Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans
| Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans | |
 Cover of the first Blu-ray volume, with an illustration of the ASW-G-08 Gundam Barbatos. | |
| 機動戦士ガンダム 鉄血のオルフェンズ (Kidō Senshi Gandamu Tekketsu no Orufenzu) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Science fiction, Mecha, Drama |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by | Tatsuyuki Nagai |
| Written by | Mari Okada |
| Music by | Masaru Yokoyama |
| Studio | Sunrise |
| Licensed by | |
| Network | JNN (MBS) |
| Original run | October 4, 2015 – ongoing |
| Episodes | 25 |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Kazuma Isobe |
| Published by | Kadokawa Shoten |
| Demographic | Shōnen |
| Magazine | Gundam Ace |
| Original run | October 2015 – ongoing |
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans (Japanese: 機動戦士ガンダム 鉄血のオルフェンズ Hepburn: Kidō Senshi Gandamu Tekketsu no Orufenzu), also referred to as G-Tekketsu (Gの鉄血), is a 2015 Japanese mecha drama Anime series and the fourteenth incarnation to Sunrise's long-running Gundam franchise. It is directed by Tatsuyuki Nagai and written by Mari Okada, a team which previously collaborated on Toradora! and Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day. It aired in Japan on MBS and other JNN stations on October 4, 2015,[1] making this the first Gundam series to return to a Sunday late afternoon time slot since Mobile Suit Gundam AGE.
Iron-Blooded Orphans deals with several real-life problems such as war, slavery, child soldiers, poverty, corruption and neo-colonialism. The series's catchphrase is "The sustenance of life is on the battlefield." (いのちの糧は、戦場にある。 Inochi no kate wa, senjō ni aru.)
Story
The year is Post Disaster 323. More than 300 years after a great war between Earth and Outer colonies known as the "Calamity War", Mars has been successfully terraformed and colonized by humans. However even with the technological advancements, the humans on Mars crave freedom against the government of Earth and seek to improve their livelihoods. Furthermore, while most of Mars' nations have received autonomy, the planet is virtually dependent on Earth for economic development with many living in impoverished conditions. A young orphan named Mikazuki Augus is part of a group of children who work for the civilian security company Chryse Guard Security, entrusted with the safety of the Martian Princess Kudelia Aina Bernstein, who has plans for her nation of Chryse to secure independence from Earth. One day, the group was attacked by the Earth Military organization Gjallarhorn, which aims to stop the Martian independence movement. During the attack, the leader of the children and the Third Army Division within CGS, Orga Itsuka, decides to rebel against the adults and higher-ups who had escaped and left the children and foot-soldiers to remain and fight as decoys. As all hope seems lost, Mika enters the battle, piloting a hastily repaired mobile suit: the legendary Gundam Barbatos.
Development
The series was first teased by Sunrise through a new teaser site for the series,[2] with a countdown to reveal the new main Mobile Suit on July 15, 2015.[3] As it was only referred to as G-Tekketsu, the details for the new lead Gundam was shown day by day until the full reveal at Sunrise and Bandai's press conference. Following the official unveiling of the series, Sunrise plans for a new wave of merchandise for the series, including Gunpla kits and video game tie-ins.[4] A second Promotional video was then revealed, confirming the voice actors for the series's main cast.[5] The series is expected to run for 25 episodes.[6]
Media
Anime
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans premiered in Japan on MBS and TBS in October 4, 2015 Sunday at 5:00 PM, replacing The Heroic Legend of Arslan on its initial timeslot. It serves the first Gundam series to return on the late afternoon schedule since Mobile Suit Gundam AGE. Sunrise announced that the series will be streamed worldwide on YouTube via the Gundam.Info Channel, Funimation Channel, Hulu, Crunchyroll, and Daisuki, respectively.[7][8] On October 9, 2015, Sunrise announced at their panel at New York Comic Con that the anime will get an English dub to be produced by Bang Zoom! Entertainment.[9]
Bandai Visual released the first volume of the series in both Blu-ray and DVD on December 24, 2015, containing a serial code for Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Force to obtain the Gundam Barbatos.
