Turn A Gundam Staff, Production, and Episode Analyses – Episode #47 “Ghingnham Invades”

Turn A Gundam‘s forty-seventh episode was broadcast on Fuji TV on March 10, 2000. This is the last episode with scenario by Tetsuko Takahashi.

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There’s a lot of moving parts in this episode, so I won’t go over every plot detail.

Sweatson’s Mahiroo squad is indiscriminately attacking Amerian towns and cities, using it as an opportunity to adjust to Earth’s natural gravity. Keith and Verlaine get caught in the crossfires of one such attack, and Verlain’s severely injured as a result. Meanwhile, the Whales descends onto Earth; Lily intends to have all North Amerian territorial lords join an alliance with Dianna, as she believes this is the only way to fight against the combined might of Guin’s intelligence and Gym’s strength. They make way for the southeastern border towards Vicinity (Kihel & Sochie’s hometown! We’ve come full circle).

Keith has a doctor examine Verlaine, who appears to be bedridden but doing okay nonetheless. He’s besides himself, unsure of what to do against people who “live to fight”. A Militia aircraft suddenly lands next to his factory. It’s Guin, of course, and he wants to borrow Moonrace engineers employed at Keith’s business. He tells Keith and Horace that the reason he’s arrived with Gym is to put an end to the fighting between the Militia and Dianna Counter. Keith doesn’t trust him since he hadn’t discussed these plans with Dianna, and Horace is skeptical as well. The scene then cuts to Ghingham forces who are attacking and occupying capital cities around the continent—Lousana (yes, Lily’s hometown), Erizona, Miana, and more. Guin tells Horace that he saw the future of Earth and has studied the Dark History, so what he’s doing is correct. They tell him they need more time to think about his proposal. Guin sees himself as a savior of mankind in its darkest hour, comparing himself to the Sun in the fable of “The North Wind & the Sun”. Merrybell goes along with his antics and thinks he’ll be fun to toy around with.

Joseph and Mallygan arrive at Keith’s factory and question him about the Ghingham Fleet—they reckon that since he’s Moonrace that he might know what’s happening. Before he can really answer, the Whales slowly lands in the area. Fran reunites with Joseph, and Lily and the Suicide Squad reunite with Mallygan. Dianna introduces herself to Keith, who’s shocked that he’s in presence of his Queen; remember, in his mind the last time he saw her is when she bid farewell to Loran, Keith, and Fran two years ago. The next morning, the group hold a strategy meeting. Keith presumes that Dianna intends to fight against Ghingham, and Horace suggests that he even surrender himself to Guin to figure out what his intentions are. The Willghem then enters the airspace and Guin begins to speak via loud mic; he informs Lily that her father Lord Borjarno has been reported to be missing. Lily harps back: if he’s missing, then that means that he’s still alive! He intends to unite all of North Ameria and join forces with Queen Dianna. Guin would like to believe her, but their behavior shows hostilee intent. Lily then passes the mic to Dianna, who exclaims that the Willghem’s menacing appearance alarmed the people of Earth. Guin ignores her point and then prods Loran—how does he intend to fight without the Turn A? He once again pleads “Laura” to join him, assuring him that he is not a villain (pfftt). Loran simply tells him to return the Willghem to Dianna and sever his ties with Gym. Kihel then speaks and tells Guin that pointing a gun at people does no favors. At this point, whatever attempt at negotiations that were taking place have failed. Some Militia members fire at Guin, and Joseph launches in his FLAT. Dianna and co. evacuate the area and skirmishes break out between both sides. There’s a lot of chaos and mayhem, and Guin tries to get the Ghingham Fleet to stop their attack but they don’t heed his orders.

Merrybell launches in the Turn A begins attacking as well. Harry puts up a barrier and the Whale’s captain fires an “anti-beam beam” to stop the White Doll’s beam rifle. The beams collide, causing a huge explosion that destroys Keith’s factory and the surrounding area. This scene is one of Atsushi Shigeta’s notable contributions to the show.

Guin is furious at Merrybell and orders her to fall back, and together with the Willghem they withdraw from the battlefield. The episode ends with Dianna apologizing to Keith, who vows to continue baking bread and fight in his own way. Harry and Loran decide that the Turn A needs to be reclaimed from the enemy if they have any hope of winning.

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