiful music combine to leave a strong impression on viewers. This is a work that should be watched not only by fans of the Gundam series, but also by those who like anime and science fiction. The story of Tekkadan will give us courage and hope.