Psyco Gundam

Psyco Gundam (Japanese: サイコガンダム, "Saikogandamu", "PSYCO-GUNDAM") refers to a series of fictional mobile armours of prodigious size, appearing in the "Gundam" franchise in various forms. The animation incarnations were designed by Kazumi Fujita (original work by Katsuji Murakami), and have appeared in both "Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam" and its sequel, "Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ", both by the antagonistic Titans force, and later, the Neo Zeon movement. Other appearances by various Psyco Gundams include, but are not limited to, the "Super Robot Wars" franchise, the PlayStation 2 titles ',"MS Saga: A New Dawn (PS2)", Bandai, 2005-2006] "AEUG vs. Titans",cite web | url = http://www.bandaigames.channel.or.jp/list/zgundam/index2.html | title = AEUG vs. Titans Official Website | work = Capcom/Banpresto | accessdate = November 4 | accessyear = 2007 | language = Japanese] ' cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/kidousenshigundamgundamvszgundam/index.html | title = Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Zeta Gundam for PS2 | work = GameSpot PlayStation 2 | accessdate = November 4 | accessyear = 2007] and "Climax U.C.", cite web | url = http://www.bandaigames.channel.or.jp/list/ps2_gundam_climax/ss/ss.html | title = Climax U.C. Official Website | work = Bandai Games | accessdate = November 4 | accessyear = 2007 | language = Japanese] the PSP "Gundam Battle" series, cite web | url = http://www.bandaigames.channel.or.jp/list/psp_gundam_chronicle/ | title = Gundam Battle Chronicle Official Website | work = Bandai Namco Games | accessdate = November 4 | accessyear = 2007 | language = Japanese] the multi-platform "" series,cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/ps/action/gundambattleassault/index.html?tag=result;title;2 | title = Gundam: Battle Assault for PS | work = GameSpot PlayStation | accessdate = November 4 | accessyear = 2007] and others.

In "Zeta Gundam"

Two Psyco Gundams, the original and its Mark II successor, appeared in "Zeta Gundam". Both were fielded by the malicious Titans force, and operated by unstable cyber-Newtype pilots.

Following the end of the One Year War, Zeon Newtype-use technology, such as the Psycommu system, fell into the hands of the victorious Earth Federation forces. These assets remained mostly neglected until the rise of the Titans, who placed a vested interest in development of artificial "cyber-Newtypes". Developed alongside those test subjects at the Murasame Lab in Japan, the MRX-009 Psyco Gundam was used throughout the series by the Lab's most successful experiment, Four Murasame."Entertainment Bible II", Bandai, 1989] However, cyber-Newtypes almost always tend to be mentally unstable due to their conditioning, and Four is no exception. cite web | url = http://www.gundamofficial.com/worlds/uc/background/glossary_misc.html#cybernewtype | title = Universal Century Glossary - cyber-Newtypes | work = Bandai America | accessdate = November 6 | accessyear = 2007]

The Psyco Gundam bears much in similarity to the Zeon-manufactured One Year War-era MSN-02 Zeong: an exceptional size due to the space requirements of the psycommu system, cockpit positioned in the head (an unusual location for Universal Century mobile suits) and a heavy beam cannon armament in its limbs, body and head to compensate. Aesthetically, however, the Psyco is obviously an Earth Federation design. Barring its paint scheme and dimensions, the Psyco Gundam shares much in physical appearance to the original RX-78 Gundam of "Mobile Suit Gundam" and other Gundam-class units, including the signature "V-fin" antenna."Entertainment Bible II", Bandai, 1989]

In the Gundam franchise, very large mobile weapons often suffer from a significant flaw in the form of poor mobility. The Psyco Gundam's transformable nature addresses this to an extent. By reconfiguring its body into a boxy "mobile fortress" form, the Psyco Gundam can move at exceptional speed via a Minovsky Craft System installed in its body. (2002-05-06) " [http://www.amazon.com/dp/1569317399 Gundam: The Official Guide] ". Mark Simmons. ISBN 1569317399] cite web | url = http://web.archive.org/web/20010605004534/http://www.gundamproject.com/world/minovsky.html | title = Gundam Project: Minovsky Physics | work = The Gundam Project | accessdate = November 4 | accessyear = 2007] Some of its weapons cannot be used in this mode, however.

