REVIEW ‘Mobile Suit Gundam: GQuuuuuuX’ Episode 3 — “Machu in Clan Battle”

Following the flashback in Episode 2, we catch up to present time with Amate Yuzuriha (Tomoyo Kurosawa) and her friends in Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX Episode 3, “Machu in Clan Battle.” Everyone’s circumstances align with Amate having to jump back into the White Gundam, aka the GQuuuuuuX, for the next Clan Battle. Amate also gains a surprising partner to enter the competition under the Kaneban Co., Ltd. Pomeranians team banner—headed by the junk dealer president Annqi (Mariya Ise). From Clan Battles to MAVs, this episode explains these terms while maintaining pacing and action.

In Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX Episode 3 Amate meets a boy named Shuji Ito (Shimba Tsuchiya), who pilots the Red Gundam. She can’t forget the sensation of the glowing universe they experienced together back in Episode 1. So, Amate suggests forming a Mav with Shuji to enter the Clan Battle. Amate uses the entry name “Machu” instead of her real name. The two unlikely partners put on a spectacular show at Clan Battle, raising every viewer’s eyebrows.

As for the other characters, Commander Challia Bull (Shinji Kawada) and his Principality of Zeon crew force themselves into Side6 to bail Ensign Xavier Olivette (Seiichiro Yamashita) out of Side6’s military headquarters. A quick comment by one of the military police (MP) officers reveals Xavier is a Loum refugee who quickly climbed the ranks to Zeon officer. Even though this comment is snippy and quick, it’s a great way to add more backstory to Xavier’s character.

Amate makes a meaningful new connection in Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX Episode 3.

Throughout Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX Episode 3, no one gets in Challia’s way—showing how he and the Zeon name carry much weight in Side6 and this universe. One crucial detail is Presidential Aide Cameron’s passing comment to Challia on getting Xavier out of jail. Cameron tells Challia, “Oh, you’re still flying around in that old ship.”

This sly statement hints that Challia is operating the search for the Red Gundam on his own, out of the jurisdiction of the Zeon Empire. Challia chalks it up to the Zeon Empire being on a tight budget about still flying in his old ship, but the reason is that he cares to find out where his close friend and Mav Char Azable vanished.

The way Amate and Shuji meet is both meaningful to the story but also a little funny. First, when Amate finds the name Char mentioned in an article on her phone, a glittery spark appears—followed by a sound cue similar to one used in One Piece. The name triggers her to find a glittery graffiti painting at a nearby underpass wall, and leads her to Shuji. As Amate stares at the graffiti, Shuji appears behind Amate and sniffs her, saying, “So you’ve seen the other side too?” The sniffing is weird but funny that Amate doesn’t question it or is disturbed by it.

Amate’s elaborate workaround to solve Nyaan’s problem with Shuji is intricate, but it shows her quick thinking to find solutions for everyone. Nyaan is tasked to collect a money transfer from Shuji for her delivery job, but Shuji loses the money he’s supposed to hand over to Nyaan. When Amate hears about their dilemma, Amate suggests that Shuji be her Mav in the upcoming Clan Battle to win some prize money. So far, Amate isn’t acting out of her interests, but she keeps it in mind since her ultimate goal is to leave Side6—as mentioned in Episode 1.

The Clan Battle is quick but impactful. 

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuX continues to achieve a balance of action and exposition. However, the pacing is slightly too fast in Episode 3 since it runs through the concepts of Mavs, Minovsky particles, and the Clan Battle fight ends quickly. Even though it takes a bit of time for Amate to control the Red Gundam, the fight is as incredible as it’s short. This may be a fast battle because Amate and Shuji’s next Clan Battle will be longer and more dynamic.

The animation mixes stand out in the best ways possible. Amate is blinded by a flash grenade, covering the screen in a magenta filter for a couple of seconds. The black thread-like paint strokes, when Amate is filled with negative self-talk and doubts her ability to win the Clan Battle, are a poignant touch depicting the overwhelming internal anxiety within her.

Whether Annqi will exploit Amate and Shuji’s special Gundam piloting skills has yet to be determined. As for Challia and Xavier’s tactics in re-capturing the Red Gundam and White Gundam are also unclear.

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX Episode 3 crams plenty of dialogue explaining lore terms, and resolves Amate’s incompetence relatively quick. The highlight remains the great animation mixes and spatial audio cues surrounding Amate’s Gundam and Psycommu abilities. With tensions mounting, hopefully, the next fights will provide more tricky challenges for Amate and Shuji. Otherwise, the series can go a bit stale with 7-minute fights where they rely on just their feelings to win.

Mobile Suit Gundam: GQuuuuuuX Episode 3 is streaming on Prime Video.

Previous Episode | Next Episode