Gundam Build Divers is back with a sequel series, Gundam Build Divers Re:RISE, that is just as referential as its predecessor. It would take a keen eye and bottomless Gundam knowledge in order to catch the more obscure references it makes to every corner of the Gundam multiverse. Fortunately, we have Gundam expert Tom Aznable to help.
Welcome back to Deep Dive, Tom Aznable’s reader-favorite column all about catching the more esoteric 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:
Encounters in Space, Mobile Suit Gundam (anime)
The BUILD DiVERS have utterly destroyed a mission called “Encounters in Space” (Megamission), set at Zeon’s space fortress A Baoa Qu. This is of course a reference to the film of the same name and the third in the original Gundam compilation movie trilogy.
Colony Public Corporation
The Colony Public Corporation is an Earth Federation company that built the majority of the space colonies in the Universal Century timeline prior to the events of Mobile Suit Gundam. Like many of the company signs that appeared in the original Build Divers, this logo comes from the book Anaheim Journal, which is presented as an in-universe company magazine published by Anaheim Electronics.
Patrick Colasour (Gundam 00) as part of a group of Haman Karns (Zeta Gundam)
This episode’s Patrick cosplay cameo sees him crossplaying the Axis Zeon regent Haman Karn. He’s dressed how she appears during the events of Zeta Gundam, but it looks like he’s being scrutinized by several other Haman cosplayers. The one with the white scarf is one of Haman’s casual looks in Gundam ZZ, the one with twintails is Haman as she appears as a teen in the manga Char’s Deleted Affair, and the one with the cape is Haman’s military regalia from Gundam ZZ.
Avalanche Valkylander
With the Valkylander being an SD variation of the Gundam Astraea Type F, it’s only fitting that Par’s space version is based on one of the Astraea’s upgrades. This particular upgrade utilizes the Avalanche and Dash upgrades originally created for the Gundam Exia, granting increased power and mobility.
RMS-108 Marasai, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (anime)
When the DiVERS reach the moon, they find a room full of images broadcast from around GBN. Most of these are locations on Eldora or reused footage, but these two screens stand out with what looks like new animation. The screen on the left has a Marasai riding the Gundam Mk-II’s G-Defenser support craft and wielding the Gundam Harute’s unique sword rifle. The screen on the right looks particularly crazy though: it looks like a Gunpla cobbled together from a Bolt Gundam and Gundam AGE-1 Titus is fighting a Zeong with a Ball for a head.
Celestial Being Pistol, Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (anime)
The pistol used by members of Celestial Being must be a standard enough item in GBN, as May drawing the weapon on Alus isn’t the first time it’s been seen in Build Divers. It was previously seen in the original Build Divers mid-season finale used by a Mass Diver dressed as one of the Trinities.
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