Gundam Epyon

OZ-13MS Gundam Epyon is a fictional Gundam mobile suit appearing in the anime Mobile Suit Gundam Wing and derivative works. Epyon was designed in 1995 by Kunio Okawara, along with many of the other mobile suits appearing in the anime. The name comes from the Greek word for "next".

Role in plot
Epyon is created by Treize Khushrenada during his exile beginning in episode 26 of the anime. It is based on the five Gundams sent from space, and on the Tallgeese, the prototype mobile suit from which all military mobile suits are derived, and it is considered to be the second most powerful Gundam in the After Colony Era. The suit first appears at the end of episode 28, a clip show. The completed Epyon is presented to Heero Yuy by Treize in episode 34. Heero pilots it until episode 37, when he and Zechs Merquise meet in combat. Following the battle, in which Zechs is piloting Wing Zero, the two pilots exchange suits.

Zechs uses Epyon until the conclusion of the series, becoming a symbol for the White Fang rebellion. He uses the suit to single-handedly destroy OZ Space Fortress Barge in episode 41, and engages in combat with Heero Yuy again during episodes 44, 48, and 49. Following the disabling of Epyon at the conclusion of this battle, Zechs uses the Gundam to destroy part of the Battleship Libra, a superweapon, stolen from OZ by the White Fang, set on a collision course with Earth. Zechs and Epyon are believed destroyed in the explosion, and while Zechs returns in Endless Waltz, Epyon is not seen again.

Design
Epyon is the physical manifestation of Treize Khushrenada's ideals. The suit is armed with weapons effective only in close quarters, avoiding ranged weaponry entirely. The main weapon is a large beam sword, connected directly to the suit's powerplant as opposed to running on its own internal power source, allowing its length and intensity to be adjusted considerably to cut through even heavily armored mobile suits like the Virgo. The second is a 'heat rod', a segmented whip-like projected chain housed in Epyon's shield. Deactivated, it can be used to trip or entangle the opponent. When activated, the material becomes super-heated, allowing it to cut and burn through armor. The Epyon Claws serve as landing gear in mobile armor mode. The claws also extend over the hand preventing the Epyon from holding a ranged weapon, holding true to its chivalrous design nature.

Epyon is also capable of transforming into a mobile armor mode, which bore a striking resemblance to a two-headed dragon. In this mode, Epyon is capable of more fuel efficient long-range flight, although its weapons are inaccessible.

The other main feature of the design is the inclusion of the ZERO System, a high-powered combat super computer capable of transmitting situational information, statistics and battle data directly to the pilot's brain. The Epyon's version is identical to the ZERO System found in Wing Zero, with the only difference being that Epyon's system operates through a helmet interface as opposed to the various cockpit monitors common to all mobile suits.

Notes

• During the combat between Epyon and Wing Zero in episode 49, the appearance of Epyon carrying projectile weapons was given. At one point, Wing Zero fires its vulcan cannons at Epyon while they both fly through the corridors of the collapsing Battleship Libra. Vulcan fire is then returned from Epyon's direction. There were no other suits in the area. This inconsistency is often attributed to an animation error. Although it is possible that Zechs Marquise has had vulcan cannons put into Epyon shortly before his final battle against Heero, it would not break Treize Khushrenada's laws of chivalry to equip a close-quarters weapon with vulcan cannons for the purposes of destroying incoming projectiles such as missiles.
• In many video games based on the Gundam series, the Epyon is piloted by Treize even though he was never seen using it in the anime. In New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Endless Duel and Dynasty Warriors: Gundam, Epyon is piloted by Milliardo Peacecraft (Zechs).

Zeta Gundam

The MSZ-010 ΖΖ Gundam (Double Zeta Gundam, codename: "θ Gundam" (Theta Gundam)) is the tenth mobile suit built by Anaheim Electronics as the culmination of the Project Ζ.

The completed ΖΖ Gundam was held in La Vie en Rose, and was soon transferred to the Argama. The ΖΖ has a bio-sensor, as found in the Zeta Gundam. The ΖΖ is a transformable mobile suit, capable of becoming the mobile armor G-Fortress. The G-Fortress can separate into two flight-capable components, called the Core Top and Core Base. The Core Base is operated by the ΖΖ's Neo Core Fighter. Unlike the Ζ Gundam in Waverider mode, G-Fortress couldn't use it for re-entry.

