MSN-04 Sazabi

The MSN-04 Sazabi is a fictional mobile suit designed by Yutaka Izubuchi for the anime movie "Char's Counterattack"; it has also appeared in titles including, but not limited to, the "Super Robot Wars"cite web | url = http://db.gamefaqs.com/console/psx/file/super_robot_taisen_robot_series.txt | title = Super Robot Wars: Robot Series Guide | work = GameFAQs | accessdate = February 22 | accessyear = 2007] series of strategy games, the ""cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/ps/action/gundambattleassault/index.html | title = Gundam Battle Assault page | work = GameSpot.com | accessdate = February 22 | accessyear = 2007] series of fighting games, the Playstation 2 titles "Climax U.C.,"cite web | url = http://www.bandaigames.channel.or.jp/list/ps2_gundam_climax/ss/ss.html | title = jp icon Climax UC Official Website | work = Bandai | accessdate = February 22 | accessyear = 2007] ""cite web | url = http://db.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/file/ms_saga_suits.txt | title = MS Saga: New Dawn - Mobile Suit Compendium | work = GameFAQs | accessdate = February 22 | accessyear = 2007] and "A.C.E.."cite web | url = http://www.ace-game.jp/robot/index.html | title = jp icon Another Century's Episode 2 Official Website - Robot List | work = Banpresto | accessdate = February 22 | accessyear = 2007] It is utilized by movie and timeline antagonist Char Aznable.

In "Char's Counterattack"

Following the establishment of the second Neo Zeon movement, Char Aznable commissioned Anaheim Electronics to produce a custom-designed mobile suit specifically for his personal use. Painted in his trademark red color scheme and insignia, Char utilized the Sazabi as a front-line combat unit to personally lead Neo Zeon mobile suit forces against the Earth Federation Space Force and its Londo Bell subsidiary.cite book | last = Yadate | first = Hajime | title = Gundam Technical Manual #4: Char's Counterattack | date = 2002-07-09 | isbn = 1591820502]

Despite its large size by mobile suit standards, the Sazabi maintains a high level of maneuverability due to a proportionally-high number of maneuvering verniers and lightweight armor materials. It is also heavily armed, including a powerful mega particle cannon in its torso, a variable-output beam shot rifle (a pump-action activates a shotgun-like burst, otherwise functions as a normal beam rifle with semiautomatic fire), and a battery of melee weapons. Its large shield includes space to store a beam tomahawk, as well as three missiles. It is also armed with half a dozen of the same funnel remote weapons as the Jagd Doga.cite book | last = Yadate | first = Hajime | title = Gundam Technical Manual #4: Char's Counterattack | date = 2002-07-09 | isbn = 1591820502] However, the Sazabi's most notable tool is its Psychoframe, a device created by the Neo Zeon movement to both amplify and better harness a Newtype pilot's combat capability. In addition to functioning as a standard psycommu system for control of the funnels, it also boosts a Newtype pilot's ability to control the mobile suit it is mounted in: this translates to a greatly improved reaction time in combat situations, cutting down or eliminating entirely the delay associated with manual controls. Furthermore, the Psychoframe is also capable of more "unforeseen capabilities" that even its pilots do not fully comprehend."Entertainment Bible III", Bandai, 1989 ISBN4-89189-019-3]

After protagonist Amuro Ray is equipped with his own custom-designed Nu Gundam, provided with a psychoframe of its own (at Char's behest, no less), Amuro and Char engage in combat above the asteroid Axis, where Char is eventually defeated in hand-to-hand combat (each combatant having disarmed the other of their mobile suits' weaponry). Fortuitously for Char, the Sazabi was also designed with an escape pod which is automatically fired if the mobile suit sustains critical damage."Entertainment Bible III", Bandai, 1989 ISBN4-89189-019-3] cite book | last = Simmons | first = Mark | title = Gundam: The Official Guide | date = 2002-05-06 | isbn = 1569317399]

Elsewhere and Miscellany

As with other mobile suits from the movie, the lighters.cite web | url = http://www.rakuten.co.jp/art-oode/662291/662292/1769686/ | title = jp icon Char's Counterattack Authentic Zippo Lighters | work = Rakuten Ichiba | accessdate = February 22 | accessyear = 2007]

References

External links

* [http://www.gundamofficial.com/worlds/uc/cca/mechanics/ms_sazabi.html Sazabi] at "GundamOfficial.com"
* [http://www.mahq.net/mecha/gundam/cca/msn-04.htm Sazabi] at MAHQ
* [http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/gundam.htm Char's Counterattack review] at MAHQ
* [http://www.gundamofficial.com/worlds/uc/cca/story/index.html Char's Counterattack plot synopsis] at "GundamOfficial.com"
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20011205060657/www.gundamproject.com/works/counterattack.html Char's Counterattack] at the Gundam Project (archive courtesy of the Wayback Machine).
* [http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10011962 2000 Master Grade Sazabi] at Hobby Search (English)
*(2002-5-6) " [http://www.amazon.com/dp/1569317399 Gundam: The Official Guide] ". Mark Simmons. ISBN 1569317399
*(2002-7-9) " [http://www.amazon.com/dp/1591820502/ Gundam Technical Manual 4: Char's Counterattack] ". Hajime Yadate. ISBN 1591820502