[Dr Kain]

I watched the first disc to Victory today, which covered the first 9 episodes. Overall, it was a lot better than I was anticipating, but it feels like nothing is happening yet. I know it's Gundam, and they always start slow, but usually by this point there is at least some plot progression. I still don't know jackshit about anything that is happening. Who are these people? Why is the Earth Federation not doing anything to stop the Zanscare Empire? Who is the Zanscare Empire? How did they come into power? Are they the remnants of the Crossbone Vanguard? Why are they executing random people? What do they want? How are Uso and gang illegal immigrants?

The episodes themselves were pretty good even though I really don't see why we need to have prequel episodes that lead up to the first episode. They could have easily told that story in the span of two episodes. Also, Cronicle Asher is hands down the worst Char clone ever! The man is a bumbling idiot and can't even do anything right even in a mobile suit. In fact, he isn't even worthy of being called a Char clone. He doesn't even wear a mask for any other reason than the Earth's environment annoys him.

As for the Victory Gundam, it's a cool design, but seems to be the weakest Gundam ever made as its body parts keep getting destroyed as if they were made of tissue paper. I guess the alternative would be it being indestructible no matter what touched it, but still, this is a Gundam, it shouldn't be falling to pieces just from being sneezed on.

BTW, is it just me, or do the mobile suits seem to be a lot smaller in this series?

Man, I think I complained a lot, but they really are just minor gripes I have right now about this series. I'm sure things will improve over the next 43 episodes, but I can already see why Tomino hated working on this show.