Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans

Episode 23

Trust nobody on this week's episode of Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans. Named “The final lie,” it is truly difficult to determine what this title is referencing because we're learning that pretty much everyone is a liar. Not always in a cruel way, mind you (though there's also a bit of that). Sometimes people lie to make others feel better or reassure them, as well as just to further their own interests, and attempting to determine who is lying for what reason adds a bit of depth to this week's character development. A story about flawed but dynamic characters, punctuated by an epic Gundam battle, makes this week great.

The most pants-on-fire character of the day award would certainly go to McGillis, who is playing both sides of the field without any apparent remorse. He offers Tekkadan a secure train route that Gjallarhorn supposedly doesn't know about, and at the same time, he offers Carta a redemption mission to intercept Tekkadan on that same route. What does McGillis want? He seems impressed by Tekkadan's strength, so maybe he figured this was a battle they could handle, which would also ensure Carta's death. Carta's dignified combat style, all pomp and circumstance, is no match for Tekkadan's “mannerless” guerrilla warfare. I can't say Carta doesn't deserve what's coming to her, but I really hoped she'd be smarter than to try a fancy formation again. Fool me once, shame on you, you know?

Mikazuki is the second liar of the day. This usually blunt character's craftiness took me by surprise, but his choice to lie fit perfectly into his unhealthy relationship with Orga. Orga is like a child now—when Mom doesn't give him the answer he wants, he goes to Dad. Or rather, when Merribit scolds him for riling up his men for a revenge mission, Orga decides to seek approval elsewhere, from Mika. Mikazuki decides to feed him a white lie about Biscuit's last night alive. Parts of the story are true, but not everything he seems to recall Biscuit telling him. The result is that Orga renews his resolve to get revenge. But why is Mika reassuring Orga in the first place? It could be that Mikazuki needs Orga to have resolve, so Mika can continue to follow his orders without concern. If Orga questioned himself, Mika might have to do some hard thinking too.

The third worst liar of the day is Gaelio, the Garma to McGillis's Char. Gaelio has always been more of a follower than a leader, and now he's seeing where taking McGillis's advice has gotten him. First he confronts Ein, who has essentially become his Graze unit, a sentient Gundam. Ein is entirely grateful for the new lease on life, but Gaelio can't help but think he's created a monster, even as he keeps a calm demeanor in front of Ein's new form. I am fascinated by where this series has taken Ein, and how his humanity will evolve from here. Gaelio lies again to Carta (who is still not dead for some reason), pretending to be his more charismatic friend in order to make Carta feel better. It's almost enough to make Gaelio cry, too. Could he possibly know that McGillis doesn't give a crap about Carta?

Lies won the day, and good intentions, like Merribit's and Gaelio's, lost out. The atmosphere is building into something dark that can only end in tragedy. It's a powerful result from a cast of interesting, flawed characters. With two more episodes to go, I am ready to see how this ride ends.

Rating: A

Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans is available streaming at Daisuki.net and Funimation.com.

Lauren writes about anime and journalism at Otaku Journalist.