Gunpla 101

Deep Dive: References in ‘Gundam Build Divers’ Episode 13

Gunpla fans are rejoicing over Gundam Build Divers, a new Sunrise anime all about our favorite model kits. But it could be tricky to catch the more obscure Gundam references in the show… until now.

Welcome to Deep Dive, a new column from Gundam expert Tom Aznable that points out the more unexpected aspects of the Gundam multiverse that make it into the show. Nothing passes Tom’s eagle eye for spotting this stuff (we suspect Newtype abilities), but this column focuses specifically on rare sightings and deep cuts. Read on to see what you may have missed.

Episode 13: Duel

Zen, Gundam Build Divers Break (manga)

He appears in the end credits as “Mysterious Diver” but Tsukasa’s very distinctive-looking messenger is actually one of the main characters of the Build Divers sidestory manga that starts this month. Zen is one of two protagonists of Gundam Build Divers Break, which focuses on Divers that use Break Decals. He pilots a customized G-Self Gunpla called the “G-Else.” This makes the second appearance of a Build Divers Break character to appear in the TV series, after a cameo in a crowd shot in episode 10.

Axis Shock, Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack (anime)

One of the elements of the Gunpla Duel field that Riku and Tsukasa fight on is a green haze high up in the atmosphere reminiscent of the Newtype psycoframe resonance that pushed back Axis in the climax of Char’s Counterattack.

Angel Halo, Mobile Suit Victory Gundam (anime)

In another reference to the climax of a Gundam anime, the Zanscare Newtype superweapon Angel Halo sits in a crater on the battlefield.

Giant Heat Sword, Mobile Suit Gundam Sidestories (video game)

This weapon was first seen in the original Missing Link campaign from the PlayStation 3 videogame Gundam Sidestories, where it was used by Zeon Marchosias Team pilot Guy Helmuth’s Rick Dom II. Somehow the Astray No-name manages to hide this massive thing in its armor cloak.

Mother Vanguard, Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam (manga)

One of the many wrecks littering the surface of the battlefield is that of the Mother Vanguard, the flagship of the Crossbone Vanguard pirates fighting with the Jupiter Empire in UC 0133.

N.I.T.R.O. System, Mobile Suit Gundam UC 0094: Across the Sky (manga), Mobile Suit Gundam UC (video game)

The Astray No-name has its own super mode: the N.I.T.R.O (Newtype Injection Trace Reformed Oldtype) system previously unique to the Gundam Delta Kai. The N.I.T.R.O System gives non-Newtype pilots Newtype-like abilities, much like the Blue Destiny units’ EXAM system Riku initially mistakes it for. Once he notices the N.I.T.R.O system’s distinctive blue flames, however, he realizes what he’s dealing with.

Previously: