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:
RMS-099 Rick Dias, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (anime)
Color scheme: MSA-099-2 Rick Dias II, Z-MSV (design series)
The very first MS that appears in Gundam Build Divers is the trusty AEUG mobile suit Rick Dias, done up in the colors of its successor Rick Dias II from Zeta Gundam’s MSV design series. This unit has been customized to mount both of its beam pistols onto its forearm.
MWF-JG71 Raysta, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny Astray (manga)
This civilian-use mobile suit from the Cosmic Era universe makes its anime debut customized with gear typically used by the GM Command from Gundam 0080, even sporting an Earth Federation crest prominently on its shield.
GAT-X103 Buster Gundam, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (anime)
Color scheme: FA-78-2 Heavy Gundam, MS-X (design series)
NRX-018-2 Daughtress Neo, After War Gundam X (anime)
Color scheme: DT-6800A Daughtress
Gundam X plays out as a kind of apocalyptic “what-if” scenario on the original Gundam anime’s One Year War, complete with stand-ins for many of the mobile suits from that show. The Daughtress line functions as the GM stand-in; here the New United Nations Earth’s Daughtress Neo sports the color scheme of its pre-apocalyptic predecessor.
Zeon Time Bombs, Mobile Suit Gundam (anime)
AMS-119 Geara Doga, Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack (anime)
Color scheme: RX-106E Hi-Zack [Vanargand], Advance of Zeta: The Traitor to Destiny (novel)
While the Geara Doga isn’t so much off the beaten path, its color scheme and white accent on its head suggests the high-spec custom Hi-Zack Vanargand from the first Advance of Zeta sequel.
MS-06F Zaku Minelayer, MSV (design series)
Here in its anime debut, Zaku Minelayer does just what it says on the tin. As far as variations go it’s fairly minimal: just a vanilla Zaku II with a backpack to store mines and extra fuel. The 7th Panzer Division’s unit has also equipped the R-Jarja’s (Gundam ZZ) unique beam rifle as well as what looks like the Big Gun (yes, really) normally equipped on a Zaku Cannon (MSV).
GH-001 Grimoire, Mobile Suit Gundam: Reconguista in G
Color scheme: ATM-09-RSC Scopedog Red Shoulder Custom, Armored Trooper VOTOMS (anime)
EMS-10 Zudah, MS igLoo (CG anime)
Color scheme: MS-05L Zaku I Sniper Type, Harmony of Gundam (design series), Gundam Unicorn (anime)
This customized take on the experimental Zudah may as well just be called the Zudah Sniper Type. It trades in its signature unstable, high-speed thruster for the Zaku I Sniper’s backpack that normally powers a sniper rifle it doesn’t seem to have. Instead, this Zudah uses the Big Gun (yes, really, but this is a different one) used by the Living Dead Division’s snipers from Gundam Thunderbolt.
Gjallarhorn’s Seven Stars, Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-blooded Orphans (anime)
RX-124 Gundam TR-6 (Woundwort), Advance of Zeta: The Flag of Titans (novel)
MUSHA Gundam Mk. II, Plamo-Kyoshiro (manga), SD Sengokuden (manga)
SD Diaochan Qubeley, SD Gundam Sangokuden Brave Battle Warriors (CG anime)
GS-9900 G-Falcon, After War Gundam X (anime)
ZGMF-X12A+AQM/E-X05 Divine Testament Gundam, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny Astray (manga)
Universal Century Earth Map
Gundam Base Posters
Monique Cadillac, MS igLoo (CG anime)
Pikilienta Pohles, SD Gundam Mk. V (anime)
Blanc Base Operator, Superior Defender Gundam Force (anime)
GBN’s lobby NPCs are identical to the ones worn by the staff of the Super Dimensional Guard’s (SDG) Blanc Base from the show that, for better or worse, introduced SD Gundam to the western television audiences: Superior Defender Gundam Force.
About Tom: Gundam diehard for most of his life at this point. Amateur archivist seeking out weird forgotten robot stuff when he can. You can also find him on Twitter.
Can you believe it’s been nearly 10 YEARS since Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans? Even…
How well do you really know the Gundam industry? After years of buying Gundam model…
Here at Gunpla 101, we love checking out upcoming releases to anticipate which Gunpla kits…
Curious about buying an airbrush and compressor set to give your next Gunpla build a…
One of the best things about Gunpla is that it’s a different experience for everybody.…