After nearly destroying Hong Kong in its initial deployment (episode 19, "Cinderella Four"), the original Psyco Gundam, with Four Murasame at the controls, would continue to cause trouble for the AEUG force trapped on Earth and their Karaba allies.cite web | url = http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/zeta/zgep19.htm | title = Z Gundam: Cinderella Four | work = MAHQ.net | accessdate = November 4 | accessyear = 2007] The monstrosity was finally crippled and put out of action during the Karaba assault on the Titans headquarters at Kilamanjaro (episode 36, "Forever Four"), mortally wounding Four in the process (much to the chagrin of protagonist Kamille Bidan, and furthering the ongoing feud between him and Titans pilot Jerid Messa).cite web | url = http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/zeta/zgep36.htm | title = Z Gundam: Forever Four | work = MAHQ.net | accessdate = November 4 | accessyear = 2007]

The giant would live again, however, in the form of the powerful MRX-010 Psyco Gundam Mark II, which saw action near the end of the Gryps Conflict. The Mark II was a substantial upgrade from its predecessor in both offensive and defensive capabilities. Its armament was nearly doubled with additional beam cannons installed all over its body, and its arms were rigged with a detachable wire-guided ability (a throwback to the Zeong), including a pair of massive beam swords. An unknown number of unique "reflector bits" are stored in its backpack. A custom provision for the Psyco Mark II, these weapons are not armed like conventional bits, but instead allow the Psyco's pilot to redirect incoming beam weapons away from it, or to bounce attacks from its own weapons at otherwise impossible trajectories. Finally, the Mark II is fitted with a detachable head (another throwback to the Zeong), allowing its pilot to escape if the main body becomes damaged or inoperable."Entertainment Bible II", Bandai, 1989]

Piloted by the even more unstable Rosamia Badam,cite web | url = http://www.gundamofficial.com/worlds/uc/zeta/characters/chara_rosamia.html | title = GundamOfficial.com: Rosamia Badam profile | work = Bandai America | accessdate = November 6 | accessyear = 2007] the Psyco Mark II's deployment was cut short by the destruction of the asteroid fortress Gate of Zedan (the former Zeon stronghold A Baoa Qu, given to the Titans sometime earlier). The Mark II was disabled by Kamille's Z Gundam (killing Rosamia in the process), and it joined the fields of wreckage created during the final battle of the Gryps Conflict (episode 48, "Mirror of Rosamia"cite web | url = http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/zeta/zgep48.htm | title = Z Gundam: The Mirror of Rosamia | work = MAHQ.net | accessdate = November 4 | accessyear = 2007] ).

In "Double Zeta Gundam"

Roughly halfway through "Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ", the mostly-intact body of the Psyco Mark II was recovered by the Neo Zeon forces under Haman Khan. After being brought back online, the Mark II is delivered to Glemy Toto's detachment overseeing the colony drop operation on Dublin. Piloted by Puru Two (a clone of Elpeo Puru in Toto's service), the Mark II's full potential wreaks havoc on the AEUG forces attempting to evacuate Dublin. The goliath is heavily damaged during the drop itself, and destroyed for good by protagonist Judau Ashta's ZZ Gundam (unlike its previous operator, Puru Two makes good use of the detachable head and escapes).cite web | url = http://www.gundam.channel.or.jp/program/_zzg_tv.shtml | title = Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ | work = Gundam Perfect Web | accessdate = November 4 | accessyear = 2007 | language = Japanese] cite web | url = http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/zz/gzzmain.htm | title = Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ Episode Guide | work = MAHQ.net | accessdate = November 4 | accessyear = 2007]

Other appearances and beyond

". Note pilot Urube Ishikawa, a character from 1994's "Mobile Fighter G Gundam".] North American audiences' first exposure to the Psyco Gundam series came in the PlayStation fighting game "", released in November 2000. cite web | url = http://psx.ign.com/objects/014/014791.html | title = IGN: Gundam Battle Assault | work = IGN Entertainment | accessdate = November 4 | accessyear = 2007] A "Psyco Gundam Mark III", bearing features of both original machines (e.g. the original's traditional-looking head and face with signature V-fin antenna, and the Mark II's limb- and leg-mounted weaponry) along with wholly unique ones, was designed for the game by veteran mechanical designer Kunio Okawara. cite web | url = http://www.mahq.net/mecha/gundam/battlemaster/psycogundammark3.htm | title = Psyco Gundam Mark III | work = MAHQ.net | accessdate = November 4 | accessyear = 2007] The Mark III is a boss unit, and is not immediately available for player use, though it can be unlocked at the end of the main game. The Mark III would later appear in the "Gundam War" card game, with a line art redesign by Hajime Katoki, another long-time Gundam mechanical designer.

A prototype Psyco Gundam, MRX-007, in the size of a standard mobile suit was designed by Kunio Okawara in his own MS collection(a.k.a. M-MSV) in 1989 and a further developed prototype unit, MRX-008, which is significantly larger and resembles Psyco Gundam, MRX-009, in size was introduced in the novel, "Four Story", an official published side story which tells the story of Four Murasame in the Murasame research facility before the events of "Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam".