The ΖΖ features a large array of powerful beam weaponry. This includes two hyper beam sabers which are also usable as beam cannons, a two-barreled double beam rifle, a 21-tube missile launcher installed on the backpack, and a high mega cannon on the forehead. While the ΖΖ Gundam has very destructive arsenal, the weapon system requires a high level of energy, and the ΖΖ Gundam often found itself almost completely drained of power after using the high mega cannon. In addition, its complicated construction and transformation systems made it somewhat structurally weak.

Manufacturer: Anaheim Electronics Company
Operator: Anti-Earth Union Group
Unit type: prototype general purpose transformable mobile suit
Dimensions: mobile suit mode: overall height 22.11 meters, head height 19.86 meters; G-Fortress mode: overall length 30.13 meters, wingspan 18.52 meters; Core Top with Neo Core Fighter: overall length 19.91 meters, wingspan 18.52 meters; Core Base with Neo Core Fighter: overall length 22.06 meters, wingspan 15.93 meters
Weight: mobile suit and G-Fortress modes: empty 32.7 metric tons, max gross 68.4 metric tons, mass ratio 1.74; Core Top with Neo Core Fighter: max gross 30.9 metric tons; Core Base with Neo Core Fighter: max gross 49.1 metric tons
Powerplant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor, output rated at 7340 kW
Special Equipment: bio-sensor system; separable transformation components, G-Fortress mode can split into Core Top and Core Base
Armament: 2 x hyper beam saber, power rated at 1.1 MW each, stored in recharge racks in backpack, hand-carried in use in mobile suit mode only, both hyper beam sabers double as double beam cannon, fire-linked, power rated at 20 MW, mounted on main body in G-Fortress mode and on Core Base; 2 x 21-tube missile launcher (uses AMA-13S small missile), mounted on backpack in mobile suit mode and on main body in G-Fortress mode and on Core Base; high mega cannon, power rated at 50 MW, mounted in head, operable in mobile suit mode only; 2 x 60 mm double vulcan gun, fire-linked, 400 rounds of ammunition per gun, mounted in head, operable in mobile suit mode only; 2 x missile launcher, mounted in main body of Neo Core Fighter, operable on Core Base only; 2 x shield, mounted on forearms, double as wing/control surfaces in G-Fortress mode and on Core Base; double beam rifle, power rated at 21.2 MW total (2 x 10.6 MW), can be mounted on main body in G-Fortress mode or on Core Top
Pilot(s): Judau Ashta (all modes and components), Roux Louka (MS mode and Core Base), Beecha Oleg (MS mode and Core Top), Iino Abbav (MS mode, Core Top and Core Base), Elpeo Ple (MS mode and Core Base), Elle Vianno (Core Top and Core Base), Mondo Agake (Core Base), Chara Soon (Core Top), Milly Childer (Core Top)
14 year old Judau Ashta became the designated pilot of the ΖΖ Gundam in the year UC 0088 and joins the war between the AEUG and Axis (Neo-Zeon) .

GN-001 Gundam Exia

The GN Drive provides the Exia with astounding mobility and near limitless energy reserves. Compared to currently-in-use mobile suits, the Exia introduces a great deal of advanced technology. The GN particles emanated into the air cause radio wave interference, disrupt ordinary radar and communications, much like Minovsky Particles in Universal Century. The Exia is equipped for close combat situations, sporting several blades, in either physical or beam form, with a beam gun for ranged combat.

The protagonist mobile suit of the anime series Mobile Suit Gundam 00. The GN Drive at the center of the Exia allows for boundless energy output and astounding mobility. In addition, the electromagnetic interference created by the GN particles the generator releases into the air disrupts the use of conventional radar and a range of electronic communications, much like Minovsky Particles in Universal Century.
Sporting the set of armaments known as the "Seven Swords" System, the Exia is best-suited for melee combat. Its capacity to support beam-based weaponry is indicative of the level of technology introduced in its design, far advanced from mobile suits conventionally in use as of the time period of 00.

Its name derives from exousia, the Greek word for authority.