Episodes
| # | Title | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Iron and Blood..." "Tetsu to Chi to" (鉄と血と) | October 4, 2015 |
| In the midst of ongoing protests by citizens of the Martian colony Chryse demanding independence from the Earth government, the Chryse Guard Security is assigned to protect Princess Kudelia Aina Bernstein on her diplomatic mission. When the CGS headquarters is suddenly attacked by Gjallarhorn forces, the Third Army Division, having just been abandoned by their superiors, strike back with the ancient Gundam Barbatos, piloted by Mikazuki Augus. | ||
| 2 | "Barbatos" "Barubatosu" (バルバトス) | October 11, 2015 |
| The Barbatos successfully repels the Gjallarhorn assault, but CGS suffers heavy casualties in the aftermath. After being severely disciplined by Haeda for luring Gjallarhorn's forces toward the retreating First Corps during the battle, Orga proposes to his comrades in the Third Corps to rebel against their elders. Meanwhile, Coral orders Crank to return to the battlefield to erase any evidence of their defeat before the Gjallarhorn inspectors from Earth find out. Crank reluctantly complies but has qualms over killing child soldiers. | ||
| 3 | "Glorious Demise" "Sange" (散華) | October 18, 2015 |
| Third Corps instigates a mutiny that expels majority of First Corps from the CGS base. As they try to figure out how to support themselves financially, Crank returns to the base to issue a challenge to the Gundam Barbatos in order to retrieve Kudelia and the Graze captured during Gjallarhorn's previous assault on the base. | ||
| 4 | "The Price of Life" "Inochi no Nedan" (命の値段) | October 25, 2015 |
| Tekkadan plan their route to smuggle Kudelia to Earth without alerting Gjallarhorn forces. Meanwhile, McGillis and Gaelio arrive on Mars to investigate the recent battles and encounter Mikazuki and Biscuit on a cornfield. | ||
| 5 | "Beyond the Red Sky" "Akai Sora no Mukō" (赤い空の向こう) | November 1, 2015 |
| Tekkadan prepare to escort Kudelia to Earth, thanks to the Orcus Company. However, the route is leaked to Coral, and the transport shuttle is ambushed by Gjallarhorn forces. | ||
| 6 | "As For Them" "Karera ni Tsuite" (彼等について) | November 8, 2015 |
| With no one to trust after Orcus' betrayal, the Isaribi crew plan to reach out to Teiwaz, a Jupiter-based conglomerate, to guide them to Earth. Meanwhile, Kudelia offers to remedy the illiteracy of Mikazuki and the younger crew members by teaching them to read and write. Frustrated by the loss of his direct superiors, Ein asks to join McGillis' team to pursue Tekkadan. | ||
| 7 | "Whaling" "Isanatori" (いさなとり) | November 15, 2015 |
| Tekkadan's former employer, Maruba, threatens them to return the Isaribi, having brought along the Teiwaz crew. Refusing his order, Tekkadan battles Teiwaz in Mobile Suit combat, but unaware to them, the Mobile Suit battle is a distraction for several Tekkadan troops led by Orga to infiltrate and hold the Teiwaz members as hostages. | ||
| 8 | "The Form of Closeness" "Yorisō Katachi" (寄り添うかたち) | November 22, 2015 |
| The skirmish between Tekkadan and the Turbines comes to an end when Orga and his team raid the Hammerhead and negotiate for Teiwaz to assist them in escorting Kudelia to Earth. | ||
| 9 | "Sakazuki" (盃) | November 29, 2015 |
| Tekkadan and the Turbines arrive at Saisei to begin negotiations with McMurdo Barriston, leader of Teiwaz. Later, Tekkadan celebrate their success in one of the vessel's commercial properties to relieve their stresses. | ||
| 10 | "A Letter from Tomorrow" "Ashita Kara no Tegami" (明日からの手紙) | December 6, 2015 |
| Members of Tekkadan receive video messages from their loved ones back on Mars. Meanwhile, the Isaribi is assigned a liaison from Teiwaz to oversee the vessel's activities during the long journey to Earth. | ||
| 11 | "Human Debris" "Hyūman Deburi" (ヒューマン・デブリ) | December 13, 2015 |
| The Isaribi and Hammerhead encounter a space pirate group known as the "Brewers", with Takaki being critically injured during the skirmish. Meanwhile, McGillis and Gaelio return to Earth and assess the situation within Gjallarhorn. | ||
| 12 | "The Shoals" "Anshō" (暗礁) | December 20, 2015 |
| Knowing that the Brewers are hot on their trail, the Isaribi and Hammerhead decide to take the initiative and lay a trap for their pursuers while passing by a debris field. In the ensuing battle, the two ships successfully incapacitate the enemy while the latter's mobile suits are gradually eliminated. Meanwhile, Akihiro attempts to persuade his brother Masahiro to defect from the enemy side to no avail due to the latter's melancholy and fails to prevent the boy's death in the battle, much to his grief. | ||
