So, this week marked the end of the latest Gundam series, Build Divers Re:Rise. This is the second series in this particular setting, and if you’ve seen the first series, you might have been turned off by it’s lackluster story and characters. To say it was a disappointment for me wouldn’t be an understatement; it lacked what usually makes a good Gundam series, even a more lighthearted ones like the earlier Build Fighters series (and to a lesser extent, because it wasn’t great either, Build Fighters Try). Basically, it lacked consequences and true challenges for the characters, the story was fairly predictable, and the characters for the most part were just not very engaging.
Also, as a builder of Gunpla, most of the kits from the series were on the solidly “Meh” side of the spectrum, with the standouts for me being the Grimoire Red Beret, Momokapool (what a surprisingly sturdy kit!), and Diver Nami; I’d only build three more from the line, the Galbady Rebake, the Leo NPD, and the GM Beam Master, and those were decidedly less impressive. I’ve got a Diver Ayame in the backlog I’ve yet to build. The rest (aside from Mobile Doll Sarah), I have no interest in.
I was decidedly skeptical going into another Build Divers series, and fully expected more of the same. It even seemed that, from the previews, they were going for a typical kind of isekai story. However, right out of the gate, I was hooked, and stayed with the series throughout both halves, and have watched some episodes multiple times. I’ve not done that for a Gundam series since Iron Blooded Orphans and the first Build Fighters.
The characters were interesting, and grew and changed throughout the series in ways that even some mainline Gundam shows don’t manage to do. Seriously, they handled a not-as-good-as-he-thinks-he-is, braggart of a Leroy Jenkins-type character so well he turned into a favorite by the end of the series, and he wasn’t the only example of great character development; the whole main cast had this going for them. To see how the main character starts out to how he ends up is amazing; when you find out just what kind of trauma he’s been subjected to to make him like he is, this goes into the deeply tragic realm of some of the best Gundam series. They even made you feel sympathy for the villain (who is a literal Artificial Intelligence gone glitchy)!
Oh, and a special shout out to the VA of Hiroto…that one scene in the second season, after the flashback in which we learn his trauma…DAMN that was some amazing voice work! I won’t spoil it, but…wow…he really made you feel it.
The mobile suit action throughout the series is very well done. The Core Gundam and its Planet armor system is actually one of the best gimmicks I’ve seen in a while and the Wodom Pod (technically it’s supposed to be WaDom, but translation is tough, apparently) is such a unique design you’d never have expected to see. The way the group started off as completely terrible together and eventually became so synchronized as a group was done very well. In fact, compared to the previous two series, there is almost no focus on special attacks; you don’t even see the group develop their big one until almost the end of the second season, and the others you get aren’t spammed.
However, there are plenty quieter moments, and a lot of interaction between the characters (main and otherwise) to build up the setting and make you invested in the series and characters, and you will get plenty of moments to pull on your heartstrings. Just watch through the first season and wait for what happens in that last episode, and tell me you aren’t interested in seeing where the series goes from there.
Also, I’m officially torn between whether Ayame or May is best girl in this universe…though the rather cute catgirl Maiya, even as a secondary character, is in the running for that title.
As to the Gunpla, there are a fewer overall this time around, but they made up for this with the different armor packs for the Core Gundam. I’m not entirely a fan of this admittedly, as some options seem to be strictly money grabbing in nature, but the quality of the kits so far has been very good. I’ve built the Earthree Gundam (comes as the complete set of Core Gundam and Earth Armor), the Justice Knight (it’s based on the Justice Gundam from Gundam Seed, one of the series I like the least, but this kit is so good…very solid, and looks awesome), the Wodom Pod (another great build, very solid and so unique compared to pretty much anything out there), and am currently building the Uraven Gundam (Core Gundam Mk II is done, just have to do the armor and weapons/accessories now). I’ve got another Wodom Pod on order, along with the Aegis Knight (another suit based off freaking Seed!) and the Veetwo Gundam and its associated weapon set (already got the Marsfour weapons too), and I’m probably going for the Jupitive, Mobile Doll May, and the EX Valkylander when I can find them in stock. And honestly I’ll probably be going for the Alus Earthree eventually too.
Yes, I am in fact much more excited for the kits in this line than the last one. You may have guessed. Bandai and that plastic crack they’re peddling…ouch, my wallet! And here I am wondering if we’ll be getting any Master Grade versions of some of these…
I know I didn’t really go into many specifics here, but I’d suggest you dive in (pun intended) and give the series a chance. You don’t necessarily need to have seen the previous series to get this one, but it would help with some of the characters you’ll see and a particular big event that occurred in that series. I’d recommend trying to watch it, if for no other reason than comparing it to just how good Re;Rise is and how they completely turned around the Divers setting from the mediocre series that preceded it.
That’s all I’ve got; just some quick thoughts I felt like sharing. Later, y’all!
