Deep Dive: References in ‘Gundam Build Divers RE:RISE’ Episode 18

Editor’s Note: Keep reading for a status announcement about Deep Dive moving forward.

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:

Episode 18: Perfect Sniper

Val Walo Plasma Leader, Mobile Suit Gundam 0083 (anime)

Hiroto seems to have a fondness for “leader” type weapons. While he’s previously been seen using a drone-borne version of the Adzam’s eponymous Adzam Leader, this time he uses the Val Walo mobile armor’s plasma leader. This plasma leader represents an improvement on the Adzam Leader’s design, triangulating with other leader units to zap enemy mobile suits rather than relying on the Adzam’s Leader’s cage-like form to trap them.

That’s all for this week. Read on for a special announcement.

Gundam Build Divers Re:RISE and COVID-19

With the ongoing global pandemic having an undeniable impact upon society and our individual day-to-day lives, anime production is just one more thing we’ve taken for granted that is being affected. The last few weeks have seen the majority of shows in the current season announce production delays, and Gundam Build Divers Re:RISE is no exception. On April 26, Sunrise announced that Re:RISE would only air as scheduled through episode 18, with details on new episode dates to be announced later via the series’ official website and social media channels.

With this week seeing the last of the regularly scheduled episodes, it looks like things will be touch and go for a while as far as new Build Divers is concerned. This of course affects Deep Dive as well – but please, keep checking back each week! In weeks without a new episode of Re:RISE, Deep Dive will instead be revisiting the series that kicked off this whole Gunpla-battling branch of the Gundam franchise: Gundam Build Fighters!

You can revisit this classic series along with me in much the same way you’ve probably been watching Build Divers: the entire series is currently available to watch for free on both the official GundamInfo YouTube channel and Crunchyroll! And if you’ve never seen the series before, you’re in for a real treat.

Please continue to join us next week for the first Deep Dive: Build Fighters, with the episode “Sei and Reiji.”