Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Ep. 33 Thoughts

So we bid adieu to Takaki Uno after seeing him in the last 4 episodes or so. No, he didn’t end up a casualty of war like Aston last episode. But this is perhaps the last time we will be seeing Takaki for much of this season, if not the series altogether. He is still reeling over Aston’s death and even though his sister Fuka tries to console him (who herself is also coping), it’s still getting the best of him. 

After speaking with Mikazuki and Kudelia, Takaki made the announcement that he would leave Tekkadan and remain on Earth, living as a civilian with his sister. Orga accepts his resignation and both Mika and Akihiro give their own way of saying farewell. It’s always amusing to see how Mika reacts to these things, considering he barely flinches. 

Speaking of Akihiro, the episode has confirmed that without a doubt, Lafter’s in love with him, and even Azee notices, but the two agree to keep it a secret. As much as I like to see this blossom, this is Iron Blooded Orphans, where things get REALLY bad. I expect Lafter’s confession to never happen because either she or Akihiro gets offed. I do hope that never happens, though, and that Akihiro does get his own happy ending. Plus I love the guy as he’s the Gundam counterpart to Guts from Berserk.

We learn a bit more about McGillis. Aside from never having blood ties to the Fareed family, he is also constantly abused by his foster father, Iznario Fareed. I can only think the reason he was adopted in the first place, apart from having a male heir, is due to his keen intelligence. Rustal suspects this as McGillis’s motivation for taking over the Fareed family and his rise in power within Gjallarhorn. 

Later, we find out why McGillis insists on teaming with Tekkadan for his campaign than anyone else – he plans to completely remove Gjallarhorn from their influence on Mars and giving it instead to Tekkadan. This means not only is Mars operating with virtually full independence, but under Tekkadan’s watch, it gives the faction such a status that shakes up the balance of power among the economic blocs. As I said in my previous reviews, Tekkadan is reaching a position that surpasses Teiwaz, leading to the eventual confrontation between the two. 

It’s an offer Orga cannot refuse, and much of the Tekkadan crew save Merribit goes with it. So the alliance is now stronger than ever, with Orga and Tekkadan aiming for the title of “King of Mars”. How will this affect relations with the Turbines and, more importantly, Teiwaz, we’ll have to wait and see. The episode ends with Orga and Mika alone together and Orga laments that his promise to Mika as kids is still far and away. Orga of course, does not show this moment of vulnerability to Mika, after what happened last season. 

As for Takaki, he returns home with his sister living a now more peaceful life. I will surely miss him as he is one of my favorite minor characters. But, like Mikazuki, I felt a sense of relief that Takaki can live happily now with his sister.