“ | At last, the Gundam by us and for us has been rolled out. For we the Titans, who uphold the principles of Earth supremacy, this pure-blooded Gundam, made by the Earth Federation Forces and unpolluted by Spacenoid engineers, is the form of the mobile suit that should have been given to us from the start. | ” |
—Beginning of Gundam Mk-II's unveiling speech at Gryps |
The RX-178 Gundam Mk-II is a mobile suit introduced in the anime Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, and a successor of the famous RX-78-2 Gundam.
Technology & Combat Characteristics[]
A direct descendant of the RX-78-2 Gundam developed by the Titans, the Gundam Mk-II is the first mobile suit to utilize the new movable frame concept. In this new concept, rather than merely serving as a structural framework, the movable frame incorporates all the mobile suit's vital mechanisms, including the actuators and control systems required for movement, and excludes the mobile suit's weapons, armor, and propellant tanks. This approach dramatically improves the mobile suit's responsiveness, reliability, and energy efficiency, as well as making it far more agile than traditional designs.
Another characteristic of the Gundam Mk-II is that some of its legs' movable parts are exposed and this design feature is based on the prevailing idea at that time that avoiding being hit by the enemy is the preferable choice. The origin for this idea is because no existing armor can fully protect against beam weaponry, thus it is better to increase the mobile suit's mobility by weight reduction rather than equip more armor which would lead to a higher weight and lower mobility.
The mobile suit also has what had become the standard 360-degree panoramic screen and linear seat fitted in a circular cockpit that also functions as an escape pod. The multiple panels of the panoramic screen make up a single 360-degree display, covering the entire inner surface of the cockpit. The image displayed on this screen is a computer simulation constructed from the cameras distributed around the mobile suit's exterior. The viewpoint is that of the mobile suit's head, and the image is carefully edited to remove the mobile suit itself. The linear seat is suspended in the center of the cockpit, supported by a linear arm which electromagnetically counters G-forces and impact shocks in order to protect the pilot. Together, the panoramic screen and the linear seat gives the pilot a larger field of view and eliminates blind spots.
The most notable flaw of the Gundam Mk-II is that it is armored using the obsolete titanium alloy ceramic composite. Another flaw is that the movable frame's leg sections have rigidity issues associated with the strength of the structural material used, and this problem persisted even after six design revisions. Despite this, for a brief time period, the Gundam Mk-II's movable frame makes it one of the most agile mobile suits available. Three Gundam Mk-II were produced in total. They were later stolen by the Anti-Earth Union Group (AEUG) and given a new paint scheme. Despite being used by two different factions, the Gundam Mk-II's weaponry remains mostly unchanged. Its only fixed weapons are two beam sabers, but it can carry a vulcan pod, a shield, a beam rifle, a hyper bazooka and a clay bazooka if necessary.
Armaments[]
- Beam Saber
- The only fixed armament of the suit are two beam sabers for close combat, which are powered by rechargeable energy capacitor and stored on the backpack. While the Titans used beam sabers of the model XB-G-1048L, the AEUG used the model A・E-Br・G-Sc-L, but both models have similar look and capabilities. They both had their power rated at 0.45 MW, and are more powerful than most beam sabers use by the mainstay mobile suits during the early stages of the Gryps Conflict.
- Beam Rifle
- As with most other mobile suits at the time, the Mk-II uses a beam rifle as its main ranged armament. The Mk-II's beam rifle is a custom model, with the one used by the Titans having the model number BOWA・XBR-M-86-C2, while the AEUG's has the model number A・E-Br・XBR-87-C, but both have similar look and capabilities. Power rated at 2.6 MW, the beam rifle is powered by a replaceable e-pac and has switches at the side for changing its output, thus the amount of beam shots an e-pac provides also varies. The beam rifle can be stored on the side skirt armor when not in use, and two spare e-pacs can be stored on the back of the shield.
