Mailbag 19: Archprincipality of Jeon

Posted May 11, 2006

This week, Bandai mangles the names of more Gundam terms.

RGM-79G asks:
1. Not sure if this one was asked but, the Zeta was the sixth Gundam built by AE, what were the others? I know there was the GP01, GP02, and GP03 (did the GP04 count in the Gundam total?). What were the other Gundams built?

2. Did you ever think about writing game reviews/storyline for the site? Or looking into more of the side stories?

3.What do you think of the design of the Gundam Pixie?

Chris responds:
1. I think you're a bit confused. I guess your source was Wikipedia, since the Zeta Gundam's profile states the following: "The MSZ-006 Ζ Gundam (Zeta Gundam, codename: "ζ Gundam") is the sixth mobile suit built by Anaheim Electronics as the culmination of the Project Ζ. Originally built as three prototype MSZ-006-X1, MSZ-006-X2 and MSZ-006-X3." Project Z included other mobile suits such as the Hyaku Shiki and Methuss, which each served as prototypes for part of the Zeta Gundam's designs.

2. I've already got video game reviews on the site, but I don't plan to review the storylines of games. As far as the side stories, for now, don't expect anything that's not already listed on the site.

3. It's a pretty standard Gundam design - nothing special.


Nagi asks:
1. When I check MAHQ's profile on the NRX-055 Baund Doc, I notice lineart for a supposed "NRX-055-3 Baund Doc, Jerid Messa unit," with a yellow-on-black color scheme. But when I watched Zeta Gundam, all I saw was Jerid using the red-on-black NRX-055-2 Baund Doc that Rosamia Badam used. Is the NRX-055-3 a Z-MSV design, or perhaps was Jerid's unit re-colored for the R1 DVD release of the series?

2. What is the deal with Bandai and their constant need to change names and name spellings for various mobile suits, characters, etc.? I understand why they changed the names for G Gundam's US debut, and I partially understand the reason behind some of the Gundam SEED name changes (specifically those dealing with double consonants), but lately I'm seeing decidedly more pointless things like "Gryps" being changed to "Gryphios" on certain model kits, places like Orb being first named "Orb," then "Aube," then BACK to "Orb" all during the series' run, suit names like "Quin Mantha" becoming "Queen Mansa" & "Sturm Dias" becoming "Schuzrum Dias," certain random spelling corrections that actually end up negating the original name's meaning ("Psyco Gundam" turning into "Psycho Gundam" on certain merchandise packaging, and Reccoa's aptly-named "Pallas Athena" becoming the virtually nonsensical "Palace Athene"), and suits debuting under one name while actually being referred to by entirely another once they're actually implemented (a certain pair of Destiny suits debuting in Newtype as "Knight Justice" & "Super Freedom," but going by "Infinite Justice" & "Strike Freedom" in the series). Do you know of any reason for Bandai to make such frivolous name changes, even after some 20 years or more of a suit/place/event/character going by another name or name spelling?

Chris responds:
1. There were indeed three Baund Doc units produced. Jerid's was the same color as Rosamia's, so I would chalk up the 'Jerid colors' in the profile as an error when Burke Rukes originally created the profile.

2. Wow, if I knew this, it would certainly make my work a lot easier. This is something that has been going on for a long time. I've seen the Archduchy/Duchy/Principality of Jion/Zion/Zeon, and I remember the days when you saw Amuro Rey/Rei. I really don't know why they feel the need to constantly change names - it's something that most other mecha franchises don't seem to do. Also, in the last few years, the name changes seem to be more bizarre. "Elpeo Ple" and "Mashymre Cello" don't roll off the tongue as easily as "Elpe Puru" and "Mashima Sero." As for name changes in SEED, I guess the staff of that show can't decide on names either - the BuCUE is referred to as BACOW on screen in SEED. Also, the "Super Freedom" is the second name for that unit - the first one mentioned was Nu Freedom AKF-0 (a reference to the Nu Asurada AKF-0 car from Fukuda's Future GPX Cyber Formula).


Admiral Amuro Ray asks:
1. I've a question about the number of MS each side had during the OYW. What I mean is, no numbers are specifically released as to how many units each side actually has. I know in the novels Revil makes illusions to the Feds having 30-40 MS, GM's, most probably (I think they had ten Ball too!). Do you know any specific numbers? Any numbers?!

2. Also, from what I've read the Zeon lost many Zakus during the colony drops. What I want to know is, how? Did suits spontaneously combust pulling those bloody cylinders? Did Revil's forces manage to blast 'em while they were off guard?? Or did the idiots fall into the atmosphere??

3. Finally, seeing as how private investors funded the AEUG, does that mean they were bound to have what, maybe two dozen warships? Or even less then eighty suits? Quattro/Char made allusions (or was it Bright) that the AEUG was going to invade Jaburo with about eighty suits. If that was true, is that really a lot of MS?

Chris responds:
1. I'm not even going to attempt to answer this question. There are so many different sources that have made different claims over the years. I don't think there's a consensus about numbers for either side during the war.

2. There's plenty of ways that Zakus could've been destroyed during Operation British. Look at the first episode of Gundam X - some Space Revolutionary Army suits are unlucky enough to be in front of the colonies when they activate their thrusters and begin falling. Also, I'd assume they had to defend the colony to the very end to prevent the Federation from changing the colony's course, so many Zakus probably fell prey to Saberfish fighters. I'd also expect some units probably stayed too close to the colony and were pulled down by Earth's gravity when the colony began re-entry.

3. As a privately funded guerilla group, the AEUG would only have as much support as money can buy. The Argama and Radish are truly their only real ships, as the rest of their fleet is made up of stolen Salamis class ships. During the attack on Jaburo, it was mentioned that around 80 suits would be part of the operation. That's a lot of suits, especially for a small paramilitary group like the AEUG. I don't think that'd be their entire mobile suit force, because they'd be stupid to not leave any suits in space to defend their ships. Even though the Argama planned to send down all their main pilots, I'm sure a skeleton force of suits had to stay behind (and of course Emma Sheen had to stay behind after having her Rick Dias damaged).


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