Breakthrough (Mobile Suit Gundam)

Infobox Gundam Episode (MSG)


Title=Breakthrough
episode_no= 32
prod_code=
airdateJ

airdateUS= September 3, 2001
Episode -2=A Wish of War Orphans
Episode -1=A Decoy in Space
Current Episode=Breakthrough
Episode +1= Farewell in Side 6
Episode +2= A Fateful Encounter

"Breakthrough" is the 32nd episode [http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/series/msgep32.htm] of "Mobile Suit Gundam".

Plot summary

Bright orders Hayato to launch in the Guntank and Amuro on the Gundam Sky when an unknown mobile suit detected on the radar approaches from the "Zanzibar". The mobile armor is the Zakrello and attacks Hayato.

Char is not happy with Dmitri’s unauthorized launch. Mulligan tells Char Dmitri wants to avenge Tokwan’s death. Char didn’t even know about the Zakrello’s existence.

The Gundam Sky dodges the Zakrello’s attacks but manages to damage the Gundam’s right arm. The Guntank is also damaged. Amuro manages to destroy the Zakrello with his beam saber. Bright notices Sayla’s exhausted and orders her to get some rest. Sleggar takes over for her. On the "Zanzibar" Mulligan explains Char that the men held Tokwan in high regard. Char says whoever is next will be court-martialed.

Sleggar inquires Amuro about Char and his reputation. Amuro says Char is as good as they say. Sayla comes in and asks if she can relieve Amuro. Sleggar returns to his station on the main cannon.

Char contacts his old executive officer Dren, now in charge of a Musai squadron, to help him attack "White Base".

In the Zero G room, Sayla remembers Char back in Jaburo telling her not to interfere with his plans for the Zabis. She, however, has doubts about what he’s doing. She asks Amuro how she can become a better pilot like Char and Amuro says she can’t. Their conversation is cut short when three approaching Musai are detected on the radar.

Char’s strategy is to come behind the Musai squadron ahead of him to finish off the "White Base" himself. Two Rick Doms are launched from each Musai and close in on "White Base".

Sleggar launches from a backup G-Fighter, while Hayato launches in the Guntank and Kai in the Guncannon. Sayla goes out in the G-Fighter. Amuro asks why she’s been behaving so strange lately. Sayla dismisses his inquiry saying going out to battle will do her some good, and tells Amuro to be careful. She then briefly instructs Sleggar with the G-Fighter’s controls and wishes him luck.

Sleggar fires at the enemy prematurely, and Kai destroys one Rick Dom but is immediately attacked by another. The Musai close in on "White Base" and fire on it. Bright is furious that the cannons are not hitting the Musais’ critical points. The cannons have to be fired at the engines of the Musais’ attacking portsides.

Back on Earth, the Tianem Fleet takes off and heads toward Luna II. Back in space, Sleggar and the others continue to take on the Rick Doms, and withdraw closer to the ship. Amuro launches in the Gundam after repairs and disappears from sight.

The "Whtie Base" hits one of the Musai’s portside and destroys it. One of the Rick Dom’s pilots signals Dren that he hasn’t seen the Gundam, and is suddenly destroyed. It’s Amuro, and he immediately slices open the bridge of Dren’s Musai. The vacuum of space sucks him and his crew out to their deaths. Amuro destroys another Rick Dom and uses his beam trident to destroy the remaining Musai.

Char is disappointed Dren could not hold down the enemy until he arrived. Bright is briefed that if they go to Luna II, they will probably run into the "Zanzibar". He and Sleggar agree the best option is to go to Side 6, which is a neutral colony and where fighting is prohibited by the Antarctic Treaty. Mirai doesn’t seem to agree on the idea but in the end sets course towards Side 6.

Mobile suits introduced

*MA-04X Zakrello

Characters introduced

*Dmitri

References

* [http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/series/msgep32.htm] episode 32 at MAHq.