Turn A Gundam Staff, Production, and Episode Analyses – Episode #25 “The Willghem Lifts Off”

Turn A Gundam‘s twenty-fifth episode was broadcast on Fuji TV on September 24, 1999.

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Guin plans to speed up the scheduled test flight of the Willghem, so the Moonrace engineers frantically make preparations. Dianna has inexplicably disappeared, presumably taking off the night before, so Loran heads out in search of her. Sochie is unamused by his dedication towards her “sister” but is quickly sidetracked when Gavane presents her with a gift box. It’s a wedding dress, and a rather dazzling one at that! She’s pleased with how beautiful it looks, which satisfies Gavane as he scurries off back to business. Miashei is unsure about the whole ordeal, but Sochie thinks Gavane is sweet—unlike Loran, of course, or so’s the implication.

Turns out Dianna is traveling with Corin Nander, who happened to pick her up as she ventured alone. During his years of depression Tomino looked inward and relied on the women in his life, and as a result he aimed to give Turn A Gundam a “feminine” touch (read more here). If one views Corin as a representation of Tomino’s own life experiences—as I’ve previously discussed—then a deeper meaning can be drawn. Tomino believes in the idea of ancient matriarchal societies, and Dianna represents the Moonrace as its queen; hence, Corin refers to her as a “goddess” and “heavenly maiden”. Nevertheless, Dianna views Corin as a soul lost to the war, yet another sin to add to her pile.

They come across a town being attacked by Dianna Counter forces, who are pillaging it to stock up on supplies for the coming winter (recall that supplies from the Moon have stalled, which is causing strife amongst Moonrace). Dianna views this as her fault as well; she really is on a self-depreciation tour this episode. She beckons Corin to make haste for the Soleil, so that she can set things right. Fran Doll is in the village and uses her camera and newspaper credentials to threaten some of the attacking forces, making them back off. She laments how the newspapers used to be filled with hopeful stories about peace and negotiations. She finds a lost kid and takes refuge at Keith’s bread factory.

Loran arrives at Keith’s factory and asks if any of them have seen Dianna—none have. Fran confronts Keith about selling bread to friend and foe alike. He snaps back and states he’s a business man and he’ll sell to anyone he wants. They have a bit of back-and-forth and she slaps him in retaliation. Keith shifts the blame to Loran, because he simply does Guin Lineford’s bidding and fights whoever he’s ordered to, but Loran claims they’re still waiting for peace negotiations to follow through. Keith thinks that’s a pipe dream at this point, and that people are dying and struggling to survive in the midst of the chaos. That’s why he’s going to continue to make bread for those who are still alive. Loran doesn’t disagree with his logic, and Fran apologizes for hitting him. Not the friendliest reunion of old friends, eh?

Sochie contacts Loran via the Gallop’s radio system and asks him to return and also says she’d like to talk to him about something. He’s sulking and depressed and requests that they talk later. The Militia notice activity from the Soleil and relocate their front lines in anticipation of an attack. Phil leads a group of WaDoms in a last-ditch attempt to stop the Militia’s launch of the Willghem. Loran gets there just in time to disperse the WaDom’s beams with his own beam rifle. Loran, Sochie, Miashei, Joseph, and other Militia members work together to hold off the WaDom menaces.

Sochie engages with Phil head-on and almost gets shot down, but Gavane and the Suicide Squad come to her rescue. Loran gains resolve, claims he isn’t simply “Guin’s Laura”, nor his tool, and clears a path for the Willghem to take flight. The WaDoms are pushed back and the Willghem finally lifts off. The episode ends with Loran and Gavane having a heart-to-heart moment.

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