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[]
Initially developed as an experimental transformable mobile armor at the Oakland Research Institute, the NRX-044 Asshimar was introduced before the Gryps Conflict and was used extensively by the Earth Federation Forces. It was the first mobile weapon to be capable of flight in the Earth atmosphere on its own power without the help of a sub-flight system.
The Asshimar's design featured additional sub mono-eye sensors along with the main camera sensor. Because its range was restricted to within the Earth atmosphere, a thermonuclear jet engine is used as its main propulsion system. This system uses air for propellant, making it fuel-efficient and gives the Asshimar enhanced cruising capacity. 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.
With magnet coating applied to its transformation system, the Asshimar was able to switch between MS and MA modes in only 0.5 seconds. Also, it sported thick armor and was able to withstand most standard mobile suit firearms. However, the chest frame is vulnerable to attack during transformation. The Asshimar's primary weapon is a single large beam rifle, which was mounted on the main body in MA mode. Nevertheless, the Asshimar proved to be a powerful and versatile unit, and it was stationed on various Federation bases on Earth.
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[]
Developed 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. By U.C. 0096, the Asshimar was succeeded by the RAS-96 Anksha.
Variants[]
Gallery[]
Lineart[]
Anime[]
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[]
Gundam ZZ[]
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[]
External links[]