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Wednesday, June 11, 2014

The End of Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn

**Spoilers Ahead**

I finally got around to concluding the Unicorn OVA with a viewing of Vol. 7 - "Over the Rainbow". It was almost surreal to me that the years went by so fast, considering how long we had to wait between 7 different episodes. The final episode wasn't exactly how I pictured it, but I believe it was a fitting end to one of the best animated Gundam productions ever.

I was getting intense flashes of nostalgia throughout the episode because of its numerous references to the history of UC Gundam. The most notable moment, in particular, was the appearance of Lala and Char (and Amuro as well?). It was honestly gut-wrenching, seeing the heroes of decades past in spirit form. It was like seeing old friends again, but it came with a touch of sadness since it confirmed to me that Amuro and Char had indeed passed on to another existence.

Long time, no see

The entire episode felt like a wrapping up of the decades worth of Universal Century lore. It had the look of an anniversary or a celebration, with the franchise culminating in one of the most impressive and well-produced animations in recent memory. Seriously, those flashbacks of Chars Counterattack and the One Year War? And Banagher's epic conclusion with Full Frontal's Zeong-esque mobile weapon? Gundam gold, my friends.

I don't know what the general fan consensus is, but I sincerely do not care. I had a blast watching this OVA, and I think it will go down as one of the best in the series. Now, if we could just get a full length series like it...