The NRX-044 Asshimar is a transformable mobile armor introduced in the anime Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. It was most notably piloted by Buran Blutarch.
Technology & Combat Characteristics[]
Developed at the Oakland Research Institute, one of the Newtype Research Institutes, the Asshimar was the first transformable mobile armor capable of self-sustained atmospheric flight. The “N” in its model number signifies its origins at a Newtype Research facility. [1]
At the time, mobile suits relied on sub-flight systems (SFS) like the Base Jabber and Dodai Kai for aerial mobility. However, these took up valuable space on carrier ships and had critical vulnerabilities—if the SFS was shot down, the deployed mobile suits lost maneuverability and combat effectiveness. Additionally, sub-flight systems suffered from poor climbing performance, making them unsuitable for interception missions. To address these limitations, the Asshimar was developed as a fully independent, high-mobility unit capable of engaging and withdrawing at will. [2] [3]
The Asshimar's design featured additional sub mono-eye sensors along with the main camera sensor. The Asshimar's transformation mechanism is centered around its upper body folding into a disk-like shape, forming an aerodynamic lifting body. Its powerful leg-mounted engines provide fighter-jet-level mobility, granting it exceptional climbing speed and aerial maneuverability [1] . The engine's air intakes are located in the upper thighs, and they are closed in mobile suit mode. In addition, its mobile armor mode possesses excellent aerodynamics as a lifting body, allowing for long-haul flights. The head unit is equipped with multiple antennas with differential pressure sensors. [4] [1]
To ensure high-speed transformation, its movable parts and transformation joints were enhanced with Magnet Coating, allowing it to shift between forms in just 0.5 seconds.[1] This enabled the Asshimar to ascend in MA mode, rapidly transform into MS mode for close-quarters combat while free-falling, and then return to MA mode for a swift retreat—a combat pattern unheard of for conventional mobile suits. [5]
The Asshimar’s armor is highly durable and bullet-resistant, but it has a notable weakness—the chest armor unfolds during transformation, making it vulnerable to attacks during the process [6]. Another drawback is its limited armament—equipped with only a single beam rifle. This led to the development of the ORX-005 Gaplant, a higher-performance transformable mobile armor designed to address these shortcomings.[1]
In the manga Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Define, it was redesigned by Kyoshi Takigawa. New features include an increase in height, folding wings on the legs, additional thrusters in the legs and backpack, retractable twin machine guns in both forearms, and built-in missile racks on both shoulders. In addition, the large beam rifle was now stored on the side in MA mode (allowing two to be mounted), and mounted on the forearm in MS mode when not in use.
Armaments[]
- Large Beam Rifle
- A custom-built beam rifle with a long vertical rectangle muzzle, it was designed with aerodynamics in mind. It is stored under the fuselage in MA mode or at the back of waist armor in MS mode when not in use. It has an output of 2.6 MW, and its high destructive power was due to greater beam convergence rate. The Large Beam Rifle was able to fire beam shots in single mode and in burst mode.
- BR-87A Beam Rifle
- The same beam rifle used by the RMS-106 Hizack and RMS-108 Marasai, it is powered by a replaceable e-pac and is power rated at 2.2 MW.
- Beam Saber
- The standard close range armament for most mobile suits, it is a small device held in the hands when operated and is powered by a rechargeable energy capacitor. The beam saber emits a blade of plasma contained by an I-Field and can cut through most armor not treated with anti-beam coating. Buran briefly stole and used the RX-178 Gundam Mk-II's beam saber in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation - Heirs to the Stars in a failed attempt to kill Kamille Bidan.
History[]
Development began in U.C. 0083, with the transformation system proving relatively simple due to its minimal impact on MS mode articulation[1]. By U.C. 0085, the first prototype was completed, followed by operational deployment in evaluation units later that year[1]. During test flights, civilians mistook it for a UFO, leading to reports of a "flying saucer" to the Federation and local authorities[7]. Its ease of mass production and strong performance made it a valuable asset for rebuilding the Earth Federation’s forces after the One Year War, leading to its official adoption[1]. Initially stationed with North American units, its deployment expanded to Federation bases worldwide, thanks to the backing of the Titans.[1]
In the early part of the Gryps Conflict, the Asshimar was first seen piloted by Buran Blutarch during an attack on the Karaba-held Kennedy spaceport alongside regular EFF's RMS-106 Hizacks riding on Base Jabbers subflight crafts. The Asshimar proved very capable, easily out-maneuvering the AEUG's advanced MS such as RX-178 Gundam Mk-II and MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki. Though the Asshimar would be damaged and forced to retreat, both Karaba and the AEUG suffered heavy losses. Blutarch continued using his Asshimar in pursuit of Karaba's Garuda-class, launching from his own Garuda. The Asshimar was destroyed on one of these missions, killing Blutarch. One captured unit was used by AEUG ace pilot Gabriel Zola to attack the Kamchatka base in Russia.
