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AEUG’s Jaburo drop invasion

I’ve had a draft clear-out, most’ve them being “hey, talk about this topic” or the first in a five-part series I don’t feel like following up on, but I figured I’d shove this one from about 6-8 months ago out the door while I’m here:

I think I realised something about the popularity of Zeon while watching Char’s Counterattack. It’s not just that they have really cool looking mobile suits, or that they have an absolutely baller aesthetic, but it’s also that they’re interesting to root for. Or rather, it’s that the Earth Federation is uninteresting to root for.

Protagonists in UC works tend to get drawn into the fighting due to personal reasons, indeed the only one who I can think of off the top of my head who doesn’t is Kou Uraki (at least at first). They are not motivated by greater loyalty to the Earth Federation. Zeon as a force, whatever permutation they may take, are fighting to change the status quo, of the Colonies being ruled from Earth. Thus, members of Zeon display fire, passion and zeal, because they are fighting to upend a (from their perspective) unfair system. To bring real change to the Earth sphere. The Earth federation, in contrast, are fighting to preserve the (arguably unfair) status quo. And it’s a lot harder to bring up that same passion when talking about a fairly faceless, ponderous political regime. Hence, the protagonist’s usual personal stake in the conflict.

Zeon are also a complete mess of backstabbing and power plays. Gihren and Kycillia jockey for power during the One Year War, and Glemy straight-up forms a coup against Haman during the first Neo Zeon War. They’re interesting to watch as they compete against one another. The Earth Federation government certainly engages in its own infighting and secret negotiations (such as with Char in Sweetwater, and the Titans), but we don’t see much of a face to it. (Jerid’s really just seeking power, and unconcerned with the actual morals behind the Titans, and Jamitov doesn’t really have a lot going for him on the compelling front). But Zeon has that charisma, has that passion, so it’s little wonder that they enjoy great popularity.