- Hyper Bazooka
- For heavy firepower, the Mk-II can carry a hyper bazooka, which is cartridge-fed and capable of carrying seven rounds per cartridge plus one round in its chamber. The hyper bazooka can be stored on the rear skirt armor when not in use, while additional cartridges can be stored on the side skirt armor. As with nearly all the other weapons, different models of bazooka are used by the two groups, with the Titans using an H-Baz-85-Gry/Ver.045 model, while the AEUG used the H-Baz-87-A*E/Ver.004 model, but both models have similar look and capabilities.
- Shield
- Like most other mobile suits, the Mk-II carries a physical shield for defense on its left arm. While the Titans uses the model RX・M-Sh-VT/S-00018, the AEUG's is of the model RX・M-Sh-VT/S-001, but both models have similar look and capabilities. The Mk-II's shield can switch between an expanded state and a collapsed state, and like other shields, its surface has an anti-beam coating to defend against beam attacks. This coating is gradually burned away each time a beam strikes until it is rendered useless. A missile launcher containing three missiles can be equipped to the back of the shield's lower half as seen in the movies. Two spare e-pacs for the beam rifle can be stored behind the shield, but doing so will block the shield's view port.
- Vulcan Pod
- Although the Mk-II does not have vulcan guns installed in its head due to enlargement of the head's co-processor system, it can be outfitted with an external vulcan pod. While the Titans uses the model VCU-505EX-Gry/Ver.009, the AEUG's is of the model VCU-505EX-V・B/Ver.012, but both models have similar look and capabilities. The vulcan pod has an asymmetrical design, its left side houses two 60mm vulcan guns that fire alternately, while its right side houses the counter weight and the vulcan guns' magazine loaded with 1,400 caseless rounds, and both sides are linked by an ammunition belt.
- Clay Bazooka
- The clay bazooka was originally designed to fire adhesive rounds which immobilize enemy machines rather than destroying them outright. However, this weapon can also fire several different types of ammunition, and it's normally used with conventional explosive shells. It was clip-fed and capable of carrying seven rounds per clip plus 1 round in its chamber.
- Beam Magnum
- A beam firearm originally designated to the RX-0 series, it is utilized by Banagher Links' modified Gundam Mk-II stationed on the Magallanica in the manga 'Mobile Suit Gundam UC episode EX2 Lion's Return'. The Beam Magnum has an E-pac system with five connected E-pacs, consuming one E-pac per shot. Its power is comparable to that of a Hyper Bazooka Launcher, but its recoil is also large, causing malfunctions in the arms when used by mobile suits outside of the RX-0 series. The modified Gundam Mk-II counters this problem by having its right arm reinforced using an additional arm from a AMX-014 Döven Wolf-type unit, allowing it to fire the Beam Magnum without any issue.
Special Equipment & Features[]
History[]
Gryps War[]
Three RX-178 Gundam Mk-II units were developed by the Titans in December, U.C. 0086. When word of these three prototypes reached the Anti-Earth Union Group, Quattro Bajeena - (Principality of Zeon's infamous "Red Comet") - led a team which infiltrated the Titans' Green Noa 1 space colony.[1] With the help of a young boy, Kamille Bidan, son of the Gundam Mk-II's principal designer Franklin Bidan, Quattro's team stole all three mobile suits.[2]
Following the theft of the Gundams, two were sent to Anaheim Electronics to be dismantled and studied, while the AEUG kept the last one in its service, and repainted in a navy blue-on-white color-scheme.[4] The Gundam Mk-II was piloted by many of the AEUG's best pilots, including the rookie pilot Kamille, and the defected Titans officer Emma Sheen after the former moved to the Zeta Gundam.[5] Due to being an experimental unit meant to test the effectiveness of the moveable frame, the Gundam Mk-II was soon outclassed by the Titans' new and transformable mobile suits, though it still participated in many of the AEUG's most important missions, such as the Second Battle of Jaburo, or the Battle of New Hong Kong against the MRX-009 Psycho Gundam.[6]
To improve its performance, the AEUG eventually commissioned Anaheim Electronics to build a new support craft for the Gundam Mk-II, resulting in the FXA-05D G-Defenser that could dock with the mobile suit to create the RX-178+FXA-05D Super Gundam which has superior speed, mobility, and firepower.[7] Despite this upgrade, the Gundam Mk-II still suffered in performance compared to the Titans latest mobile suits during the final days of the Gryps War.[8] Additionally, the Titans utilized the Gundam Mk-II as a reference when developing its newest mass production machine, the RMS-154 Barzam.
