MS-05 Zaku I (The Origin anime)

Model number: MS-05
Code name: Zaku I
Unit type: mass production general purpose mobile suit
Manufacturer: Zeonic Company
Operator: Principality of Zeon
Rollout: unknown
First deployment: unknown
Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso
Dimensions: head height 17.4 meters; overall width 8.2 meters
Weight: unknown
Armor materials: super hard steel alloy
Powerplant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor, power output rating unknown
Propulsion: unknown
Performance: unknown
Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown
Fixed armaments: none
Optional hand armaments: MS machine gun; Type A2 MS bazooka; Type A1 MS bazooka

When the prototype MS-04 Bugu proved too expensive for mass production, Zeon instead shifts its focus to Zeonic Company’s MS-05 Zaku I. The Zaku moved the power pipes that transmitted energy for the fluid pulse system beneath the armor to protect it from enemy attacks. As a result, the Zaku’s mobility was slightly inferior to that of the Bugu. In UC 0078, several early production Zakus participated in the Battle of Mare Smythii on the lunar surface, which became the first mobile suit battle in history. Three of the units were painted in the custom dark gray colors of the Black Tri-Stars, while the fourth unit was painted in Char Aznable’s personal red colors. The data gathered from this battle was used in future mobile suit development. By the start of the One Year War in UC 0079, Zeon was rolling out the upgraded MS-06F Zaku II.

Pilot(s): Denim, Slender, Char Aznable, Gaia, Mash, Ortega, Calca Gitta Madfa
First appearance: Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin (anime)
Original mechanical designer: Hajime Katoki

Cockpit hatch

MS machine gun

Rear view

Type A1 MS bazooka

Type A2 MS bazooka