Stabbed from Behind with a Slippery Motion… The Disturbingly Gripping Battle Scene in “Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX”

The battle scene between the red Gundam and the Gelgoog depicted in episode 4 of the anime “Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX” left a powerful impression on viewers. The slimy, smooth animation, the edge-of-your-seat combat, and the shocking finale in which the beam saber is “slipped” and stabbed from behind made for a densely gripping few minutes that appealed directly to both the senses and the emotions.

The opponent facing GQuuuuuuX in episode 4 was Shiiko Sugai, a former Federation ace pilot once called “the Witch.” Despite recording over a hundred downed units during the war, she remained trapped by memories of battle even after the conflict ended. She appeared on the stage of Clan Battle, still cloaked in obsession and madness, ready to clash with the red Gundam.

While the episode drew high praise for its direction—comments such as “The direction is godly!” and “The Gelgoog’s mobility is insane!” were common—many viewers were shocked and sparked discussion by Shūji Itō’s act of “mercilessly stabbing into the Gelgoog’s cockpit from behind, without hesitation,” rather than face-to-face.