We get so many great meetings this volume - another meeting between Char and Sayla (or rather Artesia and Casval) - the first meeting between Char and and Amuro, and the meeting between Amuro and Lalah Sune. These moments are all just so wonderfully done, made even better by what is saved for the color splash pages - By having Amuro and Lalah's first meeting be in color, the impression that she leaves with Amuro is made so clear. The same way, the first face-to-face meeting between Char and Amuro is so wonderfully done - both knowing that they're on opposing sides of the war, but only Amuro recognizing Char as his arch enemy, and the mud on their knees as free Amuro's car from the ditch making so clear that both have their hands dirty, but with something other than mud.

It's a wonderfully done volume, with some especially done action scenes as well, which also shows just how far Amuro has come as a mobile suit pilot. ( )

This review is written with a GPL 3.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at Bookstooge.booklikes.blogspot.wordpress.leafmarks.com & Bookstooge's Reviews on the Road Facebook Group by Bookstooge's Exalted Permission. Title: Lalah Series: Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin Author & Artist: Yoshikazu Yasuhiko Rating: of 5 Stars Genre: Manga Pages: 420

Synopsis: The Federation is continuing its push to eradicate Zeon. A battle ensues on Side 6 [New Texas, or something like that] that is more of a test of the Newtype than for any strategic advantage. Char, Amuro and Lalah all meet, not knowing the other. And Char is going crazy. There is no other explanation for his behavior, etc. My Thoughts: Amuro is gaining in ability quicker than ever, due to being a newtype. However, just what a Newtype is exactly is left pretty open. It would appear to be whatever the authors/artists want it to be. Zeon's aggressive study and use of newtypes is sad and we see the consequences of one newtype pushed beyond his limit. He would have been a splendid fighter and even leader for a regular army, but in the newtype study he is used, used up and then cast aside. It is made very evident just how much of a waste this is. I don't want to delve much into interpreting what the authors/artists message here is, but along with the very evident "war is useless and bad" vibe, I do get the sense that they are trying to say that every human life is precious. No matter if it lives up to some man made line or not. " ( )