Armaments
The following is a list of the standard armaments equipped upon the Exia.
Seven Swords System: GN Sword / Rifle

A solid blade attached to a miniature forearm shield, which serves as the Exia's primary weapon -- the longest blade amongst the Seven Swords. The cutting edge is lined with GN particles, allowing it to easily split MS armor. The sword can be vertically folded along the forearm, exposing the muzzle of a short-range, high-speed beam rifle concealed behind the shield. A single shot can destroy a conventional enemy unit. The sword can also be used as a physical blade to pierce/negate GN barrier equipped opponents.
Seven Swords System: GN Long Blade & Short Blade

A pair of solid blades differing in length, sheathed at either side of the Exia's waist when not in use. The blades are lined with GN particles to increase the effectiveness of armor-cutting. Normally used in dual wield.
Seven Swords System: GN Beam Saber & Beam Dagger

Beam equipment in the Anno Domini continuity is still in the process of being developed by most military powers as a 2nd generation mobile suit armament. The Gundams are the first series of units to actually employ them on the battlefield. The Exia has a total of four beam sabers: two of standard length, mounted behind either shoulder; and two beam daggers, mounted behind the waist. Though such weapons are more versatile than solid blades, the GN particles composing the blade body may be subject to dispersion and other forms of disruption.
GN Vulcan Cannon

A small beam-based vulcan cannon, built into the Exia's forearms. As all of the its capabilities are inferior to that of the GN Sword - Rifle Mode, it is used primarily for threatening and limiting enemy movement.
GN Shield

Defensive equipment composed of durable E-Carbon, superior to the armor class of conventional mobile weapons and extremely difficult to destroy. As the Exia is designed for close-quarters combat, the shield it's equipped with is relatively small and light-weight. Both ends of the shield are bladed and of sufficient consistency to be used as a piercing weapon.
Trans-Am System

It's a battle system mode that utilizes the hidden potential of the GN Drive(s). Exia's GN Drive was given a preset cap on GN power usage. It's a hidden system mode that Celestial Being wasn't aware of until Aeolia Schenberg's death. As his last final act, his death deactivated the limitations and allowed Exia use the full potential of its GN Drive. GN particles saturate Exia's frame to the point it becomes pink/red. In this mode, Exia is capable of high speed hyper vector maneuvers that exceeds well beyond its original specs. The system temporarily gives Exia enhanced abilities, 3x more speed, for 3 minutes; once GN particle burn is spent, the system weakens Exias specs until the GN particles recharge completes.

The red color of Exia while under Trans-Am, as well as the "three times efficiency," are both references to Char Aznable and his Commander-type Zaku.

Variants
Height: 18.3 meters
Weight: 62.1 metric tons (Avalanche Equipment Weight: 4.9 metric tons)
Type: Equipment-Enhanced High-Mobility Mobile Suit
Appears in the manga sidestory Mobile Suit Gundam 00V. The GN-001 Gundam Exia can be equipped with the optional high-mobility equipment hs-A01 Avalanche. Though the GN particle propulsion system native to the Exia allows for relatively high speed and acceleration, the unit is actually incapable of matching or exceeding certain aircrafts and spacecrafts in flight. The Avalanche was developed for the purpose of eliminating this issue.
The optional equipment consists of a series of large-capacity GN particle condenser attachments, which act to store the particle production of the GN drive for release in a single 10-minute burst of ultra-high speed. Higher output is possible, but the strain it places on the body of the pilot becomes severe. As the condensers require a full hour to charge, repeated use of the burst function is impossible.
The standard Seven Swords armaments can be mounted behind the Avalanche equipment, and quickly deployed for use.
The name "Avalanche" refers to the immediate elimination of all units before the attached Exia, as if in the face of an avalanche. "hs" stands for "high speed," and "A01" stands for "Avalanche Unit-01."

Combat Characteristics

Exia actively uses the GN Sword/Rifle in battle. Setsuna was educated in combat by Ali Al Sarshes (trained in a unidentified form of martial arts) and it's reflective to Exia's combat capabilities in the battlefield. Exia always engage in high speed melee combat in which the GN Blades aim for the mobile suit cockpit for quick kills. When facing stronger opponents Exia uses the beam sabers for faster combat maneuvers. The GN Rifle isn't actively used unless engaging opponents at long ranges or overwhelming numbers. When facing overwhelming numbers and firepower such as the GN-X, Exia can dock with GN Arms for mobile armor combat. When facing exceptional opponent(s) or situation(s), Exia can execute the Trans-Am system over ultra high speed combat. When facing GN barrier equipped opponents, the Exia is able to use its seven swords system to pierce the GN barriers of other mobile suits.

Exia's GN Sword was carefully designed to disperse GN fields. Celestial Being anticipated that Gundams may fall into the wrong hands, so Exia is the ultimate weapon against them.

