RX-78AN-01 Gundam AN-01 "Tristan"

Template:Infobox/Mobile Weapon Ver.2The RX-78AN-01 Gundam AN-01 "Tristan" is a mobile suit from the Mobile Suit Gundam Twilight Axis light novel, its ONA adaptation, as well as the manga adaptation.

Design & Development

The unit is based on the RX-78NT-1 Gundam "Alex", which was a Newtype-use mobile suit. It is made up of junk parts from various other mobile suits, including Gundam-type units; the head, backpack, chest, waist, and sole thrusters however are brand new. The combination of old and new parts was made possible by Buch Junk Inc.'s technology. How the Alex was obtained and details of Tristan's development as well as its manufacturer remain undisclosed. However, there is a rumor that after the One Year War, the damaged Alex was sent to a research facility operated by the Earth Federation Forces and subsequently transferred to the Buch Junk Inc. In the manga's version of events, it was said that the damaged Alex was repaired at an Augusta research institute in U.C.0084 and refurbished by the Strategy and Tactics Research Institute (later known as SNRI) using materials procured by the Titans. The unit was later transferred to SNRI and sent to space, where the Fermo Brothers stole it and joined Birnam.

Armaments

• 60mm Vulcan Gun

Solid shell weapons built into the sides of the head, they are used primarily for close combat. Although incapable of causing fatal damages to a mobile suit, the pair of Vulcan guns are useful for intimidation or restricting enemy's movements.

• 90mm Gatling Gun

Built into the forearms, the pair of Gatling guns are based on the Alex's, their function remains the same although the appearance is slightly varied.

• Beam Saber

Stored on the backpack, the pair of beam sabers are similar in shape to those used by the RX-178 Gundam Mk-II. It is unknown if they are the same.

• Beam Rifle

A long-barreled beam rifle, an energy source is built into the rifle itself rather than relying on an external E-pac energy supply. The appearance of this beam rifle is highly similar to the RX-93 ν Gundam's, but in different colors.

• Shield

A shield created exclusively for the Tristan. Used for defense in close combat, and for protection from long-range beam attacks.

Operational History

The Gundam AN-01 "Tristan" was used secretly by Birnam, a private military belonging to Scharnhorst Buch, the founder of Buch Junk Inc., a debris salvaging company that is part of the conglomerate Buch Concern and a subcontractor of Anaheim Electronics. The Tristan was piloted by Cyber Newtype Quentin Fermo, who was ordered to infiltrate the remains of the asteroid base, Axis, and later battled the Earth Federation Forces team "Mastema".

Gallery

Inside asteroid base Axis (Mobile Suit Gundam Twilight Axis chapter 1: Afterglow of the Red Comet)

Vs. AMX-011S Zaku III Custom (from Twilight Axis chapter 1: Afterglow of the Red Comet)

With its pilot, Quentin Fermo.

Close up (ONA 01)

In hangar (ONA 03)

Firing Beam Rifle (ONA 02)

Face close up (ONA 06)

Leaving the Kurwenal (ONA 06)

Seeing Ahava Azieru along with the R-Jarja (ONA 06)

Vs. RX-78AL Atlas Gundam (Promotional art for Mobile Suit Gundam Twilight Axis- Red Blur and Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt: Bandit Flower)

As seen in Mobile Suit Gundam Twilight Axis (Manga)

Games

As seen on Super Gundam Royale game

As seen on Mobile Suit Gundam: Battle Operation 2 game

Gunpla

1/144 HGUC "RX-78AN-01 Gundam AN-01 Tristan" (2017) - box art

Notes and Trivia

• The Gundam AN-01 Tristan is named after the eponymous character from the 12th century Anglo-Norman mythological tale Tristan and Iseult.
• The 1/144 HGUC Gundam AN-01 "Tristan" Gunpla is widely panned due to its lackluster articulations, which is a result of reusing the joint parts of the 1/144 HGUC Gundam NT-1 Alex that was released 13 years prior.

External Links

• Official page on Yatate Bunko
• RX-78AN-01 Gundam AN-01 "Tristan" on MAHQ.net