Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Char's Signature Mobile Suit



Every time Char Aznable comes up in Gundam-related material, I always have to stop and think: "What exactly is his signature mobile suit?" You would expect this to be simple, but I really don't think it is. Char has piloted dozens of different mobile suits throughout the Gundam universe, and I always want to associate him with a certain mobile suit, but there are a handful of them that one can reasonably associate him with.

Here's a run down of the main candidates...


The most common choice (and my choice as well) seems to be Char's Custom Zaku II. There isn't much of a reason besides the fact that it's the first mobile suit we see Char pilot. It doesn't appear in too many episodes, though it does make an impact, and it manages to land an epic kick on Amuro's Gundam. I've seen it represent Char in plenty of spin-offs and promotional work, so one could consider the red Zaku II to be the forerunner. 


Next is the Zeong. The Zeong is remembered for being Char's ultimate mobile suit in Mobile Suit Gundam, and for having a very peculiar design. I honestly never liked the design, and though being the final mobile suit gives it plenty of credibility, I wouldn't bother picking the Zeong over Char's Zaku II. It only makes brief appearances in the final episodes, and though screen-time is obviously not a very good argument right now, it simply falls short of Char's other notable mobile suits. 


Then, we come to the Hyaku Shiki. Despite being Char's personal mobile suit for the majority of Zeta Gundam, it is hard to associate Char with the Hyaku Shiki. The obvious reason is that it is not in Char's signature red; instead, it is a rather peculiar shining gold. Also, it does not have a traditional Zeon feel to it. Its design is closer to a Gundam more than anything. It is definitely a great and memorable design, but I would be hesitant to consider this mobile suit Char's signature.


And finally, the Sazabi. If anything, the final decision for me would be between the Zaku II and Sazabi. This is one of my favorite mobile suit designs in The U.C. era, and it definitely left quite an impact. It personifies Char's fiery red will in mobile suit form almost perfectly, and is definitely his ultimate mobile suit.

But these are all just my opinions. What would you say is the Red Comet's signature mobile suit?


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12 comments:

  1. Even though the Sazabi is Char's ultimate mobile suit I still prefer the Zaku II simply because its nothing but recolored grunt. There's no super special newtype technology to give it the edge so it really shows off Char's skill as a pilot.

    Also, shameless plug: Gundam The Origin is out! I have my copy and it. is. beautiful..

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    1. Wow thank you for pointing that out actually. I'm probably gonna go purchase my copy right.about.now.

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    2. Make sure you preorder the other volumes because Vertical's only printing limited copies (there will be 11 total last I heard). Time to unite and spread the word Gundam fans!

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    3. Also remember Bandai's looking closely at numbers so if we ever want to see Gundam in the west again, this is time to show our support.

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    4. Indeed indeed. If anything, I'll be making my purchase mainly in support and partly for the beauty of it all.

      Btw, I've noticed that there's an Anon that's always first to comment these days, am I right in assuming you're the same person? Might I suggest you use a name so I can identify you? I like to get to know regulars~

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    5. Depends on which post lol, but yeah thanks for the advice man. I'll consider doing that. Btw love your other blog, very insightful.

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    6. Thanks, that ones new so it's been hard to get any feedback, appreciate it though!

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  2. For me I think that Char's most iconic MS is his own Zaku II, as that is what makes him famous (lpre-wise). Despite the agility his Zaku is just as vulnerable as other unmodified Zakus in terms of armour, compared to his later MS after the One Year War which are usually purpose-built unique MS.

    Funny enough, Char's seiyuu was asked a very similar question earlier this month in Hong Kong during C3 event. He said that Zaku II is his favourite, though he likes Full Frontal's Sinanju very much too.

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  3. Hm, two rather easy decisions for the Zaku II! I guess I was right in assuming that the Zaku II is the fore-runner.

    Q - good point about the Zaku being vulnerable. Being able to take down superior foes with inferior machines is part of what makes the Char archetype so unique. We see it in Graham from Gundam 00, who wanted to take down the Gundams with only a Flag.

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  4. Previously I'm split between the Sazzer and the Zaku as they were unique in their own way. In the end though, I had to yield to the Zaku since it defined who Char is in combat...

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  5. Whenever I think of Char Aznable, I think of him in all of his mobile suits at once, crazy huh?, But the reason being that I agree with you, essentially Char is not known for a single mobile suit as every one he has piloted, has become his signature in one way or another.

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    1. Hm, that actually wouldn't be that crazy lol. I can imagine the picture I used at the top of the post coming to mind.

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