Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury

The latest installment of the AU line of Gundam shows, following a young girl named Suletta, who transfers from the planet Mercury to the Asticassia School of Technology, a school run by the Beneritt Group, the current foremost developer of mobile suits. She ends up meeting and getting engaged to a girl named Miorine, whose father plays an important role in Suletta’s past…

You can watch the prologue for free on Youtube, here:

For any Gundam newbies feel free to jump right in! No prior experience with the franchise is required.

For us Gundam vets, you’ve probably already started watching. Come on in and discuss!

Now that this spoiler thread is established, I come with a gift:

A translation of the interequal short story (I'll call it as such despite it being called "novel") set in between the prologue and episode 1.

Do you think we should add Aerial to the Characters page?

Per the short story, Aerial has a sentient AI, and Suletta considers her a little sister.

Edited by ScrewySqrl on Oct 3rd 2022 at 9:02:16 AM

Thank you very much! I’ll read it when I get the time.

Sure, go for it.

Thanks for the TL.

Aerial is likely Lfrith from the Prologue rebuilt with better tech, but I wonder how Lfrith Ur and Lfrith Thorn are related to them. Did Elnora develop them while she's on Earth?

Added Aerial and Lfrith in a new 'Mecha' folder, going on the idea that Aerial is separate from Lfrith, due to the different code names (XVX-016 Aerial, XGF-02 Lfrith). Limiting the listings to mecha that have some level of personality, either AI or something assigned from it's pilot

Aren't UR and Thorn the two that got blown up in the prologue?

Edited by ScrewySqrl on Oct 3rd 2022 at 10:47:15 AM

Those were Pre-Production models. Ur and Thorn looks to be brand new units.

Also, their super angular designs don't match up with any of the revealed MS so far with the exception of Demi Trainers (which are practice MS as per their name). Could be hinting a new faction in the future.

Edited by ArmoredFury on Oct 3rd 2022 at 10:39:46 PM

I am going to say what everyone else is saying, and that is I was not expecting this to be the Gundam version of Utena.

I'm actually excited for this one. I haven't watched Gundam since 00.

This is the first one I've watched, because... uh, honestly, these series are too long if I'm not starting from the beginning of the airing and whether I'm paying attention to anime seasons comes and goes. I had absolutely no clue about anything going in because I watched the prologue on Saturday and that was it.

You're in for a fun time, then, as someone who watched 00 just because catching up to the latter half of Build Fighters Try.

Wonder what they'll come up with to handle the Aerial's Bits.

They'll probably use a more intricate version of Beguir-Beu's GUND Format Link Suppressors. Those thing instantly shut down the Pre-production model and Lfrith very briefly, after all.

the term "Suletta Spank" as a new version of the Bright Slap is gaining some traction

Still gonna take a while to fit that stuff in an existing Mobile Suit or get one with that tech, so it'll be interesting to see what they do in the meantime.

So, what kinda crazy stunts are we expecting of Miorine from now on? Sure, Sulleta might be a better fiancee for now, but someone who is introduced like that is bound to keep with the madness.

I expect next episode we will learn more about the School and the various houses.

Miorine's primary focus is most likely to keep up her attempts to escape to earth. Better option or otherwise, going through with any political marriage still ties her to her dad so she's probably going to hold Suletta on her insistence on "taking responsibility" for foiling her last attempt.

I'm also curious what they're gonna do with Mr. Misogynist. He spent the entire episode being so stereotypically scummy (very Wakame from Utena honestly, only difference is that he didn't actually get to hit Miorine) plus with his dad needing the engagement re-secured he feels very first act antagonist (also like Wakame) where he'll spend the whole time constantly trying to pick fights with her, getting Ls, but since is Gundam I actually expect those Ls to get him killed.

The pretty boy, Elan, is also his own bundle of mysteries, unlike the other top company members in the school (though Shaddiq is adopted) Piel is led by a bunch of weirdly identical women none of which are identified as his parent. Website notes that he's not a very sociable person so it remains to be seen where his interest in Suletta is gonna go.

Edited by Mami on Oct 3rd 2022 at 8:37:35 PM

Miorine I expect to settle down a bit as it becomes apparent that Suletta really is her ally and has no ulterior motives

Guel I think is going to get killed pretty soon in some minor plot twist relating to Aerial or however else Elnora is planning to get revenge

She can be bribed with food, that's always a good start.

ah, the rush of specific fanart has started...

Fanart: Space White Rose

Fanart from opposite side: Holder Ruby Rose

Yep, the fanart is coming in strong.

Hilariously, with the Holder colours, Suletta looks like a walking Jollibee ad

Fanart: Guel should have pulled a 0079 Amuro lol

Edited by AceOfScarabs on Oct 3rd 2022 at 6:13:11 PM

So, in addition to being Mecha Utena and the title referencing Red Witch of Mercury, it seems to be pulling a bit from The Tempest— Prospero was a sorcerer forced to flee to an island with his daughter, Elnora is called a witch and forced to flee to Mercury with her daughter. This suggests that Gundam Aerial is based on Ariel... a spirit enslaved by Prospero. Since Aerial is apparently sentient, this likely means her arc will be struggling against commands implanted in her by Elnora

And, unsurprisingly, tomato, tomato, tomato. Tomatoes for days.

Interestingly, I do believe this is the first time we've seen a Gundam be confirmed to be sentient in a mainline series.

Barbatos seemed to vaguely blur the line, and we've heard learning computers before, but this could hold massive ramifications for MS tech.

...How advanced is this AU?

I mean, it seems to have as its starting premise 'mecha as an extension of your body' and what's usually a mid-season upgrade AFAIK as starting armament?

Edited by RainehDaze on Oct 3rd 2022 at 11:57:57 AM

Yeah it’s crazy that Aerial starts with Bits.