GX-9900 Gundam X

In the anime series Gundam X, the GX-9900 Gundam X ("GX") is one of three advanced mobile suits types created by the United Nations Earth ("UNE") Space Force to fight against the Space Revolutionary Army ("SRA"). The Gundam X was the most powerful of the three models mainly because of its powerful weapon, the Satellite Cannon, which was specifically designed to destroy space colonies. This cannon was powered by a super-microwave energy beam which was transmitted from a solar power station on the moon. Like all Gundams from the 7th Space War era, the GX features a Flash System that is used to control a group of unmanned Bit mobile suits. The Bit model designed for the GX is the FX-9900 GX-Bit, which is also armed with the satellite cannon. Its primary limitation was that only a Newtype could activate the Flash System and initialize the Satellite System.

Other armaments of the Gundam X are a large beam sword, a pair of breast vulcan guns and a hand-carried shield that can be fold into a buster rifle. In addition, the Gundam X can be docked with the GS-9900 G-Falcon fighter for increase mobility and additional armaments.

Since it was considered to be the most dangerous of mobile suits, the Gundam X has a special anti-theft system. The removable G-controller stick is needed to activate a Gundam X. This controller has been shown to activate any other GX, and later in the series, the Double X.

The Gundam X was used at the end of the Seventh Space War in an attempt to stop the SRA from dropping space colonies on the Earth. During this time, Jamil Neate was the pilot of a Gundam X and he used his Gundam and a large army of GX-Bits to destroy a colony which was positioned for a drop on the Earth. In response, the SRA dropped dozens of colonies on the Earth. Nearly all of the new Gundam X units were destroyed during this time but at least two intact unit survived in the war.Jamil's unit was heavily damaged and later being recycled by the UNE.

Fifteen years later, one of the intact Gundam-X unit was found by 15-year-old Garrod Ran in a abandoned military base, he later joined the crew of the Freeden. When he and Tiffa Adill, a mysterious Newtype girl, are cornered by renegade mobile suit riders, she registers the Satellite Cannon with the lunar base, and Garrod fires the weapon, obliterating their enemies. He is later able to use the Cannon without a fully-functioning Newtype in the cockpit. The GX was later heavily damaged by Carris Nautilus' RMSN-008 Bertigo but was repaired and modified by Kid Salsamille into the GX-9900-DV Gundam X Divider. After the GX-9901-DX Gundam Double X is stolen by Garrod from the New UNE, Kid modified the control systems so that Jamil Neate could pilot the GX without the G-controller.

Three GX units are known to have survived into the After War era. One was found and piloted by Garrod. The second was Jamil's old unit which New United Nations Earth studied to develop the Double X. The third was found in A.W. 0024 by Vultures Rick Arel and Rosa II, aboard a sunken UNE submarine. A mysterious, unstable Newtype named Kai was found in suspended animation in the cockpit, but Arel soon gained possession of the Gundam. Unlike the unit Garrod discovered, this Gundam X was black, though it was soon repainted in the standard white color scheme. As it lacked the shield buster rifle, Arel's Gundam X was refitted with a more conventional shield and beam rifle. Although the Satellite System's lunar station had been destroyed in A.W. 0015, Arel's Gundam X was able to receive microwave energy and fire the Satellite Cannon, revealing that a new station has been built to replace the old one.

GAT-X105 Strike Gundam

The GAT-X105 Strike is the most versatile of the five Gundams created by the Alliance's G Project. Because of its bright blue, red and white color scheme, the Strike is easily the most visually distinctive of the five (with the possible exception of the bright red-colored GAT-X303 Aegis). Using its Striker Packs, the Strike can be outfitted for all-purpose combat (Aile Strike), heavy assault (Launcher Strike) or heavy melee combat (Sword Strike). Design wise, the Strike is simply en extenstion of the Duel's frame, allowing for a multi-role function not featured in the Duel, Buster, or Blitz. (In fact, the Strike's Striker Pack allowed it to mimic, to variable degrees, many of the abilities of the first three mobile suits.)

Three Strike units were built: the first Strike was piloted by Kira Yamato; it was destroyed in battle in CE June 71 against Athrun Zala in the Aegis. After Kira stole the ZGMF-X10A Freedom from ZAFT and the subsequent defection of the Archangel crew to the Orb Union in early July, the second Strike (built partially with materials salvaged from the remains of the first) became the personal mobile suit of ace pilot Mu La Flaga. A third Strike, called the MBF-02 Strike Rouge, was built by Orb and piloted by Cagalli Yula Athha. This mobile suit was nearly identical to the first, its only major difference being that its Phase Shift Armor active colours were red and pink (due to minor improvements in the efficiency of the Phase Shift Armor system, which would later be classified Variable Phase shift, and a "power extender" system to increase battery life) rather than the blue, red and white of the first Strike. All three Strike pilots used the Aile Striker as their preferred Striker pack, with its all-purpose combat capabilities. A fourth unit was also apparently built, then later upgraded to the Strike Noir, apparently piloted by Sven Cal Bayang.