| 13 | "Funeral Rites" "Sōsō" (葬送) | December 27, 2015 |
| With Tekkadan and the Turbines emerging victorious over the Brewers, the survivors deal with their wounds and the death of their comrades. Meanwhile, Orga claims the Brewers' remaining mobile suits and one assault ship from Brooke Kabayan at gunpoint. The remaining Human Debris from Brewers are taken in by Tekkadan with assurances they will be taken care of on Mars. To reconcile with their feelings over the death of their comrades, Tekkadan conduct a funeral in memory of those who fell in battle before proceeding as planned. | ||
| 14 | "Vessel of Hope" "Kibō o Hakobu Fune" (希望を運ぶ船) | January 10, 2016 |
| Tekkadan and the Turbines arrive at the Dort Colonies to deliver cargo for an assignment given by a third party company through Teiwaz, only to fall into a trap set by Gjallarhorn as they and Kudelia are framed as insurgents and arms dealers bent on arming disgruntled workers and stoking an uprising. Meanwhile, Fumitan is torn between her loyalty to Kudelia and to her real employer. | ||
| 15 | "Trail of Footprints" "Ashiato no Yukue" (足跡のゆくえ) | January 17, 2016 |
| Biscuit reunites with his elder brother Savarin, but he and Atra are quickly nabbed by Gjallarhorn forces while Atra fakes her identity as Kudelia. As Atra is being beaten by her interrogators, Mikazuki, Orga, and the rest of Tekkadan race to rescue them. Meanwhile, Kudelia and Fumitan meet a masked man who reveals the true motives of those backing their trip to the Dort Colonies. | ||
| 16 | "Fumitan Admoss" "Fumitan Adomosu" (フミタン・アドモス) | January 24, 2016 |
| As the Workers' Union begin their demonstration against the Dort Company, Orga and his team go search for Kudelia, who has run off to get answers from Fumitan. The demonstration becomes deadly when Gjallarhorn forces intervene and Kudelia finds herself involved with the Union. | ||
| 17 | "Kudelia's Decision" "Kūderia no Ketsui" (クーデリアの決意) | January 31, 2016 |
| Following the Dort 3 massacre, the conflict between the Workers' Union and the Dort Company becomes more violent, with workers from the other colonies seizing military equipment and heading toward Dort 3. Having witnessed the atrocities of Gjallarhorn, Kudelia decides to fight for not only Mars, but the colonies as well. With the help of members of a local news network, Orga and his team re-establish communication with the Isaribi while Mikazuki flies out to space to once again pilot the Gundam Barbatos and engage the Gjallarhorn forces in the conflict. This gives Gaelio the opportunity to launch the Gundam Kimaris, a Gundam-Frame mobile suit from his own ancestry. As the Isaribi faces the might of Gjallarhorn's fleet, Kudelia broadcasts her message to the people. | ||
| 18 | "Voice" "Koe" (声) | February 7, 2016 |
| Thanks to Kudelia's address to the people, Gjallarhorn forces stand down and allow the Isaribi to continue its journey to Earth. Both Tekkadan and the Turbines are paid a visit by the Montag Company, represented by the mysterious masked man Kudelia met a day earlier. After revealing himself under the mask, McGillis tells Orga and his team his plans to reform the corrupt Gjallarhorn. | ||
| 19 | "The Gravity of Wishes" "Negai no Jūryoku" (願いの重力) | February 14, 2016 |
| Following a resupply by the Montag Company, Tekkadan prepare their descent to Earth, with a Gjallarhorn fleet standing in their way. In addition to fending off Gjallarhorn's mobile suits, Tekkadan's pilots must also make it to safety of the landing craft before reentry or risk burning up during the descent down to the surface. | ||
| 20 | "Brother" "Aibō" (相棒) | February 21, 2016 |
Manga
A manga adaptation by Kazuma Isobe will begin its serialization in the December Issue of Gundam Ace on October 26, 2015.[10]
Music
The soundtrack is composed by Masaru Yokoyama, who previously did the soundtrack for Nobunaga The Fool and Freezing. The series's opening theme song is titled "Raise your flag", performed by Man with a Mission,[11][12] while the ending theme is "Orphans no Namida" performed by Misia and co-written by Shiro Sagisu. For the second course (episodes 14 onwards), the opening theme is "Survivor" by Blue Encount, while the ending theme is titled "STEEL -Tekketsu no Kizuna-" (STEEL-鉄血の絆- STEEL -tekketsu no kizuna-, "STEEL -Iron Blooded Bonds-") by TRUE.[13] The ending theme for episode 19 is "Senka no Tomoshibi" (戦火の灯火, "Lamplight of War") by Yuko Suzuhana.[14]
Video Games
The series's titular mobile suit (1st form) first appeared on the PlayStation Vita game Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Force through the first BluRay volume serial code. The mobile suit will also appear in the PlayStation 4 game Gundam Breaker 3.
