Gundam Unicorn OAV – Perfect set up for an epic OAV

So the first episode of the Gundam Unicorn OAV was just released worldwide on Blu Ray and DVD last March 12.  And after seeing the episode, I have to say that things are indeed looking up for the Gundam Franchise.  Although the Gundam Unicorn series of light novels were not as popular (in my book) as the other members of the Gundam metaseries, the OAV is setting the stage for all that to change.

Set after the Universal Century’s one year war, Gundam Unicorn is centered on the lead protagonists Banagher Links and Audrey Burne. Banagher is a newtype, or at least displays newtype like abilities.  He unwittingly rescues Audrey Burne while the latter is attempting to infiltrate the formers colony.  In typical Gundam fashion, a series that begins at an outer space colony, usually sees said colony in conflict not soon after and indeed that case is evident here.  The colony is later raided and throughout the process of the episode, Banagher “stumbles” upon the Unicorn Gundam.  Being the only pilot at the time able to take the unit out, the Unicorn Gundam is made to only recognize Banagers biometrics.

The titular Gundam of the series, the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam, is a high spec mobile suit that has two distinct modes of operation.  The normal unicorn mode, which only slightly resembles a mass produced RX-78 albeit stark white and almost featureless, and a destroy mode, which changes the appearance dramatically by exposing glowing red interiors and face swapping to that of a traditional Gundam face.

Now the pilot of the Unicorn Gundam and motivated to rescue Audrey who was separated from him during the course of the episode, Banagher uses the unit to bust through the colony’s outer wall, in the process engaging Neo Zeon’s Kshatriya piloted by Marida Cruz.  The hour long episode ends when Banagher triggers the RX-0’s Destroy Mode amidst a fearsome funnel attack from the Kshatriya.

The episodes come in 1 hour chunks, and though the next episode won’t be out until late this year, the pace is set for what may be an amazing second episode.  Though this episode had some cool mecha battles, the long narrative of the political situation drowned out some of the action.  Don’t get me wrong, that’s all well and good, but with only an hour long episode to whet the appetite for months on end, this may cause a little episode angst.  Though the light novels are available for perusal should one want to progress the narrative, those waiting for the anime version will just have to wait.

For now those willing to wait have much to expect, here’s hoping that they deliver! And for the meantime, indulge yourself in the MG kits from the OAV, namely Unicorn and MG Sinanju! Woot!

Sinanju - Nemesis of Gundam Unicorn