Although the GAT-X105 Strike is initially designed to use three Striker packs, several more are designed later on. One of these designs is the combined GAT-X105+P204QX Lightning Strike. The Alliance seeks to increase the Strike's operating time by 150% through the use of a new Striker pack, but the first design proves to be a failure. Later on, Orb's defense contractor Morgenroete steps in and designs the P204QX Lightning Striker. The Lightning Striker features an improved power pack design, along with extra cooling systems and battery packs. In addition, the Lightning Strike is armed with a Type 70-31 electromagnetic cannon, which can be stored as two separate pieces on the Strike's forearms. The Lightning Striker pack is assembled in late C.E. 71 on the Kusanagi after the fall of the Orb Union. After its construction, the Lightning Striker pack is destroyed in combat during a test flight.

The GAT-X105 Strike should not be confused with the ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom from Gundam SEED Destiny.

Manufacturer: Morgenroete, Inc/Earth Alliance
Users: Earth Alliance, Orb Union/Three Ship Alliance
Unit type: prototype all-purpose multi-mode mobile suit
Rollout: 20 January, Cosmic Era 71
First Deployment: 25 January, Cosmic Era 71
Head height: 17.72 meters
Weight: 64.8 metric tons
Powerplant: Ultracompact energy battery
Special equipment: hardpoints for Striker Packs, Phase Shift armor
Armament: "Igelstellung" 75mm multi-barrel CIWS x2, "Armor Schneider" combat knife x2, 57mm high-energy beam rifle x1, bazooka x1, shield x1
Optional equipment: AQM/E-X01 Aile Striker, AQM/E-X02 Sword Striker, AQM/E-X03 Launcher Striker, P204QX Lightning Striker, P202QX Integrated Weapons Striker Pack (IWSP)
Pilot(s): Murrue Ramius, Kira Yamato, Sai Argyle, Mu La Flaga, Sven Cal Bayan

Shining Gundam

GF13-017NJ Shining Gundam is a mobile fighter from Mobile Fighter G Gundam, an anime series set in the Future Century timeline of the Gundam metaseries.

Concept and creation
The Shining Gundam is modeled after the Samurai of pre-industrial Japan. This is most evident in its Super and Hyper modes when the face plate opens up and the yellow protrusions fold out to make the head resemble a Kabuto (Helmet) and when the shoulder armor rises the small rectangular portions hidden underneath greatly resemble the O-Sode (Shoulder Guards). The Shining Gundam's beam sabers are patterned after the traditional set of long and short swords, or Daisho, which Samurai carried.

Plot

The Shining Gundam was developed by Dr. Mikamura to serve as Neo-Japan's entry in the 13th Gundam Fight. Dr. Raizo Kasshu, father of the Gundam's intended pilot Domon Kasshu, was critical of the Emotion Energy System which fed off a pilots anger. Dr Mikamura's anger at this and past criticisms led to him arranging a plot with Major Ulube Ishikawa to try and seize Raizo's ultimate accomplishment, the powerful Ultimate Gundam that Dr. Kasshu had created in collaboration with his eldest son, Kyoji. The fallout from this plot saw Raizo's wife killed by soldiers and the Ultimate Gundam spirited away by Kyoji to Earth. A crash landing saw it transform into the malevolent Devil Gundam.

After Domon returned from a decade of training to earn his destined title as King of Hearts, he was told by Ulube and Mikamura that his brother Kyoji had taken the Gundam for his own evil ambitions and let their mother die. Furthermore, Raizo was considered an accompalice and was cryogenically frozen as punishment. If Domon wanted his father pardoned, he was told he would have to use the Shining in the 13th Gundam Fight to both win the tournament and destroy the rogue Gundam and his brother. With little choice, Domon agreed. He was partnered with his childhood friend Rain Mikamura, Dr Mikamura's daughter, to serve as support crew for himself and the Shining Gundam.

After landing in Neo-Italy as part of his secret mission, Domon used the Shining Gundam in the very first battle of the 13th Fight where he faced off against Michelo Chariot in his Neros Gundam. Despite being on the defensive for most of the battle (partly due to nearby civilians), Domon was able to win the fight when he debuted the Shining Gundam's signature Shining Finger attack and crush the Neros' head. Over the next few months Domon would face several opponents on his quest and more than once encountered Neo-America's Gundam Maxter, Neo-China's Dragon Gundam, Neo-France's Gundam Rose and Neo-Russia's Bolt Gundam. Each were powerful opponents, most were able to inflict moderate to considerable damage upon the Shining Gundam, and all the battles against them had ended in stalemates for different reasons.

