Manga Review: Mobile Suit Gundam – The Origin, Volume 7

This week I’ve got the next volume of Gundam: The Origin, as we approach the end of the flashback.

Title: Mobile Suit Gundam – The Origin, Volume 7
Written & Illustrated by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko
Original Story by Yoshiyuki Tomino
Mechanical Design by Kunio Okawara
Translated by Melissa Tonaka

Available from Amazon.com & Rightstuf.com

The Premise

The forces of Zeon begin their push on Earth. First they gas a resisting colony and attempts to drop the colony on the Federation headquarters on Jaburo, in South America. the colony breaks up on entry, instead hitting the North American Midwest and Sydney, Australia. After Zeon forces defeat the Earth Federation military near the colony of Loum, Zeon is in a prime position to invade Earth itself.

Meanwhile, on Side 6, development of the Gundam continues, and Sayla Mass continues to work with the Federation Medical Corps – and a Zeon spy slips a message to Sayla, her brother may be alive, and he may be Char Aznable.

High Points

Everything leading to the colony drop is brilliantly written, and horrific as we, the reader, realize what is coming. This means we, can appreciate the dawning moment of horror as the other characters realize it too.

In particular, Dozle’s moment of realization is particularly heartbreaking, as he realizes the monstrous act he’s done, almost turns back, before deciding to double down for fear of the repercussions to his family if Zeon falls, and they’re punished for his monstrous acts.[/spoilers]

Low Points

Man, if Garma didn’t seem easily manipulated before, he is certainly come across that way now.

Scores

Originality: This volume has material that was hinted at in the show, but was never shown to such an amazing and horrific degree of detail. 6/6

Artwork: As excellently done as ever. 6/6

Story: This is the finest volume of the series thus far, as the political schemes become more tightly polished, and everything comes together. 6/6

Emotional Response: This is one of the story’s most intense volumes, from the Zeon attack to the colony drop. 6/6

Characterization: This volume gives Dozle and Ranba Ral some much needed depth. 6/6

Flow: 6/6

Overall: This is the best SF comic that Lit-SF fans aren’t reading, and that needs to change, more people need to be reading this. 6/6

In total, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin Volume 7 gets 42 out of 42.