Gundam Build Divers is back with a sequel series, Gundam Build Divers Re:RISE, that is just as referential as its predecessor. It would take a keen eye and bottomless Gundam knowledge in order to catch the more obscure references it makes to every corner of the Gundam multiverse. Fortunately, we have Gundam expert Tom Aznable to help.
Welcome back to Deep Dive, Tom Aznable’s reader-favorite column all about catching the more esoteric aspects of the Gundam multiverse that make it into the show. Nothing passes Tom’s eagle eye for spotting this stuff (we suspect Newtype abilities), but this column focuses specifically on rare sightings and deep cuts. Read on to see what you may have missed:
Episode 25: To the Tomorrow I Envision
Voiture Lumiere, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED C.E. 73: STARGAZER (anime)
Hiroto’s Nepteight Gundam is built around the Voiture Lumiere, a propulsion system for interplanetary travel that originates with the Stargazer Gundam from the Gundam SEED Destiny side story of the same name. This system absorbs energy from solar wind or, as we see in the episode, a directed energy beam via the ring on the mobile suit’s back to create thrust.
Chat Banter
There are, of course, a number of references among the scrolling comments that go by on Kazami’s stream.
The first is a message that mentions the Shagedan, short for “Char’s Gelgoog Dance.” This term comes from the Gundam VS series of games and refers to a taunt performed by rapidly moving the player’s character left and right.
Another comment directly quotes Lalah Sune saying “The white mobile suit is going to win,” from an iconic scene in episode 34 of Mobile Suit Gundam, “A Fateful Encounter.”
A few more comments reference memorable mobile suit battles that did not end well for the non-funnel user: the Stark Jegan versus the Kshatriya from the first episode of Gundam Unicorn, and the Hyaku Shiki versus the Qubeley in Zeta Gundam’s finale.
Eldora Danazine(?)
- Base kit: ovv-af Danazine, Mobile Suit Gundam AGE (anime)
It looks like Alus has added a new mobile suit to his stable to invade GBN, this time based on the Danazine. This dragon-like mobile suit was a mainstay of the Vagan forces during Gundam AGE’s third generational arc. It’s probably safe to assume it’s called the Eldora Danazine based on Alus’ typical naming conventions.
LG-GAT-X105 Gale Strike Gundam, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED VS Astray (novel)
Gundam Heaven’s Sword, Mobile Fighter G Gundam (anime)
Walter Gundam, Mobile Fighter G Gundam (anime)
There’s a fairly obscure debut tucked in among the identifiable mobile suit-shaped blobs in the background of this group shot. With some help (thanks @LowPolyRobot!) I was able to pin this distinctive silhouette down to the Gale Strike Gundam. Its pointed shoulders, back-mounted shield, and simple color scheme make it unmistakable once you know what to look for. The Gale Strike is an improved, close-range version of the Aile Strike Gundam designed by the organization Librarian. It’s pilot is the mysterious masked ND-HE, one of Librarian’s genetically modified “carbon humans” created from the data of exceptional individuals. It’s kind of a shame that this mobile suit is being limited to a blob cameo here, but maybe the finale will show it off in more detail.
In the lower part of the frame are two of the Four Heavenly Kings from G Gundam: Gundam Heaven’s Sword (Raven Gundam in the English dub) on the left and the oddball Walter Gundam on the right. The Kings are piloted by Gundam fighters corrupted by the Devil Gundam’s DG cells, and are sent to defeat the Shuffle Alliance at the finals of the 13th Gundam Fight.
