Machu from Gundam GQuuuuuuX: The Bold New Hero We Didn’t Know We Needed!

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One striking characteristic of Machu in Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX sets her apart from Suletta Mercury from Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury. It came as a surprise to fans that the sequel to the original Gundam series with a female lead would also feature a female protagonist. Not only was this another female character, but she also shared Suletta’s red hair. However, their similarities end there, save for some implied Yuri undertones in both characters. While Suletta was friendly and somewhat socially awkward, Machu is more forceful and echoes the protagonists created by Yoshiyuki Tomino in the original Gundam series.

In essence, Machu, originally known as Amate Yuzuriha, bears a striking resemblance to Kamille Bidan from “Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam” in terms of their rebellious nature and mistrust towards authority figures in their lives. Unlike Amuro from the initial “Mobile Suit Gundam,” who had some anti-establishment traits but was not as actively involved, Machu and Kamille willingly took part in the story. While Amuro found himself compelled to participate in the war because he was the only one qualified to pilot the Gundam, Machu and Kamille chose to pilot their own Gundams.

Machu Is a Teen Making Stupid Decisions in Gundam GQuuuuuuX

In the Clan Battles, Machu’s intense affection for her partner Shuji has drawn some skepticism, as it appears more like adolescent crush than a complex emotional bond. Some viewers perceive her as impulsive rather than deep-feeling. However, Machu’s ardor for Shuji aligns with the character portrayals Tomino typically creates in his Gundam series. Frequently, male characters in these shows act irrationally due to romantic feelings or a desire to impress women, as seen in Kamille’s persistent attempts to help every damaged female character he encounters, often overlooking his steady childhood friend. The portrayal of romantic entanglements is also evident in Zeta Gundam, where grown-up characters behave irrationally due to physical attraction, with a major supporting character even switching allegiances because she found the main antagonist attractive.

In Tomino’s work as well as other Gundam series he didn’t create, romantic entanglements are a recurring theme. For instance, in Mobile Suit Gundam Seed, Kira found himself ensnared in a relationship with Flay, whom he had been physically drawn to since school days. Interestingly, Flay was manipulating Kira for her own purposes – using him as motivation against the Coordinators who took her parents’ lives. As a result, Kira would sometimes make questionable decisions to win Flay’s favor, even at the expense of his friendships. Similarly, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury centers around a Yuri (same-sex female) relationship between its main characters. Throughout Gundam’s history, characters have often acted irrationally due to love or attraction, and Machu is merely carrying on that longstanding tradition.

Gundam explores themes of conflicting values and emotions, demonstrating that our actions are often driven by personal desires and self-interest. It’s also been likened to the tumultuous emotions of adolescence. Underlying its anti-war message, it suggests that when young people are equipped with powerful weapons, they may act in ways adults wouldn’t dare to.

Machu Represents the Unheard Youth

Gundam series often feature young protagonists, catering to older kids and teens. However, creator Tomino intentionally makes the idea of piloting a giant robot less enticing. Characters like Amuro and Kamille are frequently mistreated by their superiors, causing psychological trauma during war. Despite playing crucial roles, they were seldom valued or listened to. Their subordinate position symbolizes the feeling of powerlessness that many teenagers experience in society.

Gundam shows often have young characters, but it’s harder than usual for them to pilot robots due to how their superiors treat them. Characters like Amuro and Kamille feel unappreciated, even though they are important to the story. This reflects the sense of being powerless that many teens may feel in real life.

Unlike traditional Gundam heroes, Machu led a comfortable and sheltered life prior to the events of Gundam GQuuuuuuX, living a typical home life with her mother. Despite this peaceful upbringing, she often feels misunderstood, particularly by her mother, echoing Kamille’s strained relationship with his parents. However, Machu’s parents are more supportive than Kamille’s. Her emotional struggles may stem from teenage hormones, which might not seem thrilling, but they ring true. The authenticity of watching a young girl discover herself is moving, adding depth to her character, even if it seems tailored for a younger audience.

Her problems run deeper than just having feelings for a boy, and her bold and assertive character underscores the fact that she is unlike other female leads in the series. Although she seems to be solely invested in Shuji and reaching Earth, she maintains control over her narrative. Her actions, such as shooting Annqi in Episode 7, are driven by her personality and ambitions. While some viewers might find her objectives one-dimensional, they effectively convey the indifference of adults towards adolescent emotions.

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2025-05-30 04:11