A mini time skip sees the introduction of the latest Gundam, the Gundam AGE-FX!

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Episode forty gets off to quite an odd start with the episode jumping ahead to the latest Federation operation to retake their Luna Base. There’s also the introduction of the latest Gundam and a new opening theme and animation. It’s all nice and dandy, but came off as unexpected and left me a bit confused. The first half of the episode eventually transitions into a flashback that recalls the events in the three months plus since Kio was rescued by the Bisidian Pirates from the Vagan. This leads to a bunch of family reunions: Kio and his father, Kio and his mother, Asemu and Romary, Asemu and Flit as well as the children and their parents.

These moments are both touching and tense—as in the case of Asemu and Flit—and provide character moments for them all, including Wendy, who has thus far been pretty irrelevant in this arc of the series. We also get to see the conflict beginning to stir with Flit and his family as they’ve come to see another side to this war that he stubbornly refuses to acknowledge due to his lust for vengeance—but more on that later.

As stated earlier, the introduction of the AGE-FX comes as bit of an unexpected surprise as the AGE-3 barely lasted as dozen episodes while receiving two upgrades in the Fortress and Orbital. I didn’t expect an entirely new Gundam, but I did expect some new parts like the previous upgrades. The AGE-FX itself comes off as a cross to the Hi-Nu Gundam and the Strike Freedom Gundam with its colour scheme, design and use of Funnels. It’s also through this new and improved Gundam—which makes use full use of Kio’s growing X-Rounder abilities—that Kio is able to fight the war in the manner which he has chosen.

His choice to fight the war his own way is essentially what Kira of Gundam SEED chose and the manner in which they fight is exactly the same. Both have decided to fight the war without killing their enemies and have thus resorted to destroying the machine without endangering the cockpit itself. I was afraid of this as it was that very reason that led me to detest Gundam SEED as Kira became an all powerful god-like being on the battlefield, taking away much of the drama and tension away from the war. I fear the same thing will eventually happen with Kio and it’s a downer seeing as this series has thus far managed to give a nice balance between the darker aspects of war with a lighter tone. This design feature of the FX completely removes any dark aspects that can be displayed through the war. 

That was until the series decided to show that the series’ original protagonist, Flit Asuno, is a complete maniac. His downward spiral in his quest for vengeance is reaching a new boiling point by employing a weapon that has only recently and suspiciously been allowed for use in the battlefield. It appears that he wishes to employ a WMD upon the Vagan much to the dismay of Captain Einus, who wears a look of concern on her face. This is something I’ve pointed out to in the past and I have to say it’s quite disturbing to see Flit fall so low as a character. This was a character who was introduced into war at such a young age and has lived his entire life for the sole goal of revenge. He’s a sad character to watch and it’ll be interesting to see what it will take for him to realize his own mistake and fight alongside his son and grandson once again. 

Overall, Episode 40 is an entertaining episode that moves at a quick pace and with a ton of development. Some of the developments I like while there are others that I don’t like at all. The series is taking an interesting turn here and it appears Ezelcant is about to reach his end as the episode ends off on a cliffhanger, introducing a mysterious figure in a tank. 

GO Rating: 3.5/5

Who could this mysterious figure be?