While I mentioned some
of my opinions on Iron Blooded Orphans on my review of the first
episode of Thunderbolt, I think IBO deserves some time of it's own.
We've reached about the middle point of the series, so now I think is
as good a time of any to look back at the past 13 episodes and share
my opinions on the setting, it's characters, and just the overall
feelings I have for the show.
While Gundam has always
set a precedent for showing showing brutal, unglamorous depictions of
war. Iron Blooded Orphans does not let up, showing a brutal depiction
of the lives of child soldiers in various different sides of the
conflict, along with the consequences of a order that watches over
both the poverty stricken Mars and Earth population.
One of the first things
to talk about when talking about Iron Blooded Orphans is the
characters. I'm going to try my best to be spoiler free, but the
majority of the story follows the titular Iron Blooded Orphans,
mainly the Gundam Barbatos' pilot Mikazuki Argus, his friend and the
defacto leader Orga Itsuka. The story kicks off with the security
company that houses Mikazuki and his comrades being tasked to move
Kudelia Aina Bernstein to Earth, so she can campaign for Martian
independence. The main antagonist is an organization called
Gjallarhorn.
Gjallarhorn is
introduced to us through through various characters. But the main
characters we follow for the most part is McGillis Fareed and Gaelio
Bauduin, both members of respected families inside of Gjallarhorn,
and quickly start to show themselves as being not quite the same most
of the fodder of Gjallarhorn. Gaelio is hot headed and temperamental
while McGillis is calm and collected, and seems to come off as having
greater plans beyond just killing Kudelia. I suppose we will have to
see if he gets a hold of a mask, or if his soul is weighed down by
gravity.
Along with Gjallarhorn
and our protagonists, we're introduced to multiple supporting
characters, all of which help flesh out the world of Iron Blooded
Orphans, the Turbines, the Brewers and the families of Biscuit all
help show the gravitas of Mars and the environment of Space.
In terms of the designs
of the Mobile Suits for Iron Blooded Orphans, I personally think
they're absolutely gorgeous. The Graze and it's variations look
awesome, not traditionally Gundam, but they still have that Zakuesqe
grunt suit feeling. The Barbatos captures the essence of what is
expected from a traditional Gundam, while still giving it a unique
feel in-line with the aesthetic that Iron Blooded Orphans show. Even
the controversial Gundam Gusion looks fantastic.
Over all, If you
haven't seen Iron Blooded Orphans, or if you've been on the fence on
deciding whether or not you should start, or if you've never seen
Gundam before. Iron Blooded Orphans is an awesome, brutal and at
times, heartwarming series, that I would recommend to anyone. And
remember to raise your flag.
- JC
