G-Witch | Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury

What if you got to pilot a gigantic Mecha Robot one day? Would it be a dream come true, or would you crumble under the tremendous responsibility weighing you down? We learned that great power comes with even greater responsibility at a very young age, but we didn’t get to experience it until we grew up. Anime was no exception when teaching its viewers many lessons, so what will we learn today?

“Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury," also known as “Kidou Senshi Gundam: Suisei no Majo” or simply "G-Witch," is a 12-episode TV anime series that aired from the 2nd of October 2022 until the 8th of January 2023. Studio Sunrise brought it to life as a fall 2022 title, which Sotsu, Mainichi Broadcasting System, and Bandai Namco Filmworks produced. Producer Maeda Toshihiro, Sound Director Aketagawa Jin, Director and Storyboard Kobayashi Hiroshi, and Episode Director and Assistant Director Andou Ryou worked together to make this series a reality. It featured action and sci-fi genres alongside mecha, school, and space themes. All in all, this series of 24-minute episodes earned a rating of R-17+ for its violence and profanity.

G-Witch is an original series with an upcoming light novel titled “Mobile Suit Gundam the Witch from Mercury,” courtesy of the anime's SF Researcher, Yuuya Takashima. It is planned to be serialized monthly in Kadokawa's Gundam ACE. Its parent story is, of course, Mobile Suit Gundam, which aired back in the spring of 1979. A single special episode, titled “Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury - Prologue,” aired on July 14, 2022, as a prequel. A sequel TV anime series titled “Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury Season 2” started airing on April 9, 2023, and is still ongoing.

A single summary episode titled “Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury Recap” aired in November 2022. And last but not least, a music video for the series opening theme, Shukufuku by YOASOBI, was released in October 2022, containing brand new animation.

We are introduced to Suletta Mercury, one of the main characters, who leaves her home planet and enrolls in the Asticassia School of Technology at her mother’s behest. This school is something else because the entirety of right and wrong is determined via duels between the students. What does the top-ranking duelist get? Simple: Per Miorine's father's instructions, they "receive" the stunning and accomplished Miorine Rembran as their very own fiancée.

Guel Jeturk, the school's best pilot and Miorine's current fiancé, has arrived. This guy demands that his betrothed, Miorine, move in with him, but Suletta refuses. This leads to Guel challenging her, and she somehow emerges victorious too! Unfortunately, Suletta is soon detained under suspicion of piloting a forbidden type of mobile suit, a “GUND-ARM” or "Gundam," which voids her victory altogether. However, Miorine will not accept all these injustices, so she proposes another duel with even greater stakes. With her work cut out, Suletta must now win a second time. If not, she would be expelled, and her prized Gundam Aerial, which means so much to her, would end up destroyed.

We all know how vast the Gundam franchise is, with its multiple timelines and universes. Whether you’ve watched previous Gundam titles or not, G-Witch is an excellent anime that sums up many great things about this franchise. Remember that this is a more modern take on Gundam, featuring a more liberating story and a Yuri pairing. With two very likable female leads who have memorable personalities and a relationship that flows very naturally, it is a breath of fresh air in this vast franchise.

The story is set in a school, a welcome change from the usual Gundam formula. Instead of the everyday politics we are used to, we see this aspect integrated into the workings of the school via its numerous cliques and school politics, which wreak havoc in their own unique way. I’m no Woke-culture advocate, but G-Witch feels like it addressed the modern audience without stripping away what made Gundam good in the first place. They have effectively modernized the series to maintain relevance and acceptance with a global audience. Rest assured, this is still our beloved Gundam, but with some new and fresh takes.

The good thing about the Yuri in G-Witch is that it is not in your face. The creators have handled it well, with a noticeable but not too blatant undertone. Suletta and Miorine’s friendship is integral to the story, serving as the cornerstone of their character growth and fuel for the plot. Most female protagonists are hit or miss these days, but I feel this pair was done right with decent writing and a more organic feel. There’s still much more space for them to grow, and this, in turn, builds hype for the second season.

You might start watching this anime for the great space battles, intense political drama, and cool mecha, but you may stay for the loveable characters. Suletta is a very relatable character who you want to see succeed because she suffers from social anxiety, just like many of us. On the other hand, Miorine has a very prickly personality that serves as a facade for her many insecurities and fears. Both characters feel very real, even within this chaotic space fantasy series, and the creators deserve more credit for that.

Now for the giant robots in the series, the Gundams! If you’re an action fan, I’m sorry to inform you that this particular season does not have much of it. It is more character-driven than anything else. We are treated to a few action scenes, though, which were done well and weren’t too bad in Gundam terms.

A highlight is their expert blending of 2D and 3D animations with excellent CGI, visually creating a terrific product. Even the backgrounds were meticulously drawn and executed; no complaints here. We can expect many more action and battle sequences in the second season, so keep your fingers crossed for those. Finally, the character designs are neatly drawn, unique, colorful, and memorable, reflecting their personalities and backgrounds.

In the audio department, sound design has also been handled reasonably well. The voice acting is solid, with the two protagonists delivering spectacular performances throughout the series. The OSTs, especially during the action scenes, were executed well and managed to enhance each moment significantly. The opening theme is "Shukufuku" by YOASOBI, and the ending is “Kimi yo Kedakaku Are” by Shiyui. While neither was exceptional, they were decent enough to stand their ground. Unfortunately, the opening barely fits its visuals, so that’s an easy skip.

In all honesty, G-Witch can be a hit or miss for you, depending on your worldview and how you feel about the Gundam franchise. Most Gundam veterans might not like all these new changes to the good ol’ classic, but newcomers are more likely to enjoy it as a single-standing series. You don't need to watch any other Gundam series to understand or appreciate this one.

If you have watched the previous titles, you’ll notice neat character parallels and new spins on older concepts. This is an excellent choice if you like well-written female characters. The Mechas and sci-fi aspects are not bad either. So yeah, watch it without hesitation if you want what it offers. If any of its elements turn you off, though, you better steer clear because the last thing you need is to have your overall Gundam experience tainted.