Merchandise
Merchandising of the series will be officially linked to Bandai's long running Gunpla model line and related collectable merchandise. Both the High Grade and 1/100 scale models of the titular mecha, Gundam Barbatos, were unveiled during the press conference and both stated for a Fall 2015 release, alongside the standard and commander versions of the HG Graze and weapon packs for the main mobile suit. A NXEDGE Style version of the Gundam Barbatos was also revealed.
Reception
The series received mostly positive reviews from critics. Anime News Network's Nick Creamer gave a series a 4 out 5 stars, saying that "After watching half a dozen premiers that just wouldn't stop with the exposition, it sure is nice to watch a show that actually has confidence in its own storytelling. Iron-Blooded Orphans hits the ground running, establishing its world in the natural conversations of its many characters." but he criticized that "Mari Okada's an inconsistent writer, but definitely a talented one, and given the focus of a traditional Gundam-style opening, her gift for illustrating character shines through." Zac Bertschy gave the series a 4.5 for the first episode, saying "Iron-Blooded Orphans has a lot of moving parts, but it's only deceptively complex; this episode starts out confusing (due to the relatively haphazard way they introduce all the various factions and the sizable cast) but as it goes on it all becomes very clear". He also adds "Instantly likable characters, desperate battles, a broad science fiction story about a colony struggling for independence, giant robots and even a Char-like smooth-talking pretty boy weirdo who's working with the bad guys; what's not to love?"[15]
However, the series has received some harsh criticism from the Japanese Broadcasting Ethics and Program Improvement Organization, regarding the harsh themes and depictions of child soldiers in the anime. They also stated that "several nonresistant prisoners and enemy soldiers are gunned down by the young male protagonist. If you look at the title, one would immediately think of this as a children's show and that many children would be watching.", referring to one scene in Episode 3, and that "If you want to to broadcast such material, please provide some sort of age limit for viewers."[16]
References
- ↑ "Mobile Suit Gundam: Tekketsu no Orphans Visuals, Staff, October 4 Premiere Announced". Anime News Network. 2015-07-15. Retrieved 2015-08-22.
- ↑ "Countdown Site Teases Gundam Project". Anime News Network. 2015-07-03. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
- ↑ "Sunrise Announces New Gundam Series". Anime News Network. 2015-07-04. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
- ↑ "【速報】テレビアニメ最新作『機動戦士ガンダム 鉄血のオルフェンズ』が発表". Famitsu. 2015-07-15. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
- ↑ "Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Anime's English Video Reveals Cast". Anime News Network. 2015-08-22. Retrieved 2015-08-22.
- ↑ "Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron Blooded Orphans Anime Listed with 25 Episodes". Anime News Network. 2015-10-05. Retrieved 2015-10-09.
- ↑ "Daisuki to Stream Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Outside Japan". Anime News Network. 2015-09-30.
- ↑ "Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans to Also Stream on Crunchyroll, Funimation, Hulu, Gundam.Info". Anime News Network. 2015-09-30. Retrieved 2015-10-09.
- ↑ "Sunrise to Dub Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans Release Gundam Build Fighters". Anime News Network. 2015-10-09.
- ↑ "「ザ・ブルー・ディスティニー」コミカライズがガンダムエースで連載開始". Comic Natalie. 2015-09-27. Retrieved 2016-01-17.
- ↑ "VIDEO: Main Voice Cast for "Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans" Announced". Crunchyroll. 2015-08-22. Retrieved 2015-10-12.
- ↑ ustar (2015-08-18). "MAN WITH A MISSION to release new single 'Raise your flag'". tokyohive.com. Retrieved 2015-10-12.
- ↑ "True Performs Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Anime Next Ending Theme". Anime News Network. 2015-12-12. Retrieved 2016-01-17.
- ↑ "「鉄血のオルフェンズ」鈴華ゆう子が歌う挿入歌「戦火の灯火」本日よりTVサイズ配信開始！". Sunrise, Inc. 2016-02-14. Retrieved 2016-02-14.
- ↑ "Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans - The Fall 2015 Anime Preview Guide". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2015-10-12.
- ↑ Cadorniga, Carlos (2015-11-09). "Scene in Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Causes Viewer Complaints". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2015-11-11.
External links
- Official site (Japanese)
- Official site(MBS) (Japanese)
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
| Preceded by Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin |
Gundam metaseries (production order) 2015 |
Succeeded by Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt |
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