Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Season 2 has released its second episode, and true to the anime's style, it is filled with tension and a lot of intrigue. The episode, while lacking somewhat in action, was nonetheless a very effective build-up of what's to come in what could be one of the best Gundam franchises in years.

Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Episode 2

The episode opened with a pretty intense action sequence featuring the anime's Gundam pilot, Mikazuki, in his new mobile suit, the upgraded Gundam Barbatos Lupus. Quite unusually, however, Mika actually manages to break the Barbatos Lupus, after he opted to land from at least a thousand feet in the sky without a parachute or thrusters.

Despite the Barbatos Lupus' short action sequence, however, the brief battle was still a joy to watch. The rest of the episode was dedicated to more plot-building, as the intrigue within Tekkadan was explored further. This culminates in a brief altercation between Mika and a new member, Hush, who appears to be an important character in Iron-Blooded Orphans Season 2.

More Intrigue, New Characters and New Enemies

True to form, the anime's second episode also featured a lot of intrigue, as well as the introduction of new enemies and characters. One thing that really stuck to longtime fans of the Gundam franchise is the fact that Iron-Blooded Orphans seems to be one of the first series to feature not one, but two Char archetypes.

Char Aznable, the famed Red Comet from the original 70's Mobile Suit Gundam anime, has become so popular that succeeding entries into the Gundam franchise have opted to feature at least one character with a similar template as the 70's antihero. Iron-Blooded Orphans already had a Char archetype in Season 1, but it seems like another masked antihero is set to emerge in Season 2.

Overall, the second episode of Iron-Blooded Orphans was still satisfying to watch. Gundam series have never followed the monster-of-the-week format in anime anyway. Thus, for all intents and purposes, Iron-Blooded Orphans seems to be going just as planned. 

Tags: gundam mobile suit gundam: iron-blooded orphans gundam: IBO Season 2