REVIEW: ‘Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury,’ Episode 3 — “Guel’s Pride”

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury shows no signs of letting up in its third episode. “Guel’s Pride” immediately takes place after the events of the previous episode, with Suletta Mercury (Kana Ichinose) once again battling Guel Jeturk (Yohei Azakami). If Suletta loses, she’ll be expelled from Asticassia School of Technology. But if she wins, she’ll get to stay and remain engaged to Miorine Rembran (Lynn). Outside forces, including Miorine and Guel’s fathers, conspire to make sure Suletta loses the duel.

I’ve really enjoyed the approach that The Witch From Mercury has taken to its world-building. It’s at a pace that isn’t too fast or too slow, which lets viewers ease into the narrative. And it’s delivered in a way that’s both informative and entertaining. For example, when reciting the oath before a mobile suit duel, Suletta learns that nearly anything can be bet on the outcome of a duel – from money to relationships. The aforementioned oath also has a sentence regarding the outcome of a duel: “The only result is the truth.” No matter the skill or the pilot, the winner is the last man standing.

Speaking of the duels, I couldn’t help but be reminded of one of my all-time favorite anime, Yu-Gi-Oh! Yes, the duels in The Witch From Mercury involve giant robots instead of card games, but the protagonists still put all of their skill and heart into the battles. And both series share protagonists that have a few things in common. Like Yugi Muto, Suletta is rather shy and wishes for friends, and is driven when it comes to dueling. And like Seto Kaiba, Guel is a man with an immense amount of pride – and some serious daddy issues. It’s an interesting parallel, which makes me wonder if there are other similarities between the two franchises that might prop up in future episodes.

The duel itself is the highlight of The Witch From Mercury Episode 3, in no part thanks to Sunrise’s animation. The rematch between Suletta and Guel takes place in another holographic environment – this time, a forest. Add in heavy rain that interferes with their beam weapons, and they have no choice but to get up close and personal. Unlike other Gundam series, The Witch From Mercury features mobile suits whose armor can break off and form into weapons to attack or shields to defend. It’s not just the beam rifles and sabers that give one the edge – it’s how they predict their opponent’s moves and counterattack. Seeing a pilot think up strategies on the fly adds a new – and welcome – edge to the standard Gundam battles.

Suletta, and by extension, the audience, are introduced to a few new characters during the course of the episode. The two standouts are Shaddiq Zenelli (Makoto Furukawa) and Elan Ceres (Natsuki Hanae). Both end up playing a major role in the episode: Elan runs Aticassa’s Dueling Committee and Shaddiq is tasked by his father to keep an eye on Suletta and her Gundam. And their personalities make for an interesting clash; Shaddiq is a bold womanizer while Elan’s more of the “strong but silent” type. Guel also gets some much-needed character development as his contentious relationship with his father clashes with his pride as a mobile suit duelist. It’s a great way to flesh out the series’ rival and proves that Miorine isn’t the only person who butts heads with her father.

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury Episode 3 features plenty of giant robot battles, alongside interplanetary politics and budding romance. Once again, the episode ends with a surprise proposal that’s bound to complicate things between all parties involved. And even though it’s only been three episodes, the show continues to hook me with each new plot development.

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury is available to stream on Crunchyroll. New episodes premiere on Sundays.