Gundam GQuuuuuuX Episode 8 Turns Dark, Neon Evangelion Vibes & Classic Animation Styles

I’ve just witnessed a grim milestone: Amate Yuzuhira (Machu) and the Gundam GQuuuuuuX have fallen into captivity at the hands of Challia Bull and his crew from Sodon. Nyaan is now under the protection of Kycillia Zabi, though she remains oblivious to Challia’s nefarious plot to eliminate her and seize control over the rest of Zeon’s rulers. What’s even more peculiar is that Shuji Ito and the Red Gundam seem to have vanished within the Kira-Kira.

As the anime has reached its midway mark, such heart-wrenching events are inevitable. However, even anticipating them, fans, particularly those deeply invested in the Gundam series, are still taken aback by where the story is going. In essence, Episode 8 of Gundam GQuuuuuuX, titled “Falling on the Moon,” has merged Gundam with Neon Genesis Evangelion, creating a surprising blend that’s been the most exhilarating development in Gundam in years.

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX Episode 8 Fixes One of the Anime’s Early Mistakes

The Episode Brings Back the Char Aznable Who Gundam Fans Know & Love

Episode 8 of Gundam GQuuuuuuX can be described as a combined episode, with two distinct parts. The initial segment serves as a flashback to the conclusion of the alternate One-Year War. This part focuses on Char Aznable and his experiences during the Second Battle of Solomon, where he was last seen disappearing in the Zeknova’s explosion while piloting the Red Gundam. The later half unfolds in the present timeline, with Nyaan being drafted into the Principality of Zeon. In this context, Nyaan finds himself aligned with Lady Kycillia Zabi as tensions escalate between the powerful Zeon families and factions, foreshadowing a potential civil war. Each segment offers unique appeal.

Initially, the depiction of the One-Year War brought some much-needed clarity to certain gaps in GQuuuuuuX‘s narrative. For instance, it shed light on Char’s disappearance, although it left unexplored the specifics of Zeknova and his unusual ability to perceive time. These details seem reserved for a future episode. However, the most significant revelation from GQuuuuuuX Episode 8 is that The Red Comet’s true motive is as follows: Char intends to exploit the approaching victory of Zeon over the Earth Federation to seize control of Zeon’s leadership and assume the position of leader himself.

Reflecting on it now, I realize that the early portrayal of Zeon in GQuuuuuuX seemed to be more akin to a zealous fan fiction, showcasing them as an infallible fighting force. However, upon reconsideration, Zeon, much like any totalitarian regime, was destined for failure due to its internal strife and elitism.

Char himself played a significant role in the demise of Zeon, though his motivations were initially obscured. The early episodes of GQuuuuuuuX only subtly suggested this, with Zeon appearing invincible, especially in Episode 2. But it was not until Episode 8 of Gundam GQuuuuuuX that the fissures within Zeon emerged, the gravity of the war intensified, and Char’s duplicity was unveiled.

For longtime fans of ‘Gundam’ who felt that GQuuuuuuX’s alternate timeline seemed incomplete, Episode 8 should prove satisfying. The initial 10 minutes of Episode 8 might disappoint those expecting something new, as they revisit scenes from the prequel film, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX: Beginning. However, these opening scenes were initially shown in Gundam GQuuuuuuX Episode 2 but omitted to maintain the enigma surrounding Char’s character. While some viewers who have seen the film might find this repetition frustrating given its theater absence, a refresher like this is greatly appreciated by fans, especially after such a long time since the film’s release.

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX Episode 8 Hints at a More Cosmic & Stranger Overall Story

Gundam GQuuuuuuX’s Parallels to Neon Genesis Evangelion Are Undeniable

In Episode 8 of GQuuuuuuX, the narrative shifts to focus on Nyaan, who now resides in Granada – a space station inhabited by Kycillia. Alongside Kycillia, Nyaan also forms a closer bond with Xavier Olivette. It’s been a while coming, but when Nyaan takes the spotlight for half of this episode, it proves to be well worth the wait. This segment offers insight into Nyaan’s personality, revealing that she’s not just a solitary figure yearning for companionship, but also more perceptive and astute than she may seem.

