Template:Notability Template:Primarysources Template:Infobox fictional vehicle
The mobile docking ship La Vie en Rose is a fictional spaceship from the Japanese science fiction anime franchise Mobile Suit Gundam. First appearing in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. The La Vie en Rose is floating dock ship and primary home of the RX-78GP03 Gundam "Dendrobium Orchis". The La Vie en Rose serves both as a heavy repair facility and testing platform for Anaheim Electronics. The La Vie en Rose is one of three main facilities owned by Anaheim Electronics used to produce and repair mobile suits and service the larger space warships of the Earth Federal Space Force. The facility is unique due to its ability to dock with ships via four arms, which clamp down on the ship while docking, and extend out when not docked with a ship.
Role in 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-78GP01Fb Gundam Full Vernian "Zephyranthes" 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 AlbionTemplate:'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 knows a lot about Nina, and reveals some of that info to Kou during his time trying to get familiar on the Gundam "Dendrobium Orchis". This puts an even greater rift between Kou and Nina.
Tragically, Lucette is killed by the Federation liaison officer after trying to help Kou "steal" the Gundam "Dendrobium Orchis" after it is revealed that Haman Karn–led Neo Zeon has given the AMA-002 Neue Ziel mobile armor to the Delaz Fleet and that Delaz plans to send a former 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 with 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 remaining members of the AEUG in their fight against Haman Karn's Neo Zeon movement. 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 damage by the Quin Mantha piloted by Puru Two, who launched a massive funnel attack on 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 is decommissioned, still in use, or sold off when Anaheim loses its contracts to the Federation think-tank Strategic Naval Research Institute 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.
References
- 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.