its an odd show, at leat in my perspective, as it kind if does things the oppisite of seed. instead of having a genetically OP pilot MC, you get sent the worst pilots in order to save humanity. starting from the bottom for MJP allowed for moments of character growth to progress better, as they learn from their actions (or lack thereof) and its consequences, especially compared to Kira (Jesus) Yamato who is one of the faces for being a Gary Stu who almost always has everything handed to him on a platter.