What makes Nyaan’s storyline particularly interesting and unexpected is the many similarities it shares with Neon Genesis Evangelion. It’s not just about the striking resemblance between the Gundam GFreD and Eva Unit-01, or the fact that GQuuuuuuX was co-created by him. Instead, Episode 8 of GQuuuuuuX positions Nyaan in a role similar to Shinji Ikari, while Kycillia is portrayed as the counterpart to Gendo Ikari within the context of GQuuuuuuX.

In a similar fashion to Shinji from before, Nyaan is being prepared to control a colossal robot that appears intelligent without fully disclosing the destructive abilities and intentions hidden within. Concurrently, Kycillia appears bent on inciting an apocalyptic scenario reminiscent of Evangelion’s cataclysmic events, motivated by her own desires. Although cosmic and philosophical themes have been recurrent in Gundam, they are seldom or never employed within the Universal Century. The prospect of GQuuuuuuX representing a fresh interpretation of Turn A Gundam while simultaneously retelling both the initial Mobile Suit Gundam and its successor, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, adds even more thrill to an already intriguing storyline.

Regrettably, Episode 8 of GQuuuuuuX introduces an intriguing new narrative arc, but the pacing seems rushed due to the anime’s insufficient lead-up. In a short span of around ten minutes, this episode packs multiple storylines and character interplay that typically unfold over five episodes in older anime series. Here, we see Nyaan adapting to life in Granada, forming friendships with Xavier, encountering Miguel for the first time, discovering Miguel’s role as Supreme Commander Gihren Zabi’s spy, and the activation of the Gundam GFreD without any external triggers. This doesn’t even begin to cover Kycillia’s separate subplot and revelations.

In my perspective as an observer, the overall structure of the episode is quite compelling. However, some subtler moments that aim to humanize the characters seem somewhat rushed and lack the necessary impact. After the initial grandeur of the Gundam GFreD obliterating Miguel subsides, what remains are a series of strategic narrative developments that feel predictable rather than emotionally resonant.

For instance, Miguel’s betrayal could have been far more potent if we had been given more time to understand him and his motivations across three additional episodes. In a longer version of the anime, Gundam GQuuuuuuX Episode 8 might have served as the opening episode of a new story arc or season, providing ample opportunity for character development and audience engagement.

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX Episode 8 Embraces Classic & Modern Animation Styles

Gundam GQuuuuuuX Uses Two Different Styles to Tell Two Connected Stories

Due to being divided into two segments, “GQuuuuuuX” Episode 8 smartly incorporates two unique artistic approaches. This thoughtful division not only sets apart the past and present of “GQuuuuuuX”, but also caters to a variety of preferences. The initial half emulates a contemporary reinterpretation of classic “Gundam” episodes, similar to “Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin” or “Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway”. This implies traditional character designs, robust and weighty combat animations, nostalgic creative elements, and so on. Conversely, the latter half mirrors the visual styles and cinematic techniques commonly seen in more contemporary anime. Specifically, the second part of “GQuuuuuuX” Episode 8 resembles the aesthetic choices made by Khara, as well as the animators from their previous studios, such as Trigger and Gainax.

In this episode, it wasn’t unexpected that there were similarities to the animated series Evangelion, produced by Gainax. The mobile suits demonstrated more powerful explosive abilities, the characters moved and acted more fluidly, and the characters themselves were more expressive. Even some shots mirrored iconic scenes from Evangelion. However, the animation didn’t escalate to such an extent that it conflicted with the flashback scenes. This skillful balance is a testament to Khara’s consistent high-quality work. It’s worth noting that the mecha animation, backgrounds, and special effects (particularly the Kira-Kira) in this episode were stunning, regardless of the timeline.

In simpler terms, “Gundam GQuuuuuuX Episode 8” serves as both a strategic pause and an exciting leap forward in the series. This episode sheds light on long-standing mysteries and potentially sets the stage for the overall conflict and climax. However, certain issues that detract from the episode’s impact are not inherent to it but rather stem from constraints within the anime as a whole. If there had been more backstory and events leading up to this episode, “Gundam GQuuuuuuX” would have made a stronger and more impactful statement. Nevertheless, despite these limitations, “Gundam GQuuuuuuX” Episode 8 takes an unexpected turn, propelling the story, the series as a whole, and viewers into unanticipated and intriguing new territory.

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX is now streaming exclusively on .

2025-05-27 23:56