As Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny hits its fifth volume things look set for a far more explosive mid-point than the previous series.

Whilst on leave from the Minerva, Shin rescues a girl from drowning, although unbeknown to Shin the girl, Stella, is actually the pilot of one of the stolen Gundams. The two get stranded on a small island and Shin finds himself attracted to this strange girl and she too him. After being rescued Stella is returned to her “brothers”, the other two pilots who’ve been looking for her! The nation of Orb is forced by the Earth Alliance to take part in an attack on

the Minerva, as both sides head to battle, the Archangel and its crew also prepare. Appearing in the midst of the fighting Cagalli appeals to the Orb forces to withdraw but only brings chaos to the battlefield. After the battle Athrun goes in search of the Archangel to confront Cagalli and Kira, but when he does he is not prepared for the doubts they have over Chairman Durandal. Shinn and Rey are sent to an abandoned Earth Forces research facility and make some truly shocking discoveries.

The battle between the Earth/Orb forces the Minerva and the Archangel is fantastic to watch. Theirs never a dull moment during

it as the tension piles on with the Minerva greatly out numbered, the cry of Cagalli as she begs the Orb forces to stop, and the Orb soldiers as they are lead to believe Cagalli is a “impostor”. Seeing Kira’s Freedom in full glorious action as it takes on both fleets, makes the jaw drop. Its great to see Kira the main protagonist of SEED back in full swing, although still wanting to avoid loss of life, he’s no where near as whiney, in fact he’s far more charismatic and determined (although he does whinge a bit).

Character development is aplenty with the budding Shin/Stella romance, to

the confrontation between Athrun, Cagalli and Kira shortly after the battle. Even the more relatively minor characters are given a lot of time to develop as one Orb captain struggles with his orders too the newest edition to the Minerva’s crew, the rather relaxed and flamboyant Hiene. SEED Destiny certainly makes sure that nobody is simply a two-dimensional character in a figurative sense and it’s this attention to detail that makes it all the more appealing.

The fifth volume of Gundam SEED Destiny ends on a high…and if the previous series is anything to judge by it will continue to set new standards for the Gundam franchise.