First Neo Zeon War[]
The Gundam Mk-II was again called to service during the First Neo Zeon War against Neo Zeon and their superior mobile suits. With Emma's death at the end of the Gryps War, the Mk-II was never officially designated a pilot during the First Neo Zeon War, but it was most often piloted by Shangri-La's Elle Vianno. It was also unable to become the Super Gundam as the G-Defensor had been destroyed during the Gryps War.
At the end of the First Neo Zeon War, the Gundam Mk-II was severely damaged against the NZ-000 Queen Mansa and abandoned by Elle. It is said the unit was recovered and repaired, but ultimately retired from service after the AEUG was re-absorbed into the Earth Federation, being put into storage alongside the MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam.
Variants[]
- Pronounced "Gundam Mk-II Squared", it is piloted by Emma Sheen in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Define. After Emma's Gundam Mk-II was heavily damaged by Yazan Gable's RMS-108 Marasai, it was repaired and upgraded into the Gundam Mk-II x II. This mobile suit has higher mobility due to added thrusters in its shoulders, rear armor, and legs. With the Gundam Mk-II x II's enhanced mobility, Emma destroys the left arm of Yazan's Marasai in a subsequent battle, despite being a 1 vs 3 fight.
Gallery[]
Lineart[]
Anime[]
Manga[]
Illustrations & Artwork[]
Game[]
Gunpla[]
Action Figures[]
Gashapon[]
Notes & Trivia[]
- The Mk-II was used as a commercial bumper for Late Night with the face of Conan O'Brien replacing the Gundam's head.
- Despite its name, the Gundam Mk-II is not the second Gundam constructed in the Universal Century. This is shown by the One Year War side stories, 08th MS Team, 0080 War in the Pocket, and 0083 Stardust memory, all of which take place before Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. In 08th MS team, which takes place during the One Year War, there were 20 RX-79[G] Gundam Ground Types produced, and then the RX-79[G]Ez-8 Gundam Ez8. In 0080, also taking place during the One Year War, there was the RX-78NT-1 Gundam NT-1. In 0083 there was the RX-78GP01 Gundam Zephyranthes, the RX-78GP02A Gundam "Physalis", and the RX-78GP03S Gundam "Dendrobium Stamen", which is followed by Titan's Hazel series. In addition to these more well known Gundams, there are other side stories that features mobile suits with the "Gundam" moniker and had took place between 0079 and 0087.
- In order to coincide that Mk-II is not the second Gundam, in-universe they were given various excuses:
- RX-79 are mobile suits assembled from left over parts.
- NT-1 is part of RX-78 line as Project G-4.
- Gundam Development Project is a black ops project to begin with, and later everything related to the project were technically stricken off official record and thus does not exist.
- Even though Titans did create the Hazel series with secret data copied from the GP project, while having the moniker of "Gundam" and possessing a Gundam head, technically speaking they are not new mobile suits, but modified GM Quels. Furthermore, like many Titan's side projects, there are always an element of black ops with the Hazel project.
- Numerous other side stories typically claim they are heavily modified GMs, from the RX-78 or RX-79 Lineage, or pre-prototypes that lead to the GP series
- In order to coincide that Mk-II is not the second Gundam, in-universe they were given various excuses:
- The Gundam Mk-II's AEUG colors tend to fluctuate between appearances. Its white body is sometimes presented as a more muted gray, while its torso color often switches between black and navy blue.
