The mobile docking ship La Vie en Rose(ラビアンローズ) is a relatively large spaceship from the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise. First appearing in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. The La Vie en Rose is known for being a dockable orbital manufacturing plant and the facility that last held the RX-78GP03 Gundam "Dendrobium Orchis" for elaborate field-testing after its subsequent delivery from the Von Braun lunar facility. The La Vie en Rose serves both as a heavy repair facility and testing platform for Anaheim Electronics. It is also one of three main facilities owned by Anaheim Electronics used to produce and repair mobile suits and even deploy as a drydock to service the larger space warships of the Earth Federal Space Force. The facility is distinctively characterized by its ability to dock with ships via its four large arm servos, which clamp down on the ship while docking, and extend out when not docked with a ship. In either configuration, the mobile docking facility looks like a flower.
Role in the Universal Century Gundam series
Stardust Memory
The most critical role played by La Vie en Rose happens in Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory, after Anavel Gato uses the stolen RX-78GP02A Gundam "Physalis" nuclear warhead against the Earth Federation's naval review at Konpei Island, destroying and crippling roughly two-thirds of the Earth Federation's fleet. After losing the RX-78GP01-Fb Gundam "Zephyranthes" Full Burnern in a battle with the Gundam "Physalis" after the tactical nuclear strike, the Albion goes to the La Vie en Rose. Upon docking with the ship, it is revealed that Admiral Kowen is no longer head of the Gundam Project, and the Federation liaison officer overseeing its development restricts the movements of the Albion's crew, allowing only Nina Purpleton, Ensign Kou Uraki, and Captain Eiphar Synapse access to the La Vie en Rose. He also prevents the Albion from acquiring the Gundam "Dendrobium Orchis", citing the current situation with the Delaz Fleet.
On the La Vie en Rose, the Albion crew meets Lucette Audevie, the chief engineer of the Gundam "Dendrobium Orchis". Lucette is an acquaintance of Nina and knows a lot about her, and chooses to reveal some of the personal and private information about Nina to Kou during his time trying to get familiar on the "Orchis". This puts an even greater rift between Kou and Nina.
Lucette is tragically killed by the Federation liaison officer after trying to help Kou "steal away" the Gundam "Dendrobium Orchis" after it is revealed that a Haman Karn–led Neo Zeon has given the AMA-002 Neue Ziel mobile armor to the Delaz Fleet and that Delaz plans to send an old space colony crashing into earth. After the crew of the Albion neutralizes the Earth Federation Space Stronghold Defense Unit on the La Vie en Rose, Kou commandeers the Gundam "Dendrobium Orchis" and goes out to find the Delaz Fleet and the Neue Ziel.
Zeta Gundam and ZZ Gundam
Due to Anaheim Electronics' profit-oriented mindset and the trade restrictions imposed on it by the Titans during the events of Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, Anaheim was instrumental in helping the Anti Earth Union Group (AEUG) in its fight against the Titans by helping AEUG members hide out in various Anaheim facilities, including the La Vie en Rose.
In Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, the acting captain of the La Vie en Rose, Emary Ounce, uses the ship to help house the members of the AEUG in their fight against Haman Karn's Neo Zeon movement, as well as provided a mobile dock where the Argama could be repaired. In addition, she flirts with Bright Noa, who tests his loyalty to Mirai Yashima.
Near the end of Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, the La Vie en Rose was heavily damaged by the NZ-000 Queen Mansa piloted by Ple Two, who launched a massive funnel attack on the ship, killing Emary Ounce in the process. Past the events of Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, it is unknown what becomes of the ship: whether it was decommissioned, still in use, or eventually sold off when Anaheim looses its contracts to the Federation think-tank Strategic Naval Research Institute (SNRI) during the events of Mobile Suit Gundam F91. Some Gundam-related materials suggest that La Vie en Rose was destroyed during an uprising, but that remains unconfirmed.
Victory Gundam
In Mobile Suit Victory Gundam, there is a La Vie en Rose-class ship: the La Vie en Rose IV; it is utilized by the League Militaire in their struggle against the Zanscare Empire.[1]
Trivia
The phrase la vie en rose is French for "life through rose-coloured glasses" or literally "life in pink". It is also the title of the signature song of famous French singer Édith Piaf and also famously covered, rendered in English and added with more elaborate brass instrumentation in a re-recording by Louis Armstrong.
Gallery
References
- ↑ Episode 22
- Gundam Technical Manuals Volume 3: Stardust Memories. Tokyopop. ISBN 1-931514-06-2.
- Gundam: The Official Guide. VIZ Media LLC. ISBN 1-56931-739-9.
- Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory (vol. 4) episode 11 "La Vie en Rose". Bandai Entertainment, 2002. UPC 669198801532.
External links