The Apsaras III (also known as Apsalus III) is a mobile armor introduce in the OVA Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team. A Gunpla version appeared in Gundam Build Fighters, built and piloted by Tatsuzo.
Technology & Combat Characteristics[]
The final version of the Apsaras, the Apsaras III solved the power issue plaguing its predecessors, caused by the power-intensive mega particle cannon and Minovsky Craft, by mounting the generators of three MS-09R Rick Doms. The number of its Minovsky Craft was also increased to two. Its output was so high that it would not run out of energy even when using the mega particle cannon and the Minovsky Craft at the same time. To maintain its posture when firing, it was able to deploy three stabilizing legs. Its mega particle cannon could be readjusted to engage multiple targets at once, and was able to burn through a mountain when fired at maximum output.[1]
Armaments[]
- Mega Particle Cannon
- The Apsaras III has a mega particle cannon that like the Apsaras II, is capable of superheating earth and causing an explosion on impact. The weapon is able to project a thin beam just outside the barrel for a free range of motion without having to move the cannon itself. At full output, the charging process has the beam energy being shaped like an hour-glass before firing.
- Leader
- Tatsuzo's Apsaras III is also armed with Adzam-type Leaders.
Special Equipment & Features[]
- Minovsky Craft System
- Since it is made up of charged particles, the I-field is unable to penetrate metal, water, the Earth's surface, or other electrically conductive materials and can be shaped simply by trapping it in an electromagnetic field. Thus, at low altitudes it is possible to generate an I-field cushion between the underside of a vessel and the ground, yielding a gravity-countering buoyancy. This principle is used in the creation of the Minovsky Craft System, which allowed a spaceship or heavy ground vehicle to fly / hover on Earth. The Apsaras III is one of the few Zeon mobile weapons in One Year War which features the Minovsky Craft System for aerial navigation under the Earth atmosphere.
- I-Field
- Tatsuzo's custom Gunpla is equipped with an I-Field that deflects ranged beam attacks.
- Gas Dispenser
- Tatsuzo's Apsaras III can release a gas that makes the enemy Gunpla's armor brittle.
History[]
After the Apsaras II was lost Ginias Sahalin began work on the final version of the Apsaras Project, the Apsaras III. However, not long after the Principality of Zeon lost Operation Odessa the Apsaras Project was ordered to be halted. Ginias Sahalin, driven by a mad determination to see his project completed, demanded the work on the Apsaras to continue despite the orders that Zeon prepare moving all of their available resources and supplies to space, and he went so far as to murder anyone who he felt stood in his way.
With the three RX-75 Guntank Mass Production Type destroyed, the Apsaras III launched from its mountainous base piloted by Ginias and his sister Aina Sahalin. Aina, in a desperate attempt to get wounded Zeon soldiers into space, used the mobile armor's beam weaponry to draw a boundary line and request a cease-fire to get the soldiers out. Though granted, Ginias and Federation captain Isan Ryer had no intention on keeping it. Ginias used the Mobile Armor to destroy the various surrounding RX-79[G] Gundam Ground Type and RGM-79[G] GM Ground Type, leading to Ryer ordering a RGM-79[G] GM Sniper to attack the escaping Zanzibar-class ship, destroying it and killing everyone on board.
Mad with grief, Aina prepared to vaporize the Federation base Iser was at until she spotted the RX-79[G]Ez-8 Gundam Ez8 and curved the beam away tearing a massive hole through a mountain. Ginias shot Aina in retaliation for her sudden change of heart, only being saved by the Ez8 catching her, and took over piloting the Mobile Armor, intending on killing Shiro Amada for "brainwashing" his sister, only for the GM Sniper to deal heavy damage to the armor and destroying one of its Minovsky Craft Systems.
With Aina alive, she and Shiro teamed up to take out the suit once and for all with the Ez8's beam saber. However, the GM Sniper turned its attention to the Ez8, attacking the mobile suit, allowing Ginias to reactivate the Apsaras III, killing the pilot of the GM Sniper and turning its attention to the Federation base. The Ez8 would end the Apsaras III and Ginias' twisted dream as the suit smashed its good arm through the cockpit, but not before it fired its weapon one last time, killing Isan and those left in the Federation base.
Gallery[]
Lineart[]
Anime[]
Manga[]
Illustrations & Artwork[]
Games[]
Notes & Trivia[]
- The Apsaras III's legs may be an homage to the alien Fighting Machines (a.k.a. "Tripods") of H. G. Wells' novel The War of the Worlds.
- Like both it's predecessors, this mobile armour's name has been officially localized as both "Apsaras" and "Apsalus", with the former used in model kits and the latter used in official subtitles and dubs.
- An Apsaras is a female spirit of clouds and water in Hinduism and Buddhist culture.
- Apsalus was a city in Almopia in ancient Macedonia.
References[]
External links[]