Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team: Miller's Report (Anime OVA Review)

 

This special was watched during a watch of the series The 08th MS Team, so it's advised for full enjoyment to watch that.

 

Miller's Report is essentially a recap of events occurring during the series, specifically around the gap between episode eight and episode nine. So as a piece of art, it exists more as a way for people to get caught up on events between the shows middle section and the finale run of the last four. As a stand alone piece however? It's not too bad as something to introduce you to the series, though I still would not recommend it.

 

The story is about the titular Alice Miller, an intelligence agent for the world government, the Earth Federation, investigating the protagonist of the series, Shiro Amada, as he is suspected of being a spy for the invading forces of the Principality of Zeon, a space fairing civilization desiring independence from the Federation. The backdrop is against a war that is hinted to, nodded in the background of the special and the investigation by the cynical Miller to nail down and ensure Shiro's ideals that people across the lines of the factions can get along, are shot down firmly and resolutely.

 

Reusing art from the previous episodes, the first, the seventh and the eighth I believe, the art style is gorgeous to look at; though the special included new sections all dialogue sections involving a lot of discussion, it doesn't mean they don't include some splendorous art; a destroyed prototype weapon from episode eight is included here as a destroyed tableau of parts that is absolutely gorgeous to look at. The included dialogue as mentioned is on model for the character art, with well-drawn conversation under heavy rain which adds a weight to the discussions going on. The music, used from the series is masterfully tense and intriguing, which is a rare way I'd describe a piece of music for me; it feels curious in the way it sounds.

 

To finish as again, it's a good piece of work but still feels at best, supplemental to a series which is best watched to enjoy the experience, with a narrative that is about finding a way -past- war and the lines we draw so hard, we inevitably cycle our way back to how it was. And how Miller's perspective, valid and full of cynicism is not etched in stone; Shiro's hope for change, motivated by romance or no, shows the people behind the lines and how there is always a chance we can connect.

 

Photo taken from iMDB

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