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:
Hyper V
A brief look at this newspaper sees an ad for Hyper V, the energy drink of choice for Hiroto’s father themed after the Earth Federation’s Operation V mobile suit development project. It was last seen in the first episode.
Scopedog iPhone
When Apple announced their iPhone 11 Pro, mecha fans quickly noticed the similarities between its triple-lens camera and the distinctive three-lens face of the iconic Scopedog from the series Armored Trooper VOTOMS. Kazami’s iPhone makes the unintentional reference an explicit one, with the lenses taking on the different colors that the Scopedog’s lenses use.
Motorcycle Helmet Type Char
The comatose Masaki’s Char’s Zaku themed motorcycle helmet is actually a real product. The Motorcycle Helmet Type Char was released back in 2002 and sold through Bandai’s LalaBit Market online store. Since then, they also released helmets based on the RX-78 Gundam, Black Tri-Stars, and Hyaku Shiki,
Gundam Tertium
Re:RISE’s season finale revealed the original, uncorrupted version of the Gundam Seltsam, which is of course also based on the Gundam Mk-III (profiled ). Unfortunately we don’t see it ride the Machine Rider to its right.
Gundam Café Menu Offerings
Some more real-life Gundam Café menu items make a debut:
Federation Hamburger
As Matsumura is waiting tables, we glimpse a Federation Hamburger. The Gundam Café’s menu states it’s available as a regular cheeseburger, yakitori egg burger, and chili beans burger.
A Baoa Qu Parfait
Hinata brings out the previously-seen Last Shooting Parfait alongside its counterpoint A Baoa Qu Parfait, served in a distinct glass reminiscent of the shape of the Zeon space fortress it’s named after.
Patrick Colasour and Kati Mannequin (Gundam 00) dressed in Federation uniforms (Gundam 0083)
Patrick’s final cosplay of the season may just be a couple’s cosplay with what appears to be his in-universe significant other, his commanding officer Kati Mannequin. If I had to pin it down, I’d guess they were Chuck Keith and Mora Boscht from Gundam 0083.
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