After returning to Osaka after fighting the Bolt Gundam in Neo-Russia, Domon was taken to space for a performance review by Commissioner Karato. Even though doing so violated Gundam Fight treaties, Karato drugged Domon and had him fight the Mobile Armor Fantoma which the hallucinogenic Domon saw as the Kyoji-controlled Devil Gundam. During the fight Domon's anger reached a peak, enabling the Emotion Energy System to activate the Gundam's secret Super Mode (Also it's true appearance) and used the Shining Finger Sword technique to destroy the Fantoma.

After returning to Earth, and tried again to find Kyoji. While in Neo-Egypt he discovered that deceased Gundam Fighter Dahal Muhammed had been resurrected using Devil Gundam Cells, or DG Cells, which give organisms three great theoretical abilities: Regeneration, Multiplication, and Evolution.

After defeating Dahal, he discovered that Gundam Fighter Saette Gyuzelle and his Minaret Gundam had been infected with DG Cells. With Rain's help he was able to defeat Saette and cure him of the DG Cells.

Later he learned that Tokyo's Shinjuku district was under attack. It was learned that the Devil Gundam was underneath the city, ready to Self-Evolve and that his teacher Master Asia was leading the attack. Domon fought Master Asia and his fellow Gundam fighters Chibodee Crocket, George de Sand, Sai Saici, and Argo Gulskii. However the Shining Gundam was no match for the Master Gundam unless it were to go into super mode. They were later freed of DG cells by the Shuffle Alliance, who found out they were their successors, and so they sacrificed themselves so they could become the new members of the Alliance.

After the Devil Gundam evolved, Domon left to train so he could master the Super Mode in the Guyana Highlands. Domon was able to master the super mode with help from his fellow Shuffle Alliance members and Schwarz Bruder. He used this new Hyper Mode (which Schwarz claimed to be the 'true Super Mode') and defeats Master Asia and the Devil Gundam. However, following Devil Gundam's defeat, the Shining Gundam was severely damaged by the Master Gundam and could not make it to Neo-Hong Kong for the finals. Domon used what energy was left in the core lander to delay Master Asia long enough so he could get to the new God Gundam. The Shining Gundam was crippled and left almost unable to move at all by being impaled through the cockpit and out the back, and it's combat data shortly transferred to the God Gundam by Rain to enable the new Gundam to move. The Shining Gundam was not recovered or repaired and for the rest of the series, it remains in the Guyana Highlands in the same condition exactly where Domon left it before quickly heading off to the finals in the God Gundam. However, Domon does believe that he and the Shining Gundam are still together since the God Gundam works on the Shining Gundam's combat data.

Abilities and armaments

The Shining Gundam is equipped with two beam sabers, two head mounted Vulcan guns which are standard on most Gundams. The Gundam also carries small energy guns in the wrist guards and machine cannons on the main body. Of these weapons the Vulcans and the beam sabers saw the most use while the energy guns were used once and the machine cannons went unused.

The primary special attack of the Shining Gundam is the Shining Finger. This attack focuses heat into the Gundam's hand which causes it to glow green and allows it to easily crush the head of an enemy Gundam. The Shining Finger Sword can only be used when the Gundam is in super mode and harnessed the Super Mode's increased energy. The Shining Finger Sword channels the Shining Finger energy directly into one of the Gundam's beam sabers, creating a large and powerful blade. The true Super Mode, or Hyper Mode, is the most powerful form of Shining Gundam as all attributes are increased to the point it surpasses Master Gundam.

Trivia

• Before using the "Shining Finger" attack, Domon usually says the phrase, "This hand of mine glows with an awesome power. It's burning grip tells me to defeat you! Now here I go, Shining Finger!" (, Ore no kono te ga hikatte unaru! Omae wo taose to kagayaki sakebu! Hissatsu, Shining Finger! Men! Men! Mēn!?)
• Similarly, before using the "Shining Finger Sword", Domon says, "This hand of mine glows with an awesome power!!! Its Burning grip tells me to defeat you!! Take this! My love!! My anger!! And all of my sorrow! Shining Finger! Go, Go, Go!" (, Ore no kono te ga hikkate unaru! Omae ga taosu se to kagayaki sakebu! Kurae, ai to kai to kanasshimi no! SHINING FINGER SWORD! Tsuki, tsuki, tsuki!

