TV shows have a reputation for dragging simple problems out to become far more dramatic than they ever had to be. Obviously, this contrived drama is how they seek to draw their viewers in, but sometimes it simply serves to frustrate those same viewers. Concerningly, the new fall anime, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury, may have taken that concept to a new extreme. The primary character conflict, presumably secondary to the Gundam conflict, looks like it may have the simplest solution. But only time will tell if the characters are able to come up with it for themselves or not.
The Witch From Mercury is a new addition to mecha anime, focusing on a young traumatized woman who goes by the name Suletta. As a child, Suletta lived aboard a research station with her mother and father. This station’s aim was to mentally link and integrate large mechs with the humans. In this pursuit, governmental powers shifted and the research was shut down by force. Suletta flew away with her mother, and now goes under a different name. At this point, the audience only knows that she wants to attend a combat academy. Based on the prologue audiences can assume that she will be caught up in a major political struggle over her and her suit's very existence. However, on a smaller scale, she will also have to deal with her newfound engagement.
The Problem
During the first episode, Suletta displays a bit of a hero complex, flying abruptly into space to save someone and then challenging the local bully to a duel to defend that same person. Unfortunately for her Miorine, the person Suletta saved, doesn’t want anyone stepping in on her behalf. Of course, she doesn’t tell Suletta why not. Had she done so, it likely would have prevented the problem in the first place. Instead, after a dramatic back and forth Suletta takes over the challenge and wins handily. Only after her victory does Miorine admit that whoever is the top duelist in the school is automatically betrothed to her.
Suletta becoming betrothed to Miorine is at worst a horizontal move, and at best an improvement in fiance. She seems to be less offended by Suletta as a whole, but still doesn’t wish to have her choices taken from her like this. Suletta for her part is vaguely horrified, she didn’t realize what exactly she was signing up for and doesn’t seem to be entirely pleased by this new development.
The Simple Solution and the Likely Path
Miorine is incapable of defending her own hand in marriage as proven by how handily she was being beaten before Suletta stepped in. However, Suletta seems to be nearly unbeatable, due in large part to the uniqueness of her Gundam. The simplest solution therefore would be for Suletta to hold the title until the last possible moment and then to concede the title to Miorine in an official duel.
This would guarantee that no one had time to defeat Miorine, and she would still be free to make her own choices. If Suletta is worried about status it would likely be very easy to explain to a potential employer the situation and if she had been defending the title all along her elite status would be guaranteed anyway.
This solution wouldn’t be the most exciting for audiences to watch. It would require clear communication and trust between the girls. Which they have already established they are currently incapable of. Additionally, the lack of conflict between the two of them would decrease the number of dramatic situations that the creators would be able to show.
It is far more likely that the two girls are going to strike out and attempt to change either the rules or the fundamental structure of the academy, perhaps both. This will be a far more dramatic path, it will also likely place Suletta in a position to deal with the man who ordered the death of her father. This latter conflict promises to be the overarching conflict.
Summary
With only a prequel and one episode out so far, it is impossible to predict if the girls will develop in their relationship such that they can conquer such a simple challenge or whether or not this will prove a major roadblock in their journey. Of course there is always the third option, that the two young women fall in love and get married.
This is the least likely option simply because this is not pitched as a romance anime. Mobile Suit Gundam is known for its harrowing takes on the effects of war and the horrors that it can impart. With that in mind, the simple and obvious solution to Miorine’s problem will likely be ignored in favor of the most violent and dramatic. Though despite that the girls will likely become good friends.