The Psyco Gundam and its Mark II successor appear as bosses in ""; the latter as an optional fight due to its difficulty. cite web | url = http://www.bandaigames.channel.or.jp/list/ps2_g-rpg/ms/index.html# | title = MS Saga: A New Dawn official website ja icon | work = Bandai Games | accessdate = November 6 | accessyear = 2007]

A curious Psyco Gundam exists in some titles of the "SD Gundam G Generation" RPGs, formed out of the original Psyco Gundam's head on a giant six-sided die; a play on words between the Japanese spelling and pronunciation of "Psyco" and "dice" (Japanese: "サイコガンダム"(Saikogandamu) is "PSYCO-GUNDAM", while "サイコロガンダム"(Saikorogandamu) is "DICE-GUNDAM"). Perplexedly, it is one of the most powerful units in the games it appears in. cite web | url = http://www.ggene.jp/ | title = G Generation official website | work = Bandai Namco Games | accessdate = November 6 | accessyear = 2007] cite web | url = http://www.bandaigames.channel.or.jp/list/gc_gashapon/index.html | title = SD Gundam Gashapon Wars official website | work = Bandai Games | accessdate = November 6 | accessyear = 2007] This "Psycoro Gundam" can commonly be found in "gashapon" capsule toy dispensers.cite web | url = http://chatchak.ocnk.net/product/58 | title = SD Gundam Full Color Collection #61 | work = 00 Parts Online Shop | accessdate = November 6 | accessyear = 2007] Less frequently, a "Dice Gundam Mark II" can be found in certain "G-Generation" titles, featuring (uncannily) a Psyco Gundam Mark II head.

. ["Newtype USA", March 2006 issue.]

Model kits in 1/300th scale (a unique ratio for Gundam mobile suit models) of both the Psyco Gundam cite web | url = http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10034872 | title = MRX-009 Psyco Gundam Z Gundam No.29 1/300 | work = HobbySearch | accessdate = November 4 | accessyear = 2007] and Mark II cite web | url = http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10034876 | title = MRX-010 Psyco Gundam Z Gundam 1/300 | work = HobbySearch | accessdate = November 4 | accessyear = 2007] were released in 1985 and 1986 respectively; the smaller-than-standard scale resulted in models that were roughly the same overall size as other 1/144th-scale kits of the same line. The Psyco series remained dormant in the modeling area until August 2004, when a full-sized 1/144th-scale Psyco Gundam was released in the High Grade Universal Century (HGUC) line. cite web | url = http://www.hlj.com/product/BAN926800 | title = 1/144 HGUC Psycho Gundam | work = HobbyLink Japan | accessdate = November 4 | accessyear = 2007] Though the same scale as other HGUC models, the Psyco's massive size puts it closer to 1/100th-scale Master Grade models in overall dimensions. The Psyco received a Mobile Suit in Action (MSiA) figure in 2002, cite web | url = http://www.hlj.com/product/BAN903106 | title = MSIA Psycho Gundam | work = HobbyLink Japan | accessdate = November 14 | accessyear = 2007] and was also featured in the expensive, precision-built "Gundam Fix Figuration" composite model line, where it is currently one of the largest item. cite web | url = http://www.hlj.com/product/BAN939729 | title = 1/144 GFF Metal Composite Psycho Gundam | work = HobbyLink Japan | accessdate = November 4 | accessyear = 2007] As with certain other easily-recognizable mobile weapons, the Psyco Gundam has loaned its likeness to Gundam-themed Zippo lighters, including its face cite web | url = http://item.rakuten.co.jp/kituengu/gz-mrx/ | title = Zippo MRX-009 Psyco Gundam | work = Rakuten Ichiba | accessdate = November 14 | accessyear = 2007] and distinctive chest-mounted beam cannons. cite web | url = http://www.mikonin.com/zippo/character/character.html | title = Authentic Zippo Character Lighters | work = Shop Mikonin | accessdate = November 14 | accessyear = 2007]

In Model Graphix special edition "Gundam Sentinel" character design notes, by mechanical designer Katoki Hajime, of Gundam Mk-V, MRX-009 Psyco Gundam is quoted to be of great success in terms of combat, yet it is impossible to mass-produce the Psyco Gundam, and the Earth Federation Forces requesting a cost cut down research on the Quasi-psycommu system and wired controlled weapons, resulting introduction of the system in Gundam Mk-IV and finally in the development of G-V(Gundam Mk-V), which could be said as the successor of Psyco Gundam series. [ModelGraphix Special edition "GUNDAM WARS III" Gundam Sentinel. ISBN 4-499-20530-1]

References

External links

* [http://www.mahq.net/mecha/gundam/z/mrx-009.htm Psyco Gundam] at MAHQ.net
* [http://www.mahq.net/mecha/gundam/z/mrx-010.htm Psyco Gundam Mark II] at MAHQ.net
* [http://www.gundamofficial.com/worlds/uc/zeta/story/index.html "Zeta Gundam" plot synopsis] at "GundamOfficial.net"
* [http://www.gundamofficial.com/worlds/uc/zeta/mechanics/ms_psyco.html Psyco Gundam] at "GundamOfficial.net"
* [http://www.gundamofficial.com/worlds/uc/zeta/mechanics/ms_psycoii.html Psyco Gundam Mark II] at "GundamOfficial.net"
*jp icon [http://www.z-gundam.net/index.html "Zeta Gundam" Official Website]
*(2002-05-06) " [http://www.amazon.com/dp/1569317399 Gundam: The Official Guide] ". Mark Simmons. ISBN 1569317399