Wing Gundam

The XXXG-01W Wing Gundam (also referred to as Gundam Zero-One) is one of the fictional Gundam mobile suits appearing in the Mobile Suit Gundam Wing anime series. The original Wing Gundam was designed in 1995 by Kunio Okawara, along with many of the other mobile suits in the anime. The five 'second-stage' Gundams were later redesigned by Hajime Katoki for the 1997 OVA Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz. As the new designs became canonical, Katoki also created retcon designs for the original five Gundams, which were published in Newtype magazine.

Design

Wing Gundam is one of the five Gundam mobile suits that were based on the design from the Wing Gundam Zero, with both suits created by Doctor J. Out of the five original Gundams of the series, Wing Gundam bears the closest resemblance to Wing Zero and its weapons and capabilities are also very similar to its ancestor's. It's main armaments include a buster rifle capable of firing very powerful blasts of energy that can destroy multiple targets in a single shot, including mobile suits. The drawback is that the ammunition of this weapon is limited to three shots. Next is its shield, which can withstand a great deal of damage. Though not a weapon the shield's sharp, pointy front has been shown to be able to cut through an Aries mobile suit's armor plating. It also has small vulcan guns on its head, machine guns on its shoulders and a beam saber stored inside its shield. Wing Gundam is also capable of flight; transforming into a fighter aircraft (called "Bird Mode"), though it's flight abilities are only useable as long as it's within Earth's atmosphere, meaning it can't travel in space on its own.

Role in plot

Wing Gundam is one of the five mobile suits sent to Earth as part of Operation Meteor; a plan whereby rebels would be able to weaken the controlling influence the United Earth Sphere Alliance and the Organization of the Zodiac (OZ) held over the orbital colonies. Wing Gundam is launched from the cluster of orbital colonies located at the L1 Lagrange point, and is piloted by the series' main character Heero Yuy.

In the first episode, Heero is intercepted by Zechs Merquise during his descent to Earth. Despite Wing Gundam's incredible abilites, Zechs manages to grapple with it in his Leo mobile suit and causes Wing Gundam crash land into the Pacific Ocean, forcing Heero to abandon it. When Zechs later sends a search party to acquire the sunken Wing Gundam, it is saved by Duo Maxwell and is given back to its pilot. Heero later repairs his Gundam with parts from Duo's Gundam Deathscythe, much to Duo's chargin. Heero then uses Wing Gundam in many successful missions, destroying OZ bases and mobile suit factories, though one of their more infamous victories is when they destroy the shuttle transporting Alliance peace ambassadors at the New Edwards base, which was because Heero was tricked into believing they were top OZ leaders. Later on, when Heero arrives at OZ's Siberian base to prevent the transfer of new Taurus mobile dolls, he is confronted by Zechs and his new Tallgeese mobile suit. During their duel, Lady Une allerts the Gundam pilots that unless they surrender, the colonies will be destroyed. Then Heero, under orders from Doctor J, activates his suit's self destruct device, destroying Wing Gundam and nearly killing himself Zechs however, has the suit repaired and returned to Heero so they can have a rematch, though Heero uses Trowa Barton's Gundam Heavyarms for the duel instead. Later, when the Gundam pilots return to space, Heero leaves Wing Gundam behind on Earth, due to its inability for space combat. Sally Po later locates Wing Gundam and has it sent to the Sanc Kingdom, where Heero eventually arrves at and retrieves his Gundam. Heero then starts using Wing Gundam for defending the Sanc Kingdom from OZ, but some time later, when Heero uses it to defend the Luxembourg base from OZ's new Virgo mobile dolls, Wing Gundam is disabled, following a heavy battle. Heero then abandons his Gundam for the final time and he eventually acquires the more powerful Wing Zero. OZ later recovers the abandoned suit, has it repaired and also equips it with boosters, enabling it for space travel. Wing Gundam's final appearance is when Lady Une uses it to save Treize Khushrenada in where it is destroyed for the second and final time by Battleship Libra's main cannon fire.

Wing Gundam's role is slightly different in the Gundam Wing manga; for example Heero actually pilots it during his duel with Zechs in Antarctica, instead of Heavyarms and Heero doesn't abandon it at Luxembourg as the battle there doesn't take place in the manga, though after the Sanc Kingdom is invaded, Heero does leave without Wing Gundam. It is then recovered by OZ, just like in the series, but when Lady Une uses it to save Treize, Wing Gundam only loses its legs to the Libra's main cannon, thus it is not completely destroyed, though it isn't seen again in the manga afterwards.

