Art By Jay Rogers (acrylics, 2018)

Art by Jay Rogers (acrylics, 2018)

Some art from the RETURN OF THE JEDI SKETCHBOOK that I haven’t featured before. (Art by Joe Johnston, Nilo Rodis-Jamero, and Ralph McQuarrie.)

Kilian Eng

EDIT: Apparently the shady-looking guy, Shaddiq Zenelli (image below) pilots a different suit, the Michaelis, to the one I thought.

However, I maintain my belief that he’s up to some shady shit, because the Michaelis is obviously made by the same people as both the Begir-Beu and the Heingra (Grassley Defence systems/House), and Shaddiq has a father on the Mobile suit development council.

The Gundam Pharact’s pilot, Elan Ceres, also looks shady to me, but for different reasons, so we’ll see how that goes.

Though if it is going to be a “Noble House” type arrangement, then that sounds very interesting, particularly since I would have like to see more of that kind of thing from Iron-Blooded Orphans, with its factions within Gjallarhorn.

Though really guys, Earthians and Spacians? UC gets away with it because it’s old, but now whenever I hear about tension between Earthians and Spacians, I’m just gonna think of this:

I am looking forward to seeing more of the Mobile suit development council, if only because of that one guy’s facial hair.

Lastly; Chuatury Panlunch

First off, that name. Of the noble Panlunch Family, I’m sure. Fully expect her to open as a Bitch, then soften over time. Though if she ends up unrelated to the Begir-Beu and it’s giant floating globes, then I will be disappointed.

Okay. So I just finished watching Gundam: The witch from mercury prologue, and I figured I’d note down some thoughts and theories here, and see how they pan out.

There are some spoilers for The Witch from Mercury Prologue.

So, Delling

Who appears to be shaping up to be a main antagonist. Honestly, he seems to be Treize (from Gundam Wing) without the class. I think he’s going to be one of those villains you just cannot wait to see get their comeuppance (so, like Iok from Ibo). I do love the absolute hypocrisy of admonishing Ochs Earth for making a weapon that kills its own pilots, when he’s surrounded by other weapons merchants. Like, he’s really out here trying for the moral high ground with that?

It’s interesting that he stated that “Cathedra shall deny all Gundams” because if memory serves the Aerial and Lfrith aren’t the only Gundams:

The Gundam Pharact is an interesting addition, since it appears to use technology similar to the GUND system seen on the Lfrith, and I’ll be honest, it’s pilot, Shaddiq Zenelli, gives me a shady vibe. So perhaps there’s skullduggery afoot there.

The Heingra units seen in the prologue are interesting too, since they seem to resemble the Demi training units seen at the academy. So I’d imagine that whatever company makes them (apparently something called Dominicus?) profited from the events of the prologue, and secured some pretty lucrative contracts (like maybe building the default training unit used by a lot of trainee pilots, perhaps).

Which brings me to the other mobile suits seen in the prologue.

All in All, I really like them. Sometimes you don’t realise how much you like a design until you see it in motion, Y’know? I fully expect Bandai to release a premium kit of the Lfrith pre-production type at some point, because that thing is gorgeous. The Beguir-Beu was also lovely, I liked how it used something other than beam sabres, and the brutality of its attacks got to me. I fully expect its pilot to show up again in some capacity.

Last couple thoughts now;

We only heard that Cardo Nabo (the old lady professor) had been neutralised, we never saw a body, so I’m fully betting she’s gonna show up again. (Probably being forced to work on something against her will).

The fact that prosthetics limbs are not only commonplace, but look (at least to us, the viewers) fully real was cool to see.

Loving the MS battles. Like, if that’s the quality we can expect, then I’m certainly here for it.

Lastly, (HEAVY Spoilers now), hearing Nadim sing his Daughter happy birthday as he’s dying, and watching how the warship bridge staff got utterly freaked out that they can’t stop the transmission was just really nice. A father’s last thoughts of his daughter as he gives his life so she can get away.

Holding Crystal (Moebius)

Mountain (Moebius)