Turn A Gundam Staff, Production, and Episode Analyses – Episode #31 “Pursuit! Crybaby Poe”

Turn A Gundam‘s thirty-first episode was broadcast on Fuji TV on November 5, 1999.

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Phil broadcasts a speech to Earthling and Moonrace alike, claiming that Harry Ord has sold out Dianna Soreil to the Militia. It’s the perfect opportunity to use her as a scapegoat and rile up his forces. Harry figures this was all inevitable, and Kihel states that with this declaration Phil has made clear his intention to found a nation without her (“her” being Dianna; remember, Kihel is masquerading as her). By boarding the Willghem, she has given the extremists the excuse they need to attack the Militia with all their might. Phil declares that they will create a nation called the Sunbelt Republic, and his followers roar in applause. After the speech, he confides in Miran that he wishes he could denounce Dianna completely, but Miran advises that her presence is still too strong and “necessary”. Not even Agrippa Maintainer was able to eliminate the Soreil family’s influence, but here on Earth things can play out differently. They plot that if the real Dianna attempts to return, they’ll simply treat her as “Kihel Heim”. There’s clearly lots of Moonrace politics at play―basically, the Moon is divided into three major families or factions—the Soreils (the royal family), the Maintainers (the governors), and the Ghinghams (the armed forces). Meanwhile, Loran and Sochie traverse the sea to rendezvous with the Militia ships who’ve gone on ahead. Recall that the Kapool is better suited for water, as it’s an amphibious mobile suit based on the Capule from ZZ Gundam.

Poe has fallen ill with a flu, but she’s still determined to redeem herself and capture “Dianna”. She heads out in an Armaiya-class ship in pursuit of the Willghem. Harry Ord approaches the ship in his Gold SUMO, and they let him board despite Poe’s unease―looks like Dianna Counter members still hold Harry Ord in high regard. Poe attempts to shoot him as he enters the bridge, but he quickly dodges the bullets and runs in to disarm her. He instantly recognizes that she’s in no condition to be fighting and asks for a glass of water. He pops an herbal pill and forces it down her throat. He questions her about the Earthling girl Phil drove out (Dianna), but she claims to know nothing and neither do any of the guards. On his way out he drops one of the fattest insults you’ll ever see in anime.

Poe’s ship finally catches up to the Willghem and begins firing at it. Lily suggests hiding in the clouds, an idea Kihel agrees with because the Moonrace are afraid of lightning (remember in an earlier episode where they thought lightning was a weapon developed by the Militia?). She cites an eastern proverb that is in reference to Raijin, a God of thunder and lightning in Japanese mythology. The strategy appears to be effective, as the ship’s operators get scared and flounder about, and they keep missing their beam shots as a result. Poe decides to fire the mega beam cannon, but in doing so the hull catches lightning and causes some of the motors to fry. Not to mention they miss their target!

Dianna and Meam are sailing the sea. He tells her they plan to return her to the Moon, and that she might possibly be put back into cold sleep. Dianna understands it as them simply wanting to rid of her; to have her “die” in her sleep. You can tell she’s a little spiteful. Agrippa Maintainer wants her back as an insurance policy, in case of an attack on the Moon by either the Militia or Dianna Counter itself. The RRET Team notice the ship carrying Dianna on it and give chase. They demand that they release Dianna from captivity. Cancer Kafka introduces herself as one who has served the Moonrace for generations. Meam clarifies to her he’s a special envoy sent by Agrippa to return Dianna to the Moon. We see the Gendarme―the ship sent by Gym Gingham to bring Dianna back―in the sky, and the group boards it. Harry Ord’s been scouting the area and sees the ship but doesn’t pursue because he doesn’t think the Gold SUMO stands a chance. He curses Miran for playing his cards well.

Poe continues her bombardment of the Willghem, as Lily Borjarno cowers in fear while Guin attempts to remain firm. They finally fly emerge on the other side of the thunderclouds, but before Poe can land a direct hit to the Willghem, her ship is attacked from below by Loran. Sochie is using the Kapool to catapult him from the sea below to chip away at at the ship. It’s a really unique way of utilizing the Kapool’s affinity towards water! Loran’s attacks cause part of the ship to explode and sink. In her moment of weakness, Poe realizes that she was so caught up in commanding the ship that she forgot about fighting in her own SUMO (she isn’t exactly the brightest character in the show…), and she’s forced to retreat. Loran and Sochie call in to the Willghem, advising them to continue course as-is; they’ll meet up with them at Manupichi. Kihel thanks Loran under her breath for taking care of her sister.

Aboard the Gendarme, an emotionally powerful moment occurs. Dianna recognizes the two RRET Team members by their ancestors, giving meaning to their multi-generational devotion. Her empathy and ability to connect on a personal level is unparalleled in this scene, a true queen of the people. It also paints a broader picture and provides perspective, given that she’s a living relic. They decide to accompany her to the Moon and serve her faithfully. The episode ends with Dianna remembering how she was forcibly taken to the Moon in this manner once before, and in trying to atone for her regrets she pushed forth with the Earth Return Plan too soon. She’s talking about the time she was forced to leave the original Will Game behind. This all is again referencing Princess Kaguya, with Dianna lamenting that history is repeating itself. Can she break the curse this time, though?

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