RX-78 Gundam

The RX-78 Gundam is a series of fictional testbed mobile suits in the Gundam Universal Century developed by the Earth Federation. The titular mobile suit of the series, the RX-78-2 Gundam, is a member of this series. The RX-78-2 Gundam serves as the iconic symbol of the Gundam universe and sparked the creation of its multiple sequels and spinoffs.

Concepts and development

The RX-78's initial concept was that of a powered armor, the primary design for Yoshiyuki Tomino's proposed series Freedom Fighter Gunboy. The series later changed its name to Mobile Suit Gundam and Kunio Okawara was given Tomino's concept to shape into a finalized design for the anime. Okawara created multiple designs before settling on the current, samurai-styled design for the anime in 1979.

One of the common questions asked is why did the enemies in the series keep referring to the RX-78-2 as White while it is a mix of blue, red, and white. Tomino's response in the novel version of Gundam is that the original design was to be a grayscale machine, made up of mostly white and light gray colouring. However, Sunrise disapproved of the colouring and insisted the unit to be painted in brighter colours to attract attention, like other Super Robot anime at that time.

Although the 'original' Gundam, the RX-78-2 design was expanded to be the second in a line of 8 Gundams; preceding model RX-78-1 and later models RX-78-3~8. These were designed by Okawara between 1980 and 1983 for Mobile Suit Variations. Other mechnical designers later added further design variations; including Yutaka Izubuchi's RX-78-NT-1, designed in 1989 for Mobile Suit Gundam 0080, and Shoji Kawamori's and Hajime Katoki's Gundam Development Project designs in 1992 for Gundam 0083. The RX-78-2 has also been redesigned several times by other artists. In particular, the Hajime Katoki's version of the Gundam (referred to by Gundam fans and Bandai themselves as Ver. Ka) has become popular enough to be made into both injection plastic model kits sold by Bandai and resin-based garage kits sold by their B-Club subsidiary. Okawara himself redesigned the Gundam for original character designer Yoshikazu Yasuhiko's manga Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin, a retelling of the events of the original series. Though mostly identical to the original, it features slightly different designs for its weapons, a small vulcan pod in its shoulder, and the ability to replace one of the beam sabers stored in its backpack with a cannon similar to that of the Guncannon. In addition, the fifteenth installment of the Gundam Evolve series of shorts features another variation on the RX-78's design, a highly stylized version of the iconic machine based on "modern" design aesthetics. It has been referred as Ver. Evolve 15.

Role in plot

The deployment of the Principality of Zeon's mobile suits, the MS-05B Zaku I and the MS-06F Zaku II, in the One Year War had given the small nation a major tactical edge over the much larger Earth Federation. Capable of propellant-less manoeuvring thanks to their AMBAC systems, and able to be retrofitted to suit a variety of missions and environments, they easily outclassed the Federation's arsenal of fighters and ground vehicles. Realizing that the gap needed to be closed, the Federation instituted Project V (short for "Project Victory"), a development program that would produce a counterpart Federation mobile suit design, with the ability for mass-production a requirement. While the ultimate result of the program was the RGM-79 GM, the engineers in the project tested several design concepts for the mass-production units in the RX-78 series. Some of the developments in the RX-78 models were later incorporated into the GM line, but many were scrapped due to cost and/or complexity.

Only 8 RX-78 suits were produced during the One Year War, although continual remodelling and upgrading created the impression that there were more than eight units. Although the RX-78 suits are designated RX-78-1~8, the final digit indicated the design version of the unit, and not the unit's actual number.

In addition, the EFAF (Earth Federation Air Force) created their own RX-78E (GT FOUR/Gundam Transformer/Flight & Operations Unifications Reactors), which is different from the 8 RX-78s produced. Another extra unit is the RX-78XX, which uses scrap parts of the RX-78s, and again is not considered to be one of the original line. The NT-1 is actually RX-78 unit 4 remodelled (original model unknown). After the One Year War, the GP series are numbered after the RX-78 convention, despite being newly produced units.

The variation among the Gundams was originally indicated by differences in colouration, indicating upgrades to completely internal equipment and technology, although later variants displayed externally-visible upgrades. For example, Unit 4's NT-1 configuration have extra thrusters, additional armor, and a 360 degree panoramic cockpit, while Unit 4 and Unit 5, which exist mainly in games and as model kits, provide additional mounting points and weaponry.