In U.C. 0088, during the First Neo Zeon War, several Asshimars were stationed at Earth Federation bases captured by Neo Zeon forces. This gave the Neo Zeon forces access to the machine. The Asshimar was still used by the Earth Federation in U.C. 0090. Several units served as part of the Mobile Suit Air Force Company, one of which was piloted by company leader Broglie Ligera. Three of these Asshimars were used to reinforce a supply base under attack from raiders using mobile suits. Broglie would duel a blue Gelgoog that he seems to recognize as being piloted by Uma Lightning.
Some sources suggest that the Asshimar was quickly phased out due to its aggressive flight characteristics, which resulted in frequent crashes [8]. Despite this, its design philosophy lived on, influencing future atmospheric-transformable units such as the RAS-96 Anksha, which was introduced by U.C. 0096.
Variants[]
Gallery[]
Lineart[]
Anime[]
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam[]
.png "Asshimar Head Damaged 01 (Zeta Ep14).png (3.46 MB)")
.png "Asshimar MA-Mode 01 (Zeta Ep37).png (4.26 MB)")
.png "Asshimar Beam Rifle Firing 01 (Zeta Ep13).png (4.31 MB)")
.png "Asshimar vs Gundam Mk-II 01 (Zeta Ep13).png (4.94 MB)")
.png "Asshimar on Standby 01 (Zeta Ep37).png (4.63 MB)")
.png "Asshimar Taking Off 01 (Zeta Ep37).png (4.34 MB)")
.png "Asshimar Shot Throught 01 (Zeta Ep37).png (3.35 MB)")
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation - Heir to the Stars[]
Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ[]
Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative[]
.png "Asshimar MA-Mode Front 02 (Narrative).png (1.9 MB)")
Gundam Build Fighters Try[]
Manga[]
Illustrations & Artwork[]
.jpg "Asshimar (2).jpg (202 KB)")
Games[]
Fan Art[]
Gunpla[]
Action Figures[]
Notes & Trivia[]
- In the Japanese version of Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, Asshimar's pilot Buran Blutarch is famous for crying out the phrase "My Asshimar!" (アッシマーが！ Asshimа ga!?) before he dies, which suggests the strong faith he held in this machine.
- Although designed as an atmospheric mobile armor, at least one Asshimar was seen being used in space as part of the Glemy Faction in Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ.
- The Asshimar appears in Model Suit Gunpla Builders Beginning G in the first gunpla battle in episode A.
- In the SD Gundam G Generation series, the Asshimar was equipped with vulcan guns on its head above its main optical camera.
Appearances[]
- Television Series
- Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
- Episode 13, Shuttle Launch
- First appearance
- Episode 14, Amuro Flies Again
- Episode 13, Shuttle Launch
- OVAs and ONAs
- Gundam Build Metaverse
- Episode 2, Rerise
- Movies
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 "The Anime Special Edition Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam", Kindai Eigasha, August 25, 1985
- ↑ ENTERTAINMENT BIBLE.2 Mobile Suit Gundam MS Encyclopedia [PART.2 Gryps War Edition] 1989, p. 40.
- ↑ ADVANCE OF Ζ THE TRAITOR TO DESTINY Vol2 2011, p. 60-63.
- ↑ "1/250 NRX-044 Asshimar", Bandai, November 1985
- ↑ AOZ ReBoot47 2018
- ↑ "MOBILE SUIT IN ACTION!! Asshimar", Bandai, April 2005.
- ↑ "Project File Zeta Gundam", SB Creative, October 3, 2016. ISBN 978-4-7973-8699-8.
- ↑ Asahi Publishing Anime Film Books TV Series [Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam] Film Book Part 1, Asahi Publishing, January 14, 1999
External links[]