- In Dynasty Warriors Gundam 2, the license to control the Gundam Mk-II allows the pilot to pilot either of the two models, although their only actual differences are their stats, their Charge Attack 2, and which Special Attack the Gundam Mk-II should use alone and which one should be used as a Combination Special Attack. The Combination Special Attack from the AEUG model is the same as the Titans model's regular Special Attack, and vice versa.
- Dynasty Warriors Gundam 3 adds one more difference between them in regards to their special equipment, with the Titans model receiving an attack increase and the AEUG model receiving a defense increase. Much like the second game, earning the Mk-II license gives access to both models for all pilots.
- In Dynasty Warriors Gundam Reborn, the AEUG model Gundam Mk-II uses the G-Defenser exclusively for its charge shot, musou/SPs, and Burst Attack. The Titans model retains its SP moves from the previous games.
- In SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online, both the Titans type and the A.E.U.G. type Mk-IIs are playable but differ greatly including stats, skills (The readily-available A.E.U.G. type has Defense Up, while the rare Titans type has Seasoned Infighter, which grants it defense against Rock-type units) and weapons (both units use beam sabers and beam rifles, but the A.E.U.G. version uses the Clay Bazooka while the Titans version uses the Vulcan pod.)
- In the Gundam Extreme Vs. series, the Gundam Mk-II has three different playable incarnations. All the Mk-IIs share its beam magnum, which must be reloaded manually, its beam saber, and its bazooka launcher, which has a normal grenade round or a shotgun round. As of XBoost, however, only Emma Sheen's Mk-II remains playable.
- The AEUG model used by Elle Vianno is individually the weakest amongst the the variants, but compensates by being able to summon either the MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki or the Zaku head MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam for help.
- Kamille's Titans model cannot summon other units for help but is more melee oriented and has a special double kick. During its Burst Attack, Kamille will stomp on the opponent and laugh repeatedly, mimicking his line shortly after piloting the unit for the first time.
- Emma's Mk-II is the most powerful of the three and is the only one not at the series' floor cost. Aside from having more armor, Emma is able to summon Kamille's Zeta Gundam for support and can transform into the RX-178+FXA-05D Super Gundam for a limited time.
- Although AEUG Gundam Mk-II is seen in the movie compilation to use the shield missile launchers, the SD Gundam G Generation series since Spirits has it as an armament for the Titans Gundam Mk-II.
- In Dynasty Warriors Gundam's Original Mode for Jerid Messa in a FMV scene the Titans Gundam Mk-II, piloted by Jerid is seen using the shield missile launchers.
Appearances[]
- Television Series
- Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
- Episode 12, The Winds of Jaburo
- Episode 1, The Black Gundam
- First Appearance
- Episode 2, Departure
- Episode 3, Inside the Capsule
- Episode 4, Emma's Decision
- Episode 5, Father and Son
- Episode 6, To Earth
- Episode 8, The Dark Side of the Moon
- Episode 9, A New Bond
- Episode 10, Reunion
- Episode 11, Entering the Atmosphere
- Episode 43, Haman's Victory
- Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ
- Episode 16, Melee Aboard the Argama
- Episode 19, Ple and Axis
- Episode 20, Cecilia the Crybaby, Part 1
- Episode 22, Judau, Into Battle!
- OVAs and ONAs
- Movies
- OVAs and ONAs
- Gundam Build Metaverse
- Episode 2, Rerise
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Episode 1, The Black Gundam
- ↑ Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Episode 2, Departure
- ↑ Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Episode 12, The Winds of Jaburo
- ↑ Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Episode 6, To Earth
- ↑ Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Episode 22, The Eyes of Scirocco
- ↑ Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Episode 19, Cinderella Four
- ↑ Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Episode 26, The Ghost of Zeon
- ↑ Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Episode 49, Casualties of War
External links[]