Turn A Gundam Staff, Production, and Episode Analyses – Episode #41 “The Decision to Fight”

Turn A Gundam‘s forty-first episode was broadcast on Fuji TV on January 28, 2000.

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Dianna leads Loran and Sochie down some corridors and elevator shafts to reach Gengnham City via secret route. Eventually they emerge from outside a cavern to the city outskirts… only to run into the Willghem’s crew, who have docked their ship in the area and are pillaging supplies. They reunite Miashei and the rest of the Militia members and head to the bridge to speak with Guin and Lily, who are pleased to learn that Dianna is doing well. Apparently they have an audience scheduled with Agrippa Maintainer—Lily’s diplomacy skills seem to have come in handy after all. Dianna is impressed that she was able to win over the White Palace’s bureaucrats; Lily asks her to come with them since she can tell that she clearly wants to. Guin, Lily, and Dianna (who’s masquerading as “Kihel”, of course) instruct Loran and Sochie to watch over the ship as they head out by car. The White Palace is Dianna’s home and the Moon’s administrative center.

Meanwhile, Harry rescues Kihel from her quarters, and Sweatson Stero takes off with a Mahiroo squad to get revenge on the White Doll. On the way to the White Palace, Dianna notices that the Maintainer family crest has been emboldened on the palace’s cars who come to escort them. When they arrive, she notices that the crest has even been placed on the palace itself—which is her house! She’s pissed! The White Palace is Dianna

The Mahiroo squad attacks the Willghem, much to the Militia’s surprise given that they’re near the city. Loran doesn’t put it past them, given that the Ghingham Fleet is the “shame of the Moonrace”. Sweatson orders his squad to be careful since they’re near the port, yet at the same time he wants them to squash the Earthlings. Not making much sense here, bud. A battle breaks out, with Loran and Sochie defending the ship from the Mahiroo onslaught. Incidentally, there’s a scene from this battle that is referenced in Gundam Evolution, for anyone who’s been wondering. The Willghem launches from its current location and moves towards the city in an attempt to use it as a shield.

Guin, Lily, and Dianna are granted an audience with Agrippa Maintainer, who we’re finally properly introduced to. The political mastermind behind many of the show’s events, Akiman designed him with the intent of being a “cool character”, as an “alien with long limbs”. He chose blue clothes as his aesthetic to distinguish the three governing bodies of on the Moon; white for Dianna, black for Gym, and blue for Agrippa. It is worth noting that he is voiced by Hiroya Ishimaru, best known as the original voice actor of Kouji Kabuto from Mazinger Z, and his distinct acting is in full blast with Agrippa. He’s a somewhat mischievous fellow in his voice grips and mannerisms, playing little tricks on Lily and Guin. Agrippa is shocked that at “Kihel” and questions who she is. Guin introduces her as his secretary, and shares the fact that they too were shocked when they first saw Queen Dianna, since they are the splitting image of each other. Guin brings him a letter from Lord Borjarnon, Lily’s father, explaining that he intends to begin peace talks once he has united the Amerian continent.

Suddenly the palace’s shutters are closed, because apparently a fight has broken out near the palace. It’s the Willghem and pursuing Mahiroo squadron, which have entered the city limits and hare causing havoc among the local residents. The ship has landed near the White Palace to further shield itself. Guin leaves the palace and enters the ships, furious at the Militia members for attempting to derail his talks, but they retort by saying that the Mahiroos attacked without warning. This was their only way to protect themselves. Guin figures he can use this incident as a bargaining chip and weapon in the negotiations. Sweatson and his Mahiroo squad eventually are forced to withdraw.

Agrippa has noticed the White Doll, which he calls the “Turn A” (it appears that he knows what the Turn A Gundam is). He questions if Lily and her father really want a peaceful resolution if they’ve come with a killer war machine. Lily responds in kind, proclaiming that if they had wanted to fight then they would have arrived with a fleet of ships. Agrippa provides quarters for Guin, Lily, and “Kihel”, and the talks are temporarily put on hold. Agrippa contacts Gym and is furious that he has allowed his Mahiroo squad to run rampant, given that the Earthlings have arrived with the Turn A. Gym nonchalantly responds, saying that he’s doing everything he can. Before their conversation can go any further, one of the airlocks opens up with Harry launching in his Gold SUMO. He’s rescued Kihel from her quarters and is attempting to escape the ship. Gym doesn’t care and tells his men to let him go, since he’s probably just going to be reporting to Agrippa anyhow. Harry’s intent is to enter the city via an indirect route, and on the way he notices an excavation site. The Moonrace appear to be excavating mobile suits, much like the Mountain Cycles on Earth. The mobile suits that can be seen are the Bandits.

Sweatson is upset and wants to attack the Willghem again to fight the White Doll, because his “DNA” won’t be satisfied until he defeats it. Gym offers him an alternative plan, and promises that if he succeeds he’ll forgive him for going AWOL. The Mahiroo squad reappears and encircles the Willghem and its crew. They state that if they don’t surrender the White Doll, then they’ll execute their three friends who are currently in the palace. Guin questions Agrippa on the matter, but he says he has ordered no such thing and denies any allegations thrown his way. Lily thinks he’s lying and Guin too believes that Agrippa had no intention of negotiating in the first place. Dianna says his wishy-washy attitude is going to bring about the Dark History, making history repeat itself. Agrippa is surprised that Dianna know so much about the Dark History (is he catching on…?). He is aware that in the past it was the Turn X and Turn A that brought humanity to a brink. Dianna surmises that this is why he’s in discord with Gym right now.

The meeting adjourns, and back in their quarters Guin figures that it’s not just them who’re being held hostage—rather, the Mahiroos have the entire palace at gunpoint. Meam Midgard suddenly enters the room and ominous music plays. The episode ends at an awkward impasse.

This is the first episode with “Tsuki no Mayu” (tl. “Moon’s Cocoon”) as the ending theme. To learn more about its production, read here. The song is also this blog’s namesake!